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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 :)

Tripod help please

J

Joe Vinson

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So, I bought an old O'Connor 50 fluid head off eBay for a few hundred bucks, hoping it will last till I have enough scratch to buy a new 1030HDS or similar. The head has a 150mm ball, while my Bogen 528X sticks are 100mm. Can anyone point me in the direction of the kind of adapter I should get? Much appreciated!
 
D'oh! I was afraid of that. Thanks anyway!
 
I have a very similar question, and I'm about to show everybody just how dumb and inexperienced I am.

I just bought an 0'Connor 50D tripod head as well, but this is the first real tripod I have ever seen. It needs a handle (I think I'll use one off my old tricycle) and the bottom is flat with a threaded hole in it, so do I have to buy a ball that screws into that? does the ball come with the sticks?

And now it's time for me to find the legs. Any advice on how to find cheap ones? By $150 Velbon was far less complicated than this!
 
I'm planning to buy Bogen 526 professional video fluid head. It can support 16 Kg which I believe should be enough for most RED set ups. Its quality is in line with its price. I think Shawn Nelson (Red 27) is using same sticks. It will be really good if he can write some feedback for us.

You can always spend 5 times more on OConnor 1030 HD and get 5 times more quality.

May be that is something I can look for down the line.

Cheers

Joon
 
The 1030 is underkill IMO.

You should generally be loading a head up to its mid-point on weight for optimum performance.

With an average RED setup, you'll be nearly up to the 40lb. weight limit the 1030 offers anyway.

Save some more money up, be patient, buy the 2060 if you go that route.

Now if for some reason you are in need of a lighter head for heavy travel type shoots, then the 1030 is a smart choice being that the 1030 weighs half that of the 16lb 2060.

Just my opinion.
 
Joon, if there is any possible way you can choose another head, then do it. That 526 head is garbage. I bought one and had to send it back... I'd rather live with renting every day than using that thing.

I know fluid head prices are astronomical and there's really no hope for a lot of guys on a tight budget, but buying that Bogen 526 is like flushing money down the toilet. It also can't properly support the rated amount (35lbs)... It's happiest with about a 22lb (10kg) load, or at least that's what I found in the couple days I owned one and tested.
 
Alexander Nikishin said:
Save some more money up, be patient, buy the 2060 if you go that route.

Now if for some reason you are in need of a lighter head for heavy travel type shoots, then the 1030 is a smart choice being that the 1030 weighs half that of the 16lb 2060.
Click to expand...

I concur. The 1030HD is too small unless you're consistently running very light and mobile set-ups. The 1030HDS is a better choice, but sacrifices tilt range.

If you're looking for an option that's priced in line with the 1030HD, but will hold up to 55lbs, full 90 degree tilt and is as portable as the 1030 I highly recommend the Miller Arrow 55. Awesome tripod, especially with the Sprinter II - CF sticks. It's been endorsed by RED #8 Steve Gibby and Mike Seymour (fxphd.com / RED #22). This is the tripod I finally settled on... I just got it recently. Haven't been able to put a RED on it just yet. But I'm very, very pleased with it.
 
Thank you Jeff.

I am looking at Miller 55.

Cheers

Joon
 
If you're looking at miller I posted this a while ago, not sure what they'll have left.

Ed Watkins said:
Hi Guys,

I gave Miller a call about B-stock.
Here's their reply.

"You’re in luck, we are having a b-stock sale to liquidate older style heads. I have Arrow model heads available that support up to 44 lbs. There are 3 systems available at 50% off list.

#1417- Arrow Cf- Arrow fluid head, single stage CF tripod, pan handle, and carry case. List: $6935 sale: $3467.50

#1402- Arrow ENG- Arrow fluid head, 2-stage aluminum tripod, pan handle, carry case. List: $ 6575 sale: $3287.50

#1407- Arrow ENG-CF- Arrow fluid head, 2-stage CF tripod, pan handle, carry case. List: $7235 sale: $ 3617.50

All come with a 3 year warranty, heads are lightly used with a scratch or two, (used in shows). Quantities are limited and available on a first come first serve basis."

I just acquired myself a mint-condition Miller Arrow 50 system. So I thought I'd pass this info on to anyone else looking for a good deal on excellent tripods.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Ed. Thanks for that. Can you please give me contact info for Miller. I would give them a call at the earliest.


Cheers

Joon
 
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