Which tripod for EX3?

tonykart125

tonykart125

Active member
Going to get a tripod with this cam. Looking to pick it up friday from Abelcine.

Would like to get the tripod there as well...

What do you guys suggest?
 
Everyone has their prefs. I'm partial to Sachtler. I would not consider anything less than the FSB-6. I've just tested the EX-3 on the FSB-6 and it balances fine. I have not decked it out with mattebox, rails, etc to see if it is more weight than the head can handle. Keep in mind that EX-3 is about 8 pounds with the U30 battery and a bit more with the U60 battery.
 
I'm going with the DS20 solo by Miller! I've seen the EX1 w/ letus ultimate and lens on this unit work very well.
 
I know that something like the Miller or Sachtler or Vinten could run you in the $1300-1600 range-- or even more.

I don't mean to sound too terribly snooty about this, but the camera is a relatively small part of the total investment.

Let me give an example. I was out of the country with the EX-1 and rented a tripod, not wanting to worry about schlepping my Sachtler (and having come through the experience of gear which took 35 days to arrive). I mostly needed something just to keep the camera steady. My choices at the rental house were a Manfrotto 503 or a super-heavy Sachtler 18. The Sachtler 18 was just too heavy. Manfrotto was fine-- until I decided to pan. That's when you see the difference between an inexpensive head and a precision piece of gear.

Having said that, look at Cartoni as well. Their lower end models are excellent values.

Whether in business, in life or in video, it pays to have a good head.

Sorry if it sounds too preachy....

Ned Soltz
 
I've had a Miller DS20 for 10 years, and it's still as great as the day I brought it. A good tripod is not something you should skimp on if you can help it. I'd suggest you drag your camera along to test a few models. The differences in balance, smoothness and adjustability between the lower end and higher end will be easily apparent to you. A good one will out last you and your children :)
 
Last edited:
The ST is just Sachtler's designation for their "touch and go" plate as opposed to a conventional sliding plate.

I think you will find a world of difference between the Sachtler and the Manfrotto. You will achieve perfect balance with the Sachtler. Your pans will be absolutely smooth. I think you made a good choice.

Ned
 
A tripod is never something to skimp on...you get what you pay for. Obviously Sacther is a great investment, have had 4 of them over the years and still have 2 today. As stated here there are many other fine options from Cartoni, Miller, O connor, Vinten (etc) Not slamming bogen, but have never been a fan...user unfriendly to me....Ergonomics is HUGE when it comes to tripods. Always go a little bigger than you think you need. To this day I say the O'Connor 50 in good working condition is one of the best medium duty heads I have ever used. I grew up with this head and it failed me never. You can find them on Ebay for dirt cheap....but you never know what condition they are in. The great thing about them is (not sure I haven't looked into this latelyl) you can still get them refurbsihed by O'Connor...I have had 2 of these over the years redone and they come back working LIKE NEW. I actually bought one I still have for $100 on Ebay 6 years ago...don't use it much but I certainly could. This head out performs many newer, less durable heads I have used. Some of these are probably 30-35 years old and they don't "look" new or hi tech, but they are very smooth work horses. If you are really trying to keep under 1k this may be an option. Anyway don't cheap out on your tripod if you are serious about film making as an art and a career. Jeff
 
thxdave said:
Ned, I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 503HDV head on a set of Manfrotto aluminum legs but I'm not very happy with the head.
Click to expand...


May I ask why you don't like the 503 head? I was looking into picking one up soon, the reviews all seem good...
 
My concerns about the 503 head-- I just think you get what you pay for. Set up a 503 next to the Sachtler FSB-6 (or I could say very similar things about Vinten, Miller or Cartoni). Compare the levels of drag. Compare the ability to balance. Can you pan smoothly? Does it "bounce" when you complete your pan? I think you will find that the 503 is not a bad piece of gear but the higher end products are more precise, give you more control and are smoother to operate. If you are just concerned about camera stability and movement is not a factor, then the 503 would be adequate.

I just think that there are areas in which one can economize but other areas in which that little bit of stretch is needed. A good head and a good set of sticks to me are tools which can make or break the camera mounted atop them.

Just my .02 and my opinion....
 
Fohdeesha said:
May I ask why you don't like the 503 head? I was looking into picking one up soon, the reviews all seem good...
Click to expand...

It's actually a fairly nice head, but it has a couple little things that make me nuts. I was working for a company where we had a 501 head on some standard Manfrotto sticks. I used it and it was okay, but after I lost my job, I had to get something for myself and figured the 503HDV would be SO much better. It IS better, but not by much. Since I've used mostly still photo Bogens up till now (I'm primarily a still photographer), I went with Bogen/Manfrotto again because all my other tripods and heads were Bogens and I didn't know what else was out there.

After using it for a few months, I'm finding the following things annoy me:
1. the tilt drag and lock controls are too close together and actually drag against each other so every time I use either of the knobs, the other moves too (I might be able to pull them apart slightly, but I shouldn't have to, 'ya know?)
2. the pan drag control is buried under the head and has no indication markers for how much drag you have dialed in
3. I have to crank down the locking knob really tight to keep the panning handle locked into place

On the positive side, I really like the illuminated leveling bubble and the counterbalance spring mechanism is very intuitive and easy to use. I have no problems getting my EX1 to balance correctly, too. But, I bought it almost sight unseen and didn't do any shopping around for other alternatives. So, if I haven't scared you off, contact me offlist!! :)
 
Something else to consider when it appears is the Varizoom Zero Gravity head. At about $450 head only (it is a 100 mm bowl so you will need to add sticks accordingly), it promises to be versatile and unique.
 
brilliant ...

brilliant ...

nsoltz said:
Something else to consider when it appears is the Varizoom Zero Gravity head. At about $450 head only (it is a 100 mm bowl so you will need to add sticks accordingly), it promises to be versatile and unique.
Click to expand...

That verizoom head is very interesting!!! However, would need to use it on a 100 mm bowl and I need to use it on a field tripod.
 
A coincidence...but I ordered a 503 today, mainly because I have an ARC Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod and can easily go from 100mm bowl to 75mm bowl with the converter.
Weight is a big issue in regard to travel these days, and found the 503 the best value in lightweight performers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top