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Tripods

Cdeuringer

Cdeuringer

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Any recommendations for a good tripod for the Scarlet?

Should be able to support over 20 pounds? Is the popular 506 Manfrotto type recommended for it? And... What do you think will be better for all-purpose productions, ground or mid-level spreader?

Have anyone tried the Sachtler Soom? Any comments on this product?

Thanks
 
I'm thinking something like this Libec tripod with a mid-level spreader. I can't see my camera rig being over 8KG (17.6 lb) so the weight issue shouldn't be an issue. The only thing I can see wrong with it is the drag on the fluid head is not adjustable, but it does sound like a pretty good head and tripod.

I was thinking about this Manfrotto one, since it's really cheap and I've used a similar one before, but I've heard that other brands are much smoother. I haven't had much experience with many other brands of tripods (apart from a few Millers) though so I'd like to hear what other people think.

As for spreaders, I prefer a mid level one, because it allows for a lot more flexibility. I've done shots, for example, where one of the legs is sitting on a wall and the other two are on the ground, and with the mid level spreader that's easy to do, but it wouldn't be with a ground one. Also, the leveller is a great help for setups like this, which is why the tripods I'm looking at all have ball mounts and levellers.
 
Manfrotto 506 is kinda klunky... Take a look at the Cartoni Focus 100. But it may be a bit light for some scarlet configs by the time you stack a lot of modules on there. I loved the Cartoni Focus with my HVX200 rigs, with 35mm adapter.

The Miller Compass heads are really great too. I haven't used one in the real world, but played with one recently. I'm seriously thinking of a Compass 20 (with Solo carbon legs) as my tripod for 2/3" Scarlet in mobile situations. The 20 model handles up to a 12kg/26lb payload.
 
I have the Manfrotto 503HDV kit and I do like it. The 501 head is a little lightweight but the 503 is nice for a HPX170 or EX1 in my opinion. I think the biggest selling point to me other than the price was the LED lit bubble. I set up in dark places alot and it is nice not to have to go for the flashlight to see the bubble.
 
Speaking of tripods, I think I've seen every side of the Scarlet camera except the bottom side - will the camera itself even have a thread to screw a tripod into or will we need to purchase a base plate?

Since the modules connect to the back of the camera, I assume a base plate would be needed in order to center balance the camera on the tripod. However, a thread on the bottom of the brain would be great when not using any modules.
 
Paul Whittington said:
Speaking of tripods, I think I've seen every side of the Scarlet camera except the bottom side - will the camera itself even have a thread to screw a tripod into or will we need to purchase a base plate
Click to expand...

What do you think the base plate screws onto? I'm sure they'll be a few threaded holes for that, and either one (or all) will be the right diameter for a tripod screw.
 
Stephen Gentle said:
What do you think the base plate screws onto?
Click to expand...

If it is a normal base plate, then yes. However, I have not yet seen the RED base plates that they will be offering for the Scarlet so I must assume the possibility that the base plate might clip onto the camera in some way rather than screw - the same way the modules do, perhaps.

But thanks Jeff for the info! Good to know this.
 
If you're on a budget, I'd look at the Miller line. The best bang for the buck. I own Oconnor and Miller both, and Miller is very close at close to half the price. Much nicer movement than Manfrotto -- and equally hardy and their heads fit standard bowls, ie, I can use my Miller on my Oconnor or Ronford legs. manfrotto likes only manfrotto legs, it seems.

Also you might look around for a used Oconnor 1030. Not really inexpensive, but will last.

I'm not directly familiar with the new Miller compass series, but my guess is they will be up to Miller quality and feel. And very aggressively priced.

Reminder: better to have more tripod (in terms of weight capacity) than less.
 
Rod's reminder is very good, use a better head and tripod than you think you will need. Often manufacturers ratings are optimistic, and I often end up using a head of higher rating than I would have thought I would have needed, if I had just gone by the figures on a website. I have used a range of heads, Oconnor being the best, but I am quite happy with the Sachtler heads I own. In my opinion I would try and avoid Manfrotto: when you have invested in a good camera, you don't want your work to be made more difficult by a problematic head. The right head for the job can bring a smile to your face, and the wrong one bring you frustrations!
 
Ideally, you want your camera rig to fit close to the middle of your tripod's weight capacity range. They state their capacity as the maximum weght you would want on there. And in that respect, they're usually rated about right. So for proper operation, you want a good bit of headroom on that capacity number.
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
Manfrotto 506 is kinda klunky... Take a look at the Cartoni Focus 100. But it may be a bit light for some scarlet configs by the time you stack a lot of modules on there. I loved the Cartoni Focus with my HVX200 rigs, with 35mm adapter.

The Miller Compass heads are really great too. I haven't used one in the real world, but played with one recently. I'm seriously thinking of a Compass 20 (with Solo carbon legs) as my tripod for 2/3" Scarlet in mobile situations. The 20 model handles up to a 12kg/26lb payload.
Click to expand...

I was strongly considering a Miller DS20 for the scarlet fixed until I read Jeff's post above about the Cartoni F100. I would love to hear advice from anyone who has used both.
 
Stephen Gentle said:
I'm thinking something like this Libec tripod with a mid-level spreader. I can't see my camera rig being over 8KG (17.6 lb) so the weight issue shouldn't be an issue. The only thing I can see wrong with it is the drag on the fluid head is not adjustable, but it does sound like a pretty good head and tripod.

I was thinking about this Manfrotto one, since it's really cheap and I've used a similar one before, but I've heard that other brands are much smoother. I haven't had much experience with many other brands of tripods (apart from a few Millers) though so I'd like to hear what other people think.

As for spreaders, I prefer a mid level one, because it allows for a lot more flexibility. I've done shots, for example, where one of the legs is sitting on a wall and the other two are on the ground, and with the mid level spreader that's easy to do, but it wouldn't be with a ground one. Also, the leveller is a great help for setups like this, which is why the tripods I'm looking at all have ball mounts and levellers.
Click to expand...

The Libec LS-38 is an amazing tripod for the money. Imho it's the best budget system available in it's weight range.

I was looking around for a reasonable option for my Scarlet kit for months when I found the following review;

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150

The review is spot-on. I've been using the LS-38 with my EX1S for several months now, and it is built like a tank.

Adam
 
Adam Jeal said:
The Libec LS-38 is an amazing tripod for the money. Imho it's the best budget system available in it's weight range.

I was looking around for a reasonable option for my Scarlet kit for months when I found the following review;

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150

The review is spot-on. I've been using the LS-38 with my EX1S for several months now, and it is built like a tank.

Adam
Click to expand...

Nice to see someone else likes their Libec. I have an LS-55 that I like a lot and was planning on keeping it around for my Scarlet!!

Terry
 
I have a Libec head and legs and I really thought it would support my camera perfectly. Actually, a stripped down rig is supported perfectly but when it's loaded, it's way too heavy for my tripod.

This basically means my tripod is useless for me most of the time. My camera body weighs about 10 pounds alone. I think is a little heavier than a scarlet body. When my rig is fully loaded with a mattebox, follow focus, rails, batteries, wireless receiver, recorder, lens, microphone, litepanels micro eyelight, and LCD, it's up around closer to 30 pounds.

Keep all these little parts in mind when you consider what tripod you'll need. I like my rig to stay nice and light but I do find I need all of those things above.
 
J Davis said:
I was strongly considering a Miller DS20 for the scarlet fixed until I read Jeff's post above about the Cartoni F100. I would love to hear advice from anyone who has used both.
Click to expand...

I haven't used the miller but I have used the Monfroto and the Cartoni Focus. The Cartoni Focus is entirely in another class It's an amazing head. Incredibly smooth. It makes the Monfroto feel like still camera tripod by comparison.

I'm probably going to pick one up for my Scarlet. But I'm a little concerned about its weight capabilities for a FF35. I've only ever used it with HVXs and DVXs.
 
Adam Jeal said:
The Libec LS-38 is an amazing tripod for the money. Imho it's the best budget system available in it's weight range.

I was looking around for a reasonable option for my Scarlet kit for months when I found the following review;

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150

The review is spot-on. I've been using the LS-38 with my EX1S for several months now, and it is built like a tank.

Adam
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome - I really didn't want to drop two grand on a tripod, so I'm glad this one sounds so good. It supports 8KG which should be plenty for a Scarlet Fixed setup I think.
 
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