C100: What Fluid Head are you using?

Tim Nitsch

Tim Nitsch

Well-known member
Just wanted to see what everyone had under their CX00 and what they though about it.

Currently I have a 504HD for my C100 but I'm not really happy with it all, the drag is not very consistent or that smooth and I'm looking to get something nicer.

I'm torn between the Miller Compass15 and the Sachtler FSB-8.

Has anyone tried the Libec RH35R?
 
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I use a Sachtler FSB6 on Miller Solo DV legs/Miller two stage aluminum legs and find that it's good but not great. It's all around solid but just not spectacular. I was more impressed by the Compass that I recently tried out. I went with Sachtler and the sideload system so that I'd be compatible with other Manfrotto gear that I have like monopods, flat based heads for sliders etc. I also have an older Mller DS10 with a 577 adapter that I use when needed. It doesn't have much counterbalance range but very nice fluid movement.
 
I use C300 and my main fluid head is a OConnor 1030HDs. I got a Manfrotto MVH500AH flat base head to sit on top of my Gitzo GT3530 LSV tripod from my stills days. The difference between the two is like day and night. The manfrotto is ok for my B camera work and for mostly locked off shots.

I feel it is better to invest on a good fluid head because it will last years. 5000 usd over 10 years is only 500 usd per year. It is like paying rental but upfront. In comparison we spend tons of more money on other stuff which will last only a couple of years.
 
Keep your eyes open for used 1030B and the like on ebay. Sometimes they can be had for a very fair price.

I will likely never get rid of my Ultimate 1030D. To this day I regret selling my 2060 head.
 
Stalk O'Connors on Ebay and be patient. I got a good 1030 head and a mediocre set of legs for a little over a grand. I was lucky on that one as I only wanted the head. I then sold my sachtler 18+ head that I had owned for 16 years on Ebay for 1500. Buy good support equipment, you'll use it for years and won't regret it.
 
Jon Roemer said:
I use an FSB-8 with the C300. Very happy with it.
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had it and sold it, did not like it at all. even the bubble fricked me out - it was so hard to catch it.... also i was not able to balance it the way i exacted .... also i think the head its self is kind of tall for steady shots... for that price i expected that if i let go, it will stay, but it never did ...

i dont not believe they are the same quality now as they used to be, its probably not

i think i would go with miller now, but i want to wait for zakuto to see if its really that great as they say!
 
Sachtler Ace.
I know it's not perfect, but it's hard to beat for the price and I can't justify the Oconnor price only shooting part time (I do more post than shooting these days).
 
anatusa said:
had it and sold it, did not like it at all. even the bubble fricked me out - it was so hard to catch it.... also i was not able to balance it the way i exacted .... also i think the head its self is kind of tall for steady shots... for that price i expected that if i let go, it will stay, but it never did ...

i dont not believe they are the same quality now as they used to be, its probably not

i think i would go with miller now, but i want to wait for zakuto to see if its really that great as they say!
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Mine balances just fine (C300 + Kessler Kwik Release + Handle + Monitor.) But it may be time for me to start looking at 100mm based heads as it is certainly at the top end of what the FSB 8 cans do because of the high COG.

The Zacuto heads sure do look like rebranded Sachtlers...
 
Mark Smith said:
Stalk O'Connors on Ebay and be patient. I got a good 1030 head and a mediocre set of legs for a little over a grand. I was lucky on that one as I only wanted the head. I then sold my sachtler 18+ head that I had owned for 16 years on Ebay for 1500. Buy good support equipment, you'll use it for years and won't regret it.
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I looked for a few months and I saw a 1080HD that was not in great condition (broken Pan Drag knob and broken handle knob) that went up for like $1200 and I watched it looking to throw in an offer thinking it would say low due to the issues with it. Damn thing sold for $4k.....

I did see a 515 go for $1500. Probably should have bid on that but I don't know much about the 515's though they do seem like the perfect option for what I need. Are the 515's as smooth as the 1030's?
 
Sachtler DV8 head, bought for a song on eBay. The head is 'old style' - not quite right for the C100, but has been faithful, reliable and also cheap to repair when the clamps get bumped off. It took 14 months of lurking on eBay to find it.

That's mated to Miller 2-stage Solo carbon fibre legs, which go up high and will squat down low. I should have gone for the 3 stage legs as these will fit in a domestic suitcase - the 2 stage legs have to go in their own custom bag. The neoprene bumpers don't last long - every Solo I've seen has lost at least one. I've got a sort of wrap-around replacement which is far more durable. Bit of a bind changing height, often think of some nice Sachtler carbon legs with the 'one clamp does both legs' thing, but not sure if it passes the 'will it make the boat go faster' test, whereas saving £50 per European round trip flight might pay off the Solo 3 stage faster.
 
I'm also on a bit of a budget so I wound up with an older Vinten Vision 3 head and it's just fabulous! Sucks that you need different springs for different payloads but I find that I don't switch up my rig all that often. These older Vintens are dirt cheap, maybe around $400 or less used but are really smooth. I also have a 504, 502, and two 501s as well as a Cartoni Status Pro. The Vinten is easily the best of the ones that I own and all are in the "budget" designation.
 
I did see a 515 go for $1500. Probably should have bid on that but I don't know much about the 515's though they do seem like the perfect option for what I need. Are the 515's as smooth as the 1030's?[/QUOTE]


I have 2 515's and they get the most use. My 1030 is best for more controlled situations where I might have a cine lens and the camera built out to a greater extent.

If you can snag a 515 for a good price, then do it. I'm really happy with the 2 that I have.
 
I have the 509HD with the CF 536 legs. It is really nice. The combo will cost you around $1700 but I have had nothing but great success with it, and it has proven to be well worth it. I had the 504HD but once I added 70-200, monitor ect it could not handle it. I know Manfrotto is not the best in comparison to o'connor or miller but the 509HD is pretty legit. I also use Manfrotto monopods and High Hats, and have the same plate on my glidecam. I wanted something that all used the same plates for easy shooting between each.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...L6_rL_r6r8CFSpo7AodJjQAVA&Q=&is=REG&A=details
 
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