Is an OConnor fluid head really worth it?

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I use an OConnor 1030 HDs fluid head. It works well. I use it with Sachtler ENG 100 HD 2 CF tripod. The OConnor is my preferred fluid head when I am using long and heavy telephoto lenses or wides, in short for every kind of shooting. Only in situations when I can't place my tripod and am forced to do handheld shooting, the OConnor is not used.

 

[Paul Duvilla]

2575 was one of the best tripods I've ever used. They are Great!

 

[Martin Stevens]

Is an OConnor fluid head really worth it?

YES.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

YES they are worth it

 

[Leo Ticheli]

I've been using my O"Connor 2575 for more years than most of RedUsers have been alive and I've never found anything better or even as good. It easily holds everything from a fully loaded Epic with a monster zoom and accessories to a tiny AF100 and the locks function without disturbing the shot. Think about it; what other piece of production equipment will last for decades? Maybe a C-stand.

And for the crank-happy, I've got a Worrall gear head I'll sell cheap; of course shipping will be dear.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo
Director/Cinematographer

 

[Timur Civan]

I own(ed):

Manfrotto 501 - 2/10 - Just horrible.
Oconnor 50D (sold to buy 2060) - 6/10 - SUPER smooth pan. Tilt is fixed tension. Needs weight to function properly, also built in the 60's so it was old.
Manfrotto 509HD - 4/10 - tolerable
Sachtler Cine30HD (sold to buy 2060) - 8/10 - VERY good in all aspects. Butter smooth pan, tilt and good counterbalance. Best head per $ IMO. negatives: the counterbalance steps were a bit too few and far between.
Oconnor 2060 - 9.5/10 Absolutely amazing. Can handle a 5D up to a 3D Epic rig without breaking a sweat. DEAD smooth pans and tilts. Infinite counterbalance and friction adjustments. Feels like nothign else, but other Oconnors. Zero Kickback at the end of a pan or tilt. The 2060 is special in that, its half the size of the 2065/2575 but with all the performance. Oconnor eliminated the 2060 a few years ago, and made the 2065 its replacement, but its the same body as the 2575, that is to say bigger. Only negative is that the teeth on the rosette is too big, meaning on long pan handle extensions, you get bigger steps between the positions. but not really a big deal.

Heads i've used:
Oconnor 2575: 10/10 - Perfection in every way. The weight adds to a certain smoothness and absorbs your micro muscular movements. same Rosette issue.
Ronford Baker 7 - 9/10 - Great smoothness, but awkward design.
Miller 55: - 8.5/10 VERY good in all aspects, but 100mm bowl, and no Mitchell base means solidity isnt confidence inspiring when using heavy cameras. The Sachtler Cine30HD is at least a 150mm bowl, so it feels a bit more solid.

Oconnors are something else. a full league above the Sachtler/Miller competitors IMO. ( Remeber opinion.... )