Tripod head & Legs

M

mikedifilippo

New member
I just ordered the 200 and should be getting it in on Thursday. I currently have two Manfrotto MVH500AH heads that I use for my current Sony HVR-Z7 as well as DSLRs. Will the DVX200 be too heavy for the head? I've heard that the weight on it is really well balanced so this keeps me hopeful.

The second part to this thread is a suggestion on tripod legs. I have a few lighter duty tripods I use but I'd like something like the manfrotto 546 with either a two or three stage setup for the legs. However I'd rather not (if possible) not have the price tag of a manfrotto.

Any suggests are greatly appreciated! Can't wait to start using this camera.
 
You may find yourself right on the limit with the 500's - especially if you add a shotgun and/or lav mics AND stuff a big battery in the DVX. I think the things are a bit heavier than Panasonic quotes. Mine rigged up comes in at almost 12lbs. I really hated to drop the $$ but ended up getting this: A Benro S8 carbon fiber unit like this one here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1026242-REG/benro_c373fhs8_s8_video_tripod_kit.html

It's rated at 17lbs (I think tripod manufacturers may exaggerate load capacity, especially on smaller/mid size units) but the thing is a beast. Counter-weighted and adjustable. It's really a joy to use. Super stable, really - you could almost hoist an engine out a car with this thing, great height when fully extended. Plus it can be dropped into a high hat configuration so in my mind it was like getting two systems for one price (well, that's how I justified it). It replaced an old Sachtler (which was big $$$) that met it's end when it got run over. I do think this particular Benro is about on par with some of the mid-priced, but still more expensive, Sachtler's. Downside is the head weighs a ton - like 10lbs, BUT the legs weigh almost nothing.
 
If you want a dirt cheap tripod solution, check out the Davis & Sanford models. They're simple friction fluid-resistance heads with no counterbalance springs, but they're solidly built and functional. I do a lot of training work where the cameras are locked off, and these heads can handle much bigger cameras than you're planning without issue. I think one of the setups I have with a head rated for 18lbs, three-stage legs with mid-level spreader and a bag cost about $170 from B&H. That's from memory, you'd need to check what's current.

When it comes to dirt cheap options, Davis & Sanford do the trick. Bern is definitely a step up in features & performance, but you pay for it.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm going to see how it balances out on the 500. I MOSTLY do monopod work so don't want to throw a really heavy head as well as the weight of the camera. Thank you guys again!
 
I use the Benro S7 kit. 15.4 lb load capacity and it's proven to be pretty durable. Not to mention, super light and compact.
 
I currently use a Sachtier Video 18 (the number represents the head's max payload in kilograms).

But, to talk about affordable systems I've used or owned, I think Manfrotto and Benro are the best of the prosumer market. You certainly have to be more diligent about getting what you pay for as far as price over quality is concerned. I think an expensive Manfrotto system might be just as good as a comparable Sachtler or OConnor, but we don't want to spend $1000 on just a head. We want to spend $500 on a system...one that won't fall apart in the middle of a shoot. The Manfrotto 502 head is not bad, but the controls are all over the place and the bridging technology can pinch you if you're not careful. Also, I believe only the tilt is fluid, the pan is fluid-drag. I don't like fluid-drag, but it's cheaper. The Manfrotto 504 is much better and I believe it is a proper fluid head. I'd also take a look at the Benro BV6 as it's not only smooth, but all the most-used controls are on the smart side. In fact the Benro fluid heads are quite similar to the old Sachtler designs and work almost as well.

For cheap sticks that aren't Manfrotto, I'd probably look at the E-Image 2-stage aluminum ones. They're fine. They definitely cheap, but each leg has one locking knob for both sections. So you loosen three knobs, one on each leg, raise the system to the height you need it, then tighten the three knobs and you're done. You don't have to lock or unlock each section on each leg individually. So, that's a time-saver. And the 75mm bowl is good enough. Let's say you have a Manfrotto 502 head. The sticks hold 88lbs and the head has a max payload of 15lbs but the counterbalance only works up to 8.8lbs. DVX200 with big batt might be just under that amount, so the counterbalance should work fine. This is why I like to have a head that can work with a much higher payload. And on better heads you don't have to worry about max payload vs max counterbalance as they are the same thing on better heads. Anyway, both bits are $200 so once you get a nice little case (Manfrotto makes some decent system cases, too) you spent your $500.

Just FYI, B&H shows the following $560 kit with a mail-in rebate which makes the eventual price $485: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...2a_546bk_1_pro_video_mvh502a_546b_tripod.html
 
I upgraded my Manfrotto 501hdv to a 504HD with 546 sticks. They're fine, but I had to switch my spreader with the 501's because it broke, it's a bit fragile. So far the head is great, very smooth, takes the weight just fine, didn't break the bank.
 
Yeah. I keep hearing horror stories about the Manfrotto spiders. I guess everyone expects they only control the spread of the legs, but they need to be far more robust for practical use. The Manfrotto ones are easy-ish to find and relatively cheap.

Also, happy 100th post just now, Jonny. :D
 
I use the Manfrotto 504HD head w/ a 546GB legs/floor spreader as my primary production tripod system as well.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._504HD_546GBK_504HD_Head_w_546GB_2_Stage.html

I've always tried to go for a primary tripod system that is 1/3 to 1/4 the price of the camera it's designed to hold (for this type of shoots anyway, not talking major motion picture). 16.5lb weight capacity which may seem overkill, but adding a monitor, a set of headphones, a video light, an SDI cord that could get yanked, and other peripherals, I don't mind the extra weight capacity.

For more remote fieldwork when I know I'll need to shoulder-lug the tripod around across distance or terrain, I also use a Manfrotto 701HDV w/ 547B legs. It feels 3 times lighter than the 546GB and allows me a LOT of mobility.

You can get an idea of the size difference of the two when lugging each around by watching these videos featuring my friend kindly carrying my tripod for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZtjh-5w2QE
2:43 - HD504 w/ 546GB - heavy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq5bAYpaK5c
0:16 - HD701 w/ 547B - light!

I'll say though that the 546GB doesn't have a near-ground level capability like the 547B. If you take off the mid-spreader, the 547B can get down very low (see the last shot of the Beach video above). The 546GB can only stably go as low as the spreader will widen (not very far).

Thanks for watching!
 
Excellent Thread!, I was having problems with a $150 Chinese tripod, aluminum, but one of the leg clamps won't hold anymore, and the design of the leg clamps only allows you to tighten it to fixed position. I'll use the head that came with it for something.

So I ordered a E-Image 2-stage aluminum legs 75mm bowl, and added my 502 head, seems like a pretty nice set up, for DVX200. Much better leg clamps that allow you to apply pressure, and have it hold very well.

If there was one thing I would love to see the whole industry do is come up with a Very Universal mounting plate, so one would not have to keep switching plates, PITA! It would be so nice to have the same plate for Tripods, Gimbals, Dolly's, Jibs, Sliders, with out costing you an arm and a leg!
 
Those e-image tripods are really kind of a bargain. I got a 752 2 stage with an 88lbs capacity to use with a slider, Benro S8 head, and the DVX200 (and sometimes a crane). Solid; less than $200; works great; no issues thus far. I also have a lighter duty e-image version, can't recall the model number, but it's served me quite well using it with DSLR rigs and the Sachtler head off my old (destroyed) tripod. Again, no issues. Maybe a bit on the heavy side, but workhorses.
 
MichaelA said:
Those e-image tripods are really kind of a bargain. I got a 752 2 stage with an 88lbs capacity to use with a slider, Benro S8 head, and the DVX200 (and sometimes a crane). Solid; less than $200; works great; no issues thus far. I also have a lighter duty e-image version, can't recall the model number, but it's served me quite well using it with DSLR rigs and the Sachtler head off my old (destroyed) tripod. Again, no issues. Maybe a bit on the heavy side, but workhorses.
Click to expand...

Which Sachtler head are you using?
 
I think it's a FSB8. Yep, that's it (side loads, I still think it's the only one they have that does that)! It's pretty old, and beat up (labeling gone), but still works OK. Survived getting run over by an off-road rally car but the tripod legs didn't fare so well. As a plus, the Benro mounting plate works on it.
 
I think you're right. And it survives because it is a proper Sachtler. I have a beatup Video 18 Mark III head, so it's from the 90's. Works like new despite the scratches. Because it's a Sachtler. And I have it atop those same E-Image aluminum sticks with the 88lb max. You see the difference between them and proper Sachtler sticks (or those Oconnors I'll never ever see again...single tear) because they get a little wanky sometimes. Feet keep falling off, for instance. But, they hold their weight and don't splosh around when I'm trying to do a nice, slow pan. No complaints. But, how I miss those Oconnors. The kind that has the one lever that controls the locking mechanism of ALL THE LEGS and ALL THE LEG SECTIONS so setting up and tearing down takes a second. Miss it.

Yes, Benro mounting plates will work because they are ripoffs of old school Sachtler...and good ripoffs, too.
 
Yeah, the rubber feet attachment design is kinda jicky but still a nice feature.. I used some silicone glue to just glue them on (they can still be removed, but then you have to clean up the glue - not hard with silicone). When using on soft terrain or on the beach/sand I got in a habit of spreading a blanket down or beach towel and putting the tripod on that with the legs tensioned against the fabric. For me, it works better than the spiky feet as it spreads the load out and anchors it a bit better without "sinking", especially when panning with some resistance cranked in.
 
What I do is not shoot at the beach! That saves me dealing with a lot of problems! :D

.......

....but, when I do have to shoot at the beach (damn clients, again!) I'm going to have to try that beach towel trick. One of my tricks is, for the camera bag, I bring a dinner tray, the kind you use in the living room, that I place in the sand and the bag goes onto that. Water bottle optional.

IMG_5687.jpg
 
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