Tripod Legs Recommendations

H

hopkins802

Well-known member
Hey all,

I have two old cheap Fancierstudio tripods that have done just fine for what I've needed them for so far. I don't use tripods all that much, so I didn't need to invest in a $1000 setup. However, I'm thinking of slowly upgrading, part by part. I think I'd first like to start with some new legs, since one of my tripods is too short. I've looked at Oben, but they don't look that sturdy, anyone have suggestions for good / affordable tripod legs?
 
I have two sets of Miller Solo carbon fiber legs and like them a lot. If I were buying another set I would consider those alongside the new Sachtler Flowtechs (which I have not seen in person yet).

If you have a flat base head you'll also need a ball mount adapter to go on either of these leg choices. Most of the higher end heads you might consider to finish out the kit in the future will already have the ball. You need to decide between 75mm and 100mm ball sizes (the Sachtler legs are only available in 75mm so far). I've been happy with the 75mm size but would need to consider an upgrade if my camera rigs were much over 10 pounds or so.

- Greg
 
Probably won't like my recommendation, as I have a different idea about "affordable" tripod setups.

My tripod/head of choice for smaller/medium weight camera setups is an Oconnor 1030D/30L which with nice case and extras comes in at around $10K.

Now you are probably saying to yourself at this point... F that, dude your smoking crack if you think a $10K tripod/head setup is affordable.

Many of you have never used any of the Oconnor line of heads/sticks. But those that have know them as the smoothest nicest available. If I am shooting sticks, I want the smoothest moves I can get, and a head which has stepless fully variable adjustable counterbalance all the way down to zero.

Affordable? Well $10K prorated over 50 years, your career time may vary, is right at $200 a year. Which is less than a one week rental of a 1030D/30L.

A tripod/head like this is one you use over the course of a career to earn enough to put a few million dollars away in your retirement fund, and then you sell it to the next guy/gal wanting the best they can get.

Sorry, just the ramblings of an old guy.

Dave
 
David W. Jones said:
Probably won't like my recommendation, as I have a different idea about "affordable" tripod setups.

My tripod/head of choice for smaller/medium weight camera setups is an Oconnor 1030D/30L which with nice case and extras comes in at around $10K.

Now you are probably saying to yourself at this point... F that, dude your smoking crack if you think a $10K tripod/head setup is affordable.

Many of you have never used any of the Oconnor line of heads/sticks. But those that have know them as the smoothest nicest available. If I am shooting sticks, I want the smoothest moves I can get, and a head which has stepless fully variable adjustable counterbalance all the way down to zero.

Affordable? Well $10K prorated over 50 years, your career time may vary, is right at $200 a year. Which is less than a one week rental of a 1030D/30L.

A tripod/head like this is one you use over the course of a career to earn enough to put a few million dollars away in your retirement fund, and then you sell it to the next guy/gal wanting the best they can get.

Sorry, just the ramblings of an old guy.

Dave
Click to expand...

This ^
 
Hahah, thanks Dave!

I'm a run and gunner, so I use my tripod maybe 10% of the day on shoots. I just need stable legs...Probably in the $300 - $400 range, to hold a camera that weighs like 5lbs. I appreciate the ramble, it was very interesting.
 
Cool, thanks Greg. These are actually what my studio has and they're very nice. A bit out of my budget. I barely use my tripod, but I understand that the quality needs to be there when I use it. Any thoughts on legs around $300?
 
I like what Dave says but the O'Connors are not run & gun legs and heads in any sense of the word.

Spend the $1,000.00 and get the Sachtler Flowtech 75. My DP friend just bought them and he is in love with them. I have a loaner request in to Sachtler as I want to write a review article for my magazine on them. I have the Miller Solo DV legs in carbon and aluminum and they pretty good too, but not quick to deploy or adjust height. Fairly rigid though. Cheap tripod legs suck, backlash, low torsional rigidity, poor construction, spend more. Tripod heads and legs are one of the few things in this business where you truly get what you paid for, the good stuff costs some money and the cheap stuff just sucks, no disputing it.
 
Cool, thanska for the input man! I may have to put more towards a nice tripod and less towards lenses than I was planning on for next year.

You mention that the Millers are good but not too fast to deploy, I agree as we use these at our studio... are the Sachtlers a bit faster for run and gun situations?

Appreciate the insight.


puredrifting said:
I like what Dave says but the O'Connors are not run & gun legs and heads in any sense of the word.

Spend the $1,000.00 and get the Sachtler Flowtech 75. My DP friend just bought them and he is in love with them. I have a loaner request in to Sachtler as I want to write a review article for my magazine on them. I have the Miller Solo DV legs in carbon and aluminum and they pretty good too, but not quick to deploy or adjust height. Fairly rigid though. Cheap tripod legs suck, backlash, low torsional rigidity, poor construction, spend more. Tripod heads and legs are one of the few things in this business where you truly get what you paid for, the good stuff costs some money and the cheap stuff just sucks, no disputing it.
Click to expand...
 
What about this less expensive Sachtler? My camera setup is much less than 8lbs.. it gets great reviews as well..

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...Ch0_mQX5EAQYAiABEgIYK_D_BwE&is=REG&sku=822102

puredrifting said:
I like what Dave says but the O'Connors are not run & gun legs and heads in any sense of the word.

Spend the $1,000.00 and get the Sachtler Flowtech 75. My DP friend just bought them and he is in love with them. I have a loaner request in to Sachtler as I want to write a review article for my magazine on them. I have the Miller Solo DV legs in carbon and aluminum and they pretty good too, but not quick to deploy or adjust height. Fairly rigid though. Cheap tripod legs suck, backlash, low torsional rigidity, poor construction, spend more. Tripod heads and legs are one of the few things in this business where you truly get what you paid for, the good stuff costs some money and the cheap stuff just sucks, no disputing it.
Click to expand...
 
When talking of cost - my unfashionable sachler two stage aluminium legs from maybe 2000 cost me very little - ex rental and are rock solid and well engineered - maybe better built than modern sachler.

I also have solo legs which I have a love hate with
Love the mass
Hate making subtle height changes

I think the flo-tech are worth a test drive and are maybe the cheapest one wants to buy.

I have a chum who has some old -2005- vintens that are great for his small camera - I really like them
 
I got the Miller Solo DV carbon legs with the DS10 head years ago on puredrifting's recommendation and love them (thank you puredrifting). But I routinely use Edelkrone's Flex-tilt head with them which makes subtle adjustments a breeze.
 
I bought a 100mm bowl Miller Series 30 carbon in 1997 with its three stages, $ 3,500 so, $ 175 / year. Not a run&gun style.
Two years ago, I got used Miller Solo DV and DS10, $ 1.100, incredible setup, light, versatile, reliable, smooth.
No $$ save in tripod, it will be there, saving your ass, all the time.
All my cameras since 1997 was died, my tripod still shining and earning $
 
If I'm moving fast enough to be working run n gun I prefer using a monopod rather than a tripod. A classic example of this would be a car lot spray job where I would be shooting B-roll video along with stills of various car models. This type scenario emits from agencies not knowing exactly what they want, not having a finished script, or just too meek to tell a car dealership what they really need. "just shoot everything to cover all the bases, and also give us stills we can use online."

I would generally use some form of low weight DSLR type camera, along with carrying 3 zooms on an Arri belt, which would cover all my focal lengths from 11mm to 200mm. And a collapsible monopod for support. Summertime add a hat with visor to block the sun, and a couple of extra water bottles to keep hydrated.
 
Joshua_G said:
Which head would you recommend?
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Depends on how much your rig is going to weigh fully kitted out. I have the Miller AIR head but it maxes out at only I think 13lbs, so I use that for a smaller, lighter travel rig. The Sachtler DV6-SB is used for home-based shoots where sometimes the rig is heavier and more kitted out and this head can handle 20lbs. Most any of the 75mm Sachtler or Miller heads are excellent. Benro, Manfrotto, no name Chinese stuff, you get what you pay for so I avoid them.
 
I have a miller arrow 25 on 100mm bowl.. significant mass.

Id certainly look at 75mm and a smaller head for solo operating.
 
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