GH3 Smallest, most lightweight tripod fluid head combination for GH3 for traveling?

Q

Qatastrophe

Member
Hi everyone,

I've done quite a bit of researching on this subject matter but haven't found any updated (recent) results. In fact a lot of legs suggested are discontinued by now.

I'm looking for the lightest possible rig for sticks and head. I'll be putting GH3 on it with a zoom and a shotgun mic in a Honu cage. In the future I'm also planning purchasing a Small HD monitor as well. But I think I'll bring my bigger sticks if I'm going to be using the monitor

If you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

Side question: my FCPX ran out of space my on SSD after importing a ton of footage, how do I make it use HDD instead without reinstalling the whole program? Thanks.

Thank you.
 
Well, I don't know if it's the absolute lightest, but I have a heavy tripod for use normally and for back country stuff / snow shoeing / snowboarding / mountain biking etc. I bring my manfrotto 701hdv head with the ball mount on 755xb legs. I can use that with my AF100 and a 50-135 mounted on it. It would be quite comfortable. As you stated the set I use is discontinued but it looks to have been replaced by this guy

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...vh500ah_755cx3_mvh500ah_plus_755cx3_plus.html
 
Look into a MeFoto tripod (globetrotter, backpacker) with a light fluidish head like the Manfrotto 701. I used that combo with a carry- on kit this summer. Worked OK.
 
Lightweight tripod + video = shake NO GOOD!
Even my Miller DS10 is too lightweight without sandbags but it is very versatile so I do use it for special applications.
 
Zephyrnoid said:
Lightweight tripod + video = shake NO GOOD!
Even my Miller DS10 is too lightweight without sandbags but it is very versatile so I do use it for special applications.
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards the MeFoto medium one (road..something) it has a hook in the middle that you can attach your camera bag onto and one of the legs come apart into a monopod. Neat.

Now I just need to upgrade my bag to fit gear tripod and macbook ..
 
I tried TONS of tripods in the last few months. MeFoto, globetrotter, the new 4 section 190, and the Benro video w/s4 to name a few. I loved how compact the 4 and 5 section tripods got, but they were pretty flimsy. The Benro was an awesome combination, but with 3 sections, it just wasn't compact enough.

I sent all 6 tripods back and I'm still waiting for a perfect combo. I emailed Benro and asked for a 4 section video with the S4 head, here's hoping!
 
c3hammer said:
this slik 624cf is the lightest tripod you can get that is stiff enough for great video. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/720698-REG/Slik_611_615_Pro_624_4_Section_Carbon.html
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I think Pete has some good advice here. I've been using a set of Velbon Charmagne carbon fiber legs (discontinued for several years now unfortunately) These are about 3 pounds, 3 section with fliplock legs and I currently have a Manfrotto 501 head on it. I also have a 701HDV head if I want a lighter head.

There's a trick to using lighter weight tripod setups and still getting decent stability. Rest one hand on the junction of legs where the center column goes and lean some body weight onto that point. Works for me but then I have over 200lbs. of "me" to press down with.

That MVH500AH Fluid Video Head looks interesting, wonder if it will take older 501PL plates.
 
Bruce Foreman said:
There's a trick to using lighter weight tripod setups and still getting decent stability. Rest one hand on the junction of legs where the center column goes and lean some body weight onto that point. Works for me but then I have over 200lbs. of "me" to press down with.
Click to expand...

Yes.
 
Qatastrophe said:
Hi everyone,

I've done quite a bit of researching on this subject matter but haven't found any updated (recent) results. In fact a lot of legs suggested are discontinued by now.

I'm looking for the lightest possible rig for sticks and head. I'll be putting GH3 on it with a zoom and a shotgun mic in a Honu cage. In the future I'm also planning purchasing a Small HD monitor as well. But I think I'll bring my bigger sticks if I'm going to be using the monitor

If you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

Side question: my FCPX ran out of space my on SSD after importing a ton of footage, how do I make it use HDD instead without reinstalling the whole program? Thanks.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Might want to look at the Gitzo GT0531 (1.5lb) tripod. Has more stiffness than some twice its size. The Manfrotto 701HDV (1.8lb) head is hard to beat for size, but no longer made. My favorite is an older model Benro S2 (12oz) head, but newer models are not fluid like enough.

Best of luck
 
dan.carter said:
Might want to look at the Gitzo GT0531 (1.5lb) tripod. Has more stiffness than some twice its size. The Manfrotto 701HDV (1.8lb) head is hard to beat for size, but no longer made. My favorite is an older model Benro S2 (12oz) head, but newer models are not fluid like enough.

Best of luck
Click to expand...

I had a feeling that Gitzo was going to be out of my budget lol. Aiming for south of $500 for sticks and head
 
MeFoto (Benro) Roadtrip with Benro S4 fluid head

MeFoto (Benro) Roadtrip with Benro S4 fluid head

I travel with the MeFoto (Benro) Roadtrip tripod. It folds up nice and small, and the Benro S4 fluid head is pretty good for video pans and tilts. I'm not certain that it is 100% fluid for both pan and tilt, but it IS smooth.
 
Qatastrophe said:
Hi everyone,

I've done quite a bit of researching on this subject matter but haven't found any updated (recent) results. In fact a lot of legs suggested are discontinued by now.

I'm looking for the lightest possible rig for sticks and head. I'll be putting GH3 on it with a zoom and a shotgun mic in a Honu cage. In the future I'm also planning purchasing a Small HD monitor as well. But I think I'll bring my bigger sticks if I'm going to be using the monitor

If you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

Side question: my FCPX ran out of space my on SSD after importing a ton of footage, how do I make it use HDD instead without reinstalling the whole program? Thanks.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

What sort of weight limit do you have for the tripod/head combo?

Manfrotto makes a bunch of tripod/head combos using the MVH500 fluid head that range from 6-7 pounds (total) and $300-$500. Here's one example:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1022496-REG/manfrotto_mvh500ah_flat_base_fluid.html

Or get the MVH500 head and mount it on some carbon fiber legs.

I would NOT recommend using an ultra-light tripod/head.
 
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