Tripod/Head for under $1200??

S

Sheldon Charron

Well-known member
I've been doing a fair amount of research. Most of my gear is all photography gear. Ball heads, tripods, etc. I have two cheap video tripods and no fluid head. I need something robust enough for my 7D with a fully rigged kit (rail system with shoulder rig, matte box, display, mic, h4n on cheese plate, etc.) so I can go from hand held to tripod. My lenses range up to a 300 2.8L IS with converters. I was originally going to get CF sticks and a 503HDV head, but then started looking at Kessler cranes and the hercules II head and kpod, and so on. Now I'm confused.

I really don't what to expect in a good quality fluid head. I normally prefer to buy once and buy right. That being said, looking at prices, I might buy medium and then buy another one once I know what my needs really are. (??) My gut tells me the head is the most important, and the legs can be swapped out (heavy for studio work, lighter for travel or backpacking). The Hercules looks bloody heavy regardless, and I don't read about too many people using them.

Can anyone suggest a good starter rig in this budget? Maybe something that had an upgrade path or good resale value in case I buy a better system later?

Thanks!
 
the Hercules wouldnt be used as a regular video head but rather the "core/base" of Kessler's crane systems. i use a Hercules for their Pocket Dolly and its built like a tank but could never imagine using it for a normal video head.

i have a Vinten Vision 3 on Miller Solo VJ legs but for my Kessler Pocket Dolly/Hercules head i have the 503 HDV. for the $350 the 503 is nice and it screws onto the PD nicely but it is not in the same league as the better heads mentioned below but is well worth its asking price.

on the Pocket Dolly you need to have a screw on type of head otherwise i would have used my Vinten on it instead.

in your price bracket i would look at the Vinten, Cartoni & Sachtler. if you want to buy once and buy right then i would go with a Sachtler FSB-8 but it will cost you a few hundred more.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
david_p said:
the Hercules wouldnt be used as a regular video head but rather the "core/base" of Kessler's crane systems. i use a Hercules for their Pocket Dolly and its built like a tank but could never imagine using it for a normal video head.

i have a Vinten Vision 3 on Miller Solo VJ legs but for my Kessler Pocket Dolly/Hercules head i have the 503 HDV. for the $350 the 503 is nice and it screws onto the PD nicely but it is not in the same league as the better heads mentioned below but is well worth its asking price.

on the Pocket Dolly you need to have a screw on type of head otherwise i would have used my Vinten on it instead.

in your price bracket i would look at the Vinten, Cartoni & Sachtler. if you want to buy once and buy right then i would go with a Sachtler FSB-8 but it will cost you a few hundred more.

david
www.davidprobst.com
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Hey David, have you you used the vinten pro-6? Any lashback that you are aware of?

I was thinking this head could work with cheaper bogen legs like the $400 bogen 535 carbon fiber legs or the miller dv solo legs and you're under $1200
 
first check out this post from a Vinten Product Manager Peter Harman
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=195357&page=2

that may give you an idea of the basis for the Pro-6 HDV. what i take away from what Peter writes is that there isnt really much that would differentiate performance between the Manfrotto 503HDV and the Vinten Pro-6 except the release plate, permanent ball and a case. ive never touched one so i cant say myself...but if i can assume that its performance would be similar to the 503HDV then you can get a lot of feedback here or just search and you will hear both good and bad about the 503HDV which i guess would apply to the Pro-6...?

for me the 503HDV is mainly for my pocket dolly since it screws on. my kid also uses it now on some fairly cheap Libec legs and he agrees that its a very good improvement over the H22 Libec head that he had been using. with that said, even the cheap Libec was pretty smooth but no adjustments whatsoever.

i think "loose" im not overly impressed with the 503 but tightening the drag somewhat and even to very tight then the head is pretty nice IMO. i think the Libecs might have an inherent creamier feeling but for me they are lacking in features in comparable price categories as the 503 HDV. people seem to really like the H38 even though it doesnt have much adjustments though.

on the 503HDV there is some "lashback". it doesnt really bother me much and i just keep my hand on the arm until the the stored up resistance dies down hence cancelling the lashback...no real big deal i guess. this isnt really my main head though.

there isnt much of anything to see in person where i live and im not in a small town either. if you have a chance to check them out in person i think the picking would be pretty obvious as to what you could or couldnt live with.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Thanks David. Comparing the pro-6 to the 503 has give me some cause for concern as I really want to step up and completely away from bogen, but just can't justify the expense of a miller head. The pro-6 seemed like a possible alternative. I have read a few favorable review of the pro-6 and one bad review (on the B&H website).
 
J Davis said:
Thanks David. Comparing the pro-6 to the 503 has give me some cause for concern as I really want to step up and completely away from bogen, but just can't justify the expense of a miller head. The pro-6 seemed like a possible alternative. I have read a few favorable review of the pro-6 and one bad review (on the B&H website).
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id like to hear from someone here that could say if there is a real difference between the 503HDV and the Vinten Pro-6. from looking at pictures they both seem nearly the same as far as where the knobs and switches are concerned. my hunch is that they are one and the same as far as performance involving "movement".

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Sheldon Charron said:
I need something robust enough for my 7D with a fully rigged kit (rail system with shoulder rig, matte box,


Thanks!
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I been following ebay sold items and there have been some good deals on baby Sachtler heads and sticks. You can never go wrong with a Sachtler. They work for ever and hold their value.
 
ROCKMORE said:
I been following ebay sold items and there have been some good deals on baby Sachtler heads and sticks. You can never go wrong with a Sachtler. They work for ever and hold their value.
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I've been watching them too. I just let a DV 4 II head go as I wasn't sure if it supported enough weight. What do you think the minimum Sachtler head I should go with?

Thanks!
 
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