Sachtler Ace L or Vinten Vision Blue?

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ericsf

Member
I'm looking for a good light tripod system for run and gun shooting. I have a Panasonic HMC150 and GH3 with accessories. I've been using a Manfrotto system with the 701HDV head and I've outgrown it, being so annoyed with the kickback at the start and stop of movements. So it's time to pony up some dough and get somthing nicer and that has room to grow.

I've been thinking about the Sactler Ace L or Vinten Vision Blue. Can anyone who's used them both comment? Is the infinite counter balance of the VB really necessary or is the Ace L's 7 steps fine. How out comparing the smoothness and non-stickiness of start and stop in pans and tilts. This is supremely important to me.

The stated minimum payload of the VB is 4.4lbs. I know there's the Blue Bridge that would make the min payload 3.3lbs I believe, but what if I wanna go super minimal with the GH3? How would it handle less than the min payload? Does that just mean that the counterbalance would always want to push back to center?

Also the VB system weighs like 17+ lbs, which is way more than I want. I'm looking for +/- 10lbs. So if the VB is the better head, I'd prob wanna get diff sticks like maybe Miller Solos. That would of course drive the price up to more like $1600+ vs. ~$1300 for the Ace L. Hmmm...

Any thoughts/insight anyone has would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 
Correction on pricing (B&H):

Sachler Ace L (with telescoping legs) - $1288 - payload: 0-13.2lbs - overall weight 9lbs

Vinten Vision Blue head - $804 - payload: 4.6-11lbs - overall weight 5.3lb
Miller Solo DV Carbon Fiber 2-Stage Legs - $689 - weight 5.5lbs

Total for VB and Solo legs (not including a bag) - $1493 - payload: 4.6-11lbs - overall weight 10.8lbs


So the Ace L is lighter, cheaper, and has a bigger payload than the VB/Solo combo (plus includes a bag). I guess the question is is the VB head better than the Ace L, and if so, is it better enough to justify the compromises AND extra cost?
 
Why not this version of the Ace L? It's less than $1k USD, it's only 3.9 kg, it should be considerably faster to set up (than the telescoping legs of the more expensive Sachtler sticks), and the mid-level spreader should make it stiffer when panning.

I would be very wary of the Vinten when it comes to the GH3; the GH3 is way below the minimum weight for the Vinten, even with a fair amount of kit hanging off the GH3. IOW, the Vinten can't counter balance something that small.
 
Thanks for your response. I like and use the super low and high height advantages of the telescoping legs. How big is the difference in stability rigidity btwn the two?
 
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