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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Fluid Head Recommendations

Peter Matthes said:
Sachtler or Miller.
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Miller has a few ranges of heads so hopefully something in your price range. Also they are great products. I have owned several Miller Tripods and heads over the last 20 years and have no issues with their gear.
 
Brandon J.F. said:
This is what I will probably get: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760090-REG/Manfrotto_509HD_536K_509HD_Video_Head_with.html

You may recognize it from this photo: http://www.redgrabs.com/up/1320423149.jpg

Here is a demo video: http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=ijezcn6g
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Wow, I'm surprised that that's the fluid head RED uses in their product photos and demonstrations. It looks like they also use it in their quick release systems demo videos: http://www.red.com/learn/product_demos/quick-release-system

It does look quite angular. I like the shape. :-) But, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get either a Sachtler or Miller.
 
Brian Iannone said:
Wow, I'm surprised that that's the fluid head RED uses in their product photos and demonstrations. It looks like they also use it in their quick release systems demo videos: http://www.red.com/learn/product_demos/quick-release-system

It does look quite angular. I like the shape. :-) But, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get either a Sachtler or Miller.
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Jarred posted about liking it. I don't have a link to the post though. I'll let you guys know how I like it ;)
 
I'm really liking the Manfrotto 509HD, but there's something that's bothering me (other than never having tried it before)... $900 for a fluid head doesn't seem 'expensive enough'. I know how ridiculous this may sound, but I thought fluid heads were supposed to be really, really expensive (i.e $2,500+). Can someone explain to me what a $2,500 fluid head does that this Manfrotto can't do? I know an obvious answer would be smoothness, but is this true?
 
As a stills photographer I already have a decent collection of Manfrotto heads and tripods. However, they're not really heavy duty, and this really shows up when you're either shooting night timelapses (the slightest shake on a long exposure means a blurred or odd looking frame, which can ruin a good timelapse), shaky footage, and pans or tilts that don't work quite as smoothly as you'd want them to, forcing you to do multiple takes or lose the shot.

Not even the biggest Manfrotto video head is rated for the full weight of a Red Epic with a set of rods, screen, V-mount Battery and Canon 70-200 lens, and without a middle spreader even their best carbon fibre tripod can suffer from flex.

So given that a tripod and head should last you ten years or more, it's worth buying something worthwhile right at the start.
 
Please try out the fluid head in person before you buy. Personally I think Manfrotto make excellent tripod legs/sticks but they have a ways to go for their fluid heads.

I own a lower end Miller Compass 15 and from comparing different Miller heads I realized that the real difference between Miller's cheaper heads is not smoothness but rigidity of the head itself. It seems like their Arrow range of heads are more solidly built with very little play in the head itself which lends to a better feeling when panning. For the price, I'm very happy with the performance of my Miller Compass 15.

Sachtler also makes excellent fluid heads. However beware of their tripod legs, many of the cheaper ones are very flimsy.

Its not till you have experience with an excellent fluid head from the likes of Oconor, Miller, Sachtler etc... that you can tell the difference and appreciate a quality fluid head. Try before you buy and beware of Manfrotto.
 
My experience with Manfrotto is with a 504hd ... basically useless once the camera has some weight(the 509hd your looking at is the upgrade to it). I really don't like the feel of the Manfrotto fluid heads for some reason. btw ... this might be obvious, but all my normal gear is 100mm ball ... (i.e. jibs, pan/tilts, carts, etc ...). I'm perty convinced on going with 100mm(I use a lot of Kessler gear).
 
KETCH ROSSi said:
The new Miller Arrow 25 Compass, is one of the best solutions, and its what we use for travel, but definitely also look in to the "CARTONI" line, and not just because its Made in Italy... ;)
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It's interesting you recommend the Miller 25 as I had originally planned on getting that. I see you say that you use it for travel. Do you not use it as your primary head? If so, why?

EDIT:
Mi sono appena accorto che vivi in Italia. Non posso credere di non averla mai vista prima. :D
 
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I currently own the O'Connor 1030HDs on a set of Miller Sprinter II Carbon fiber sticks with a mid spreader. I got this setup for the Red One as it is about 10lbs alone. The package was around $5500 to $6000 when I bought it I think, you can look it up in B&H's website - great shopping and info site by the way. Don't always have to buy from them but it's a great resource site. I am planning on picking up the same travel package that Ketch recommended. I also checked with Steve Gibby and he uses Miller. Now I will have a nice light weight setup for my nature run and gun work and a heavier set when I need to load up the Epic with extra gear on an indie or doc shoot. Guess it really comes down to what type of work you are doing and what you can afford. At your price range I don't think you do better than what Ketch said to get. Hope this helps.
 
Ronford 2003, they are very rare used but can be found. it will take some finding but you wont bet better for 2500.
 
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