C200: Tripod Head for heavy setup?

Tim Nitsch

Tim Nitsch

Well-known member
I'm in the market for a new set of sticks.

The heaviest setup I currently use with my C200 is around 18lbs, but I could foresee it going up to (at most) 25-30lbs when rigged up with bigger/heavier cine zooms (Canon CN-E 30-300mm).

I know I want Flowtech legs, but I'm not quite sure what head.

What would you guys recommend that can comfortably carry a 30lb setup.

The Miller ArrowX 3 sticks out to me as a pretty solid deal.

How close can you push your payload weight to the limit of the head and still get good performance?
 
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How is it getting that heavy before the cine zoom? The body itself is a little over 3 pounds?

I don't put a lot of heavy stuff on mine, though the 13 lb limit for my tripod does seem a little light.
 
mothmachine said:
How is it getting that heavy before the cine zoom? The body itself is a little over 3 pounds?

I don't put a lot of heavy stuff on mine, though the 13 lb limit for my tripod does seem a little light.
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I'll hit around 18lbs when I'm using the Canon EF 200-400mm Zoom along with my normal accessories (AB Battery, Monitor, Baseplate, Top Handle, Monitor Arm, Rods, Lens Support, Battery Plate, etc).

It all adds up.
 
My primary set-up, now, is a set of Flowtech 100's with a Vinten 100 head. I've run Vinten heads since day one. I have three 100's and my original 10LF(from 1997) is still hanging around, as well. I run some fairly heavy set-ups at times. Sometimes the Vinten seems to like it better with abnormally heavy set-ups. I will say that I am waiting on an Oconnor 1040 demo, though. I love their really big stuff and I'm hoping that it scales down to the 1040.

Two day live show I was doing several months ago. Vinten 100 on Sachtler Speedlock HD's(Flowtech spikes don't fit my dolly). P2 VariCam, 22x lens, Arri MB20-II matte box, DP7Pro OLED monitor, Focus OLED for program return, Core 230 WH battery/lock-on power supply, MicroForce zoom controller. Vinten 100 handled it like a champ.
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OConnor Ultimate 1040 Fluid Head.

On the cheaper end, a used OConnor 1030 or a used Vinten Vision 100 as Run&Gun said. Used heads often have some issues but get the job done at a much lower price point. My used Vinten 100 doesn't fully lock on the tilt but if it's balanced right that's not much of an issue; not quite as smooth as the 1030D I bought new but still quite nice. My used 1030 the top plate is a bit loose, so I put some gaff tape in it which mostly solved that issue, and as it's an older model the method for adjusting the counterbalance is a pain and takes a long time compared to the newer 1030D; I prefer the Vinten 100 over my used 1030. I paid $1400 for the Vinten 100 (with sticks I don't like or use), $2000 for the used OConnor 1030 (with sticks I don't like or use), and $5400 for the new 1030D with my B&H corporate discount.

Whatever you do, stay away from any Sachtlers below the 18. The 18s and 20s are decent, and can also be found cheaper on the used market.

One of my first nicer tripod heads was a Vinten Vision Blue, after trying out some guy named Tim's Vinten Vision 5 head, I believe it was, at a wedding. He also showed me how to balance a tripod head, why counter balance is imporant, etc., and many years later I figured it out. I then tried to hire him for several projects but he was never available. :(
 
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Concur with the Vinten heads - my experience is identical. I actually bought on Ebay a very old Vinten pantograph head and it was designed to cope with a two man lift camera, and is amazingly smooth despite being probably 30+ years old.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
OConnor Ultimate 1040 Fluid Head.
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That is my dream setup.

I used a 1030 on a shoot and it ruined me because nothing I've ever used since felt anywhere close to it.

The only thing holding me back is the $10k price tag. I know it would last me forever, but man that's wallet stinger.



Eric Coughlin said:
One of my first nicer tripod heads was a Vinten Vision Blue, after trying out some guy named Tim's Vinten Vision 5 head, I believe it was, at a wedding. He also showed me how to balance a tripod head, why counter balance is imporant, etc., and many years later I figured it out. I then tried to hire him for several projects but he was never available. :(
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I have the VB3, not the VB5 :D

Glad to see you're still doing well.
 
Eric, the pan and tilt brakes are fairly easy to adjust on the Vintens. On the ends on the knobs there is a very small flat head screw set inside it. Back it out partially and you can then remove the plastic knob(do this in the OFF position). Turn the metal knob underneath a little bit(not too much...) and then replace the outer plastic knob in it's original position and re-tighten the screw.
 
I saw Matt's review this morning and he seemed to like the new Miller's. But they're kind of non-starters for me, because they are like Sachtler's and the pan and tilt drag is in steps and not continuous like Vinten's and Oconnor's. Sometimes you need to adjust drag while you are operating and you can't do that with Sachtlers without the head going into a freewheeling state from one level of drag to the next. I've been burned by Sachtler's getting knocked between drag settings and I didn't realize it and thought something was wrong with the head.
 
Generally get at least twice the weight capacity you think you are running. If you are going to occasionally rent the 30-300 consider renting an OConnor 2560 with appropriate sticks- or other.

I bought an Oconnor 1030HDS and Ronford 2 stage light weight aluminum tripod years ago, new, and they both still work great, though not light weight.

Over the years I've owned a number of Sachtler heads, Ronford, Miller, Daiwa, Manfrotto and E-Image. Personally I felt the Miller heads were a much better value than the Sachtlers (Video 18, Video 25) while having a similar feel and build quality. Older Ronford heads are really odd ducks, but I happen to like the feel when operating heavier setups- much more so than an old (vintage) O'Connor 100. (Think 35mm cameras with 1000' mags). Have not used a Manfrotto head that felt smooth. Do they still make Daiwa heads? that was so long ago I can't remember how it felt. I've operated with the Cartoni Master series, and it was very smooth.

A few years ago I went to B&H to try out the super low budget, ultra light weight heads, and settled on an E-Image fluid head (Sony mirrorless camera). In general I really liked the feel of the E-Image- especially for the price. I've worked with producers that had Benro heads and sticks- complete garbage in my opinion. There are a bunch of new import lluid heads,but I haven't used them- except for a really small E-Image head.

For typical corporate shoots most anything will be ok. If doing a lot of long lens work, a quality head and stiff sticks are a must.

With O'Connor, you'll never need to replace- I went through many fluid heads until I finally bought my O'Connor. You may want to get a heavier or lighter fluid head, but if you buy a current O'Connor fluid head it will last decades. Can't say that about any digital camera- or LED light-or sound recorder. You most likely will not be able to charge any more kit fee than a setup that costs a fraction of the price- keep that in mind.

If I were starting out- with an extremely limited budget- I'd go E-Image initially. Something with a 100mm bowl. in the same price bracket as Manfrotto but much smoother. They also make much more expensive heads but I didn't try them. I don't know how they'll last with professional use- and who knows about service- the world has gone disposable everything it seems..

If you like Miller, they always seemed to be the best value of the true professional fluid heads.

A real budget fluid head with 100mm bowl is a Ronford F3. Odd controls, no counter-balance spring. But very smooth for light cameras. Bought one on Ebay a few years ago for a couple of hundred bucks. Typical Ronford quality- like O'Connor, but I don't know anyone else here that likes operating with ROnford heads. I still have to modify the plate with a touch and go...
 
I use a Miller head rated around 22lbs and it's a great head!...the problem is around 18 lbs the flex starts occurring in the 75mm bowl, though zero issues with the head at that weight...personally I like the Millers so much, I will get a 100 mm bowl head and legs when increasing camera weight
 
All good mentions here and we sell them all.....one thing, the Benro BV & BVX packages are moving quite well. They use the Sachtler style drag system (gears), made well, and have been crushing the rivals for a bit. The BV10 head (100mm), handles up to 22 lbs (equal to Sachtler FSB8) and sells for under $700. Their BVX16 head handles up to 35lbs(closer to Sachtler Video18) and w/ carbon 2 stage sticks, sells for a killer price of $2129.
Just another idea......

Jim Martin
Filmtools
 
Run&Gun said:
I saw Matt's review this morning and he seemed to like the new Miller's. But they're kind of non-starters for me, because they are like Sachtler's and the pan and tilt drag is in steps and not continuous like Vinten's and Oconnor's. Sometimes you need to adjust drag while you are operating and you can't do that with Sachtlers without the head going into a freewheeling state from one level of drag to the next. I've been burned by Sachtler's getting knocked between drag settings and I didn't realize it and thought something was wrong with the head.
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Yes, true, guess I've just become used to it over the years. I try to not adjust when shooting, that's my work around but I get in some shooting scenarios that can't be avoided.
 
Here's a review on the tripod Jim mentioned. I actually rented this for a project a few months back, but I can't remember how well i liked it because I don't think the shoot actually utilized anything it offers, ha. I think I just rented it because I was doing teleprompter work and needed sticks that could hold a heavier load, but was stationary the whole time. Would be curious on an opinion from anyone who has used this Benro as well as some of the other tripods mentioned above.

 
chris f said:
Here's a review on the tripod Jim mentioned. I actually rented this for a project a few months back, but I can't remember how well i liked it because I don't think the shoot actually utilized anything it offers, ha. I think I just rented it because I was doing teleprompter work and needed sticks that could hold a heavier load, but was stationary the whole time. Would be curious on an opinion from anyone who has used this Benro as well as some of the other tripods mentioned above.

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I've never used this line of the Benros but I have couple of their lower line tripods and they are terrible. Not sure I would ever consider them, based on their cheap gear.
 
Looks like a one-for-one rip-off/clone of a Sachtler. Only with a B instead if an S... Hey, did I do that on purpose or is the universe trying to say something...?
 
I use OConnor 1030HDS fluid head. I bought it in 2010 and soon after that the head was updated. I think I had paid some $6900 for the fluidhead. And it will last for I guess another
10 years. The cost of owning per year is cheap. Buy once, cry once. It gives me the stability and nice panning motion.

Normally I like to use small set up with very little add ons. So corporate and documentary shoots I can use a lesser head. However, I haven't found anything smooth at a lower cost. I also shoot wildlife and my long lenses are heavy. My old 400mm f2.8 L IS USM lens is 5.6kgs.

I use Sachtler 100 HD 2 CF tripod legs.

Buy once and you won't regret.
 
I have both an O'Connor 1030D and a Vinten 8AS. They are rated for the same weight and they both use the same sideload plate. The Vinten costs half as much and isn't in the same league as the O'Connor. The O'Connor is great for long lenses. I can hold the pan arm without transmitting jitters. I can adjust the drag and lock off the tilt without transmitting vibrations. There is almost no backlash. This is not the case with the Vinten.
 
Re: Vinten, I wouldn’t buy anything below a 100, in current model terms, or a 10 back in the 90’s and expect good performance. They’re “cheap” heads meant for small, light cameras, regardless of their weight rating. I’ve shot, owned and loved Vinten’s since I started in the 90’s and I wouldn’t buy one of those ‘single digit’ models (or an 11) to put a real camera on, except as a lock-off if you gave me the money. Unfortunately, I think that was just Vitec trying to capitalize on the Vinten name to sell sub-par heads to people with smaller cameras, just like the Sachtler Ace and similar.
 
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