Tripod question!

bcolgate said:
If you were looking at the Manfrotto 504, I would strongly recommend this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/601879-REG/Sachtler_0372_0372_FSB_4_Aluminum_Tripod.html

Having just sold a Manfrotto 519, and received the FSB4, it is a much higher quality head, and the legs are great.
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seems like a very nice peace! but the only problem i see about it - the weight i can put on - 4kg max!
I think my AF101 with 14-140 lens and rode2 is around 4kg, so probably i ll not be able to use it right away after i ll buy any more accessories! i plan to get a monitor as its really not possible to focus and use on board lcd, the birger mount and some of the canon and or tokina lens. i still did not decide to to get a mechanical follow focus or something like manfrotto follow control - i think i ll wait on it till birger will go out, but eventually i ll get one of them. for now i have other equipment to order , i am saving and buying part by part: in june its tripod, i need one now as the one i use now - is that thing with handle that when u rotate it the head goes up - its really is a junk, when i try to focus - everything just jumps, so its a first priority.
next is a monitor, then i think a rig for handheld work, i dont think i ll ever buy a mate box as i just dont see a need in it for now.

anyway here is what i want to be on my tripod - af101, rode ntg2 mic, monitor, birger mount and canon lens, the hand held rig with follow focus - so all probably going to be around 6-7kg - if i am wrong about the weight plz correct me!

about the price - i would want to buy the cheapest from what its worth to buy, seems like manfrotto 504 is not an option any more, not sure if i can trust that guy, but what he writes seems very reasonable:
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=262 - he really killed it , even it was recommended to me by bhphotovideo as best for under 1000 usd. i dont think ill buy it now

he actually post a very good review about libec rs350 - http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150 - would love to hear more comments

i would go a little over a 1000 usd - 1300, 1400.....
 
one more question as i never use or saw any pro equipment at all , locally i can only order it and pay in advance, in stores to see or touch we have nothing! so with these semi pro tripods (in my price range its probably not a pro) how quick i can change the height up or down ? with my existing tripod/joke i can do it with one hand holding everything and with other extend or close all legs, and it takes 30 sec max. i wonder how difficult it is with these big guys?

also ground spreader or middle spreader?
 
guys 1 more question - seems like price locally(latvia) for that equipment is twice as on bh, i checked some dealers in uk price is a lot more the at bh, so i wonder would u worried about the warranty for the tripod? its not a camcorder or monitor....., has anyone had issues related to warranty?
 
re: Spreaders: I prefer mid-level spreaders because you can set your tripod up on any kind of ground and not worry about the spreader getting covered in muck.

Personally I have never had a tripod break, including two gitzo tripods that are 20 years old. As long as you transport your tripod in a case, and keep it reasonably clean, it should last you many years.
 
i kind of stopped on libec rs series , mostly because of nice reviews at http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=228........... if some one used it plz post some info
or
i also like that one - Cartoni Focus HD - price is nice, but if say true i like it mostly cause i just love how it looks.... but have not seen a pro reviews on it, the guy from dvuser posted a review on a previous model and he did not give a good review on it...... so a little scared , but would prefer to buy cartoni
 
Hey, Cartoni makes good stuff. Don't know about longetivity, but I recently put a 30lb. camera package on a Cartoni Focus and was surprised at how smooth it was. If the specs on the Cartoni show it can handle your camera's weight, go for it. It's far superior to Manfrotto and the other prosumer offerings.
 
I have the focus hd...I like the price and the movement but personally dislike the pan and tilt lock...and I do not like the side tilt-in plate...and the plate lock and tilt lock are dangerously close to each other.
 
RJS said:
I have the focus hd...I like the price and the movement but personally dislike the pan and tilt lock...and I do not like the side tilt-in plate...and the plate lock and tilt lock are dangerously close to each other.
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but the pan and tilt works great? even if u do it same time and tilt and pan? the only problem is the lock buttons location? how does the legs work? what model do u have?
regards
 
I agree with the comments about Manfrotto heads. They do not pan and tilt smoothly and have spring back. I have a 503HDV head and am looking to replace it. I have heard that the 504HDV is better, but still leery.

That said, I am VERY happy with my Manfrotto 535 legs. These are light carbon fiber tubular legs similar to the Miller Solo, but much cheaper and with quicker flip lever locks. If you need a 100mm bowl then go for the 536 legs. These also go higher, but I find the 535 just fine. Great light weight portable legs for those of us that hike a ways to get nature footage.
 
TheDingo said:
re: Spreaders: I prefer mid-level spreaders because you can set your tripod up on any kind of ground and not worry about the spreader getting covered in muck.

Personally I have never had a tripod break, including two gitzo tripods that are 20 years old. As long as you transport your tripod in a case, and keep it reasonably clean, it should last you many years.
Click to expand...

Personally, I prefer ground spreaders. Mid level spreaders change the tripods footprint when you change height, which I find slows me down ALOT. I never find my ground spreaders get too dirty, and if they happen to get really muddy or something they can always quickly and easily be cleaned....
 
I also prefer and recommend mid level spreaders.

Mine are quickly and easily adjustable to set the foot print. Easily detacheable.

The mid level spreader allows a simple single sandbag to be slung for additional weight and stability

Ground level spreaders dont handle very un even ground (eg. sand, paddock, mud).

They dont adapt easily to steps, curbs (2 legs down one leg up)

Often, they need to be removed to transport the legs folded in the case.

They are a big stoop to fit and adjust.

They need clear floor space. ( ie clear of cables, sand bags etc)

They need to be larger/longer/ heavier to cover the spread at the low level of the leg where the radii (radiuses) are longer.
 
Ditto to everything Shooter said.

For field shooting (which actually could describe just about everything I do), the very next item at the top of my wishlist is a set of Miller Solo sticks. One of the prime attractions is no spreader at all! (Although I'll check out the Manfrotto 535 that NPrincen recommended as well).

- Greg
 
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