C100: Tripod Advice

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rustincerveny

Member
I am trying to pick out a tripod for my C100. Anyone have experience with the Sachtler ACE M with the C100? Trying to stay below $1000.
 
I've been using a Sachtler ACE M for over a year now, and I wish I had spent a little bit more and bought a Libec RS-250RM instead of the ACE M. The Sachtler is a good tripod, but the build quality is nowhere near as good as the Libec is. ( it's not built like the higher priced Sachtlers are )
 
Ace M would probably be too lightweight for a C100 if you start rigging it out any. Sactler does make a new "Ace L" version that's a bit beefier. I love the Sactler TT 75/2 CF carbon fiber legs that come as a part of that kit (also branded as Manfrotto 535) - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898213-REG/Sachtler_1013_System_Ace_L_TT.html

I use the 535 CF legs with a 'Froto 504HD head - it gets the job done and you can always upgrade at a later date with any 75mm bowl compatible head. Vinten Vision Blue is another popular choice it seems for smaller sized cameras.
 
it helps a lot if you have a good camera store to go and try them out at. BH in NY is unbeatable in that respect. but as long as you start with only looking at tripods that have a weight capacity that is at least twice what your camera with a basic setup is, you'll be OK.

i prefer mid spreaders vs bottom.

countersprings very good to have

as little plastic as possible all around

a baseplate system that preferably works with what you already have.

flip lock legs over twist lock.

but most important is the head's movement, which should be silk smooth at any drag level, and have a smooth start/stop
 
Nate Haustein said:
Ace M would probably be too lightweight for a C100 if you start rigging it out any. Sactler does make a new "Ace L" version that's a bit beefier. I love the Sactler TT 75/2 CF carbon fiber legs that come as a part of that kit (also branded as Manfrotto 535) - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898213-REG/Sachtler_1013_System_Ace_L_TT.html

I use the 535 CF legs with a 'Froto 504HD head - it gets the job done and you can always upgrade at a later date with any 75mm bowl compatible head. Vinten Vision Blue is another popular choice it seems for smaller sized cameras.
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I have heard a lot of great things about the Manfrotto 535CF and 536CF legs! They are more like traditional still legs like I am familiar with coming from a stills background. Are the new Manfrotto fluid heads better? I have a 501HDV from a few years ago and have never been happy with it.
 
TheDingo said:
I've been using a Sachtler ACE M for over a year now, and I wish I had spent a little bit more and bought a Libec RS-250RM instead of the ACE M. The Sachtler is a good tripod, but the build quality is nowhere near as good as the Libec is. ( it's not built like the higher priced Sachtlers are )
Click to expand...
I played around with a ACE M yesterday at FilmTools and really liked the head but everything else about it felt cheap. With all the great reviews I am I was little confused about what to think.
 
I love my FSB6 head on the TT 75/2 CF legs. I'm glad I spent the money on quality the second time around instead of skimping and getting another cheap setup.
 
Manfrotto simply has no fluid heads as far as i know, unfortunately FLUID word, does not necessary means a true fluid head
 
anatusa said:
Manfrotto simply has no fluid heads as far as i know, unfortunately FLUID word, does not necessary means a true fluid head
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Yes, many so called "fluid" heads aren't actually using a true fluid system in their heads, but this doesn't bother me as long as the movements are smooth and the head can properly counter-balance a range of camera weights.

The Manfrotto head movement never bothered me too much, but the counter-balancing just isn't there. Even my cheapo $160 Benro S6 head does a better job at counter-balancing.
 
I have bought many tripods in the last twenty + years and broke/donated/discarded because they were not future proof. My cameras and lenses became bigger and bigger. The output went up from smaller prints to 36 inch by 24 inch archival prints to films screened in large screens. So the role of the tripod becomes much more important.

Unlike a camera which is upgraded by us in max 3 yrs or so, the tripod and fluid head stays for a long time. A 6000 usd fluid head costs 400/500 usd per year in a 10 to 15 year time span. If you are a business, then you can get that knocked off from tax liabilities. So it is better to go to a nearby store that has the full range of tripods and fluid heads of various brands and then see how it handles packages of various weights. My expensive (and heavy) OConnor fluid head and Sachtler ENG 100 tripod combo has saved my shots in several situations.
 
I think I am going to go with the Vinten Vision Blue as I am more interested in having a continuous balance system rather than one with 4-6 hard settings
 
Sabyasachi makes a good point above - tripods should really be viewed as a long term investment.

That's difficult, of course, when you're starting out - and the prices increase exponentially for proper quality kit.

I've found one tripod head that I think breaks the rules - certainly when supporting lower weight kit like our C100 and 70-200/2.8 and 100-400 combo etc (ie, not a full-blown heavy ENG camera.) It's an E-Image 7085H 100mm bowl "proper" fluid head with 5 stage damping both ways and I use it on a set of Miller solo carbon fibre legs. The E-Image legs were a bit naff and not so well built - but the head has continued to pleasantly surprise me.

As a growing company, with more capital budget to spare, we've been replacing our "buy cheap, buy twice" mistakes recently with "proper" kit that we couldn't previously run to. We could easily afford a more expensive tripod system now. However, after testing various Vinten, Sachtler and Miller heads, we can't find one that's tangibly better with our setup. So we just upgraded the legs to the lightweight but solid Miller solo 1505. We wanted to go for Gitzo legs, but they couldn't supply a 100mm bowl at the time.

The solo legs are very light and cushioned for carrying around - sometimes the twist-lock legs can be a minor pain, but this combo is so much portable than a regular tripod system, while retaining enough rigidity and mass to get buttery smooth pans and tilts at 400mm.

Don't feel you have to get a system from one manufacturer. Miller tried to dissuade us from using our existing head, saying it probably wouldn't fit and they couldn't take returns if the bowl got scratched as a result of us trying etc - but we've used this combo on several international shoots now - and I really feel no need to upgrade or change it any time soon. It feels like a "lifer." It all fits in a Miller 876 tripod bag, with room for a mic boom and reflector too.

Oh, and the backup from proactive, the UK importer of E-Image, has been exemplary. They have an in-house E-Image service dept and recently serviced/adjusted the head free of charge when it was out of warranty. They have some newer E-I legs and heads now and they looked pretty impressive at a recent trade show.

Ben.
 
i got Sachtler fsb 8 for my c300 and its disappointed me - there is no way i can balance the cam the way it should be, i cant just let go and expact it will stay in same place , what ever i do.... i read somewhere that its impossible with this semi pro heads.

also what feel about my head is that the tall heads are less stable then the less tall ones.....

maybe i had to buy miller i dont know...., but its seam to me that maybe 75mm is not enough...
 
I agree a tripod is an investment just like glass. This will be my first video tripod. So based on the reviews and other peoples experiences with the Vinten VB and the C100 it seems to be a good choice. I will probably add some Manfrotto 536cf legs down the road also for the added height.
 
rustincerveny said:
I have heard a lot of great things about the Manfrotto 535CF and 536CF legs! They are more like traditional still legs like I am familiar with coming from a stills background. Are the new Manfrotto fluid heads better? I have a 501HDV from a few years ago and have never been happy with it.
Click to expand...

I use the Manfrotto 536CF sticks with a 509HD head as my main personal setup. The sticks are fantastic in their versatility - high-hat level to nearly 7 feet tall and I've put 150lbs on top of them with no problem at all!

The 509HD head is quite good - not fantastic, but great value for the money. I haven't had any issue balancing any camera on it, and it has 4 weight-selectable counter balance settings. The pan and tilt are very smooth and it will support big or small packages. The quality is much higher than Manfrotto's previous & lower-priced head options.

Together, it's a versatile setup. I like it, and I think it's a great value.
 
I have read a lot of reviews and good things about Miller Tripods.I have an EX3 but I will be selling it and buying either a C100 or C300. I have 90% settled on buying the Libec RS-350RM Tripod System With Mid-Level Spreader but what you say about the Vinten makes me think.
 
O'Connor and Vinten fluid heads are great choices. When it comes to balancing and getting buttery smooth shots there is a reason why they tend to be used on Hollywood sets and TV. True fluid, no steps.
In terms of your price point Libec or Manfrotto sticks would be decent and could serve you well, but if your looking to make a purchase that will last you the next 5-10 years definitely O'Connor. Used ones come up pretty often.
 
When I rent a C300 for shoots, I generally mount it to my Oconnor 1030D/30L.

If someone needs a good high end tripod/head at a good price, I have a Vinten for sale.
 
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