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What is your Tripod setup?

Berube

Berube

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Heya,

I was using a manfrotto fluid head over the week to finally realize I was in the need of a more serious setup. The camera moves were simply not perfectly smooth and felt a bit cheap. Maybe I'm starting to push the weight limit on the fluid head? I'm starting to consider those ARRI tripod head with the wheels and stuff. Any thoughts?

-J

Jonathan Berube
VFX Art Director
Blizzard Entertainment
 
I am using Oconnor 2060 HD. Rock solid and smooth with a fully loaded setup! But, it is a beastie!

I am hoping to get a lighter rig. Looking at the Oconnor 1030HD with the carbon fiber sticks.

Sometimes I don't have a helper along to drag that 2060 head around.
 
Hey Alan said:
Thanks but no, I really like my 2060. I knew I would want a heavy and a light support setup. I went with buying the heavy first. Now wish maybe I had done it the other way around but I was shooting a polo match with my 100-400 L glass at 120 frames/sec the other day and the 2060 gave me some beautiful, smooth work that I could not have gotten with a lighter support so it is a trade off.

So, how heavy do you find you can go with that 1030?

Thanks for the offer in any case.

Regards,

Alan
Click to expand...
 
No sweat Alan, just thought I'd throw it out there. I've gotten about 45 lbs. on there with no problem, but I believe that 48 lbs. is the max.
Just like you, I've got some heavy glass , so I'm thinking of upgrading to the 2060.

Honestly though- I started with a used Satchler 14II- not a good idea. It is great for my smaller cameras, but it can,t handle the red setup.
Finally saved up enough $ for the 1030 and it is totally worth it.
 
Really depends on your camera set-up.

I use light-weight configurations, and am happy with the Sachtler Video18-III. When hiking I go lighter and take the Vinten Vison 3.

If you are into light-weight configs, have a search at what Gibby has written on the subject.
 
I love my 1030HDS.
Really excellent fluid head.
I have to rent when we need a zoom though, because the 1030HDS can't handle that much weight.
I prefer primes most of the time anyway! :-)
 
Sachtler Video 25 as well. A good balance between size and weight capacity. Smaller and less bulky than the 2060 and yet is rated to handle up to 77lbs. Of course, a lot of studio work in NYC would merit having a 2060 (or 2575) as everyone seems to want this head for production.

If I could afford it, I would probably go for a 2060, though I wouldn't anticipate hiking into the woods with it, or anything related to "running" or "gunning." Gibby and a few others have mentioned the Miller Arrow 55...having used a Miller 30 extensively, I can only presume that the 55 would be a great choice for EFP work without sacrificing performance on most Red setups (primes, still lenses, small-medium zooms). As Dylan mentioned, if you're renting bigger zooms, etc, you can always pick up a 2575 at the same time...

Cheers,
Clint

P.S. My primary setup is a Cooke 20-100mm, and my camera is pretty built up for studio use, so with lens and most accessories, it's hovering just under 30lbs. While that's not too heavy, the weight is typically pretty spread out, and I've tried using a 1030 with this setup and it didn't really cut it. However, using the Red 300mm on the 1030 worked alright...I guess it's a fine line.
 
Alan Skinner said:
I am using Oconnor 2060 HD. Rock solid and smooth with a fully loaded setup! But, it is a beastie!

I am hoping to get a lighter rig. Looking at the Oconnor 1030HD with the carbon fiber sticks.

Sometimes I don't have a helper along to drag that 2060 head around.
Click to expand...

That is my setup and it's wonderful. Highly recommend it.
 
Alan Skinner said:
Anyone know the difference in weight of the 1030HD head to the Miller Arrow 55?
Click to expand...

Miller Arrow 55 head weighs just 7 pounds. For mobile sports, nature, and docs I use it with the Miller Solo 1505 spreader-less CF legs, which weigh just 6.8 pounds. The entire combo weighs 13.8 pounds - and easy load to carry for mobile work. For more stationary work I use the Miller Sprinter II 2-stage CF legs with the 55 head.

In all the months since August 2007 I've used my multiple RED One cameras on the Miller 55 with about every load you can imagine, from a max load of a fully accessorized Angenieux 24-290 (55 total pound head load), to my long Canon lenses (150-600 and 800, head load around 27 pounds head load), down to super light loads of 35mm stills primes like my Nikon 14mm (16 pounds head load). The Miller 55 has performed perfectly for me and my crews throughout that range. IMO the Miller 55 has the highest performance to price ratio of any pro head on the market. I own an O'Connor 2575B for the occasional gigantic head load I may need - but frankly it hasn't been used but a few times with my RED cameras. The Miller 55 has basically handled everything me and my crews have needed.

Cine industry workers tend to go with O'Connor, because they like them, and the crews they work on expect an O'Connor. But outside of that throughout the rest of the motion media industry you'll find a wide range of heads and legs used for RED One. I prefer Miller, but over the years I've had excellent results form Sachtler, Vinten, and O'Connor. Once you get up into professional tripod heads IMO they are all good - your choice just depends on your own industry demands and your personal preferences.

I know Jeff Kilgroe and several other RED User regulars also use the Miller 55 and have been very happy with it.
 
I used to use a Manfrotto but you're right, it's just not worthy.

Replaced it with an OConnor 1030HDS and am the happiest guy in the world. I move my camera A LOT so wanted something light weight but still 100% pro.

Call BJ at Custom Supply, he'll set you up.
 
Ronford Baker Series 2000-2004 can load about 20kg or 44 lbs.

All type staring from lightweight to middle sized heavy duty (zooms+primes+other accessories) are available to load with this gorgeous Mitchell 150mm true fluid head and can also have a lightweight tripod.
 
I never tried oconnor. But has anyone of you ever used the panther fluid heads.
I worked with one some weeks ago and also had a similar sachtler with me.
I really prefered the Panther!
 
Kim Frank said:
I never tried oconnor. But has anyone of you ever used the panther fluid heads.
I worked with one some weeks ago and also had a similar sachtler with me.
I really prefered the Panther!
Click to expand...
I believe Panther was the love child of disgruntled Sachtler engineers who knew that could do better than what was being made. As such it's very likely they are better. I've checked them out once or twice. Seem very well made. Perhaps should've been a little cheaper as a newish brand though.

If I'm going for a big studio fluid head I'd have to go Ronford Baker Atlas over the O'Connor 2575. Seems like an almost perfect fluid head (Asides from weight). I have a Cartoni Delta I picked up cheap on ebay for when I'm off doing my own stuff and don't want to go heavy. It's a good enough tripod. It handles my Cooke 18-100mm/Red setup perfectly well. I'd probably say that the only small tripod I'd bother to replace it with is the O'connor 1030. I find the Sachtlers a little too plasticky frankly, though they can still be used to good enough effect so I personally wouldn't care what was put in front of me.

Paul
 
Smooth as butter, solid (and heavy) as a rock.
 

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:crying: Can I mention my Manfrotto 501 (the old one) with 525MVB legs here? It cost me 450 € in 2005...

I feel it was a good set-up to start with; and seeing how much other tripods and heads cost... it will be for a while...
 
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