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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 :)

Minimum Tripod Requirement

M

Medavoym

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Hi!

I plan to use RED in its lightest configuration, even on a tripod. I am not going to use the battery, the RED-DRIVE, side handles etc on the body.

On the tripod I will only put the body plus a lens, the LCD, a clip-on mattebox and a follow-focus.

Can I get by with the cheaper Manfrotto/Bogen set-ups? 503 etc

Mike
 
Well, the 503 specs say it will hold 13.2lbs. The RED body itself weighs 10 lbs, and I know that the 140 watt battery weighs 2.5 lbs, so I am guessing that the LCD, mattebox and FF will weigh more than .7 lbs. Look for older used head that still works well. It will probably cost more to buy the 503 than what I am suggesting. See (http://cgi.ebay.com/SACHTLER-VIDEO-...oryZ3319QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) This is how I view it...if you don't get a good head that will correctly support the weight, you are going to nothing but fight the head and never really get a good shot.

Matthew
 
I have a Vinten Pro 130 75mm bowl that I use for my REDROCK HVX combo and routinely use it around 15-20 pounds with out a problem. Super cheap on the used market. The specs give it up to 20Kilograms. So I'm totally down with that. I hear it is similar to the Vision 10, 100mm bowl, but they actually look and feel quite a bit different to me.

I got the head from Vinten off ebay for $600.
 
I found my absolute minimum weight, without drive, mb,ff,rods but with 18-50 lens, battery, handle, plate, was just over 15 lbs. The normal weight of my rig is about 25 lbs--but still I don't have a MB and ff yet. so to think you can live with a tripod that can handle the 15 lb range--I would say is pushing it.

I would say the minimum tripod would be the oconnor 1030hds--which I have and works comfortably at the level I work and is light and easy to balance.

Going with something smaller may work, but it is such a pleasure to work with the 1030--I haven't regretted it for a second.

Of course, a real pro would not settle for anything less than a 2060 but I don't have that kind of $$ or that level of gear to justify the weight.

Nice thing about a purchase like this is that I will always have a need for a tripod like this, and if I ever sell it--it will hold it's value pretty well.
 
you will never be happy or get the kind of steady platform for moves you need
for Red with a tripod less than one rated for 35 to 45 pound range. and 35
might be pushing it. you don't wan't to be on the bleeding edge of weight
limit.
 
Well, yes, I don't want to be on the bleeding edge of the weight limit, but I cannot spend $5,000 on a tripod at the moment either. That is why I said I will keep the weight to a minimum (no batteries and drive and other disposable accessories on the head). This will be quite far from 35 pounds.

I am looking for CHEAPER alternatives that will work fine for just the body, LCD, a prime lens and FF. (and a very light clip-on mattebox). I know I will have a harder time like this, but given this necessary drawback, but I still want to know what my options are and if people have successfully used stripped down RED configurations on cheaper tripods.

Thanks.
 
What about the Manfrotto 526? It's rated to 35 pounds (16KG) and is $1247 for the head or $1768 with aluminum and stainless steel legs.

I've been looking at this but I am VERY concerned about this being a sore weak link. It would certainly allow me much more budget for lighting, jib, mics etc. but would hate to make a huge mistake...

I know the whole "get the best you can afford" argument but it's a sliding scale. Sure I have $8,000 to spend but I would prefer to get tripod, Divas, LEDz and a SEVEN jib for that!

Advice anyone?

Jim
 
Nice to know that my O'Connor 1030HDS, which cost me $6300, is the MININUM I should have. . .

:-)

Stephen
 
Hey!

I own a bogen 503 head.. It was from my DVX/HVX days. I was planning on selling it off since I bought a heavy duty Ronford Baker setup but I was forced to use it last week since my Ronford head was being serviced.

If you strip the Red down and use the battery belt clip the 503 is awesome!

Sure, the tilting can be a little funny, but for simple pans it's great.

I am keeping it around for lightweight applications.
 
The Bogen 516 is a nice step up from the 503. I have one for our EX1 kits.

Until our Panther and O'Connor orders arrive, I am using the 516 with a minimal RED setup (no Arri MB yet). Works ok with primes. Handles a 22lb load, and BH has various kits between $800-1200.
 
David,
So you are going straight up to an Oconner and not a heavier Bogen like the 526.

It's definitely worth extra money then?
 
Stephen Pruitt said:
Nice to know that my O'Connor 1030HDS, which cost me $6300, is the MININUM I should have. . .

:-)

Stephen
Click to expand...

Ha-ha, yeah, actually it is also my MAXIMUM!!!

This was said in answer to the guys in previous threads that said a 2060 was the minimum...

They said the 1030 would be too small and I am doing just fine with it, but I can't imagine trying to put it on a tripod rated at 15 lbs.
 
Medavoym said:
Hi!

I plan to use RED in its lightest configuration, even on a tripod. I am not going to use the battery, the RED-DRIVE, side handles etc on the body.

On the tripod I will only put the body plus a lens, the LCD, a clip-on mattebox and a follow-focus.

Can I get by with the cheaper Manfrotto/Bogen set-ups? 503 etc

Mike
Click to expand...

Is your goal light, or inexpensive, or both?

If light, I'd recommend a Sachtler 2CF 150mm bowl. Very stable, holds my 2060 just fine and very light.

If both... I don't have a good recommendation.

M
 
jimhare said:
What about the Manfrotto 526? It's rated to 35 pounds (16KG) and is $1247 for the head or $1768 with aluminum and stainless steel legs.
Click to expand...
We're using that right now as an intermediate until we can afford something better, but yes it works fine. Here's a picture:

IMG_4239s.jpg


HTH

Paul
 
Paul,

What are you using to mount the camera to the tripod? All this talk of cheese plates and dovetails (in other threads) is confusing me a bit, so I'd like to hear what a simple, basic configuration like yours requires.
 
That's good news Paul. I just did the same thing. I ordered it as a stopgap until I figure something out. Any particular complaints or pleasant surprises?

And like Dorkman, I would like to hear about the whole cheeseplate/dovetail tripod mount. If you aren't using the dovetail do you still need something to mount to the tripod head?

I'm getting the basic production pack but other than some additional handles and universal mounts, I'm not completely sure what I should be ordering here.

Cheers,

Jim
 
The bottom of the camera in that photo uses the "Red Bottom Plate" with the "Cheese Plate" screwed to it.

We basically haven't used the shoulder pad since the first week when we discovered it wasn't tight when mounting to a tripod. Plus, to put the shoulder pad dovetail on you have to unscrew the bottom plate from the camera, unscrew the cheese plate from the bottom plate, screw the bottom plate back on to the camera, then slide the shoulder pad dovetail in and lock it. Too much effort for quick turnaround.

We're looking for a cheap shoulder pad that quickly screws onto the cheeseplate to fully replace the original - any suggestions from people?

In short, buy the cheeseplate, OR buy the Arri 15/19mm baseplate (for those with Arri style heads).

HTH

Paul
 
I'm planing to go with an O connor 50 fluid head. Is someone know if the peter lisand JRA74 would fit on it. I can't find the references of that tripod, does someone know the max load allowed with it?
Thanks
Brice
 
Over a 3-decade career I've used lots of tripods from O'Connor, Vinten, Sachtler, Cartoni, and Miller. For several months now, for mobile cine and EFP work, I've been using a Miller Arrow 55 tripod with single stage alloy sticks. It's performance to cost ratio is excellent. It is light enough to carry anywhere and I can mount up to 55 pounds on it - which I've occasionally done. The action of the head is very good.

I use the Miller Arrow 55 with a range of Element Technica accessories. I mount RED on the Miller using either the ET ARRI 15mm or 19mm bridge plates (I own both) depending on the lens and accessory needs for each shooting session. Those ARRI bridge plates are then slid onto an ET 12" V plate that I custom adapted to the Miller mini-plate via a simple drilling and tapping of additional holes on the V plate.

I have basically every accessory that ET makes. I beta test prototypes for them - and have been for several months now. I really like ET accessories.

For heavier loads and more stationary productions I also have an O'Connor 2575 available to use. But again, IMO the Miller Arrow 55 is an excellent choice for use with RED - and it's performance to cost ratio is excellent. Jeff Kilgroe also uses the Miller Arrow 55 - and seems to really like it.
 
I just got a used oconnor 1030 (not HD or HDS) with oconnor legs and spreader in a portabrace bag for $2000 on ebay. I was going to get the oconnor 50 switched to a 100mm bowl from visual products but I found the 1030 and just bought it since I have a production coming up.
 
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