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Good fluid head for Scarlet under $400?

Omar N

Omar N

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Hello everyone,

Can anybody recommend a good fluid head for the Scarlet under $400? I had a Manfrotto 501HDV which worked great for the Canon 5D, but I am thinking something just a big more professional for the Scarlet would be in order. I was considering the Manfrotto 503/504, but am not 100% sold, as the ball mount cannot be removed.

I am wondering, since there are people here with years of experience, if someone may be able to chime in with some notable favorites. The Scarlet will be great, but experience has proven to me that a camera is only as good as the tripod and fluid head that hold it up.

With that being the case, I truly appreciate your guys' thoughtful help.

Best regards,
~Omar
 
Stock up to 600-700 USD and have a look at the new Sachtler ACE. It´s the first time, Sachtler sells a fluid head & tripod under 1.500.- USD, but it´s really a typical Sachtler Head.
If you try it out once, you won´t go back to Manfrotto for Video stuff.
 
I bought the 501HDV for about 400 with sticks...supports 13 pounds...its...ok...but I would suggest if you need a discount tripod for scarlet...you get what you pay for....put a little more money then I did. I will be buying a better one soon I think...good starter head...but...thats about it...
 
Manuel Wenger said:
Stock up to 600-700 USD and have a look at the new Sachtler ACE. It´s the first time, Sachtler sells a fluid head & tripod under 1.500.- USD, but it´s really a typical Sachtler Head.
If you try it out once, you won´t go back to Manfrotto for Video stuff.
Click to expand...

The ACE only holds 8.8 lbs, though. I'm thinking that a Scarlet is going to end up weighing more than that by the time you add a side handle, monitor, battery, etc. Could be wrong, but I highly doubt it since Red has a history of putting everything in chunks of aluminum.

If you're looking for a starter tripod, look at Libec. I used theirs when I started and it worked wonderfully. They lack the adjustability of other tripods, but they give you quality in the pan-tilt movement instead of adjustable drag/counterbalance.

Used is always an option. You can get an older, but heavier duty tripod for not so much money on Ebay.

With regards to permanent ball head, all serious tripods come with it. Manfrotto 503 don't because they're not for professionals.
 
Personally I've never liked Manfrotto's Tripod Heads. Having used them for a few years, I recently upgraded to Vinten Vision Blue and what a HUGE difference it made. I can actually do smooth pan and tilts now ;) It is higher than your budget though price wise.

Now honestly if you your shooting style involves almost all static shots than as long the head carries the weight you are fine with a cheap one under 400 such as one from Manfrotto's line.

It's all to personal taste though. I encourage you to try to catch a trade show or a store with demos where you can actually try them out before you purchase.
 
I too am looking for a good head for scarlet, one that is feasible to use on sticks and a slider ( still need to purchase those as well), my budget is somewhat higher than $400 but I don't want to go overboard, plus it's dependent on the price of scarlet.
 
There is very little to choose from in that price range. It usually comes done to Manfrotto or a Chinese brand. Knowing that I would have to go with the Manfrotto, but not very happily.
 
Hello everyone,

Thank you for the terrific replies! It looks like my choice of Manfrotto is not a good one, in which case I would be willing to up the price. Can anyone recommend a good head/stick combo for a price range of $1,500? I intend on using a slider with this tripod so having something that is sturdy is always important.

Manuel, I will definitely have a look at the Satchler ACE. Thank you for the recommendation.

As always, thank you everyone for your help,
~Omar
 
When I did cinematography professionally, I used to use Sacthler tripods. I do not do this professionally anymore, but thinking back to when I did has lead me to find this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/443432-REG/Sachtler_6250_6250_Cine_150_Medium.html

Does anyone if it would be possible to mouse a slider, such as the kessler crane or DP slider on top of these legs, but underneath the head? With simpler tripods this is possible but this one seems complicated and has me wondering...

Any input would be terrific. Thank you,
~Omar
 
You can purchase a ball mount to Mitchell mount adapter.
 
Well Omar, I met your new price point, but you'd have a hard time duplicating it since I bought years ago and got lucky.

Sticks: Gitzo 3530LSV. Indoors, lock legs in place with a Manfrotto floor spreader for a small footprint. Indoors or out: always hang ballast from the ball handle to stiffen the setup and eliminate any torsional movement/backlash while panning. (For most of my work I generally don't move once I set up. If I know I'll move around a lot I'll use a monopod or just go handheld).

Head: Original Sachtler DV6 with five clicks each for tilt and pan resistance. Bought about 5 years ago with a stink bid on eBay. Other buyers were scared off by a cosmetic dent, but the seller didn't hide it, said it didn't affect operation. He had a good rating and I contacted him before bidding and he seemed like a straight shooter. Works like new. Old school Sachtler build quality as far as I can tell - especially compared to the new line with plastic parts and, from the video review above, some slop in the controls, which makes me wonder about the innards and durability in general. I think my DV6 is rated at only 6 kg (13.2 lb), which should be fine for anything I'll do with Scarlet, but I wouldn't hesitate to put a lot more on in a pinch.

Mount: I've decided to stick with my RRS and other brand Arca plates, clamps, etc. They are solid, release quickly, clamp securely, adaptable and cheap compared to cine stuff. I have a boxload of assorted items and I enjoy drilling, tapping, installing helicoils, adapting, experimenting, etc. I noticed Kennan Ward had some RRS stuff on an Epic or One in a recent photo.
 
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My strong recommendations for a very light and travel friendly, would be:

Gitzo Tripod…. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=569168&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Gitzo 100mm Ball adapter you need to get…. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5320V100_GS5320V100_Bowl_Interface_100mm.html

Put a Miller 25 Compass Fluid Head on it and you will be the happiest on the Block, I promise, had this traveling across America, and now Italy, all over Europe, and then some... Could not be happier... ;)

Under $400??

One must be reasonable... ;)
 
Thank you everyone for your help!

Pietro, thank you for sharing that review on the Sacthler ACE. That definitely looks like a promising option. I am still worried though that if I put a portable slider on the Sacthler, it may tip over if I move the camera to either end.

Ketch, your recommend setup also looks fantastic. I love the tripod, but the fluid head is about $2500 which is a little much. Any fluid head you can think of for around $1000-$1500? I can do a google search my self and find one but I wonder if there is one you personally would recommend.

Need less to say, I really appreciate your guys' help.

~Omar
 
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Michael, that fluid head looks great!

Man....here comes the hard part. Decisions decisions. I think I have it figured out one minute, and then find something new the next.

I am down to the following three options:

Manfrotto 536 with 509HD fluid head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760090-REG/Manfrotto_509HD_536K_509HD_Video_Head_with.html

Manfrotto 528XB with 509HD fluid head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/779187-REG/Manfrotto_528XB_Heavy_Duty_Tripod_with.html

Or, the Gitzmo and Cartoni fluid head recommended by Michael and Ketch.

I am mostly concerned with build quality and stability. I need something that can handle a slider without tipping, but also be of good quality.

Thoughts?

I will gladly do a review of whatever I purchase in an effort to give back to you guys for your help.
 
Ive heard the 509HD is not that good.

Like you, I was also looking for a good fluid head with great sticks for a cheaper price.

I ended up with the Manfrotto 536's and the Cartoni Focus HD.

Im very very very happy with both.
 
Michael - after reading all the reviews I could muster, I think I am sold on your set up. Since you have personal experience with both, can you provide input on the following two questions:

1.) Will a slider work on the 536 & carton focus HD, and if so, can the camera be moved to either end without tipping the tripod over?

2.) is adjusting the height of the 536 overall a quick and easy thing to do, or is it slower than others?

Thank you Michael,
~Omar
 
Ive never used it with a slider, sorry :-\.

The 536's don't just slide down when you release the lever. They are kind of stiff, but they loosen up after some use. They don't seem to take any extra time though. Just don't expect them to slide down immediately once you release.
 
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