Sirui video tripods and heads

nutmegger

nutmegger

Well-known member
I am considering buying a Sirui BCT-3203 video tripod and BCH-30 video head. Does anyone have any experience with Sirui products. Based on the videos below, they seem like a reputable company. I watched the product videos for the BCT tripods and BCH heads and they appear to be quality products. Sirui currently does not offer video tripod/head/bag kits, but will in the near future. Let me know what you guys think.

http://www.sirui.com/videos.html

Thanks.
 
I've looked at them. Chinese Sachtler knock offs. They aren't terrible but if you are going to spend the money, just get the real deal. I would take a used Sachtler over a new Sirui in a heartbeat. There is also the principal of it. I never bought Beringer mixers since they were a blatant rip off of a made in America superior product, Mackie. I would never buy a blatant rip off Chinese product that is a copy of a quality German designed/engineered/Costa Rican assembled product. Not because it is Chinese, but because it is a blatant theft of intellectual property rather than gaining market share with innovative design and superior value. I like to support companies who innovate and make a better mousetrap. Sirui is not that company, they are a me too, me too product. I am surprised Sachtler has not successfully sued them. Probably cannot touch them in China but here and in Europe, not sure why they cannot sue them for patent and trademark design infringement?
 
I have a Sachtler Speedlock 75 with a FSB6 head. However, my new camera rig is too heavy for my Sachtler. I am currently using a Manfrotto 545B with a 509HD head. I find this combo not to my liking. I read Manfrotto will have a Nitro N12 available in the Fall. I could wait until the fall. The Sachtler 100mm kits are out of my price range.
 
I have lots of Sirui stuff, really good quality (photo tripods and ballheads). Their ballheads are legendary. None of their video stuff though, their early stuff wasn't that great, but surely they have improved by now.

Check out Cartoni Focus HD and Vinten Vision Blue stuff as well.
 
I would get a used Sachtler system. That one will outlast your career if you take care of it.

Just to connect to the Behringer/Mackie comparison. I had a Behringer mixer years ago which sucked and after that I got a Mackie and just got great audio quality and it has worked nice the last ten years.
 
nutmegger said:
I have a Sachtler Speedlock 75 with a FSB6 head. However, my new camera rig is too heavy for my Sachtler. I am currently using a Manfrotto 545B with a 509HD head. I find this combo not to my liking. I read Manfrotto will have a Nitro N12 available in the Fall. I could wait until the fall. The Sachtler 100mm kits are out of my price range.
Click to expand...

That's your issue, you keep saying, "Manfrotto this, manfrotto that" ;-) Forget Manfrotto if you are a pro and need professional quality movement. How much does your full camera package weigh? Trust me, a used Sachtler package may not be out of your range, other DVXers have shown me used listings of really, really nice Sachtler and Miller packages that blew me away at how cheap they were listed for. Do not get suckered into thinking that the Nitro is going to solve your movement issues, it's still a $450.00 Manfrotto, go look at the test videos, carefully. That head is not physically capable of performing a smooth, slow diagonal pan, it has stiction, backlash and all of the typical cheap tripod head issues that all Manfrottos have. It has continuously variable counterbalance, big deal. Friends don't let friends buy Manfrottos. It absolutely blows me away when I see pictures of Arris and REDs sitting on Manfrotto heads and legs, those people have seriously misplaced priorities. The best cheap tripod heads are Sachtler, Miller and Vinten and the best expensive heads are O'Connor and Ronford. Putting $30k to $70k camera on a Manfrotto is a crime against humanity. But back to you, what is your budget and what does your camera weigh?

One of the issues is, people have never been taught how to properly budget for a video/digital cinema camera package. The ignorant way to buy a digital cinema camera is to think, "Oh, a C300 MKII costs $12k. I can afford that." Person buys their C300 MKII and then it occurs to them as they order that they will need another $4,000.00 worth of batteries, cards, case. Then they realize that once said C300 MKII is rigged out as a Franken rig to make it usable, they have dropped another $2,500.00 with Zacuto/Shape/Wooden Camera. Wow, their $11,999.00 camera is now up to $18,500.00. Hmm, that cheap tripod they were using for their 5D MKIII isn't going to support their shiny new C300 MKII, they'll need a new tripod. Hmm...but they have already dropped close to $20k on their new camera rig. Wow, that new Manfrotto head is rated to 17.5lbs. It will "hold" my new C300 MKII that by the time I get it fully rigged out will weigh 22lbs. But "can't afford" a proper tripod, which will cost $5,000.00 to $8,000.00, that puts them way over budget. So they settle for a Manfrotto.

In reality, the proper way to budget for a digital cinema camera package (unless you already own proper camera support and media, carrying cases, batteries that can be used on new camera) is to take your entire overall budget and devote HALF of it to proper camera support. By support, this includes tripod, shoulder rig unless you will never shoot shoulder mounted, case, etc. The majority of people buy too much camera and give short shrift to what really matters, the gear needed to make the camera function in a production scenario. This is why things like a good universal baseplate, professional battery systems like V-Lock and Gold Mount and most importantly, a proper, professional tripod and head are ten times better investments that any camera. Cameras are short term romances that whither away quickly while the support gear is a long term marriage that will last if you choose wisely. By this equation, most people who are moving up the scale are buying a camera that they cannot afford, they are short changing themselves with crappy support equipment, the stuff that really matters in getting day to day work in the can.

"Steps off of soapbox."
 
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Beautifully said, Puredrifting. I read the following in an IT business blog once and it has really guided my equipment decision making since:

"To optimize the whole, you have to sub-optimize the parts."

Every purchase needs to be considered as part of a whole system that will, overall, deliver the best possible results in the most pleasant and efficient manner. This includes considerations like the weight and bulk of the equipment and how much has to be assembled, wired together and settings tweaked before being able to shoot. And there's a "fun" factor from using well designed and efficient equipment that improves my attitude on set and, therefore, the quality of my results as well.

I work mainly in a non-profit setting and am at the "best, cheap" end of your range, which is generally fine for me right now. I do not own any truly high end cameras -- my Panasonic PX270 and DVX200 are my speed -- but the tripod heads they sit on are a Sachtler and a Vinten, both with Miller Solo CF legs. These are good, sturdy heads with straightforward controls, very smooth, very durable, very quick to set up in the field, and just as heavy as they need to be to properly support my kind of cameras. I went the Manfrotto route early on but quickly grew frustrated and decided I couldn't afford NOT to own that first Sachtler (which is about seven years old now). I've probably saved more in stress-induced medical bills over the years than I invested in the tripod!

I have heard good things about some of Sirui's photo tripods and, especially, their monopods. I am considering buying one of those. But their video heads don't seem to be on anyone's radar and I wouldn't recommend them at this point.

- Greg
 
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Well said PD. I don't know how many of these tripod/head discussions we've had over the years, but they seem more and more frequent, now. "I just spent $100K on a RED and some Ultra Primes. I need a good tripod for $100."

Good support gear is essential and will outlast any digital camera you buy today. I started in the freelance business 20 years ago and I still have my original head, a Vinten 10LF. The head and legs(Vinten CF legs that shuffled off about a decade ago) were close to at least half the cost of my first camera. That camera has been long retired(prob. ~14 yrs ago), but that head is still alive and sitting on a set of baby legs/hi-hat in the back of the truck.

I hope the OP doesn't think we're trying to beat up on him. We're not. Just trying to help home from making a mistake.
 
I agree with you guys that quality pays for itself in the long run. Back in the 90's when I was shooting portraits and weddings professionally, my tripod/head gear was Gitzo. Back then, Manfrotto was still Bogen and Bogens were made here in the USA. Lester Bogen used to advertise his tripods by sitting on his fully extended tripods to show how well made they were. About a year ago I went to a "pro video" trade show in the Boston area with the intent of buying a "professional" 100mm tripod. Manfrotto tripods were the only ones on display. The show price for the 545B/509HD legs/head/bag was $1200 out the door and I bit. I needed a tripod that could handle a 20lb rig asap. I now regret it.
 
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