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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

Cartoni Focus HD or Miller Compass 25 for head.
Marfrotto 536 carbon for sticks.

Consider weight. Epic and Scarlet are quite light. You can stay on that route.
 
Shane Kelly said:
I just bought a miller compass 25 with miller vj solo sticks. I've been doing a lot of travelling and wanted something a little more lightweight than my miller 55. Millers service dept is also outstanding.
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Shane, I also own the Miller 55 and was thinking of going with the Compass 25. What do you think of it so far compared to the miller 55? Is it a lot lighter?
 
It's definitely lighter, and smaller but handles the epic really well. I'm using it all this week on a job in Kansas so I'll report back next week. Same great miller quality so I don't expect to have any issues with it.
 
I'm planning to start with a super bare-bones, lightweight Scarlet kit, and build it out over time. I'm well aware that I'm not going to get an amazing tripod + head for $500 or less, but I'd like to spend that now, get a tripod that's useable, and then replace it 6-12 months later as I get more gear.

In fairness, I won't be adding on a rails system or mattebox until after I upgrade the tripod. But does anyone have any suggestions for a "starter" tripod? Again, I fully intend it to be temporary and just help me "get by" until I can afford an upgrade.
 
Brian:

Love the 509HD. Whoever said that its a mediocre head simply doesn't have it. It also has a 29 lbs capacity, which is MORE capacity than the Cartoni Focus HD (26 lbs.); plenty for a RED EPIC/SCARLET-X rig. How can you go wrong with this combo>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760090-REG/Manfrotto_509HD_536K_509HD_Video_Head_with.html

Marcos

Brian Iannone said:
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?
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Nick Pasquariello said:
I'm planning to start with a super bare-bones, lightweight Scarlet kit, and build it out over time. I'm well aware that I'm not going to get an amazing tripod + head for $500 or less, but I'd like to spend that now, get a tripod that's useable, and then replace it 6-12 months later as I get more gear.

In fairness, I won't be adding on a rails system or mattebox until after I upgrade the tripod. But does anyone have any suggestions for a "starter" tripod? Again, I fully intend it to be temporary and just help me "get by" until I can afford an upgrade.
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Have you looked into the O'Connor 50D? In my opinion will give you the best performance for that $500 price range, as long as you don't mind hauling around a 30-40 year old head. Is really only for narrative though, since it weighs 30 pounds or something. Not very practical for anything else.
 
What's the difference in performance between, say, the Miller Arrow 25 and the O'Connor 1030D? The price says the difference should be huge, but is it really? Also, how smooth does the Arrow 25 feather to a stop? And how does the Miller Compass 15 compare to the Arrow 25? Assuming weight isn't an issue.
 
I just bought a miller compass 25 (100mm) and love it .It's a perfect head for the epic. I also own a miller 55 and routinely rent an o'connor 2575 so I understand what a good head is. Miller's service department is also outstanding.
 
Ryan Chapman said:
What's the difference in performance between, say, the Miller Arrow 25 and the O'Connor 1030D? The price says the difference should be huge, but is it really? Also, how smooth does the Arrow 25 feather to a stop? And how does the Miller Compass 15 compare to the Arrow 25? Assuming weight isn't an issue.
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Weight is always an issue. It is the issue. Picking a tripod and head is an exercise in balancing weight (both the weight of the camera it will carry, and the weight of the tripod/head itself) with performance.

You get smoother moves with more mass, because the mass dampens the inevitable body shake (from the operator) the wind shake, and traffic vibrations, etc. The mass can come from either the head itself or the camera mounted on it — usually both. But a bigger tripod is bigger and heavier to carry. Smooth moves with less weight require better engineering, and even with the best engineering, there's little to be done about the environmental vibrations that plague a camera without enough mass to counter them.

So you have to balance the weight you are willing/able to carry with the performance you will be satisfied with.

Miller makes good heads. O'Connor makes great heads. In the 1030 range, Sachtler makes great heads (the Video 18 and Video 20). If you are driving up to your locations or a studio, I'd recommend one of those. If you are hiking in to your locations, then I'd be much more inclined to one of the Miller's. After the first mile, the weight difference will matter a lot. Still, I don't think I'd go smaller than the Arrow 25 for a camera the size of Epic/Scarlet once it's in shooting form, and I'd look hard at the 40 and 55 models (there's only a half-pound difference in weight between the 25 and the 55). When you put a 200mm lens up, the added stability will show up in the shots. When you put a 600mm up, the addd stability will make the shots useable.
 
Our EPIC Loaded out weighs in at 27lbs , so keep that in mind. Our old head was rated at 18lbs...... Did not work very well. We have been looking at the LIBEC LS 85 rated at 38 lbs, but not sure yet.

EPIC
2- 19mm RED CARBON ROD (18") and DSMC QR dove tail
DSMC UNIVERSAL MOUNT 19MM (to mount the battery plate to)
RED Battery plate
RED BRICK
2B-TO-1B POWER ADAPTOR CABLE(RED ONE TO EPIC)
RR MatteBox 2 stage (no filters-No Flags)
Zacuto FF
35mm RPP = 6lbs
5.0 RED LCD
DSMC 15MM ADAPTOR (CENTERED)
2- 15mm rails 5 inch

TOTAL WEIGHT 27LBS

Epic%20M%20%201058.JPG
 
I have to put in a recommendation for a few things. For a light weight choice the Sachtler 20SB with CF sticks. It is pretty light and very smooth. Handles my fully loaded Epic with ease. Payload 55 pounds. I use it all the time when I don't have an AC to help me lug my O'Connor 2575 around. The second for all you guys looking to buy new tripods I highly recommend calling BJ at Custom Supply. He usually beats the pants of B+H on this kind of stuff. He is a super great guy as well. Tell him I sent you and you saw it on RU and he will be stoked.

http://customsupply.com

Happy Holidays
 
Robert Cook said:
Our EPIC Loaded out weighs in at 27lbs , so keep that in mind. Our old head was rated at 18lbs...... Did not work very well. We have been looking at the LIBEC LS 85 rated at 38 lbs, but not sure yet.

EPIC
2- 19mm RED CARBON ROD (18") and DSMC QR dove tail
DSMC UNIVERSAL MOUNT 19MM (to mount the battery plate to)
RED Battery plate
RED BRICK
2B-TO-1B POWER ADAPTOR CABLE(RED ONE TO EPIC)
RR MatteBox 2 stage (no filters-No Flags)
Zacuto FF
35mm RPP = 6lbs
5.0 RED LCD
DSMC 15MM ADAPTOR (CENTERED)
2- 15mm rails 5 inch

TOTAL WEIGHT 27LBS

Epic%20M%20%201058.JPG
Click to expand...


For your setup, I would consider the Miller Arrow 40. It's rated at 35 lbs. Then I'd get the Miller Solo legs, which are really light weight and allow you to shoot at about 8 inches from the ground.

By the way, when does your 11th hour movie come out or is it out? I'm friends with James Burgess.
 
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