F5: Tripod Head?

yoclay said:
Ok, not sure why you were having so much difficulty with the FSB8 because your setup should have fallen within it's weight range. While the F5/55 would be a heavier setup it could have probably still accomodated your setup. I own an FSB8 amongst other heads and I have gone well beyond it's supposed weight range and still be able to deliver smooth results. I put a Cooke 20-100 zoom lens, Sony F3, Samurai blade, Zacuto EVF, V-mount battery and FF4 follow focus and it still handled it !

However, if you have the money for an O'Connor, I say go for it. Almost no other head is going to let you drop down to a barebones ultralight setup as well as acccomodate the heavier one. Be aware that the D version allows for greater weight load, but does not provide full tilt to 90 degrees as opposed to a B version (which gives the tilt range but can carry less payload).

The libec tripod does not look like a good buy. It's height range is 69.0 to 138.5 cm. Which means it goes neither high nor low. Don't know about you, but I need as much range as possible.
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About fsb8 as i told, the movements were smooth its true, but the balance was problem, i was not able to balance it so that i could let go the handle and it would stay where i left it, i always bounce up or down, depending on where i left it...

So oconnors 1030 B is good, not the 1030D/ 1030Ds/1030S... i belive 1030B is older model as i dont see it in new lists...
 
anatusa said:
About fsb8 as i told, the movements were smooth its true, but the balance was problem, i was not able to balance it so that i could let go the handle and it would stay where i left it, i always bounce up or down, depending on where i left it...

So oconnors 1030 B is good, not the 1030D/ 1030Ds/1030S... i belive 1030B is older model as i dont see it in new lists...
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Sorry, get's a bit confusing sometimes. A lot of old versions of the head.
For the newest ones, the D offers greater tilt range (+-90 degrees) but less payload.
The Ds offers greater payload, but less tilt range.

This chart will be more clear:


Screen shot 2015-03-15 at 10.55.48 PM.jpg


http://www.seansolowiej.com/reduserpics/ocon_specs.jpg
 
I have had good luck with my Sachtler Video20. I thought I would like the 18 better for carrying around, but ended up using one on a recent multi cam shoot and it really seemed underrated for the F5, lens and other gear mounted onto it so decided to add a second Video20 Dual Lock and love it. I have a whole lot of respect for Oconner, Vinton and Miller, but different strokes for, well you know.
 
I'm no expert on tripods, but I bought this Vinten Vision 8 secondhand last year for my FS700, moving up from a Vinten Pro 5 (which I'd had for 12 years). The counterbalance is very good, it will hold a big rig in position (without tipping) at any angle even without using any drag control or lock. The legs are solid and the leg's locks are reassuringly strong. Fairly heavy tripod, but manageable for me. They were over £2k when new, but secondhand go for £700-£800. Like I say I'm no expert and I have only experience with a few different tripods over the years, so your views/mileage may vary.20150316_111628.jpg
 
Years ago I purchased a tripod made by Weaver Steadman. It was a different design that I’ve seen available for lightweight DSLR’s but not larger and heavier cameras. It was a very successful design although a bit cumbersome to pack away as it was not quite so compact as traditional tripod heads.

The platform on which the camera sat had a column that came up vertically from the side. The 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] fluid chamber was attached at right angles to the vertical column such that the camera now rotated around its center of gravity when you did tilts up or down. You no longer had the threat of the camera falling over if neglected – it was always perfectly in balance - and you were not fighting weight and resistance when doing tilts up or down. You were simply rotating the camera around its center of gravity, effortlessly.

Don’t think there is anything on the market now that has that design for larger cameras.
 
David W. Jones said:
Look for a used 2060
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Yep, about 3kg lighter than the 2065, much better choice.
Be aware though that the 2060HD has a crazy light fluid drag level - position 9 is like about position 3-4 on the original 2060 or 2575. It can be retro-fitted with the heavier drag but costs about $1000 to get it done.
Steve
 
steve phillipps said:
Yep, about 3kg lighter than the 2065, much better choice.
Be aware though that the 2060HD has a crazy light fluid drag level - position 9 is like about position 3-4 on the original 2060 or 2575. It can be retro-fitted with the heavier drag but costs about $1000 to get it done.
Steve
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Agree. I regret selling my original 2060.

The 2065 is the exact same size and weight as the 2575.
 
i have not ordered the head yet, still in a process .... will pull a trigger next week, but as i try to read more about the tripod heads.... the more i kind of being pushed by dealers to the brand called Cartoni. To be honest i never considered it before because of the Focus HD model, as many of u already know, it sucks. I wrote to many dealers in Europe about the prices for Suchtler 18S and Oconnor 1030D, but some of them returned to me not just with prices, but also with the suggestion to consider Cartoni. as they claim -+90 tilt/shift, continuous counterbalance and 5years head warranty..... price is also kind of nice...
 
As with most makes, Cartoni has some good stuff and some not so good. The pro grade stuff like the C20s and Master are good - smooth movements, decent build quality (though not as good as Ronford or O'Connor). I found the movement a little "bouncy" for my taste - hard to describe, but didn't quite seem to have the precision of some of the other makes - although I'm always looking at them with the view of using them with ultra long lenses, so for most regular use it wouldn't be an issue. Definitely worth a look I you fin ne cheap for sure.
Steve
 
I just made the jump to O'Connor from Sachtler about 2 months ago. I bought a DV-10SB about two years ago when I was using an EX-1R. Then I picked up an F55 shortly thereafter. When fully suited up, my 55 weighs just under 24lbs. The 10SB is only rated for 26lbs. I used it, but man it was rough. Like others have posted, don't skimp on your tripod. I'm using a 1030DS now and is it sweet. Once you've dialed in your counterbalance, using the head is effortless. I can't think of a time I've ever needed 90 degree tilt, so I passed on the 1030D. I may end up using longer lenses down the road, so I went for the heavier payload capability of the 1030ds. As for sticks, I'm using the carbon fibre legs I bought with the 10SB, CF-100ENG HD 2CF. Should be set for the next decade or two.

Craig
 
also flour spreader or middle spreader? never used yet middle spreader! about the legs its seems like sachtler is almost the only option.... speed lock, or regular? aluminum or carbon (weight different is not that crazy)? aluminum seems like a more rugged option! also does it worth getting a 150mm hole tripod and use it with 100mm head (for some future changes maybe), or its better to use it with out adopters?
 
OConnor has a surprise for NAB. I don't know how much I should say but it's meant to bridge the gap between the 1030 and the 2065.
 
anatusa said:
also flour spreader or middle spreader? never used yet middle spreader! about the legs its seems like sachtler is almost the only option.... speed lock, or regular? aluminum or carbon (weight different is not that crazy)? aluminum seems like a more rugged option! also does it worth getting a 150mm hole tripod and use it with 100mm head (for some future changes maybe), or its better to use it with out adopters?
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Floor spreader if you only use it indoors, otherwise mid level and rubber feet more flexible - but more expensive.
The Sachtler, O'Connor and Miller legs are very similar if not identical. Ronfords are also great but heavy. Old Oskar Heiler legs are terrific too! Carbon is lighter but more expensive and easier to break (it can chip). Best to get same size bowl as your head takes, no question. Interestingly the smaller O'Connors like the 1030D can take 100mm or 150mm bowl bases, they're interchangeable.
Steve
 
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