C100: Tripod Advice

puredrifting said:
the Sachtler ACE systems are Sachtler in name only, they are not built like real Sachtlers and do not perform like real Sachtlers, they were built to price point to stop people from buying Manfrottos.
Click to expand...

Considering Manfrotto and Sachtler are the same company (Vitec), I'm not sure Sachtler really cares about stopping people from buying Manfrottos.

Also owned by Vitec: Gitzo, OConnor and Vinten.
 
Last edited:
jbregar said:
Considering Manfrotto and Sachtler are the same company (Vitec), I'm not sure Sachtler really cares about stopping people from buying Manfrottos.

Also owned by Vitec: Gitzo, OConnor and Vinten.
Click to expand...

I know, Vitec bought everyone a few years ago. But I do believe that Sachtler and the like are still ran as separate companies who somewhat compete and market segment against each other?
 
puredrifting said:
I know, Vitec bought everyone a few years ago. But I do believe that Sachtler and the like are still ran as separate companies who somewhat compete and market segment against each other?
Click to expand...

AFAIK they don't really so much compete with each other as go after different market segments.

There is some overlap though and some definite badge engineering. The Sachtler 75/22 sticks and Manfrotto 535 are identical for example... except for the label and the Sachtler's maroon leg lock levers.

Sachtler just announced the ACE XL today too.
 
Jaime Valles said:
OK, if you were picking between these two heads... Which would you pick?
Click to expand...

I haven't used the Miller head, but I own two Sachtler heads ( FSB-4 and FSB-6 ) which I am extremely happy with. Going by the specs ( often not a good thing ), I would be a little concerned about the Miller head having only two counter-balance settings compared to the FSB-8 ten counter-balance settings. I want a head that will properly counter-balance no matter what camera package I throw on it, assuming I'm within it's counter-balance range. The FSB-8 can properly balance cameras from 2-20lbs. The Miller's two counter-balance settings are not listed on the B&H page ?
 
Also, I got a good lead on a used Miller DS-25 with legs. I know that particular head is discontinued now, but would it be better than a Sachtler FSB-8?
 
Jaime Valles said:
would it be better than a Sachtler FSB-8?
Click to expand...

It can handle more weight...

DS-25 max payload = 25 lbs

FSB-8 max payload = 20 lbs

But it also has two counter-balance settings like the DS-20 head. ( DS-25 counter-balance postion 1 = 18 lbs, position 2 = 25 lbs )

So I imagine that if your camera package doesn't weigh close to 18 lbs or 25 lbs you won't get a proper balance with the DS-25. ( by proper balance I mean that you can point your camera in any direction then let go of the pan-handle and your camera will stay pointing in the direction where you let it go, you do not have to lock anything )
 
TheDingo said:
So I imagine that if your camera package doesn't weigh close to 18 lbs or 25 lbs you won't get a proper balance with the DS-25. ( by proper balance I mean that you can point your camera in any direction then let go of the pan-handle and your camera will stay pointing in the direction where you let it go, you do not have to lock anything )
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a big factor. I doubt my camera package will be anywhere near 18 lbs most of the time.

As far as smoothness of panning and tilting, would the Sachtler FSB-8 be better than the Miller heads? Anyone used both?
 
Well, I purchased a Sachtler FSB-8 head. My goodness, this thing is fantastic! Smooth as butter, easy to counterbalance, and rock solid. My only complaint is, as CPreston said above, the pan handle is crap. It should be a telescoping, robust handle. Instead, it's a short, fixed handle that doesn't inspire confidence. Not cool, but I can always upgrade the pan handle to something beefier later on.

I tried the FSB-8 at B&H, and compared it to several other tripod heads they had there, from Vinten, Miller and Cartoni. All of them were great, but I ended up liking the Sachtler FSB-8 best. The combination of counterbalance, smoothness, and overall package impressed me the most. I really liked the other ones, but something about the Sachtler made me feel like it was the one. It really is subjective.

Some day I'll make enough money to own an O'Connor Ultimate 1030D. But until then, my C100 is perfectly happy on the FSB-8.
 
Jaime Valles said:
Well, I purchased a Sachtler FSB-8 head. My goodness, this thing is fantastic! Smooth as butter, easy to counterbalance, and rock solid. My only complaint is, as CPreston said above, the pan handle is crap. It should be a telescoping, robust handle. Instead, it's a short, fixed handle that doesn't inspire confidence. Not cool, but I can always upgrade the pan handle to something beefier later on.

I tried the FSB-8 at B&H, and compared it to several other tripod heads they had there, from Vinten, Miller and Cartoni. All of them were great, but I ended up liking the Sachtler FSB-8 best. The combination of counterbalance, smoothness, and overall package impressed me the most. I really liked the other ones, but something about the Sachtler made me feel like it was the one. It really is subjective.

Some day I'll make enough money to own an O'Connor Ultimate 1030D. But until then, my C100 is perfectly happy on the FSB-8.
Click to expand...

Good choice, you can't go wrong with a Sachtler unless is says ACE on it. It should last you many years. I just realized I am going on year twelve with my DV6-SB and it's still going strong.
 
Can't go wrong with pro-level Sachtler. Miller is also great- I've owned a couple of larger Miller heads in the past. May not hold as much resale value? Can't remember. Miller was usually a better value than Sachtler, and a very good professional fluid head. Either would have served you well- without need to upgrade unless you need more weight capacity.

For those still in the market:
For an oddball cheapo option- this is what I have to compliment an O'Connor/ Ronford combo I have:
Ronford F3 head (100mm bowl) and Manfrotto 536 CF sticks.
I happen to like old Ronford heads, but they are quirky. The F3 is beautifully machined and durable and cheap (under $400 on ebay) when you can find them. Not as much adjustment as the Sachtler- but smoother and significantly more durable than anything else at this price point. It's my B or C camera head when we don't have other options (ie: producer can't/won't rent additional pro tripod setups). The F3 is a cheap classic. I've owned several large Ronford heads in the past, so it's not so quirky to me- but they are odd fluid heads.

The Manfrotto 536 is faster for me to deploy than the Miller Solo (I've owned that in the past too). It goes REALLY high- like you need a stepladder to use an EVF. The spreader-less legs spread so you don't need to carry baby legs or a hi-hat if traveling light. Great for setting up on a stadium seat or extremely uneven terrain. You can also use it as a monopod-ish support. Super versatile, but not my first choice for an everyday tripod. Price is good.

Ronford sticks are great, but the price is ridiculous.
O'Connor heads are my preferred head, but the price is ridiculous.
 
After years of using many different Manfrotto heads, I bit the bullet and bought a Sachtler FSB-8 (the version witht he Manfrotto-style QR plate). I mostly use it with a C100/II at various levels of rigging, from nothing to rails, external monitor, etc.

The quality compared to the Manfrottos is absolutely night and day. I can't even stand to use the Manfrottos anymore, and I don't know if they are old and in need of repair, or if they have always been this bad.

I do a lot of subtle tilts and pans in my work, and the FSB-8 is great for that. The only complaint I have is that even on the highest level of tension, I can't always get quite as slow as I want when using a longer lens, like the 70-200.
 
drummondb said:
After years of using many different Manfrotto heads, I bit the bullet and bought a Sachtler FSB-8 (the version witht he Manfrotto-style QR plate). I mostly use it with a C100/II at various levels of rigging, from nothing to rails, external monitor, etc.

The quality compared to the Manfrottos is absolutely night and day. I can't even stand to use the Manfrottos anymore, and I don't know if they are old and in need of repair, or if they have always been this bad.

I do a lot of subtle tilts and pans in my work, and the FSB-8 is great for that. The only complaint I have is that even on the highest level of tension, I can't always get quite as slow as I want when using a longer lens, like the 70-200.
Click to expand...

This is exactly my experience as well. Several different Manfrotto heads, the latest one being the 504HD. By comparison to the FSB-8, it feels like a cheap Happy-Meal toy. I had no idea what I was missing, and I'm NEVER going back.
 
I am not a fan of Manfrotto either. The few I've owned lost friction very quickly.

Had a FSB-4 for about 5 years and it was great. I ended up selling it to "downgrade" a bit and bought a Miller Air CF a while ago for small camera use.

My only complaint about it is the legs make noise when you lift the tripod and move it. Something rattles inside and I don't like that when I am capturing b-roll during quiet meetings.

I've seen the FSB-4 and 6 (and maybe others) go on sale during Black Friday (or one of those occasions) at B&H. Pretty nice discounts in the hundreds every year if I recall correctly. That is the only time I ever see them drop in price.
 
I took my Miller AIR CF to Brazil earlier this year to shoot a documentary. The footage and moves looked great. It became my new travel lightweight tripod and legs although at home, my Sachtler head is nicer, but it's a beast, far too heavy to fly with.
 
Does yours rattle as well?

[The compact size and the way it fits inside the included case is really nice. Not very protective, but super portable. Strap is cool too.]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top