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Advice needed: what to look for when buying a used fluid head

J Davis

J Davis

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Any advice on buying used fluid heads?
I'm going to see one off craigslist and wouldn't mind
any expert advice on what to look out for.

Its a Manfrotto 3063 Thanks!
 
Well, if you are looking for supporting a red with the 3063, I wouldn't. It doesn't have a counter balance, and even if it did it would be no where strong enough. When I first started out I bought a 3063. It's not a bad head, except that it's not really a fluid head. It uses friction and grease to add "smoothness". The only problem is that it's really hard to get a smooth tilt/pan with it. It does okay with a light camera and if you use a couple of rubber bands tied together to remove any jerkiness that your hand might add. Personally, I would save your money and at least get a Libec or spend a few hundred dollars more and get a used low end Sachtler.

Matthew
 
The heaviest it will ever see is a HVX200 or maybe a scarlet one day and its
my intention to permanently mount it on a DIY slider.

I've heard that older fluid heads can leak and I just don't know what to look for.
Whether problems like leaks are hard to detect with an inexperienced eye,
or whether you can tell right away.


EDIT:
just an FYI the slider thread is here
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145701&page=20
 
Well, I would still avoid this head since you can't really get repeatable results. The cheapest true fluid head I know of is this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328516-REG/Libec_LS22_LS_22_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html

It's $400, but if you can't make your money back on it you need to find a different business:) Plus, after using sliders in the past (much higher end ones), it is really vital that you have a good fluid head on one. They are not easy to use and a good head makes a world of difference. Trust me, after owning a 6063 you will be much happier that you spent a little more right now than having to upgrade in a short time when you realize that the 6063 isn't that smooth.

Matthew
 
Matt, thanks very much for the advice. The LS22 is something I've considered and B&H sell the head separately for $265

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/411085-REG/Libec_H22_H22_Professional_Fluid_head.html

If I moved up in price point I would also get it off the slider and use the head for one man gigs
Do you think an LS22 would work on these legs?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...frotto_055MF4_055MF4_Magfiber_Pro_Carbon.html
(I've been eyeing these legs because they collapse small,
and central column can angle)

EDIT: no matter - I just found the libec version of the same legs (link)
 
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