Epic and Fluid Heads

[Tim Duran]

With a slimmed down Epic, how will this affect my fluid head that takes weight from 20-60 lbs? Never had a problem with my studio set ups on Red One, but with some lighter primes, smaller batteries, smaller Epic, I may not be at even the 20 pound minimum. Can these bigger heads still be used properly with the lighter set ups? What adjustments do you need to make?

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

It depends on how you rig those heads.

An Optimo 24-290 weighs 24 lbs by itself... so I think there will be a place for those heavy heads.

 

[Tim Duran]

Alexander, you're right. but I confined my post to lighter primes and gear. With that input, how would one modify the set up or head so that it isn't obsolete too fast? Thanks for your input.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

For the simple basic set up and to maintain it light weight yet professionally
operational I'll have a O'Conor 1030HDS on CF Legs, while will have the Heavier OB
2000 Sachtler in Mitchell mount with the Gearnex Gear Head for heavier set ups as
well as the new O'Connor 2065D with Heavy Duty O'Connor Legs, exactly for those
situation were heavier Zooms are used.

 

[Shane Kelly]

I'm thinking that my miller 55 might get some heavy use.
Once you put an optimo on though, it's probably back to the 2060 or 2575.
The bigger heads can easily take a lighter weight. They are not dependent on the weight of the camera to work well.
We'll see soon hopefully.

 

[Tim Le]

If your head is a Sachtler, Miller, Vinten or Cartoni, you probably can't go below the minium weight because the counterbalance spring force will be stronger than the weight of the camera. You'll then be fighting the spring which wants to make the head go back to level (the opposite of fighting a too heavy camera which is trying to make the head tilt away from level).

If you have one of the newer OConnors, their counterbalance can go to zero, at least on the smaller heads that I've personally used (1030 and below). I don't know for sure about the larger heads, but based on my understanding of how the counterbalance works, theoretically it should be possible.

If you still need to put a light payload on a big fluid head, one thing you can do is raise the camera higher or put your accessories higher up. This increases the torque applied to the head, which is the same as making the payload heavier at the same height. The downside is the camera might not be as rigidly mounted, causing vibrations to possibly show up at long focal lengths.

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

glad i didnt sell my 1030s

 

[Ben Graham]

Panther X15 for my lightweight kit. 12 steps of super smooth drag and CF legs. For big lens setups 2575d or 2060

 

[Yousuf Abbasi]

I am entertaining the idea of selling my Sachtler 18SB which would be ideal for a lightweight Epic setup.