Sachtler fsb6 counterbalance question.

Just an update....Sachtler sent me a new set of legs. I'm not sure if that means that they couldn't fix my original set or they were just trying to shut me up. I'm just afraid that in another 7 months, I'll be facing the same issues again. Maybe not.
 
I've heard of those legs having problems several times. That's why I just avoided the problem and went the Gitzo rout. I have not received my FSB8 head yet, so I haven't tried out the new combo, but it seems like it will be sweet.

Here are the legs I got. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...S_GT3541XLS_Systematic_6X_Carbon.html#reviews

With a 75mm bowl adapter. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569199-REG/Gitzo_GS5320V75_GS5320V75_75mm_Bowl_Adapter.html

Maybe you could return your legs and get something tried and true?
 
I have a set of Gitzo carbon fiber legs that I love, but they don't have the top plate that allows a bowl-type fluid head to be mounted. I might have to look into the legs like you are getting. One thing I couldn't tell from their description of the tripod legs you are getting was that it had a 100mm bowl opening. Was that in their spec page and I just missed it?
 
thxdave said:
I have a set of Gitzo carbon fiber legs that I love, but they don't have the top plate that allows a bowl-type fluid head to be mounted. I might have to look into the legs like you are getting. One thing I couldn't tell from their description of the tripod legs you are getting was that it had a 100mm bowl opening. Was that in their spec page and I just missed it?
Click to expand...

I don't know if there are different models of legs for different bowl openings. I got the 75mm bowl. By the way it's constructed it looks like the size of the bowl wouldn't matter. In the opening where you insert / tighten the bowl adapter, or the flat head(don't know what it's called) that came with it seems standard sized. Just ask your sales rep.

I went with the 3 section long legs. Not that I need them that high often, but if I am on a hill I have that extra length, or if I want to be above the crowd I can stand on a chair and set the legs to 78". The bottom section doesn't add much weight, and when closed it adds mass/stability. It's also perfect height with the bottom legs tucked in. They come in at a svelt 4lbs and are quite sturdy. I can't wait for my FSB8 to get here Thursday. 2,500.00 is pretty pricey for the whole thing, but I am following the "Buy it once" philosophy. This set should last my career. I may need another style of legs eventually, but this package should do me nicely without me feeling like I will eventually want to upgrade.
 
hi chad,

im wondering why you picked the Gitzo CF legs over the Miller CF? i do like the fact that go even higher than the Miller but looking at the picture the legs seem thin to me. will they be rigid enough to not "wind up" when you do pans when the head is torqued down?

ive seen these legs but have no hands on experience with them. they do go high though and that is pretty cool.

id love to here you review of them after you get them.

thanks
david
www.davidprobst.com

p.s. were you required to pay tax on the EX1 that you won?
 
Hi David.

I was leaning toward the Miller legs too until I found some reviews written by a guy named Les Nagy over on dvinfo.net. It seems the quality isn't quite there with the miller stuff. He was mostly down on the miller head. I have not yet used my Gitzo legs but they have great reviews, and supposedly they dont wind up much. Maybe at full extension, but for the most part they won't be used that way. It's just nice to have the extra height when you need it. I like the locks on the Gitzo legs. They get tighter the more weight you put on them. Anyway, I trusted what Les said as he had access to both. Here's his review. He also answered questions I had and suggested the legs I got, and the shorter version as well. I can say they are light, and rigid. I can't wait to try them out Thursday after my FSB-8 arrives.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-...-75-cf-speed-lock-vs-miller-dv20-solo-cf.html

Here's the thread with me asking questions to Les:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-sticks-heads/19006-miller-ds-20-solo-2.html
 
Here's what Les said about the miller legs:

The worst part of these legs is not the things I have mentioned above but rather they are far too springy. Even with only the largest tubes extended they bounce back at the end of pans enough that one can never end the pan precisely where desired. It is very noticeable on my EX3 from mid zoom and longer. It is absolutely disastrous at the long end and with anything longer. No problem with the springiness, just lessen the drag you say? Not possible with the DV20 head as the drag is on all the time, one level of drag, all the time. The springiness is bad enough for light breezes to move the camera even when locked down at longer focal lengths.
 
that might be the only review that wasnt favorable to the Miller CF legs that ive ever seen. from everything else ive read he seems to be the odd man out. ive heard negatives about their heads in the past but not the legs.

for me the Solo VJ legs are amazing. i like the fact that they can go high and a very well built piece of gear. with that said if you can get taller than the Miller legs and be lighter in weight,be as rigid and a little cheaper... then they would have to be a very sweet set of legs.

let us know what you think after you get them.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Cool David

I wouldn't say that Les felt negatively about the miller legs. He just noted some springiness. That's also just how it is with these style legs I imagine. You have increased freedom of movement and portability with no spreader, but a little less stability. I have been using manfrotto legs and a 501 head for 5 years, so I'm sure I'll be much happier. I have read some complaints with the Miller head too. I'm sure it's not bad, but I feel I want to go the extra mile with this purchase so I have something that will last and work great. It's crazy that I'm spending 2,500.00 on a tripod, but it's an important tool that affects every shot you do.

I believe Les may be extra critical of his gear, and we might be happy with the items he criticized, but I'm glad he's paying attention to the subtle nuances. I have heard awesome things about Gitzo legs.

Here's one guys thoughts: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/...impressions-3-series-carbon-fiber-tripod.html
 
Chadfish said:
Cool David

I wouldn't say that Les felt negatively about the miller legs. He just noted some springiness. That's also just how it is with these style legs I imagine. You have increased freedom of movement and portability with no spreader, but a little less stability. I have been using manfrotto legs and a 501 head for 5 years, so I'm sure I'll be much happier. I have read some complaints with the Miller head too. I'm sure it's not bad, but I feel I want to go the extra mile with this purchase so I have something that will last and work great. It's crazy that I'm spending 2,500.00 on a tripod, but it's an important tool that affects every shot you do.

I believe Les may be extra critical of his gear, and we might be happy with the items he criticized, but I'm glad he's paying attention to the subtle nuances. I have heard awesome things about Gitzo legs.

Here's one guys thoughts: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/...impressions-3-series-carbon-fiber-tripod.html
Click to expand...

the height of the Gitzo legs is off the map and i thought the Solo VJ was tall! really a great option to have if needed. did you say in an earlier post that you got the FSB-8 as well? eventually someday i want to get that head.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Yes the FSB-8 is on it's way!

You sparked interest to research my own gitzo legs more and I just found this guy that said the Gitzos are better than the millers - less springy, though lighter. One may need to add weight. Look for Jack Walker's comments mid-way down:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-sticks-heads/237441-sachtler-fsb6-head-miller-solo-vj.html

And yes they are CRAZY tall! I record live music sometimes, so this and a step ladder with fat steps would put me way over the crowd, though I would take up a lot of area. But if you are on a hill it's also useful to have a leg able to extend that extra length. And while the bottom leg sections are retracted you have added mass/stability.

Jack said:

(Note: to me, the Gitzo tripods do not twist at all and are more stable than the Sachtler of the same size. However, the Gitzo tripods are light weight, and in a wind you might want to hand a weight from the center... which you might want to do no matter what tripod you were using.)
 
VGurcu said:
I am pretty sure you can always remove the ground spreader from LS382A model (otherwise you cant use them on wheel dollies) Check again:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444588-REG/Libec_LS_38_2A__LS382A_Tripod_System_Supports.html

I think you only saw the LS38(M)2A model(also same price), which has a middle spreader that cannot be removed.
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Yes you can. no problem. The Libec tripdo is great - strurdy, light. The head I'm less enamored with. We switched to a Sachler because the Libec head has no adjustments. It will vary based on how much weight you put on it, and you have no choice in the matter.
 
I just unboxed my first grown-up tripod - a Sachtler FSB8 head, with Gitzo GT3541XLS 6x CF SYSTEMATIC 4-SEC LONG legs that go up to 78". $2,500.00 of pure butter...

I haven't done any shooting, but I have panned around, and I really love the feel. The counterbalance is new to me after coming from a Manfrotto 501 (not even HDV) and I like it. At the moment I have everything (vert/horiz damping and counterbalance) set to 2 and it feels pretty nice all around. The camera stays where you leave it, almost. I can't wait to get it in the field!
 
You're gonna love it buddy. Especially coming from the 501 head. I used to use a 501 years ago and the Sachtler is a wonderful step up. Going from that friction head to a true fluid head is like night and day. Enjoy!
 
thxdave said:
You're gonna love it buddy. Especially coming from the 501 head. I used to use a 501 years ago and the Sachtler is a wonderful step up. Going from that friction head to a true fluid head is like night and day. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Thanks thxdave I will! It feels so light and precise already. I need to do what I did with my first tripod after I got it: Go to the Arcata Marsh bird sanctuary and track birds in flight. I thought I was hot 5 years ago with my VX2100 and the 501. Hey it was better than the 40.00 tripod I was using before, so I was more than happy with the 501. I could follow birds without squeaking. Now I could track a fly at 75% zoom I suspect! Focusing might be a ***** though...
 
Hi David!

Yes I've been using my new FSB8 and Gitzo legs for a month or so now and I am pretty happy.
EX1_RunGun01.jpg

EX1_RunGun04.jpg

The Sachtler head has a lot of control over everything you need. My pans & tilts have been quite smooth, though I could still use some practice. I still keep a heavy rubber band handy so I can put that around my pan handle, and hook it with my finger to pull left or right - it makes for more uniform motion. Interestingly the Sachtler camera plate actually fits into my Manfrotto head, and base plate. This is wonderful because I have an "El Cheapo" shoulder support that I put a Manfrotto base plate onto so I could quick release. So now I don't have to purchase a Schatler base plate at an inflated price just to use it with my shoulder mount. I highly recommend this head. I'm not experienced with any other "good" heads, but I researched this one, and it moves like butter. So sweet. The Gitzo carbon 78" legs are very nice. I love that I have the height if I want it. It's a bit of a pain to get the thing set to the height I like to work at though. If I put one of the 3 stages of legs out all the way it's almost high enough for me, but I like it around 6 inches higher than that. So I have to guestimate 6" more on each leg and futz around until it's level. I'm thinking of somehow marking my favorite height so I can just bust it out without too much hassle. I'm sure this is normal, I was just used to the column in my Manfrotto - which was great for quick height adjustments. All in all I'm happy and the rig just looks classy I gotta say.

One thing I don't like is the white marking paint that marks the numbers on the horizontal fluid damping. It was not properly cured, and my "3" has almost rubbed off. The paint in other areas is fine, and I did not want to hassle with sending it back. One more thing: I would have liked a shoulder strap to assist in carrying my tripod. The legs come with a bag, but who puts tripods into bags? If I need to move I either put the camera (while attached to the tripod) and tripod over my shoulder like a rifle, and march. Or I hold the camera by it's handle, and carry the tripod in the other hand holding the top of one leg. No free hands, and if I trip I'm screwed. The Miller has a cool strap. I want that for my Gitzo legs. Are there any 3rd party solutions for a tripod strap like that?

I have added a Libec ZC-9EX Zoom Controller permanently to my pan handle, and that thing is quite smooth. More so than the sputtering jerky zooms I was getting whenever I tried a slow zoom with the EX1 zoom control. So between the Sachtler Head, the Gitzo Carbon legs, and my Lebic zoom controller - I am one smooth operator. I should be in a SADE song...

I'd say anyone who gets these products will be happy. It's a great balance between awesome functionality, and mobility - though I need a strap to carry my tripod over my shoulder.

Happy shopping....

Chadfish
 
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I love my FSB8 head as well (EX3 camera). To turn on the lighted bubble balance, I just squeeze the bubble (top/bottom) and the light comes on every time. Nice!

I always wondered about the Gitzo sticks versus the Sachtler Speed Lock carbon legs (which is what we have now). I shied away from them because I was worried they would take longer to set up. But I didn't know the Gitzo's went up so much higher. Good to know. Thanks! :)
 
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