Tripod Advice

G

GusG

Member
I am looking for a new tripod that is lightweight and easily packable, that I can strap to a backpack, but durable for my ex1. I do a lot of travel shooting and need something that won't slow me down. I have considered the following.

Sachtler FSB 6 with Carbon Fiber Legs. I have used Sachtler before, great fluid head and I really enjoy the speed lock downs, but I don't think its particularly packable though b and H lists the weight at only 8.6 pounds.

The Miller DS-10 and DS-20 with Solo Carbon Fiber Legs. This gets the best reviews for lightweight and durability but I have two questions. For a base ex1 with only a shotgun and Lav attached should I get the 10 or 20. Second, are the legs really easy to setup, with the screw lock downs, those are always a pain compared to speed lock downs.

I have also looked at cartoni systems the hidv and focus heads but don't know too much about them. Any advice would help in my decision making. Thanks
 
Check the specs. I noticed that the carbon fiber legs are actually heavier than the aluminum. They do have a speed flipper instead of a friction knob though to lock the legs. But the knob is less likely to wear out compared to the flipper type. But the flipper type (speed lock) is fast to setup/tear down.

What about Bogen/Manfrotto?
 
I have the Miller Solo DS-20 carbon legs and fluid head and I like it. Ah lawk it alawt. My only other tripod is a Manfrotto/Bogen 3444D Carbon One for still photography so I don't have a lot to compare it to. The Miller is my first and only video tripod (and my first/only fluid head) and the legs are quick and easy to extend/collapse. It may be light for a video tripod, but it sure ain't "light" if you're hauling it around on a backpack in the wilderness. But I do what I gotta do. I think you'd like the Miller.
 
Check out the Manfrotto 501HDV or the Vinten ProTouch 525. I use both. I think I got the Manfrotto at Calumet on sale. The Vinten has a ground spreader and the Manfrotto a mid-spreader.
 
Manfrottos are cheap. locks hardly lock and pan/tilts aren't that smooth. you get what you pay for. Cartoni, Sachtler, and Miller are get heads. i personally don't like Miller's limited counter-balancing. their Solo sticks are pretty light though.
 
I had a chance to use the Sachtler FSB6 and liked it a lot. The head had a TON of flexibility and felt very natural and well thought-out. The legs were less impressive. The fit and finish was fine but the flipper mechanism fell apart after a few days of use. It might have been a poorly assembled sample and it just happened to fall apart while I was using it, but it didn't give me a lot of confidence. However, I have decided to buy one anyway for my EX1 but I DO think the simpler leg-locking mechanisms would have better long term durability, IMHO.
 
My head of choice in this price range is the Sachtler FSB-6. The counterbalancing alone makes it stand out from the rest.
 
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