Is O'Connor DVS worth it?

[Tony Mac]

I'm in the market for a sticks and a head, the older O'Connor DVS heads seem like good value, or will I regret not getting something like the Miller Arrow 55 that takes more of a payload? I film everything from documentaries to commercials so I'm looking for something with a decent range. Or should I just spend more and get a 1030 head? Looking to spend under $4k if possible.

What about this set on eBay?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=400847236501

 

[Dan Kanes]

There's a saying that goes something like this...

"Sticks may come and go, but an O'Connor head is a friend for life."

personally I love my 515/DVS, but I'm looking to move up to a 1030 for things where I'm using larger lenses, a lot of what I have been shooting is using Stills lenses. and then when we do bigger jobs with big lenses I end up renting a 2575 or 1030.

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

This is the best compromise of payload and weight on the market: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...r_2500P_Video_25_Plus_Fluid.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Sachtler and O'Connor belong to the same company (Vitec). German build and very sturdy. Those 25s are build since over 20 years with hardly any changes. You may find one in your area.

Hans

 

[Tony Mac]

There's a saying that goes something like this...

"Sticks may come and go, but an O'Connor head is a friend for life."

personally I love my 515/DVS, but I'm looking to move up to a 1030 for things where I'm using larger lenses, a lot of what I have been shooting is using Stills lenses. and then when we do bigger jobs with big lenses I end up renting a 2575 or 1030.

I mostly shoot with primes, but on the rare occasion I have to rent a zoom I can always rent a 2575 or a big Sachtler head. Have you tried any big zoom lenses on your DVS head?

This is the best compromise of payload and weight on the market: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...r_2500P_Video_25_Plus_Fluid.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Sachtler and O'Connor belong to the same company (Vitec). German build and very sturdy. Those 25s are build since over 20 years with hardly any changes. You may find one in your area.

Hans

The Video 25 has a lower limit of roughly 18lbs (8kg), when I'm shooting documentaries I like to keep my camera as light as possible and it usually ends up being around 12lbs with a prime lens. The Video 20 seems more in my range, but those seem hard to find used at a decent price.