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Best Tripod 20lbs Limit for under $2000

Joe Taylor

Joe Taylor

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Can anybody recommend a good -> Tripod that will support a camera amxed out at 20 lbs. and costs under $2000?
 
One of the Cartoni Focus 100 kits would be my vote. F100 head with Miller Solo VJ sticks is a great combo for portability too.
 
Thanks for the responses. I was leaning towards the Sachtler makes, but I'll look into Jeff's Cartoni suggestion.

Keep them coming!
 
Miller Arrow 55 head is great, as good as a Sachtler head. But Miller's legs suck. Go for Sachtler legs.
 
Bogen/Manfrotto 3193 Tripod (Black) with 526 Fluid Head- Supports up to 30 lb (16 kg)
Click to expand...

526 Head is too weak to handle my Red , MB20, and Cooke 20-100 combo.

Can not balance correctly.

Can Not recommended for RED + Zoom lens, especially Optimos Zoom Lenses.

Tek
 
The big difference in prices also comes from the "fluidity" system of a tripod. That's where the question starts for me. The lower priced tripods are in general "step" balanced, and the higher priced "continuous" balanced... It might make a difference for the experienced operator/cameraman/dp. On has more comfort in actual framing, should the camera be loaded with complete apparel... And weight security, well... We have a "light" tripod (or heavy DV tripod) we used at first when got the Red1, in the office, just to mount and test the camera, and it nearly fell a couple of times just by slightly tripping/touching the tripod legs... We caught the whole thing before drama, but it really confirmed to me that the camera deserved a "real" tripod. It's a "real" camera, and I invested an undecent amount of money in a f**ing tripod, yeah I was pissed too, but... I'm in heaven with the Oconnor 2060HD now... There's saving, and there's risking the life of the camera...
 
Some of the suggestions coming in don't address the poster's question very well... 20lbs max capacity under $2K.

My suggestion above of the Cartoni Focus was under the assumption that this would be used with lighter camera rigs, 20lbs or less. Hopefully the original poster is not really planning on using this kit with a RED One.

For budget tripods to be used with RED, the $2K limit is very difficult. The only new tripod system that comes to mind is one of the Bogen kits with the 526 head. Which I owned for a grand total of 3 days before I sent it back. I know some people are using this head and say that it works, but I found far too many little things wrong with it. It just did not work for my needs and I would've ended up sending it back even if it were free.

If the RED is the intended use for this tripod and $2K is seriously the budget... Then rather than trying to preach financial advise, I'll just tell you to keep an eye on the used market. Be on the lookout for good deals on used Sachtler and Miller systems. Older O'Connor heads can be a real bargain if you find one in working order.
 
Bogen 526: Depends on how you are shooting...

Bogen 526: Depends on how you are shooting...

Not knocking the bigger and better tripods in any way... but they get expensive in a hurry, and if you want to get out the door shooting for less, the Bogen 526 is a good option.

True, I will usually use my 526 head for more portable setups, but my stripped down kit comes in around 25-28 lbs, and includes:
Red One Body w/Nikon Mount, base production pack, 2x18" steel rods, Red Top Mount/Handle, Red Cradle, Red Battery, Red pro LCD/Red Arm, a Nikon 80-200 or similar lens, and a Top Mounted Rode Shotgun Mic...

So far, with this setup, the 526 has proven to be a pretty nice support solution, and for roughly $1,800 bucks, it is definitely a lower cost solution. Besides, if I need more support than that, or am doing jib or dolly work, I can always rent an O'Connor for a couple days, and still stay on the cheap...

Just my three cents...
-CK
 
for under 20 lbs....hvx type stuff

the cartoni focus is the best head i have used for that size and money....

true fluid head in both pan and tilt and infinately adjustible..

you should be able to get the head brand new for just under $1000

i also own 3 different bogens, and a miller arrow 55.....so I have experience with cheap heads and expensive....and the cartoni is an awsome head for the money
 
I am looking to sell my 1030s and get a 2060..
2575 is a standard head, but... imho the 2060 is a perfect weight ratio for a Red Set up..

i can hold 40lbs with my 1030s and have good pan/tilt.. but anything more than that would be pushing it.

I wouldnt try and squeeze in the cheapest head/sticks and minimize your rig to 20lbs.. that is reallllyyyy hard to do.

I would rather rent a good head and sticks than buy something I would end up selling or trashing literally weeks after i bought it.

save up and go pro
 
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