O'Connor 1030 or 2060?

[Tony Lorentzen]

Guys - give me your input... I can't decide what head to go with. I know the 1030HDS and 2060HD are two different beasts, but I just don't know whether or not I should put the extra money down and go for the 2060 or go with the 1030.

I know I'd be kicking myself for getting the 1030 only to find out that I'm constantly working on the edge of it's capacity.

I'm planning on my rig to be everything from super light run'n'gun, handheld to fully rigged feature-film style.

Hopefully someone owning either one of the two heads can provide feedback for me. I've been looking at this and my eyes are going: :blink:

Now - if those 2060 weren't so damn expensive...

 

[Mitch Gross]

The 1030 is really only appropriate for the run & gun scenario. If you pile on accessories and a big zoom & mattebox, you're going to seriously overtax it. You might be able to get it to balance and you may even find that it will operate decently, but the stress you'll be putting on the seals will eventually lead to expensive repairs.

 

[david_winters]

red, 18-50, drive, battery, prompter people teleprompter, ff, puts a 2060 at 96% counter bal. Fwiw.

 

[Jason Ing]

If you're considering the 1030, look at the Cartoni's Delta head. After comparing oconnor, cartoni, miller, sachtler, panther, etc., at NAB, it came down to the 1030 or Delta for me. Those are the only heads that are true "continuous" counterbalance. But the 1030's counterbalance dial is half hidden at the base and it's sort of difficult to turn and adjust. But the delta's is just a simple dial. The numbers on the delta's dials also light up with a press of the button if you happen to be in dim or dark settings. The delta is rated at 48 lbs (I think it's 48, I don't remember the exact number at the moment, but I know it's definitely over 40; not 30 something that B&H incorrectly states on their website). Cartoni also has a gamma head, but the weight is rated lower.

 

[Koa M. Stone]

If you're considering the 2060 or 1030, get the 2060. But not the 2060HD, get the original 2060. I love how I can crank the counterweight, it's so fun.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

I was considering 2060 or 2575C; ended up buying Ronford-Baker Atlas 30. I tested it at Lemac with Red One. I think it is a better head in just about every aspect. In particular, I like the sealing: sand and water sprey resistant, but the stability and smoothness were the main deciding factor. But then, it is even more expensive than the O'connor....

Thought you may like more confusion about your choices

 

[Mitch Gross]

The 2060HD is the only current model. If you wish the resistance set to the older 2060 standard than O'Connor can special-build that for you. I do not believe that there is an additional fee, but you will have to order it that way.

 

[Greg M]

I prefer the 2060...a much better head. But if you work alone or with very small crews you might consider the 1030. It really depends on how you work/shoot.

 

[Evin Grant]

You can also get the 1030HDS with the older drag setting and it's well worth it.
I have the 1030S (Before the HDS) and with the ET 9" dovetail it's perfect for my kit. It'll hold and balance 40Lbs which means that my Red One with my Cooke 10:1, Follow focus, Mattebox, EVF, LCD and a battery pretty much take it to it's operating ceiling. But it still gets the job done with aplomb. It may even still take a Red Drive but I haven't tried that yet. I will eventually buy a 2060 though, simply because it's what people expect and they are capable of taking anything you throw on them, (Provided you're attached to a Red) I've had the beastly 24-290 Optimo on a 2060+Red and it handled it fine, but my 1030s would have failed miserably. Although I guess the other point is if you're renting an Optimo just rent a 2575 too:greedy:

 

[Poi Boy]

I have a 1030 and a 2060. 1030 is good for the lightest setups and for when you have to move quickly. If I could only have one I would go with the 2060.
Aloha
-A

 

[Jason Ing]

Yeah, I liked the crank too. If I didn't have the consideration that I'll be working with a two man crew at times, the 2060 would be great.

 

[Koa M. Stone]

I have an older 1030 as well, it works well for light setups. But I can't stress the ease of following subjects with the smoothness of the 2060/2575. The first 3 pics are my 2060, the last 2 are of my older 1030. Hope that helps!

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Thanks for all your feedback, guys - MUCH appreciated. From everyones feedback (and a couple of PMs) I've decided to fork out the "extra" money and go for the 2060 (it's twice the price of the 1030) - seems like the smarter choice considering I will also be renting out the camera. I will consider getting the 1030 too at a later point for scenarios where I'm on my own. Thanks again!