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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Ultimate lightweight tripod system for Epic...

Evin Grant

Evin Grant

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So we all know that one of the most exciting things about the DSMC system is the ability to configure the camera into an extremely lightweight "DSLR" style configuration.
I have big plans for this little camera and some of them involve a very fast and lightweight support system that can be carried over the shoulder while hiking or run-n-gun shooting. However I'm an O'Connor nut and have a hard time using most other fluid heads since I got my 2575c. There are definitely some other good heads out there but the 2575 is a standard on every film and TV set for a reason. I have also briefly owned a O'Con 1030s which was great, but undersized for full size Red One builds and overkill for DSLR and small HD cams. This began a quest for a very rare and special bird indeed, the O'Connor 515/Ultimate DV.

littlebro.jpg


I had originally seen this head as the Ultimate DV head back in the DVX100 days, they were very expensive for a DV head and way beyond my price range at the time but it was really fascinating. Recently I stumbled across a 515 on E-bay and knew I had the first piece of the puzzle. (The 515 and Ultimate DV are essentially the same head but the U-DV has a control layout more like the 1030).

515cu.jpg


Next I needed a tripod as stable and smooth as the head. I wanted a range of height options from really low to really high plus a 100mm ball leveling capacity and above all extremely light weight. This meant carbon fiber for sure but it also meant a spreader-less single tube telescopic design. The final candidates were from Manfrotto, Miller and Gitzo. In the end the Gitzo GT3541XLS Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod won the day.

With a minimum height of 4" (Yes 4" not 14") and a maximum height over my head at 6.6' it can really cover all heights you could ask for on location. Here's the real kicker, these sticks weigh only 4.4Lbs! With the O'Connor 515 on top the total weight is only 12.2LBS.

515low.jpg

515tall.jpg


I can't stress enough how smooth this little head is, and how little flex the legs have for their weight. It can counterbalance up to 18lbs at 6" lens axis and it really does have that O'Connor feel.

515TF.jpg


I can't wait to get my Epic on it and get out into the world:thumbup1:

515_3.jpg


Eric from O'Connor, you should really consider tooling up another batch of these amzing little heads, you may find a whole new market in the new DSMC users.
 
How much did you pay for the head?

Sticks look good, but I prefer the tab-style flip release on the legs, like the Manfrotto 536. Seems quicker to me than twist.
 
Thanks for this Evin. That was great info. I'm looking for the same thing. I've got the 1030HDs on a set of Miller CFs for my Red One. Plan on hanging on to it for heavier setups, but was looking for a good run and gun rig for the Epic. This would be perfect. +1 on the tool up for a new batch.
 
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Tom Lowe said:
How much did you pay for the head?

Sticks look good, but I prefer the tab-style flip release on the legs, like the Manfrotto 536. Seems quicker to me than twist.
Click to expand...

about $1200 with a set of aluminum O'Connor sticks I'll donate to a local high school film program.
You should try the Gitzo leg locks, they have a very fast 1/8 turn locking mechanism that is super solid and just as fast without having the more complex and dirt prone lever locks.
The Manfrotto is also over 2 Lbs heavier.
 
nilotripod.jpg


Yeah, but can your assistant swing from the Gitzos like a jungle gym? :beer:
 
Yeah, those are Manfrotto, I think 536. We also have the smaller ones with the 75mm native bowl. I swear by them.

Would love to check out that head. Are more floating around? You gonna be at NAB?
 
Sweet! I'll definitely start looking for this setup, sounds awesome. I'd love to hear other ideas people have here too.
 
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Tom Lowe said:
Yeah, those are Manfrotto, I think 536. We also have the smaller ones with the 75mm native bowl. I swear by them.

Would love to check out that head. Are more floating around? You gonna be at NAB?
Click to expand...

Yep, probably the Mon. 11th. I'll bring it by and we can slap your Epic on ;)
 
Me and Ketch were brainstorming lightweight fliud head/legs combinations for mobile work and streamlined setups with Epic M8. The Miller Compass 20 head looked like the ticket. Ketch bought that head and matched it with a pair of Gitzo spreaderless CF legs he already had. That combo is very cool - lightweight, and excellent head action. He had to get a 100mm to 75mm step down adaptor. Thats the head/legs combo Ketch has used on the entire USA tour he's just finishing. Word is that he really like that tripod combo. Miller 1505 spreaderless CF legs would also work well with that head. The Compass 25 will support up to 26.5 pounds - right in the zone for mobile Epic and Scarlet work.

I have no connection to Miller and never have. I just like their products. I've used Miller 55 heads exclusively with my four Red One cameras and now with Epic M8. I'll probably be getting my own Compass 25 head shortly, then change out on the Miller 1505 CF legs between the Miller 55 and Compass 20 heads, depending on the headload for the shots I'm doing. For the 1505 CF legs a 100mm to 75mm step down adaptor would also be needed. Then again I just may go with Miller Solo 1630 or 1501 spreaderless CF legs for the Compass 25 - both those legs are native 75mm bowl.

Miller Compass 20 link:
http://www.millertripods.com/produc...es=&id=244&back_url=/product-type/fluid-heads

Miller Spreaderless CF Legs link:
http://www.millertripods.com/product-type/tripods
 
Yeah I did get the MIller after seen how great Steve's was, but I did ended up getting the new Miller Compass 25, with the Gitzo Carbon Fiber sticks,
in my opinion there is no better and lighter system for EPIC and SCARLET.

Joseph Hutson and I have finally just came back form our Epic American Tour today, and are now in Vegas with still Vegas and the Grand Canyon to shoot.

We have carried the MIller Compass 25 head with the sticks literally across America, on 9 flights no problem and super light, best choice period... ;)
 
I do have Libec LS-60M (2A) System with mid-level spreader

Payload: 13kg/28.5lb
Weight : 6.9kg / 15.2lb
Height : 79 to 159cm / 31 to 62.5"
Ball diameter : 100mm
Section : 2STAGE

An ideal and affordable tripod system for Epic...

Easy of use, lightweight and also made in Japan...

LS-60M-2A.jpg

Libec LS-60M (2A) System with mid-level spreader

LINK>>>

Price: $1,294.95

BHPhoto-Video Shop>>>
 
I have owned the O'Connor DV-S and Gitzo combo for years, it works really well. I don't have the carbon fiber legs though I'll have to check those out.
 
Evin, thanks for a very good review! I also would definitely buy a 515 head from O'Connor if they built another batch :) This is just the wsort of info I was hoping to figure out at NAB so I'll be whispering into an O'Connor rep's ear about this for sure!

To all, I'll be at NAB 11th to 13th and maybe 14th so I look forward to meeting lots of you in person finally! Driving from LA on the 10th so if anyone wants to share let me know via PM....

Cheers Evin!

Paul
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
Yeah I did get the MIller after seen how great Steve's was, but I did ended up getting the new Miller Compass 25, with the Gitzo Carbon Fiber sticks,
in my opinion there is no better and lighter system for EPIC and SCARLET.

Joseph Hutson and I have finally just came back form our Epic American Tour today, and are now in Vegas with still Vegas and the Grand Canyon to shoot.

We have carried the MIller Compass 25 head with the sticks literally across America, on 9 flights no problem and super light, best choice period... ;)
Click to expand...

Our team in Houston was really impressed with the set-up Ketch had during his visit. We use the same Gitzo carbon fiber tripod that Ketch has. Our crew was really impressed with the Miller. We are still using our older Satchler FH for larger configs. But the crew is making a case to get the Miller when we replace our existing equipment.
 
I've been running the O'Connor 1030HD on Cartoni A303 CF legs. Total wt. is under 12 lbs and the 1030HD has that great O'Connor feel. The biggest negative is the single stage A303s have limited height range. Might have to get a set of the Gitzos. Thanks for the info Evin.

Cheers - #19
 
It is incredibly encouraging for a guy like me to see the progression toward equipment that can produce movie industry quality images and yet, if desired, without the industrial overhead.
 
Ketch - my mistake, it was the Compass 25 we talked about and you ended up buying, not the Compass 20. Its a great little head...I'll be getting one myself shortly.

Paul - hopefully we can find some time to meet up at NAB. Shoot me an email and I'll send you back my mobile phone number. My email is steve (at) cut4 (dot) tv

Robert - I totally agree!
 
Steve Gibby said:
Paul - hopefully we can find some time to meet up at NAB. Shoot me an email and I'll send you back my mobile phone number. My email is steve (at) cut4 (dot) tv
Click to expand...
Mail sent! See you there!

Cheers,

Paul
 
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