What tripod/head will you use with your AF100?

Terry_Lasater said:
I have an old Gitzo 1380 with aluminum legs. It's a decent head but the counterbalance cannot be adjusted; it is what it is.

I'm considering a Sachtler FSB-8T system because of a) Sachtler's quality and b) a 10 step counterbalance adjustment that allows payloads ranging from 2-20 lbs. That would allow me to use it with a bare bones 7D setup to a decently kitted AF100 setup.
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I'm cartoni focus with 536 sticks but I have often admired sachtler. I would love for someone to post about the exact usage differences between

... the FSB-8T that Terry linked to

610982.jpg


...and the FSB-8. They are the same price but quick release looks totally different.

610981.jpg
 
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Miller Compass 20 with Arrow legs.
If you are on your own and carry a "small camera", AF 100 or EX 1, that is a great combination.
And the Arrow legs allow you to get really high ( 2,1M) and really low.
So you don't have to bring babylegs
I own an Ronford 15-s as well, build like a tank, but with heads that big you need an assistent.
For everyday "don't know what to expect" shooting I take the Sachtler 18p but that's to big for a small camera.
So the kind of job you have to do decides the head for you.
 
J Davis said:
I'm cartoni focus with 536 sticks but I have often admired sachtler. I would love for someone to post about the exact usage differences between

... the FSB-8T that Terry linked to

610982.jpg


...and the FSB-8. They are the same price but quick release looks totally different.

610981.jpg
Click to expand...

The difference between these are that the top one has a quick release plate that you pull the red tab and the plate pops off. I have the FSB6 and it behaves in this same way. The bottom has a sliding plate that goes forward and back. I mainly use these for when i have a really heavy lens and have to sit the body back as far as possible. You just have more wiggle room with the sliding plate. But for run and gun, the sliding plates are a major PITA. The sorta stick when you try and slide them off. Vinten used to use this sliding plate type, but they've begun to redesign their entire line to be more like Sachtlers; with a quick release plate.
 
Jon, to clarify, the FSB8 doesnt have the traditional sliding plate. It is a side load system that clicks in from the top. I chose to go with this on my FSB8 as opposed to the standard Sachtler plate as is on my Video 18 (and the FSB8T) for the ability to vary the balance point more.

It isn't fiddly at all like the older Vinten's and Manfrottos.

The FSB8 is amazing for it's price and quality. I've never used anything in that price range that performs like this. Super smooth. There is a small amount of bounce on higher drag settings using the speedlock CF kit legs, but none when using my bigger 100mm CF legs.
 
I have to concur with LightMast about the longer plate Sachtler pictured on the bottom. I have the FSB6 and you cant slide it in, it snaps in from above effortlessly and you can literally do it with your eye's closed. Maybe it was a older version that didnt snap in?. As Jon did mention, the sliding plate also gives you about 5" of front to back adjustment, something that could be of a big help with the AF when loaded with big glass or any other camera with a lens adapter. I used the "Touch" plate version once and while I didnt have any troubles with it, it's plate is very small and you cant see it when attaching the camera to the head. If either of them are slower to mount, I would feel it's the "T" model in my opinion.
 
I plan to use the AF100 with my Miller DS-10. But also won't mount heavy lenses and other gear. My plan is to use the AF-100 with as minimal gear as possible. Have many m5/3 lenses though.
 
Because we're dealing with heavy zooms or light weight primes, I have found it really useful to position (or slide) my plate forward / backward,
then the counter balance in the head can be used to fine tune the overall balance (my cartoni quick release plate goes in sideways and slides forward/backward).
When you described the Sachtler 8 and 8T, or 6 and 6T I get the impression that the sliding version does not release and the quick release version does not slide?
Is that interpretation correct?

BTW I highly recommend the carbon fiber 536 sticks - same design as the arrow above or solo VJ's that go very low to very high and 536 bowl adapts for 100mm and 75mm.
The legs that come with the cartoni focus f101 kit are 2 stage and very meh. Feet come off too easy. I leave these legs behind only to use with slider or small arm/crane.
 
i just got the sachtler hot pod legs setup w a cartoni head.. looks and feels sturdy and now i finally understand what they meant by fast legs..

works good w my 300 cant wait for the af now..
 
J Davis said:
..and the FSB-8. They are the same price but quick release looks totally different.

610981.jpg
Click to expand...

Just used this head today, infact. ITs very nice. Cool features. i really dig the side mounting plate. Thats a big deal for mounting a camera with all your accessories already attached. You dont run into things getting in the way when you side it forward to mount it.
 
mcgeedigital said:
Sachtler 18
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I agree with Matt. I've used the Sachtler 18 with both the light duty ENG legs as well as the heavy duty carbon fiber legs and the combo has supported everything from my HVX200 and 7D to rental HPX370, HDX900 and F900. It's the only unit I plan on using with my AF100 which shipped today.
 
J Davis said:
Because we're dealing with heavy zooms or light weight primes, I have found it really useful to position (or slide) my plate forward / backward,
then the counter balance in the head can be used to fine tune the overall balance (my cartoni quick release plate goes in sideways and slides forward/backward).
When you described the Sachtler 8 and 8T, or 6 and 6T I get the impression that the sliding version does not release and the quick release version does not slide?
Is that interpretation correct?

BTW I highly recommend the carbon fiber 536 sticks - same design as the arrow above or solo VJ's that go very low to very high and 536 bowl adapts for 100mm and 75mm.
The legs that come with the cartoni focus f101 kit are 2 stage and very meh. Feet come off too easy. I leave these legs behind only to use with slider or small arm/crane.
Click to expand...

No, both of the Sachtler's slide front to back once the cam is attached, the non "T" slides more though. On top of the fact that you have about 4" of where on the plate you want to position your plate screw. The plate does not mount to the head by sliding it in back to front, you angle the right side of the plate in to the groove and then the left side snaps in, think of the battery cover on a tv remote control or something. I dont know if they formally call it a QR but it's super quick to engage and disengage. The "T" version's plate is the size of a matchbook and it drops onto the head. The non T model that Timur has on his post would give you more front to back adj. for heavy loads.

Hope this helped.
 
Thanks, that description helped a lot to clarify the difference.

Fotojorno said:
... does not mount to the head by sliding it in back to front, you angle the right side of the plate in to the groove and then the left side snaps in ...
Click to expand...

This is the same as cartoni focus
 
Fotojorno said:
No, both of the Sachtler's slide front to back once the cam is attached, the non "T" slides more though. On top of the fact that you have about 4" of where on the plate you want to position your plate screw. The plate does not mount to the head by sliding it in back to front, you angle the right side of the plate in to the groove and then the left side snaps in, think of the battery cover on a tv remote control or something. I dont know if they formally call it a QR but it's super quick to engage and disengage. The "T" version's plate is the size of a matchbook and it drops onto the head. The non T model that Timur has on his post would give you more front to back adj. for heavy loads.

Hope this helped.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

The T version does not slide in from the back. Rather, it sits down from above and locks onto a plate which can then slide forwards or backwards. It may not have quite the latitude as the side mounted version, but I like the fact that I'm not torquing the camera rig sideways to mount it. Plus, if you're using a pro baseplate, you should have puh-lenty of front and back latitude between the two. I also believe the lock release is a bit more secure on the T version. At least, it feels that way to me.



Link to info on Sachtler heads
 
This thread has been a great source of info and couldn't have come at a better time for me. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. Had already done literally days and days of research prior to this thread getting started. And I have to say that choosing a head and sticks in today's marketplace is a truly daunting task considering the dizzying array of quality systems available. Not to mention sorting through all the great looking, but actually not so great stuff. And especially when trying to find something that could accommodate an AF100 and GH2, and is suited for the studio, around town, and shooting wildlife as well. Plus I wanted something really stable for the GH2 using ETC and telephoto lenses. Whew.

That said, my equipment requirements are pretty simple compared to a lot of people here as all I'll probably be using is the camera, 3-4 lb. lenses, a small glidetrack, Zacuto baseplate, and maybe, eventually a follow focus. I do believe in future proofing and never say never, but there comes a point where anticipating future gear may end up not only costing more, but actually hindering performance with lighter rigs. So it's a tough balancing act for sure.

After much research, had it narrowed down to between the following:

- Sachtler 0475 FSB-6 Carbon-Fiber Tripod System
- Miller Compass 20 Solo 3-Stage Carbon-Fiber System
- Vinten Vision Blue System w/Mid-Levl Spreader
- Vinten V3AS-CP2M Vision Pozi-Loc Carbon Fiber Tripod System
- Libec RS-250 75mm 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod System

Ended up getting the Libec RS-250 System AND the Vinten Vision Blue with the Miller Solo DV 3-Stage 75mm Carbon Fiber Tripod.

Figured this combo gives me great stability with the Libec system (even though I prefer CF). And the Vinten perfect balance technology along with Libec's comparable feature in their RS line. Plus the added flexibility afforded by the Miller sticks.

I was willing to spend close to $3,000 on one system alone, but ended up spending around $2,500 and getting two systems. Don't know which system I'll use with which camera yet (probably a mix of both), but it should be a lot of fun putting them all through their paces under a wide variety of shooting conditions.

And thanks Steve Kahn for posting those links because I had the Libec on my list but had pretty much scratched it off based upon comparing specs alone. However, after reading Nigel's review and digging deeper I obviously changed my mind.

Speaking of specs, I found B&H's specs to be enormously frustrating in their inaccuracies. And not in just a few instances. I would strongly urge anyone making decisions based on the info on B&H's site to also double check the manufacturer's site.

BTW - There are a couple of pretty good threads going which include some ongoing comparison testing and a soon to be completed shootout:

http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.p...k=t&sd=a&sid=9f25de8ca415ffcae39d18a982f7090b

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-...sachtler-libec-miller-manfrotto-shootout.html

Hope this helps others. Crossing my fingers that all my gear arrives next week along with my AF100!
 
I'm currently using a Sachtler Video 18 III tripod that says "made in West Germany" on the side. Other than not-having an illuminated leveling-bubble (which I miss), it's pretty much indistinguishable from the more recent Sachtler models. This unit cost me about $6K when I purchased it 17 years ago; if I chose to sell it today, it would probably be worth half that. So, while a good quality tripod is expensive, you get what you pay for -- in this case a head which delivers very smooth action -- like a spoon in a honey jar. A tripod will far outlast any camera resting on it. So, don't cheap out -- spend the $$$$ -- you'll be glad you did.
Try to think of a tripod as two pieces: the head and the legs. If you're on a tight budget, spring for a quality head, and buy cheaper (aluminum) legs.
Last thing -- try before you buy. The great thing about trade shows -- like NAB -- is that all the major players have their hardware available to demo.
 
Need help deciding here. We're looking for a lightweight tripod to complement our heavier one for when we need to get out there.

Basically looking between miller compass head and libec rh35 head, and manfrotto 535 tripod and gitzo 6x carbon tripod. Not a lot of review on the libec head. A few people going nuts about it. Also between the manfrotto and gitzo there is a large price difference but I don't know if there is a performance difference.

Anyone have any relevant experience?
 
I'm also getting the Manfrotto 504HD with 546 legs. I hope its as good as it looks (and from what I hear from people it is, right editman and Barry?)
 
I've gone through three Bogen/Manfrotto tripods. Work keeps buying them, I keep breaking them. They work great for a while, and they're cheap, but not as robust as I'd like.

My personal tripod is a Vinten Pro-6. It's plenty heavy enough for my HPX500. I imagine that a fully-rigged AF would be a good fit for the Vinten.

However, I see a HUGE advantage in being able to to side-mount the plate. Could be a lot of stuff getting in the way with a forward-slide mount.
 
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