Tripod: Sachtler FSB 6 or FSB 8

meauounji

Well-known member
So I'm finally ready to buy a Sachtler, and I'm wondering which model to get. My budget is about $1500, give or take. And here's what I've narrowed it down to.

FSB 6 with Aluminum 2-stage legs and free Porta Brace Production Vault
FSB 6 with Carbon Fiber 2-stage Speed Lock legs
FSB 8 with Aluminum 1-stage legs.

These are all within about $200 of each other, and I'm trying to make a purchase that makes the most sense long-term. I'm shooting with a 7D with rails, matte box, external monitor, and probably will be shooting with an HDSLR for the forseeable future. Eventually I might get an HMC 150 in addition to do steadicam and/or bourne-cam style work.

I do need a case at some point so the Porta Brace case would be a genuinely useful purchase.

Thoughts?
 
$1,200 for a tripod for a 3 lb DSLR? (I know you added lots of accesories), just curious why so much.

Even the manfrotto setups they ahve at school (which are awesome), i think would only be like $6-800

jon
 
the 501 head i have is far from awesome - I have a miller - that s awesome - it is small and light though

I think satchler are in the same class as miller - 3 grades of drag - and zero drag on the 6 or 5 on the 8

S
 
Again, it's about making a long term purchase. And the camera is hardly just 3 lbs. Just the camera, small lens, rails and matte box clocks in at 7 lbs. A big lens like the 70-200mm IS lens is about 3 lbs by itself. You can see how this adds up pretty quickly.
 
The Sachtler legs that come with the head is pretty basic and I find that it doesn't go low enough or high enough for my needs. I would just get the head and get something like a Miller Solo DV, it's much more versatile.
 
Sachtler makes the best tripod PERIOD. I would go with the FSB 8 with 2 Stage aluminum legs. With the smaller tripods I don't think weight is as big a factor, so carbon fiber is not as big a deal. The two stage legs you will love in order to get the low angle.

The Sachtler will last you forever.
 
I hate and own miller solo - horrible to adjust height - great for hiking

speedlock rocks

S
 
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You may want to put a heavier camera or lens on it next month.


Huh? DV8Sb is kind of a strange sized head. Too big for hvx200 etc but too small for hpx500 (we use video 20s and video 25s for those). Honestly mainly use the dv8 speedlock carbonfiber sticks for our panasonic HD robocams becuase I don't like them as much. Nothing wrong with them, just my preference.
 
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