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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 :)

Want a better fluid head

L

Lee Saxon

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I currently use a Manfrotto 504HD and I wish I had a little more drag and the pan/tilt (tilt especially) locks aren't strong enough.

However, I'm pretty satisfied with the smoothness of the movement, so I don't need to go WAY up-market (and I can't afford to, aiming at ~$800-1200).

Needs to support ~16-18lbs, can be 75mm or 100mm.

Any suggestions on what to look at, what to avoid?
 
It's tough in that price range. I'd look for a used Miller in the DS series -- think you'd need a DS 30, which will give you plenty of leeway with that weight. The DS 25 will handle it, although it's at the out end. Not easy to find used, but should fit in your budget. Miller is under-rated in this country and you don't have to pay a prestige premium, so it's price performance ratio is tops. Although Manfrotto makes solid stuff for the price, you won't believe what a difference there will be. Good luck.
 
Just got a new Sachtler fsb 8 replacing a manfrotto 504 HD as lightweight portable unit. The Sachtler head supports up to 9kg - so you can use it with a light camera/lens/mattbox set up, batteries stay down on the ground with a limo extension cable so you get rid of 2kg. My on tripod set up is little more than 10kg so overload of about 1kg. The head works way smoother then the Manfrotto but it is probably double the price but on the Sachtler there is 5 step friction on both pan and tilt and a 10 step counterbalance adjustment - I would never go back.
 
rod bradley said:
Miller is under-rated in this country and you don't have to pay a prestige premium, so it's price performance ratio is tops.
Click to expand...

I wonder why that is?

Miller does make great stuff.

There are tons of folks around that just won't play with you if you are using anything other than an O'Connor head. I like the O'Connor, but I don't see why there is such industry love for it- there are tons of great heads out there.

Like the Miller.
 
michael zaletel said:
http://dvxuser.com/articles/cartfocus/
Click to expand...

Thats awesome. I too am in the market for a rock solid head for when I purchase the Fixed. I have been scoping on the FSB-4 (price), but if Jarred still stands by this review, (and or anyone else who has anything to say about it, please jump in, I'd love to hear more) and people think it would be good for the basic Scarlet fixed package...I think I would be very interested in purchasing it. The upto 22lbs is something that the FSB's don't have up until the 8 I believe. which is wicked pricey. I have used the head many times and its just unbeatable, but for price/performance, the cartoni looks like a good head.

What would people recommend from the Miller range?
 
Peter Mosiman said:
Thats awesome. I too am in the market for a rock solid head for when I purchase the Fixed. I have been scoping on the FSB-4 (price), ...
Click to expand...

Cartoni also makes a Focus HD head that supports between 2 and 26lbs. It's about $1000 for the head only, 100mm bowl. (Haven't used it)

There are a few good deals in the 100mm bowl size. At the same price point a lot of the 75mm bowls seem too lightweight.

What would people recommend from the Miller range?
Click to expand...

For about $1000 for the head?

I guess I can point you at the Miller DS-20... but I've never used it. It's a 75mm bowl.

The smallest Miller I've used is the Miller Arrow 25 at ~$2400. (100mm ball)

The usual Red One recommendation is the Miller Arrow 55, but that's a $4500 head.

Libec has a few heads near this price. For some reason I never get a good adjustment with the Libec heads. From DSLR to RED I'm never quite able to get a Libec to act right.

Based on Jarred's review and specs I'm going to arrange to take a hard look at the Focus HD head.
 
How about a good used O'Connor 50D?

You're looking at, at most, $1000 for a super smooth fluid head and sturdy sticks.

Stephen
 
Stephen Pruitt said:
This is on the bay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OCONNOR-50D-PRO...225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4155ffee11

If I was in the market (which I'm not), I'd definitely seriously consider this one. If the condition is as good as they are implying (and I'd get a return privilege just in case), that's a heck of a deal.

Stephen
Click to expand...

Saw this post on another forum. Just something to consider:

"An old O'Connor 50D would be a total waste because the non adjustable spring counterbalance is WAY to much for a lightweight camera like the PD150."
 
Alexander Ibrahim said:
Based on Jarred's review and specs I'm going to arrange to take a hard look at the Focus HD head.
Click to expand...
I nearly stopped reading it after he said "I've been very happy with my bogen 503 head for the last 2 years"...

http://dvxuser.com/articles/cartfocus/

Looks a decent lightweight rig.

Also worth a look at is the Sachtler FSB 8 and don't discount the Vintens. There's a bunch of affordable options for both 75mm and 100mm heads.
 
Lee Saxon said:
I currently use a Manfrotto 504HD and I wish I had a little more drag and the pan/tilt (tilt especially) locks aren't strong enough.

However, I'm pretty satisfied with the smoothness of the movement, so I don't need to go WAY up-market (and I can't afford to, aiming at ~$800-1200).
Click to expand...

Funny..actually was checking out this 504HD head at a trade show
and told the rep. it was pretty nice but it needed more drag on it
like you say. He told me they were working on another model
that would do this and retail at around $1,000.
 
I've used an O'Connor 50 for years with everything from a DVX to Betacam to ArriBL4. They are silky smooth IMO and a great value.
 
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