Rookie needs advice on video head for DVX200

A

AlexLF

Active member
Hey guys! I'm a newbie in videography but I've been in photography for more then 20 years. I got my DVX200 1,5 months ago and I'm still learning. Lots of invaluable info in Barry's book, but I've just started.

I don't think I'm going to be a pro but at least I'd like to shoot my daughter's concerts and do it right, and to get the max quality out of the camera. Besides a talent and skills :) the other missing piece is tripod head. I watched all possible videos done with the camera and in this video - https://vimeo.com/138593056 (A Day of Life - Behind The Scenes) Takashi Chiba uses an expensive Manfrotto 526 Professional fluid video head. I realize he probably uses it with many other cameras, but I'd like to know what makes this head is so special (and expensive)?

Thank you.
 
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Good question... I don't have an answer, but can share experiences with you. My main head is a Sachtler that I bought used and have beat the hell out of (it used to be owned by the local Police dept, I think, and they weren't kind to it). It works beautifully. Very smooth, and you can feather pans from start to stop with a camera zoomed all the way and it's smooth as glass. ANY error is down to the operator. They are really, really good. They also can cost as much as a car new. What goes into them I don't know. I'd really like too, though, as it would help me save up for a new one.

The next best option I have is a Benro S8. I can feel the difference though it's hard to describe. That the Benro is around $260 and works as well as it does is a credit to them. But that operational "feel" is just a bit off... maybe not enough for viewers to notice but I can pick it up. The bottom line is you really get what you paid for. My advice is don't go too cheap. There are some really good options out there for reasonable amounts. Do keep in mind that the DVX is kind of a hefty camera, so some of the smaller heads are just not going to work that well with it. Hate to say it, but getting a camera is just the start of a long (and potentially expensive) process. A good tripod will be needed as well as a head... then a case... then a... well, you get the idea!

I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. For me, I can recommend the S8 as a non-budget-busting option, though once you get past a certain price point, there are some really superb options (Miller, O'Connor, etc.)
 
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professional fluid heads are a bit expensive! :) This one has some tilt and pan controls, counterbalance and much more. Please have a look:
https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/526-professional-fluid-video-head
But you can do a good job with cheaper fluid heads. If you do a concert more interest is to have a good sound. That means to use external microphones. Condenser ore at least a Rode stereo Mic. Another way is to use a ext. audio recorder like the Zoom5 or so...
Good luck for your concert shot!
 
Don't put your $5k camera on a $100 drag head. Get a proper fluid head and never worry about wanky pans and tilts. Don't use anything with "professional" in the name. As far as cheap goes, Manfrotto is one of the better ones. Benro's ok, too, since they basically just reverse-engineered old-school Sachtlers.

Seriously consider a Sachtler FSB-4 or 6 system with mid-level spreaders.

You don't need something as fancy as my Video 18 right now, but even as amazing as it is, that head is a bit overkill most of the time. But, it's worth it. You can get the same quality moves with an FSB series, and they're under $2000 for a system that'll out-live your camera...and you. Later, you can look into a Sony VCT-14 quick release system. But, the idea is you need an excellent fluid head (that can take the load of your camera and accessories and offers appropriate counterbalance) because what's the point of having a great motion picture camera if you can't move it?

If you just bought an expensive dad-cam I'd say get a cheap Walmart tripod, but you bough a DVX200. You can't cheap out on the other bits. It diminishes the value of the primary weapon.
 
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At that price you may as well get a Sachtler FSB-8 and get a much more precise head. The 526 is merely okay...wanky counterbalance and stiff controls. The FSB-8 is smoother, far superior. Doesn't hold nearly as much weight as the 526, but the mechanics are superior. A 20lb load is a lot, though.
 
JRJphoto said:
At that price you may as well get a Sachtler FSB-8 and get a much more precise head. The 526 is merely okay...wanky counterbalance and stiff controls. The FSB-8 is smoother, far superior. Doesn't hold nearly as much weight as the 526, but the mechanics are superior. A 20lb load is a lot, though.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of Sachtler... Let me take a look.
 
Here is a Sachtler that will hold over 200 pounds and costs over $12,000 -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/139142-REG/Sachtler_8092_VIDEO_90_FB_Fluid.html/prm/alsVwDtl

The weight that a head will handle has a big impact on the price.

You need a quality fluid head, and one that will handle the weight of your camera with any accessories. If you are on a limited budget, you do not need to spend $1,500 for a head. Nice, but not needed. Manfrotto, Sachtler make good products. I have a Manfrotto (Bogen) that is over 30 years old that I still use on occasion. It is built like a tank. I use multiple tripods and camera, and jibs. Having an extra tripod or two helps.

My next purchase will be either a new Sachtler or Manfrotto. Also keep in mind, you may be using your tripod and head with a jib, so plan for the extra weight.
 
I'm fine with $1500 head. Now, the question is which one of those.

And, you know, 30 years ago most of things were built to last. Now I doubt it ;)
 
Well, one factor that influenced my decision was a video on YouTube where the guy shows his Sachtler head and the way it moves. Yeah, it almost feels like I describe a girl :)) There IS a difference. But don't have a link right now.
 
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