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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 :)

Tripod system for Epic / Suggestions please.

J

Joseph S.

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I'm having a tough time choosing between tripod setups.

Does anyone have suggestions for a lightweight fluid head and sticks for the Epic?

Budget of around $2500 or less. Not sure where to draw the line. (Just most bang for the buck).

I saw the 509HD Pro Fluid Video Head 100 for less than $900. Does it pan smoothly?

Not sure what the weight will be for a maximum load Epic, 300mm RPP, battery, etc. Assuming 30 pounds max to be safe?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
At 30lbs you can get the 509HD or increase your budget for the next level of quality
 
Apparently the 1030DS is what everyone is recommending for the Epic. Way out of my price range.

Assuming it'll hold it's value in the long run.
 
Hey guys. So I received my Cartoni Focus HD today (see above post), and there are some quirks. The main thing I don't care for is the plastic levers for locking pan/tilt, and the plastic on the pan bar. They just feel a little cheap to me and they are so small that you have to really push hard to get it to lock down. I have a similar feeling about the latches on the legs. They open and close easy enough, but again the plastic feels like it's not designed for the long haul.

The good news is that the panning and tilting is silky smooth once you get it adjusted. The counter-balance is able to be refined in continuous amounts, so you don't get stuck in between two counter-balance settings like other heads.

All in all, if you're willing to deal with the minor inconveniences, and you take good care of your equipment, I think this is the best head and sticks for under $1500. This was the cheapest 100mm ball head I found. To step up significantly in quality, you'd probably have to jump up to a Miller Compass 25, and then you're talking $3700 for a comparable system instead of $1500.
 
Thanks so much for the review. Sounds like it's not bad for the money. Maybe I can get the 1030DS if I do any pro work.

How's the weight? Can i just grab it and walk around town while carrying the epic?

Also, I wonder if it can support the Kessler 5 foot cineslider? I'm assuming it's probably pushing it with a 20 pound epic and 12 pound slider.

Thanks for the review.
 
Really enjoying the Cartoni Focus HD. I only bought the head and ended up getting the Miller Solo sticks. The combo is great. Light, stable, smooth, and strong.

I also made a hi hat with the Manfrotto using the Cartoni head. Works great.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

cmh.jpg



mhh.jpg
 
I use Miller Arrow 40 head with 3 stage carbon Miller legs. Been around the world and beat the hell out of this rig and it is running solid. If you want something lighter consider the Arrow 25.
 
Love the Cartoni heads, Focus HD with Gitzo Legs GT5541 Legs are awesome.
 
Used oconner 50d rebuilt by visual products. There's your affordable 1030 for 1/3 the price. Silky oconner smooth. 50lbs rating.
 
I owned a Cartoni Focus once. Sold it. Flimsily built. Twice ripped the brass rosette thread from its plastic mooring. The quick release design failed. And the pan/tilt drag is really a glorified friction head. No fluidity here. It went in for repair several times. If it's not too late, I'd return it and buy a Miller Arrow or Compass head. The Compass 25 is 2500.00 and on a whole other level than the Cartoni Focus. Drag is smooth, with virtually no backlash. The drag is comparable to (but not quite) an O'Connor and personally think better than any comparably priced Sachtler. We've taken ours to ice roads of Alaska (Ice Road Truckers), Jungles of South America (Story of Cocaine - History Channel), and everything in between and only replaced a few knobs and scheduled maintenance. Run from the Cartoni while it's still holding together.
 
I just picked up a Manfrotto 526 head in mint condition for $450.00 (off of Craig's List) and I plan to hook it up to a Libec T98C 2 stage carbon fiber tripod (about $430.00 at B & H). So, for under $1,000.00, I think I will have something usable for the time being. Admittedly, not the "best" but enough to get the job done in the short-tun.


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I've been rocking the Cartoni Gamma since '99. It is a real workhorse and smooth as silk. It has worked with everything from a DVX100 to my fully loaded RED One with Angenieux 20-120 because the adjustments are infinitely variable. I like it a lot better than 1030.
 
Joeseph... you epic configuration is nuts! It looks like you got some futuristic helicopter machine gunner station set up...
 
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