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O Connor Fluid head- 1030 D or DS?

A

Alexandre de Mortemart

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Could anyone advise me on which OConnor head (1030 D or DS) to purchase in below (lightweight) given configuration:

- Red Dragon (standard red mag + side handle)
- Prime lenses Summicrons (eventually Angenieux 30-76 Optimo Style zoom/1.8 kg)
- standard Matte box with 2/3 filters
- follow focus (no motor attached)
- 5' touch screen
- view finder
- red battery at the back
- +/- 1kg miscelleanous

thanks

Alexandre
 
Either one will do. The main difference being 30 lb weight limit for the D and 41 lb for the Ds. The other being tilt range, 90º for the D, and 60º for the Ds. I've known folks go with either one for their RED rigs.
 
Yes, either should do. As for me, I went the Ds route because the 30 lb. weight limit was getting close to the maximum if I were to load down the camera, but in practice I've never approached it. I think the real question for you will be do you want the 90º tilt option versus 60º. I think Phil Holland went the 90º route with his and he's certainly a more talented fellow than I, so that might tell you something.
 
Alexandre,

I've been wondering the same thing. I did some research and saw that the tilt range and weight limit was the main difference between the two. I currently have a Manfrotto 509 and was debating in another thread about upgrading to a Oconnor 1030ds or save some duckies and get a Manfrotto 526. I know they are in a different leagues, but I figured that if the shot called for exact perfection when panning, I could rent a 1030- and the 526 could be used for most other shots. Still haven't decided on what would be best, but I appreciate the feedback on the differences between the 1030's.

Mark, I wonder how often the difference in tilt degrees come up for you? Have you ever been in a position where you really needed the 30 more degree's of tilt and found yourself wishing you had gotten the regular D version?...especially since you haven't actually maxed out the weight requirement? Thanks for your thoughts!
 
I nwent with the 1030DS w. 30L legs and haven't had even one renter say a word about the tilt range, but some have said the greater load capacity was what they wanted. I haven't used the 1030D, but have read somewhere-can't remember where, that the performance starts to suffer as the max listed payload approaches. That payload can really grow, as we all know. I also see adding a gimbal, as you might-just be sure the sticks and head have overhead, when you order them, for what you are going to grow into...]

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Rome, the short answer is rarely. Sure, if it were a perfect world, I'd rather have both, the 90º and the weight capacity. But I made a choice and it's worked great for my needs. Either way you're still using an O'Connor, so neither is a losing proposition, just different. One more thing, I probably went the Ds route because I came from the original R1 camera and that was much more of a beast than the Epic. I could easily be talked into the D version and be just as happy.
 
Nick,

Understood. I already have a gimbal, but can't see me adding it to a fluid head, at least not yet =)...

Mark,

Understood. Thats exactly the info I was looking for! I would agree that shooting the Blue Angels would require a vertical tilt of 90 degrees lol! We'll see which one I end up getting...thanks for the feedback again!
 
It depends whether you want need that 90 deg angle or not. Despite wildlife being one of my major areas of focus, I decided that I can do with only 60 deg. I went with the 1030 HDs.

Rome,
I have other manfrotto heads. These are cheap stuff and easily get scratched or break. I had tried the manfrotto 526 but it didn't give me much confidence. So I went with the OConnor 1030 HDs. For my b camera, I presently use the cheaper manfrottos and planning to upgrade to a Sachtler FSB 8 soon.

Fluid heads will remain for us for atleast a decade. So it is like a few hundred dollars per year. Buy once, cry once and then be happy everytime you get smooth shots.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
 
Sabyasachi,

I understand. I need to weigh my though. Either I will keep a Manfrotto for simple jobs and rent a 1030 for the good stuff...or I'll grab some Kleenex and suck it up like you said...

Thanks for your comparison and thoughts!
 
You might also want to look at the Sachtler Video 20 S1. I switched from my 1030 to it a few years ago because you could never take the counterbalance out 100% and it was a pain if using smaller cameras like the C300. The Video 20 S1 is incredible. You can dial out the drag and counterbalance for delicate moves with small cameras or crank it up for full builds. I've had a full Epic, 45-250 Alura zoom, Preston motors, mattebox and Anton Bauer Hytron battery on it and it has held it neat as can be. My 2575D is my go-to head but I've definitely used my video 20 on days where we gotta keep movin'.

Sachtler/Vinten/O'Conner are now all the same company under the Vitec Group.
 
Peter Strietmann said:
Either way you should get one of these, http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-standard-tilt-plate-aka-wedge.html
Click to expand...

Peter,

Forgot to say thanks for this post (and link). Are you able to attach this between the tripod head and the camera? (maybe to the bottom of an arri-style dovetail plate thats connect to the camera brain?)...if I understand what this does, and how its used, then I could theoretically get the full 90 degree tilt on a 1030DS using this adapter...unless I'm misunderstanding how to use this...
 
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