Tripod HELP!!!

B

BrenMyster

Well-known member
I just got a Manfrotto tripod kit with a 351MVB2K 501HDV Head and 351MVB2K Tripod,

It's a sweet tripod kit, but it's heavy and massive, I hike allot, and it's totally not going to happen, carrying that thing about will kill me. I'm going down the grand canyon in a few weeks!!! I want to return in one piece.

It already ripped the plastic thing off my nice Kata back pack,

Its my fault for not going carbon fiber, now i am going to return it and upgrade, but to what?????

I'm looking at the other manfrotto carbon option but also Miller are an option.

I need it to be able to take 15kg's since my letus is on its way but i need low mass, thats the important part, I will also be flying with it so i want to be able to carry on all my gear.

I'm looking at going to about $1100
 
I know, i was just looking at the DS10, a more affordable option for me, its not supposed to hold much over 11lbs, i think the EX1 letus setup is about 15lbs, might be able to push it.
 
I would borrow, beg and save and go for the DS20 (that's what Im doing). I know its expensive but I think its something you cant take a risk on. It might ruin a great shot to have a shaky tripod. Also Remember, that's nearly $10k sitting on those three skinny legs.
 
true, Going to order on monday, not sure which one. going to think on it.

1.5k on a tripod is hard buy, i really hate tripods, I'm more of a hand held kinda guy, i have a fig rig i use allot. mainly shoot live music and music videos.

But now i am starting to shoot some other kinda stuff a good tripod is a must. Plus now with my letus on it's way......

I would keep this manfrotto but it's just too heavy and bully. the 501 head is very smooth and kicks all over heads i have tried on a pod in this range.
 
Look I own 4 Solo Dv systems and have shot compelling material with those skinny legs and the DS20 head. In its class nothing I have worked with compares or holds up like the Solo Dv. Not to say there aren't better heads around but for the money they rock. Be sure to get the carbon fiber legs you will thank yourself every night. They set up quick high or low. I even put them in the middle of the river from time to time and get the upstream shots just above the water. Not recommended for the weak at heart or uninsured..

I have many friends at Miller in Australia and the states. They have been very good to me. I will hanging around their booth at NAB if you want to visit.

JK
 
Jim Kinsey said:
Look I own 4 Solo Dv systems and have shot compelling material with those skinny legs and the DS20 head. In its class nothing I have worked with compares or holds up like the Solo Dv. Not to say there aren't better heads around but for the money they rock. Be sure to get the carbon fiber legs you will thank yourself every night. They set up quick high or low. I even put them in the middle of the river from time to time and get the upstream shots just above the water. Not recommended for the weak at heart or uninsured..

I have many friends at Miller in Australia and the states. They have been very good to me. I will hanging around their booth at NAB if you want to visit.

JK
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Yeah, I cant wait to get my DS20, heard good things about it.
 
kubalsky said:
Yeah, I cant wait to get my DS20, heard good things about it.
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Another vote for the Miller DS20 here.

The only problem I had was with switching the camera quickly between the tripod and the shoulder mount, thankfully now sorted with the help of Mr Bloom (who should get an award for helping newbies like me). Philip pointed me at the Manfrotto 357 Universal Sliding Plate (you need two of them and end up with a spare plate) one piece of which (the plate) bolts onto the camera, and the other half of which (the bracket) bolts onto the Miller bracket and the shoulder mount.
 
Ian Smith said:
Another vote for the Miller DS20 here.

The only problem I had was with switching the camera quickly between the tripod and the shoulder mount, thankfully now sorted with the help of Mr Bloom (who should get an award for helping newbies like me). Philip pointed me at the Manfrotto 357 Universal Sliding Plate (you need two of them and end up with a spare plate) one piece of which (the plate) bolts onto the camera, and the other half of which (the bracket) bolts onto the Miller bracket and the shoulder mount.
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yeah, Thanks. I'll look into that, having bought the el cheapo shoulder support also from Phils recommendation. He's earnt himself a some free pints if he ever comes to Tokyo.
 
Cool,

Any used the EX1 DS10 combo yet?

Really want to go with the DS10 because of the weight and price, but if its not ging to hold up the DS20 it is.
 
Go with the DS20. I have (1) DS10 but it is night and day between the DS10 and DS20. I own 1 EX1 and have used it for a few weeks on the DS20 and it is a great combo. Remember you get what you pay for... plus if you ever get a larger camera the DS10 is useless.

Jk
 
Libec 38 head on DV Solo 20 legs? Anyone used this combo? Seems like a good way to save a few hundred bucks and get the benefits of those sexy legs.
 
Just a quick update,

Just got my DS20 though and i couldn't be happier, spanks all other tripods i have tried, worth the extra money, hopefully gonna last till i die.

Cheers for the advise guys :)))
 
BrenMyster said:
Just a quick update,

Just got my DS20 though and i couldn't be happier, spanks all other tripods i have tried, worth the extra money, hopefully gonna last till i die.

Cheers for the advise guys :)))
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Thats great news! I better hurry up and order mine..
 
BM,

Glad to hear you love the DS-20. It will bring you years of excellent service and wicked shots to boot. Sent you a private message with my email address. Did you get it?

JK
 
Bogen Monfrotto 526 + 755 Carbon Fiber Legs?

Bogen Monfrotto 526 + 755 Carbon Fiber Legs?

I just returned from NAB and had tried to find what tripod booths were available to get a good sampling of feel, stability, weight and cost from a number of vendors.

Based upon what I could try I had found that I like the Bogen Monfrotto 526 head & the 755 Carbon Fiber legs quite a bit. The whole kit is supposed to run around $1800 on the street with a bag once the legs are finally released in another month or two. The weight limit for the head is 35lbs so it should handle anything I throw at it.

Now, this was before I saw that Philip Bloom recommended the Miller DS20 Solo.

I unfortunately did not have a chance to try any Miller tripods that I recall at NAB so I can't compare the head designs or feel.

But I did have a question about the viability of the Monfrotto 526 head and an EX1 or EX3. Given that the head can hold a bit of weight, if I'm ONLY using the EX1 or EX3 will I notice any problems? (Meaning that the camera might be 'underweight' for the head.)

Also how much weight could I estimate that the EX1 or EX3 will be with a Letus Extreme, rails, etc? What about if I was using an EX3 and had a 1/2" or 2/3" lens mounted on it?
 
i think i figured EX1 with a letus would be about 15lbs, think thats right,

I posted a thread about it ages ago.
 
Don't cheap out on your tripod. Carbon fiber a must. If you get a really good tripod it will last thru many generations of cameras. Example I bought a sachtler video 18 with carbon fiber legs with a betacam in 1999 and the tripod is still kicking ass.
 
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