Which tripod to get: Sachtler, Vinten or... E-Image?

[Gabel]

So, I've recently upgraded my whole rig from a Canon 7D to a GH2. Now it's time for the tripod, stepping up from my Manfrotto 501.
I'm somebody who shoots mostly tripod-mounted and a good tripod is very important for me.

The rig I'm using is a GH2, with old Nikon AI-primes, a TrusMT follow focus and matte-box and a SmallHD DP4, all mounted to a Gini Rig with just the rods (I remove the shoulder pad and handles when on sticks I should add).
This is my base rig. I need a tripod that is good and will handle this. However, I want some future proofing too. Right now, I rarely shoot with a barebones kit and if I do, it's never any jobs, so my demands for this is smaller.
But as I'm shelling out a bit on it, I don't want something that I'll have to get rid of once I upgrade my camera. It won't need to handle a RED or an Alexa, but I'd like something that at the most could take an F3 with Compact Primes, using the same setup for the rig.

I'm also adding a Kessler Crane KC8 crane. So I will be mounting the head on top it.
I live in Sweden and will order from the UK or Germany (if you find any of these cheaper, let me know!)

My alternatives:
E-Image 7083
(£525)
http://www.proav.co.uk/E-image-EI-7083-AA-Video-Tripod-Kit/p26789.aspx
Pros: The cheapest of them all, 100mm, the legs can take a crane. Handles the most weight (13kg/26lbs), supposedly great quality for the price.
Cons: Still an "off-brand", so I'm not 100% about it, not much less than a Vinten, current rig might be too light!

Vinten Vision Blue
(£610)
http://www.proav.co.uk/Vinten-Vision-Blue-Tripod-System/p29084.aspx
Pros: A real Vinten that is supposed to deliver anything one could expect from that. Pretty cheap too!
Cons: Smallest weight range at 2kgs to 5kgs (4lbs to 10lbs) and don't know if it could handle a larger camera and screws to adjust the tripod!

And then there's Sachtler. They have some kits over at Creativevideo with the ENG 75/2 D legs, which I saw and they didn't impress me. I need some legs that are a bit sturdier. So I thought, why do I need their legs? I could get a nice head and then pick up a decent set of legs (E-Image or Libec) over at ProAV anyway (suggestions here are welcome)!

Sachtler CineDSLR
(£506 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_cine_dslr_head
Pros: Designed for my needs, could balance up to 9.7 kgs (20lbs!), so it should work! Oh and it's a Sachtler.
Cons: Ehm... Legs might be worse? Still haven't seen it with a bigger camera.

Sachtler FSB6
(£589 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_0407
Pros: It's a Sachtler. Alternative to the CineDSLR.
Cons: Don't know if it's better or worse than the CineDSLR. The most expensive of the bunch.

Other suggestions are welcome!

 

[Chris Santucci]

Sachtler of any reasonable configuration is going to be best, I'd say. I've used just about everything, and honestly, Sachtler will perform better and will have a higher resale value than that other stuff.

 

[HansSteinert]

Vinten Vision Blue is apparently the best value and is the most smooth... but the CineDSLR is awesome amazing and goes all the way down to 2 pounds. So if you plan on using the GH2 without accesories, that would be essentially.

I'm personally buying a Vision Blue soon.

 

[Gabel]

Sachtler of any reasonable configuration is going to be best, I'd say. I've used just about everything, and honestly, Sachtler will perform better and will have a higher resale value than that other stuff.

Which is the reason I'm thinking about spending more on a Sachtler.

Vinten Vision Blue is apparently the best value and is the most smooth... but the CineDSLR is awesome amazing and goes all the way down to 2 pounds. So if you plan on using the GH2 without accesories, that would be essentially.

I'm personally buying a Vision Blue soon.

I'm not planning on using the GH2 unloaded on the tripod (and if I did it would not be for any real jobs, then just to slap it up on the tripod). Would a Vision Blue handle an F3 with the accessories I listed do you think?

 

[Phil_UK]

Sachtler, no substitute! Get the CineDSLR! If you wait for two weeks, they will be at IBC and are announcing a brand new product which is going to be amazing, and perfect with your DSLR! Trust me, you will like it! Price should be cheaper than CineDSLR I reckon!

 

[Gabel]

Ah thanks for the heads-up! Well I was looking into perhaps ordering it the next week, so another week wouldn't be a problem I believe.

 

[righteous.]

Everyone I know says the same thing: Sachtler hands down. I haven't used many other expensive tripods, but I will say that I could not ask for a better head than my Cine DSLR. You want Kubrick-style slow-yet-uniform pan/tilt movements? Not only can I get them with the Cine DSLR, but I can get them first try​. That alone speaks volumes.