FAQ Sturdy tripod, 6 ft or taller (183 cm, 72 in)?

C

Copperplate

Active member
Hi everyone,


It's been awhile since last posting on this site, but I find myself in need of some advice. I'm looking to get a tall, sturdy tripod that can extend to 6 ft or more, WITHOUT having to use a center column. I'm wondering how those in the film industry follow a 6' tall actor around the room at eye-level when it seems so many tripods (even the incredibly expensive ones) only go to a little over 5 ft? My current camera is the Sony RX10 II, which weighs in just under 2 lbs, so the tripod should be able to counterbalance for this low payload, but I'd like to be able to mount a more kitted-up AS7II or FS5 eventually.

I'm asking the FS5/FS7 owners who are used to working with pro equipment and may have recommendations in this area for a tall sticks and head combo that would work well for a light cam such as this but possibly allow some future-proofing as well. Yes, I welcome your suggestions on heads, too, as I'd prefer to have adjustable drag for pan and tilt. Looking to find something around $1500 or less. However, I'm also open to suggestions for suitable "budget" tripod offerings that might lack some of the adjustable controls if they're still very fluid and tall enough. If a budget offering would allow for a smooth pan and tilt at 200 mm equivalent zoom, then I could always use that tripod with the RX10II as a B-cam, and have my A-cam on a more expensive tripod.

Here's some of the tripods I've looked at, all of them are a bit too short:

Sachtler Ace L

Sachtler FSB4/2 Medium (On sale)

Vinten Vision Blue VB-AP2M System (starts at 4lb min. payload)

Davis & Sanford ProVista 7518 Tripod (unknown minimum payload)

I welcome any and all suggestions, and really appreciate any advice you could offer!

Thanks!

~Adam
 
Thanks so much jcskeeter! Those legs certainly look interesting. Are they quite stable when fully extended, or do they flex? Have you ever encountered build-quality issues on them in your use? I was never sure what to make of legs without a mid-level spreader, but it is cool they can go so low as a result. Thank you again!
 
A quality tripod can last ten years or more -- far outliving whatever camera pkg you're currently shooting with. My Sachtler 18 unit actually says "made in West Germany" on the head. It's 20 years old, and minus a few bells and whistles, identical to the current Sachtler line. What you're paying top-dollar for is silky-smooth action, and that's going to cost you. So, I'd suggest bumping up your equipment budget if at all possible. If you have to cut corners, buy aluminum legs (as opposed to carbon fiber). Think of a tripod as two pieces: the legs and the head. You can always upgrade the legs down the line. Also, better to invest in a system that can support a heavier payload, since while you may be shooting with a small camera now, in the future, who knows.
 
Not 80", but I bought a used Vinton 3772 carbon fiber tripod on ebay for $350. It is 62". I bought a used Cartoni C-15 head (ebay $350) on it and it is at 5'8.5". With the camera, it is just short of 6'. Maybe that's not enough for you, but I'm just showing you that you can easily get under your $1500 budget with some nice stuff.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._3_3772_3_ENG_Carbon_Fiber.html#Specification
 
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Thank Olof, Ken, and Paul for your helpful responses. I hadn't really considered used gear, but that's a great idea. I do want quality, even if it means paying a little more. Thanks for all the suggestions! This is just the kind of feedback I was looking for. :)
 
Yes, you need to be patient for good used items. I was not needing a tripod at the time. I just wanted something better and when I saw the deal, I grabbed it. I often wait 2 or 3 months before finding what I want. The problem often is that when you need it, you need it now. My 3772 came with the spreader legs. So from B&H that's $1337 (tripod) + $450 (spreader) = $1750. A savings of $1400.
 
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Copperplate said:
Thanks so much jcskeeter! Those legs certainly look interesting. Are they quite stable when fully extended, or do they flex? Have you ever encountered build-quality issues on them in your use? I was never sure what to make of legs without a mid-level spreader, but it is cool they can go so low as a result. Thank you again!
Click to expand...

No they're very rigid. Can't say that I've extended them all the way with a rig on top but I consistently use them at 4-5.5ft high with no issue.
 
OK. You have a Davis & Sanford model up there. All the others cost TEN TIMES as much.
The question is: What is this to be used for?

I have the D&S model you listed. I also have the one with the center post that goes a lot higher.
My center-post one is about 10-years old and I throw it around like it insulted my sister and it's never suffered any damage at all. It's a tank.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...roVista_Airlift_Tripod_with.html/prm/alsVwDtl

The fluid heads on these D&S are tough, but they are not in the same class as $500 heads obviously.
But if you're not going to be doing a lot of panning and tilting - then it's going to work just as well as the ten-times-as much models.

Note: Tripods with the center post don't allow for a bowl mount so you have to level them with the legs. Bit of a PITA. That's the trade off for height at this price point.
 
The Manfrotto 536 legs are incredible for the money. Used them several times at max height with a rigged out Red Scarlet on it with zero issues.
 
Thanks broughtonfilm, DPStewart, and Ben Scott for your replies. @DPStewart, I was actually just looking at that D&S airlift tripod. I take it the head is more wobbly when the center post is fully extended, ie. it's harder to do smooth pans, tilts?

@Ben Scott, thanks for your vote of confidence in the Manfrotto 536. May I ask what head you chose to use with your Scarlet rig?
 
I had great results with the 536 for DSLR work, but I wouldn't keep them as your only legs. They are very tall and very light, so they're good for expedition-type shoots and shoots where the talent is tall.
I got a Sachtler 0475 and FSB6 used for super cheap, and while it's not as tall, it's far more reliable when I'm trying to get a smooth pan or tilt.

More than one person here has mentioned it, but think about your kit ten years in the future. I think we should all start out with an amazing tripod on a really nice cart. Those pieces will follow you through your whole career!
 
Copperplate said:
Thanks broughtonfilm, DPStewart, and Ben Scott for your replies. @DPStewart, I was actually just looking at that D&S airlift tripod. I take it the head is more wobbly when the center post is fully extended, ie. it's harder to do smooth pans, tilts?

@Ben Scott, thanks for your vote of confidence in the Manfrotto 536. May I ask what head you chose to use with your Scarlet rig?
Click to expand...

I have the 509D Which is fine for what it is, and I shot plenty with it (and still do on heavy jobs), but I would love to get something better. None of those Manfrottos are proper fluid heads and panning is never silky smooth on them.
 
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