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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 :)

good tripod for RED set

FAUNA said:
Does anyone have experience with the SACHTLER 2073?
it comes with a video 20sb head and supports 55lbs
here is the link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=16&Go.y=10&Go=submit

very versatil I think
take care,
ƒ
Click to expand...


The Miller 55 is essentially a lower cost copy of the Sachtler Video 20. I personally prefer the Sachtler. It is easily the most common tripod you will find in rental houses across the US, which says a lot for its ruggedness. We have a pile of them in our rental depatment and they can really take a lot of abuse, more than certain other brands.

Of course I should note, Abel sells Sachtler and we sell other brands of Tripods as well.
 
Florian - nice budget! At my end of the scale though, which isn't pauper, but hopeful; I'm hearing more and more great things about the Millar Arrow 55, which seems to be falling between the O'Connor choices. Off to the library!

But wait! Sachtler seems to be missing from this debate, why? Good German engineering, no? And FAUNA's wondering, too. Are Sachtler's too expensive at this stage, or just not competitive? All I hear with RED Cam support (head and sticks!) is O'Connor; maybe Millar. And that's it! What excludes the others so completely? (Besides some posts of the RED ONE on a 500 series Manfrotto)... :>)

Thanks Mitch! I wish it didn't always take me a half an hour to post a post!
 
My Sachtler 30II works great with my Red camera!

Dave
 
My O'Connnor 1030S has been perfect, about the only lens I can't use it under is the Optimo 24-290, but if I'm renting that lens I'll get a 2575 too.

1030S with a Cooke 25-250 MII.
199+cooke25-250.jpg
 
Pics are like bikinis on this site, Evin: Thanks! That's a honkin' Cooke!

In your last pic, is everything "on the head"? (And nice wetdown - shoot quick! ;>)
 
Three pics of one of my RED cameras (RED #8) with various loads on the Miller 55 head:

Pic 1: A 55 pound maximum load using an Optimo 24-290 from Otto Nemenz last December as I shot the long-lens beach coverage of big wave surfing on Oahu. I also field produced and directed our end of the production, using two other of my RED cameras, one in a helicopter, and one in the water. Most subjects I shot were out to infinity or close to it, thus the weight/bulk savings by not using a follow focus on the setup. The Miller 55 handled this maximum load flawlessly. BTW, I have access to an O'Connor 2575, but long walks in deep sand made the Miller 55 the better choice for that occasion.

Pic 2: A 30 pound load using my Cannon FD 150-600 zoom, which has a Century PL mount conversion. The load is balanced on a 12" ET Dovetail, and an ET ARRI 15mm base (available from RED). This was shot a few months ago deep in the wilds of Alaska as we were on location for an upcoming television special airing this December. I shoot wildlife and sports with this setup regularly - and it performs very well. Again, I had to travel by large boat, small boat, and hike in with all that gear to get those particular shots - wouldn't even attempt that with a heavier tripod - to me the Miller 55 was the best choice.

Pic 3: This is another shot on location in Hawaii where I'm using my RED 300 with an adapted Fujinon plate. The load weighs about 27 pounds and and the Miller 55 handled it easily. I also use this setup regularly in shooting sports and wildlife. Again, long hike to the location, but I needed good support and smooth head action - and the Miller 55 did excellent.

Bottom line: the Miller 55 has one of the best performance to price ratios of any tripod head available. That said, in my experience on RED User, it seems like the guys who only do cine-style production seem to favor O'Connor, whereas those of us who do mobile cine-style, mobile EFP style, and a mobile hybrid cine/EFP tend to use a lot of other brands of tripods.
 
If only there were any waves that December for the Pipemasters....

I was shooting Super8 and Super16mm there, I think we were working out of the same production trailer Gibby....

For things like that you definitely don't want to lug around a 2575, go with Gibby's suggestions if that's what you do.
 
florianstadler.com said:
If only there were any waves that December for the Pipemasters....

I was shooting Super8 and Super16mm there, I think we were working out of the same production trailer Gibby....

For things like that you definitely don't want to lug around a 2575, go with Gibby's suggestions if that's what you do.
Click to expand...

Small world! I didn't connect your name here on RED User with the face of that guy shooting Super8 and Super16 until you just mentioned it. PM me and let's network.

LOL - I spent large parts of each winter in the Islands from '87 to 2001, and I've definitely shot Pipeline (and all the other breaks) when they've been flawless on many, many occasions - but early last December the NW swells just weren't cooperating. There were some decent waves early on in the waiting period though.

Yup - as you know, long walks with heavy gear call for a tripod that's as light as possible, while still supporting the load well and having good head action. Smoothly and accurately tracking fast moving objects is one of the ways I make my living - cars, people, machines, animals, etc., and good head action is a must. I'm very happy with my Miller 55 head action, but for more stationary productions with heavy loads, I naturally prefer the O'Connor 2575.
 
ricopedra said:
Pics are like bikinis on this site, Evin: Thanks! That's a honkin' Cooke!

In your last pic, is everything "on the head"? (And nice wetdown - shoot quick! ;>)
Click to expand...

Yes, it's all on. If I have your meaning correct. The head can handle the Cooke, an EVF, LCD, studio follow focus and mattebox plus cables and battery no problem. I haven't added a Red Drive yet but I imagine it would be fine.
BTW this all balances on the 9" ET 1030 dovetail!
 
Hey Steve,

The head really looks like the weak link in all of your great stills. But if you're swearing by the Millar 55, as others have, well what can you say? It's got to be a great tool, especially for field and location use on a budget. I'm calculating like a mathimagician! And thanks for the bikini pics!
 
ricopedra said:
Hey Steve,

The head really looks like the weak link in all of your great stills. But if you're swearing by the Millar 55, as others have, well what can you say? It's got to be a great tool, especially for field and location use on a budget. I'm calculating like a mathimagician! And thanks for the bikini pics!
Click to expand...

Definitely...if it wasn't working good under those loads I'd have used a different head - but it has and does. At around $5,300 USD for an entire Miller Arrow 55 tripod system (sticks included) in my opinion it is a bargain. Nope...I'm not a Miller dealer, and don't know any...I just like spreading the word about alternative options in accessories. Throughout my career I've never been accused of running with the herd on equipment decisions...no time to start now...

You're right! A good camera system pic is exciting for sure...candy for us camera-holics!
 
What's the difference between an O'Connor 50 and an O'Connor 50D? BTW, on that ebay auction mentioned in the previous post, the head has known leakage problems. How challenging is it to repair a leaky head?
 
Cheers for the great feedback, guys.
The "minimum weight for suitable performance" question was exactly what I was wondering about, Florian. I was discussing using RED on different setups and that issue was mentioned as a limiting factor and I couldn't really answer one way or the other, so I thought I'd ask here.

Personally for my own purchase (for stationary and semi-mobile) I'm speculating between an O'Connor 2060 and a Miller Arrow 55, but its a while off before I buy so I'm just in the musing stage.
 
We use O'Connor 2060HD on Sachtler CF legs, perfect combo for RED!
 
Of course the Millar Arrow 55 is less weight than the O' 2060, that's why it's excellent for field work, and it may be my choice, yet.

If you're hanging out in city locals and have the coin, I think the 2060 has got to be the ticket. I was just checking under my pillow to see if the tooth fairy forgot a few bankrolls so I could buy this head with sticks....
 
With all due respect, this isn't going to get much love here as you haven't followed the real name policy.

Just my .02.
 
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