The endless tripod / head question

Harry Pallenberg

Harry Pallenberg

Well-known member
I've been reading the endless threads and am in analysis paralysis. I obviously want something I outside of my budget - ie Connor 1030 or Sachtler FSB-6T...
I'd love to spend LESS than $850 for legs & head. Am I really limited to a used 504HD and 535 (the aluminum) legs? I want 535 type legs as I need to get down low... I'm ok with alum vs carbon as I can deal with the extra few pounds. Or maybe some Gitzo ones?

I see lots of talk about Benro S8 but the counterbalance is no good as often my rig is too light for the #1 setting... although it is often kitted out to the sweet spot for
the #2 setting. What about the Benro BV6? Anyone seen or used one of these? I can't seem to find any reviews or even info on the Benro site re: the counterbalance settings.

Any other thoughts? I've been searching craigslist & ebay for a month hoping for a FSB-6 in my range and I doubt I'm gonna find it. FSB-4 seems too low of a max weight at 8.8 if I'm fully loaded.
 
I moved up from a Manfrotto 501 recently and bought a Miller Compass 12 system. I've also been using Vintens and Secced tripods (Sachtler copy). I do think that the Secced out of all this has been best comparing price to performance.

Im pretty happy with the Miller system. It's lightweight and the two stage carbon fibre legs are a bit easier to handle then I thought they would be.

I would suggest to have a look at the Secced. I only tried the head so can't say if the legs are any good. But the head was alright. Only problem I think it had it doesn't tilt full 90 degrees properly... (please check this as I might remember incorrectly). It was very smooth and I liked using it.

You live in LA so it should be pretty easy to find a store where you can test out a few?
 
Yep - I'm on my way to a few places now... but hate to fall in love with gear I should not buy. At least I spent all morning on ph with credit card company due to fraud - so my card is
deactivated... good way to stay WAY under budget.

Never heard of Secced - any? reviews? Looks like a good knock off. I'd love a Miller as well or a O'Connor.. but too spendy.

 
I have a FSB-6 with Aluminum legs that I'm considering putting up for sale with a bag and pretty much like new. I'm a little over what you are thinking, but not that much. Hit me with a PM if you want.
 
So as there is almost NO info on the Benro BV6 and even their website does not have info on the counterbalance steps I gave them a call.
The 8 steps are (in lbs) 0, 1.5, 3, 4.6, 6, 7.7, 9 and 10 something... so should be easier to dial it in than the S8 if you are using a striped down
DSLR type kit. I went to FilmTools & EVS but neither had it on display or in stock.

Anyone see any reviews anywhere?
 
I have a couple of flat based Benro heads and use them for slider, monopod duty (S4, S6). They compare pretty well to Manfrotto. But none of the ones I've owned or tried out compare to pro heads. I currently use a Sachtler FSB6 as my main tripod with Miller sticks. I also have a Miller DS10 and DS20, which I think are great heads and can be purchased relatively cheaply used if you can find them in good shape online. People tend to use the pan and tilt locks as drag which scores the track and screws up the head. In fact, I kind of like the fluid action on the Millers better than the Sachtler but they only have two steps of counterbalance. I mostly use those for B cam work right now.
 
If you have time (and I mean like months) set up a saved search on ebay for a Sachtler DV 6 SB. It is pretty similar to a FSB8 but will often sell for a lot less.

I love the Manfrotto 535 sticks, and glad that I got mine when they were selling for $400 instead of the current $650. (Did carbon fiber go on an endangered species list? Seriously, what's with the price jump Manfrotto). But I'd look into these $200 sticks.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1026236-REG/induro_475_333_lfba333s_alloy_8m_vid.html

I've never used them, but for the price they look like a super cheap alternative to the 535. And if they really suck out of the box, send them back to B&H and then buy these http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1074928-REG/manfrotto_mvt535aq_aluminum_single_leg_video.html
 
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