Looking for a tripod... In between 1030HDS and 2060

[Rick Darge]

So I love the 2060 head and would totally spring for it except for one thing, the heavy weight. I do a lot of run&gun, 1-man band shooting and that weight won't cut it.. I need something like the 1030 but smooth like the 2060 if such a thing exists

Can you red-heads recomend something in the middle?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Miller Arrow 55.
Panther T28.

Check 'em out, see if you like them.

 

[Rick Darge]

Cool, thanks Jeff!

 

[Alexis Hanawalt]

My miller arrow 40 just arrived today from Custom Supply. Gorgeous piece of equipment, really well made. If they're selling the 55 with as minimal a markup as I got mine, you're in for the best bargain ever... (mine was $500 less than Birn's quote, nearly $1000 less than MSRP)

 

[Mike Prevette]

Sachtler video 30

 

[Alexander Nikishin]

Video 30's a nice head, not too heavy, butter smooth.

 

[Mitch Gross]

All the above are offered by Abel, some with special reduser bundled rates. I've personally always been partial to Sachtler from years of habit, but those Panthers are butter smooth heads.

Mitch

 

[Ed Watkins]

I picked up a mint condition Miller Arrow 50 (precursor to the 55).
It is a beautiful piece of kit, with CF legs it's not particularly heavy. If you can find one cheap at a suppliers grab it.

I also have a Cartoni Delta, with some Gitzo legs, also a great piece of kit for lighter work.

Both heads are plenty strong enough for the RED with kit attached (Delta >48 lbs, Miller Arrow 55 lbs)

Check out this site of a list of Light weight Pan and tilt heads with their relative weights and max loads:
http://www.gtc.org.uk/resources/mountings/listings/lw_heads.htm

 

[Kenn Michael]

Another recommendation for the Arrow55. I have one with CF sticks and it's fantastic.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

No love for Vinten on this forum?

Just curious why because it's certainly priced up with the others. I, unfortunately, haven't had the chance to get hands on with many tripods. But I have used a friend's Vinten system (not sure if it's in the Vision or an earlier line) and I thought it was super smooth, noticeably better than my $2K Cartoni Alfa II when carrying a camera of about 15 pounds. Unlike the Panther heads, for example, Vinten Vision heads feature continuous drag and perfect, infinitely adjustable counter balance (they claim to be the only manufacturer that features the latter). I'm not in a position to verify that claim, but my limited experience with even their older products was very positive.

I'm going to need at least a new head for my RED and was seriously considering Vinten. Are there reasons to prefer O'Connor, Sachtler, Miller, Panther, et. al.?

 

[Shawn Booth]

only way to go IMO = O'Connor.

http://www.filmtools.com/oconnor-cine-hd-camera-tripod.html

It's only $1855. Professional, solid. Might as well get the 2060 head as well. Its weight you get used too. Especially after swapping heads a hundred times a day, lugging it up flights of stairs, across parks, running....

but - you get what you pay for.

Don't forget the babies and spreader too!