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Favorite 2-Stage Tripod

Phil Holland

Phil Holland

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Aloha Redusers,

I'm searching for your favorite 2-Stage Tripods suggestions.

I've been doing a bit of testing and experiments myself, but there are just so many damn tripods out there! And worse than that there's a few new kids on the block that not many have even used yet.

Personally I'm looking for:
- 2 stages
- 100mm bowl
- carbon fiber
- mid level spreader
- supports 30-55lbs

Budget = $1000-$2000 USD

I'm intending on getting the Manfrotto 536 Carbon Fiber Tripod as well, but I can't see using it on set without a spreader. I can see using something like that for extra height out in the field though.

One friend recommends the Vinten Pozi-Loc CF tripod very highly and I haven't checked that one out yet, but that's the general ballpark of what I'm looking for.

I want a rock steady tripod that can hold a large wiggling child on top of it. (Not literally, but that's the general idea) I'll likely be putting a jib and slider on it at some point though. I want this thing to hold up to that and also be pleasing to use on a daily basis.

Thanks for the help!
 
I'm loving my conner 1030. But that's blowing your budget pretty good.

The millers that I looked at felt really nice as well.
 
I've got the 536 sticks with the 509 Head and I love it. I was usually a Sachtler-only type, but this setup I really love. Problem is, the head officially only supports up to about 29lbs. But for most stuff this should be sufficient with a scarlet if you're not using the 1200mm canon ;) The sticks support up to about 45.

I was thinking about maybe using a spreader for some setups and was thinking how I could combine something to make it work. If I find something that works, I'll let you know.
 
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Thanks guys. I was looking at those OConner 30L sticks pretty hard. It's $1k over what I'd like to spend.

@Patrick Grossien - In terms of operation how do you like using the 536 over a typical spreader 2-stage setup? I'm unsure if it's going to be as quick and easy. Tom Lowe recommended the 536 legs to me and he's said that he's put over a 100lbs on it. I'm sure Manfrotto doesn't recommend that. However, I've got several of their legs and have overburdened all of them without much issue.
 
What I really like about it is, is NOT having to deal with the spreader ;)

You just push the sticks in and move without having to bend down. you don't have to adjust the spreader - 3 screws less to tighten saves time. You don't have to take the spreader off when the setup doesn't allow for it to be on. Mostly just ground spreaders annoy me, mid level are much less annoying, but not having any is just like wearing no underwear: maybe less support but you get the feel of freedom! Having spreaders on the sticks, to me is like wearing briefs. Hehe.

We have a lot of ground level spreaders, and I have to take them on and off so much, I started to dislike them.

I was afraid about the legs giving in and making like a ballerina and do splits, when putting too much weight on it. But since I started using it, that fear is gone. I have to add, that I never had to overload it until now but I put my whole weight on it once, to see if it's stable. Didn't budge. I'm 6'2" and no Joseph Hutson... Definitely put more weight on it than manfrotto intended, but just for a short time.

As always it's hard to say, what's perfect and what's not. Horses for courses as always. I probably would be too chicken to put tons of weight on a 1-leg-no-spreader solution, but I don't shoot IMAX, heavy 3D setups or with a 1200mm so I don't worry about it ;) that said, again, the sticks allow to up to 45lbs and that I do believe - maybe even more.

If you have a heavy set of sticks in an spacey studio set-up and don't need to move them around in tight spaces, that's all fine, but for me, carbon single sticks feel easy, fast and smooth when handling them.

As for the 2 stage / 1 stage It's the same as before, 2stagers produce a feeling of a safer, more stable setup but it's bulkier and slower. for me I purchased the carbon sticks with scarlet / epic in mind. They will handle the weight fine, and I'd probably rather get a more expensive head before I swap the sticks.

Take your gear to the next manfrotto place and try it... Or ask Jarred ;) the fully armored scarlet from the announcement picture is on the manfrotto 509. I'd assume they have the carbon sticks somwhere, too ;) ketch uses gitzo carbon single sticks a lot and loves them, as far as I can tell. Maybe he also has some insight to share about carbon singles.

Cheers!
Patrick
 
Does anyone know if the O'conner 35L tripods 'quick deployment' feature exists on any other tripod, or even another O'conner ?
As I understand it you pull a ring and all legs drop at the same time making for fast leveling with no going leg to leg to fix things.
I would like this type of thing for street shooting. So far my searching says only the 35L has this.
 
Phil Holland said:
Aloha Redusers,

I'm searching for your favorite 2-Stage Tripods suggestions.

I've been doing a bit of testing and experiments myself, but there are just so many damn tripods out there! And worse than that there's a few new kids on the block that not many have even used yet.

Personally I'm looking for:
- 2 stages
- 100mm bowl
- carbon fiber
- mid level spreader
- supports 30-55lbs

Budget = $1000-$2000 USD
Click to expand...

The Miller Sprinter II 2-Stage CF mid-spreader legs easily meet all of your stated features - including the price, which is $1,677 USD from B&H
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/422064-REG/Miller_1576_1576_Sprinter_II_2.html

I highly recommend Miller heads and legs. Though I've used tons of O'Connor, Sachtler, and Vinten heads and legs over my career, with Red One cameras from the very beginning I've used Miller Arrow 55 heads, with either Miller Sprinter II CF 2-Stage, mid-spreader legs, or for super mobile outdoor work I use Miller Solo 1505 CF spreader-less legs.

With my Epic cameras I use two different Miller heads, depending on the weight of my camera setups - Arrow 55 (55 pound max head load) and Compass 25 (31 pound max head load), in combo with either my two different sets of Miller legs - Sprinter II (support up to 99 pounds) or Solo CF (support up to 66 pounds) legs.

In my opinion Miller offers the best performance to price ratio in this industry for both heads and legs...
 
I am looking in the same range. Really like the Miller Solo's and the Sachtlers...specifically the FSB-8 system
I want light, and I want it to support at least 20lbs...though more is better obviously.

The Sachtler's have the speed lock which is such a nice option for a single user.
 
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Thanks Patrick for your informative response! I tried out the 509HD head over at Filmtools a couple weeks ago and it's growing on me. They had the aluminum 2 stage legs there and no 536. I've seen them out in the wild though. I may just end up getting the 536 and a two stage "studio style" tripod. That would likely eliminate any concerns towards functionality that I have.
 
Hehe. Best way to go if you can't decide. Get both ;) since its a standard 100 mm bowl you can easily combine different legs or heads with these.

I got lucky and saved about 500 € on my set because I bought em at a Trade show. You might just want to try to bargain with them.
 
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Wanted to thank Gibby too. Finally tested out some Sprinter II legs and I'll be adding them to my kit.
 
Happy to help Phil...

I think you'll be way happy with the Miller Sprinter II legs. I've tortured the heck out of the sets of the Sprinter II legs I own - and they've been really durable. They're nice and light too.
 
And I guess for the time I'll need to get me some 2 stage, I'll check out the Miller! Thanks Gibby & Phil.
 
Patrick - I think you'd be way happy with the Miller Sprinter II CF, 2-stage, mid-spreader legs ;)
 
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