A question of tripods...

[chuck colburn]

Would these work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cartoni-Alfa-II...ryZ30097QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[sandesh]

I recently shot a short film with HVX + RedrockMicro. Cartoni Focus was one of the rented head. We did not use it for lots of mechanical reasons. I also have O'connor D50 I was not able to use it either, as I did not have the right bowl for the tripod. We used something else....

I have read lots good of Cartoni Focus CF on DVXUSER.com. There is just 1 thread somewhere on DVXUSER where the guy/DP did tests on CF and did not like it. I bought used D50, Its big ... but very affordable, I love it.

I am not a DP but, I would strongly suggest to play with CF before you buy.
As a producer/director (think $$$s), and as a Mechanical Engg + my experience on the shoot; I will NEVER buy CF.

I know lots of people here like CF... Please no fire...

 

[IAN SUN]

Bro, I totally agree. I think you are going to see many companies following RED and making equipment for the industry that doesn't aim to ream the customer. The only reason I can think of that they charge as much as they do is that they can, it's definitely not the complexity of cost of manufacture thats driving up the cost. The mentality of almost every company that makes this type of equipment is the same - charge a fortune because the customer has no other options anyway.

One thing to keep in mind is that the same companies have been doing this stuff for years and they have a huge overhead to deal with... they probably can't afford to sell anything less than $5K. Most of these companies mark up their cost of goods by 5-10X to keep their stock holders happy. To get the prices down there is noting better than a new company with almost zero overhead making the same quality product for 1/5 the cost... its going to happen, but probably not for RED's launch

Curt I love this Comment, sounds like you are totally in tune with the REDvolution philosophy. Quality equipment at affordable prices is an essential component of the project to democratize moving image production and storytelling.

I certainly would not begrudge an equipment manufacturer a decent profit, but maannn... Anyway there is certainly a business case to be made for a fiesty company such as yours to do away with the F.M.U.T.A jacked up price model and offer quality products at reasonable prices. The indie segment of the market (y'know thoose of us who actually have to scrounge to put together a kit) will stand up and take notice.

Why should I have to buy some dodgy used tripod at a pawn shop to mount my beautifull new RED ONE

I'll be at your booth at NAB, maybe you'll have some sticks specked out by then

 

[Zk2007]

If any of you have bought a tripod used and had a bad experience - what are the "gotchas" I should look out for. Obviously stripped hardware should be easy to spot, but what else.

Stripped?

 

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Emmanuel,

I find fluid heads work best when the weight is nearer the midle of the spec. If your rig comes in much under 50 lbs (I am sure it will) I think you will start adding sandbags to get the right feel!

I think buying a new head is something you should wait until you have your RED camera, spend time it's an important decision.

I was using the 75 with a Viper & heavy zoom, matte box, follow focus etc., The weight adjustment was still set at 1!

Stephen

Thanks Stephen

I gladly give up on the Cine 75 HD, instead I'll keep an eye for the Sachtler Panorama Plus wich payload goes from:
min 4.2 lb / max 20.8 lb
to
min 7.8 lb / max 39 lb
depending on the Center of gravity adjustments.
I'll save quite a few bucks from the Cine 75 HD wich is, as pointed out, far too big.
For legs I would go for Sachtler Speed Lock® CF HD wich would allow me to put the Sachtler CamCrane DV on top of it.
Anyway there are months before those purchases, so things may change.
Yours (sachtled) Emmanuel

 

[Stephen Williams]

Thanks Stephen

I gladly give up on the Cine 75 HD, instead I'll keep an eye for the Sachtler Panorama Plus wich payload goes from:
min 4.2 lb / max 20.8 lb
to
min 7.8 lb / max 39 lb
depending on the Center of gravity adjustments.
I'll save quite a few bucks from the Cine 75 HD wich is, as pointed out, far too big.
For legs I would go for Sachtler Speed Lock® CF HD wich would allow me to put the Sachtler CamCrane DV on top of it.
Anyway there are months before those purchases, so things may change.
Yours (sachtled) Emmanuel

Hi Emmanuel,

If I was spending that sort of money I would go with O'conner! IMHO the best there is, nothing wrong with Sachtler they are my second choice hi end!

Stephen

 

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Emmanuel,

If I was spending that sort of money I would go with O'conner! IMHO the best there is, nothing wrong with Sachtler they are my second choice hi end!

Stephen

Hi Stephen
The problem with O'Connor is that it's (very) hard to get in Europe, or at least in France. Sachtler is widely distributed over here.
I think they are both expensive, so unless O'Connor is on top of Sachtler quality wise, it would be easier for me to go with the later.
But I'm still widely open (to sachtler)

Yours seriously Emmanuel

 

[Stephen Williams]

Hi Stephen
The problem with O'Connor is that it's (very) hard to get in Europe, or at least in France. Sachtler is widely distributed over here.
I think they are both expensive, so unless O'Connor is on top of Sachtler quality wise, it would be easier for me to go with the later.
But I'm still widely open (to sachtler)

Yours seriously Emmanuel

Hi Emmanuel,

Your Sachtler dealer should be able to get you an O'Conner test unit. They are owned by the same company and they shared a stand at IBC.

O'Conner is IMHO a hugely better product for the same price.

Stephen

 

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Emmanuel,

Your Sachtler dealer should be able to get you an O'Conner test unit. They are owned by the same company and they shared a stand at IBC.

O'Conner is IMHO a hugely better product for the same price.

Stephen

Well I'll defenitelty try my best to check very seriously the O'Connor products, hopefully be able to get a test unit.
Thank you for your patience on me, it's highly appreciated here.
Of course, if I was to abuse your patience, I would ask you to elaborate a bit on "O'Conner is IMHO a hugely better product for the same price", just for my education. Don't be afraid, I'm not in a position to argue with you, since I have no experience of either product.
Thank you so much
yours (could get O'connored) Emmanuel

 

[Mark Mannschreck]

I purchased a used Sachtler 25 II with carbon fiber sticks and a spreader... I really couldn't see shooting with anything lighter now... even with smaller cameras (bought for use with digi-beta). It's got a 150mm bowl and it's rock solid - even in high winds. Seven steps of amazing German engineered Pan and Tilt. It has probably done more for my shooting than anything else I have ever purchased. Put the dials on zero and bounce any size cam around with the most contollable "drunk camera" moves - then dial it up to seven and have the slowest, smoothest pans even in a hurricane...

 

[Stephen Williams]

Well I'll defenitelty try my best to check very seriously the O'Connor products, hopefully be able to get a test unit.
Thank you for your patience on me, it's highly appreciated here.
Of course, if I was to abuse your patience, I would ask you to elaborate a bit on "O'Conner is IMHO a hugely better product for the same price", just for my education. Don't be afraid, I'm not in a position to argue with you, since I have no experience of either product.
Thank you so much
yours (could get O'connored) Emmanuel

Hi Emmanuel,

The O'Conner heads will tilt +/- 90 degrees.
The Adjustment is totally flexable, not just 7 or 9 numbered steps.
With the head pointing in any direction you can remove your hand, and the camera stays quite still, its perfectly balanced not sprung.

FWIW the Cartoni Focus is not that different for lighter cameras retails & $799head only at B+H Photo in NY. I think Red users will need to go up the range.

Stephen

Stephen

 

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Emmanuel,

The O'Conner heads will tilt +/- 90 degrees.
The Adjustment is totally flexable, not just 7 or 9 numbered steps.
With the head pointing in any direction you can remove your hand, and the camera stays quite still, its perfectly balanced not sprung.

FWIW the Cartoni Focus is not that different for lighter cameras retails & $799head only at B+H Photo in NY. I think Red users will need to go up the range.

Stephen

Stephen

Hi Stephen

Well the Sachtler Panorama Plus can tilt +/-90° as well.

It is known to hold the camera perfectly still, in any position from drag position "3" upwards. But the brakes are "vibrationless and can be used during shooting."


As for the adjusment steps I believe there are some pros and cons.
Sure if you dont have the steps you can find some finer adjustments wich may proove useful.
On the other hand, with the steps ( 7 in this case ) you are able to set the head to equal pan and tilt settings in a snap, wich will assure you perfect diagonal movements.

I believe it's a question of priority.
I'm eager to hear any other arguments in favor of the O'Connor

Yours (not sold yet) Emmanuel

 

[Häakon]

I find fluid heads work best when the weight is nearer the midle of the spec. If your rig comes in much under 50 lbs (I am sure it will) I think you will start adding sandbags to get the right feel!

I think this is a really good point that isn't echoed enough online. Most people feel that "bigger is better" in the sense that the more weight the head can support the better, but there is a thing as too much. If your camera is so light that you're barely putting any reverse resistance on the head because you've bought the one that is made for holding a load of 90lbs, you're not going to have a fun time operating. This, of course, doesn't mean that since Red is estimated to come in around 6 pounds and your lens may weigh 8, a 15lb. tripod is all you need. But it is good to be aware that you can buy too much tripod for your camera.

I'm with Stephen; users would probably be best advised to wait until they get their cameras and do some testing to see what works best.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I'm with Stephen; users would probably be best advised to wait until they get their cameras and do some testing to see what works best.

I think that's what I'm doing... I'll try my Focus 100 first and see how that goes. If I feel I need more, then I'll probably rent an O'Connor 1030HD next and see how I like it. I think the O'Connor 2060 looks beautiful, but may be overkill and is really starting to seem rediculously expensive. ...Well, so is the 1030, but oh well.