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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 :)

Support Your Red One: Tripods Revisited

Quick update -- I decided I didn't like the fact that I was so close to the upper weight range of my new setup. So while I could still return the X-15, I did. Moved up to a Sachtler Video 20 system.
 
John Cordell said:
Quick update -- I decided I didn't like the fact that I was so close to the upper weight range of my new setup. So while I could still return the X-15, I did. Moved up to a Sachtler Video 20 system.
Click to expand...

I wonder how this compares to the Miller Arrow 55 which is less $?
 
21k for sticks... thats a bummer. How about a daiwa and a second red one instead?
 
If one could find a good O'Connor 50 for under a $1000 - worth it?
 
I know a lot of RED buyers have never had to worry about tripods that support weights greater than 20 lbs, and the idea of spending $6k+ on a new fluid head is painful. If you can keep your rig below 30lbs, this might be a decent temporary solution:

http://www.prompterpeople.com/tripodheavy.htm

Note that I say TEMPORARY. I've never used these; I can't vouch for their quality; and I have no doubt that any of the more expensive options would be better. That said, if the RED purchase has tapped out your coffers and you need something that will at least hold the durn thing up, an option for $400 is hard to beat.
 
For $400, I'm tempted to order one just to check it out.

Disposable tripod... Hehe.
 
Sounds great, Jeff. If you get one, please let us know what you think -- and if you decide you don't want it, I'll buy it off ya cheap. :)
 
I just got from Ebay a Ronford Baker 2000 Series Tripod 2004.
Never worked with it, and wonder if anybody can give me some opinion on this tripod.
Hope did not make a mistake...

Thanks
Albert
 
Hoffman said:
If one could find a good O'Connor 50 for under a $1000 - worth it?
Click to expand...

Yes... just remember if it needs servicing, it's $1,100 bucks and a missing camera plate will set you back $245 if you can't find one on e-bay...

It's a heavy head, but smooth and won't flinch under a nicely equiped RED.
 
Jim Arthurs said:
Yes... just remember if it needs servicing, it's $1,100 bucks and a missing camera plate will set you back $245 if you can't find one on e-bay...

It's a heavy head, but smooth and won't flinch under a nicely equiped RED.
Click to expand...

It just so happens I have an O'Connor 50 that needs servicing and a camera plate. That is great information. If you have had this done before Jim any more information that you would like to share such as-- before and after... the process of having it done, etc., would be great and well appreciated by myself a few others.

Thank you Jim-- Andrew
 
Don't know if they still do, but O"Connor use to sell parts even the silcon damping fluid. Somewhere on some site I saw a pictoral on how to rebuild these heads when they start to leak. It was super simple, some "O" rings, silcon and mayby a bearing surface or two. About as simple of a mechanial device as there is.
 
Hi Chuck,

Thank you very much I am headed there now. This sounds great, every dime saved is an accessory earned...

Chuck, do you know of a good resource for Ronford tripods-- standards/baby legs? I will keep my eye on ebay but my trust wanes when it comes honest assessments and you end up w/ stripped out bits, etc.

Look forward to meeting You and Jake at the LART. :-)

Cheers-- Andrew
 
I was doing research on the 50 before buying one on ebay and here's some info I got back from O'Connor that might be useful...

"The Model 50D plate can be a little pricey, depending on the size you need it could be the run $242.00, currently we are out of plates, however we do have dealer that has them in stock, Transylvania is the name of the company and the phone is 818-295-6972, ask for Michael, they are also listed on our web page under California Dealers.

We do perform Model 50 Overhauls, the cost is typically $1100.00 if they need only the routine parts.

Transylvania specializes in used and hard to find items, especially OConnor. If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to all our service manager at 714-979*3993 ext 1015 or 1014 he has been here over 20 years and perhaps could offer some suggestions regarding the tripod. Thank you again for choosing OConnor.

Thank you

Jsmcquillan@ocon.com
 
Hi Andrew,

Don't know of a reputable source for Ronford. Mayby one of the guys in L.A. or N.Y. does..So far as LART goes, there might not be much need for me by that time as most of the questions about mount swapping and different lenses should be resolved by then. Although I could check everybodys lenses for proper collimation. lol But elsewise I might be redundent.
 
Jim Arthurs said:
I was doing research on the 50 before buying one on ebay and here's some info I got back from O'Connor that might be useful...

"The Model 50D plate can be a little pricey, depending on the size you need it could be the run $242.00, currently we are out of plates, however we do have dealer that has them in stock, Transylvania is the name of the company and the phone is 818-295-6972, ask for Michael, they are also listed on our web page under California Dealers.

We do perform Model 50 Overhauls, the cost is typically $1100.00 if they need only the routine parts.

Transylvania specializes in used and hard to find items, especially OConnor. If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to all our service manager at 714-979*3993 ext 1015 or 1014 he has been here over 20 years and perhaps could offer some suggestions regarding the tripod. Thank you again for choosing OConnor.

Thank you

Jsmcquillan@ocon.com
Click to expand...

Hi Jim,

Actually that is incredibly helpful --- thank you, you saved me alot of research and you have dealt w/ them. Great stuff, I am sure I am not the only one to benefit from that here...

Cheers,

Andrew

chuck colburn said:
Hi Andrew,

Don't know of a reputable source for Ronford. Mayby one of the guys in L.A. or N.Y. does..So far as LART goes, there might not be much need for me by that time as most of the questions about mount swapping and different lenses should be resolved by then. Although I could check everybodys lenses for proper collimation. lol But elsewise I might be redundent.
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck,

Thank you though, I am sure others will chime in as well.

Now about LART... redundant my ass, you have forgotten more about lenses than what I know, I hope that you will be there. We can at least talk about trout fishing right? Hahaha...

Cheers,

Andrew
 
chuck colburn said:
Don't know if they still do, but O"Connor use to sell parts even the silicone damping fluid. Somewhere on some site I saw a pictorial on how to rebuild these heads when they start to leak. It was super simple, some "O" rings, silicon and maybe a bearing surface or two. About as simple of a mechanical device as there is.
Click to expand...

I don't suppose that was my site? :-) If so it was an O'Connor #30 head, which I think is smaller than the #50 (?) http://www.bealecorner.com/fx1/OConnor30/index.htm

I did succeed in getting it all together again and it works well enough, but it was a pain and a half cleaning out the old goop. $1100 might actually be a bargain if your own time is worth anything. The O'Connor tech I spoke with claimed the silicone fluid "never goes bad" but I think I had a counterexample.
 
I've got a Mini-Worrell geared head and love it! If you want to be serious in the narrative film world, you'll have to get (or rent) a geared at some point. Nothing else compares. In the meantime, don't fudge on a fluid head. Get a clunky used O'Conner 50 that's been fully refurbished if you want to save money. Get solid legs, too.

Remember: you're riding a 4K state of the art camera on that thing. You don't want to hack it up just because your head is insufficient. Bad head can ruin a career.
 
Great stuff John and I will take your advice on having it professionally done, I have no time right now. But I am glad Chuck brought this up and I very much enjoyed your break down on refurbishing the model 30.

Thanks jimarri, I could not agree more.
 
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