Good fluid head for Scarlet under $400?

[jimhare]

Omar, regarding the slider, you can always put $30 lighting stands at each end if you worried about it tipping or bowing.
I sometimes just use 3 light stands and don't use tripod legs at all.

 

[Omar N]

Thank you everyone for your help.

I have pretty much made up my mind on going with the Manfrotto 536 and Cartoni Focus HD.

Mike...last question if you do not mind me asking (and I am sorry to bring up the slider again), but do you know if attaching a slider to this setup is even possible at all? For example, if you take a look at this product:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/779187-REG/Manfrotto_528XB_Heavy_Duty_Tripod_with.html

You will notice that the fluid head can be "split in half" so to speak and it is precisely on the top of that half ball mount that I can screw in a slider, and then put the rest of the fluid head on top of it.

Can the Cartoni Focus HD be utilized in the same way? I have tried looking at several pictures, but it looks like the only way I will really know is by asking someone who has one.

Thank you for your help Michael,
~Omar

 

[Jason Comparetto]

Hi Omar,

If you plan on operating a slider on your sticks frequently, you want a set of sticks that has a broad flat surface at the top (with no halfbowl mount intermediate). Most 100mm tripods are adequate for lightweight setups. I personally don't use anything less than 150mm but I tend to load quite a bit of weight onto my sliders. Then you can have the tripod head with a halfbowl actually attach to the slider. Many people detach the halfbowl, but quite honestly even a 100mm halfbowl will usually have around 3" flat surface beneath the bowl, which is fine for these kinds of loads. I had a Focus F101 tripod and dismantleing the halfbowl was a disaster, but I can't speak for the F125 mentioned in this thread. In general, you should be fine. In case it adds any credibility, I've been designing sliders for close to 10 years. Good luck Omar

 

[Omar N]

Hello Jason,

Thank you very much for your input. Can you specify what you mean exactly by half bowl mount intermediate? Do you mean something like a 100mm to 75mm "converter?"

 

[Bruce Buck]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but since I'm interested in the same question, I'll ask here rather than start another thread. I'm kinda in the same boat as Omar. Something that will handle Scarlet/DSLR, as well as some type of slider. The one I have in mind is the Kesler Pocket Dolly. I intend to have a pretty basic setup, not much gear other than the basics.

My burning question is regarding the 536 recommendation for the legs. Is there a reason that many here are recommending this type of tripod over a more traditional video tripod w/ like a mid-level spreader? My understanding is that this is faster to setup. Or is it because the 536 is a bowl-type that it is just as quick to setup and level? What type of work would warrant one over the other? Is it just a weight advantage?