Your favourite tripods for Epic

[Ivan Kovax]

Hey Guys,

I was looking for a new light/med load bearing tripod for my Epic and was wondering what are your faves and suggestions?

I am tending towards something in the Miller range with carbon fiber sticks!

Cheers,

Ivan

 

[Tim Bradley]

I use a Miller Arrow 50 for my Red One. Its a tad light for that but will be spot on for the Epic. I have both the light weight CF legs and the heavy weight CF legs. I always use the heavy weight legs with the Red. I think the Light weight legs will be okay with an Epic if you are not shooting on a long lens.

The newer Arrow 55 is a great head.

 

[Dustin Sims]

You can get a really nice Dynex from Best Buy...

I think a lot of people really like the O'Connor 515 and Ultimate DV heads with Gitzo CF sticks or Manfrotto 536 for a super-lightweight setup. I've used a 515, and it's definitely a nice head, but they're getting tougher to find since they don't make them anymore. I'm not really a fan of sticks without a spreader for anything other than a barebones setup, but that's just me. A step up you could get an O'Connor 1030. I've really liked all the Sachtlers I've used as well. Their speed-lock legs are great. I've also heard a lot of good things about Miller 55, but never used one.

 

[Scott Miller]

I just got a 515 and love it. Of course it is a 65% scale copy of my 1030, so perhaps I am a bit prejudiced....

But I still need some CF sticks for it, and the Manfrotto seem to be the lightweight champ. Plus 8' feet in the air!!

 

[Carlos Prio]

My AC just commented last night how much he loves my Miller Arrow 55 on Sprinter CF legs!!! I totally agreed!!!

 

[Satsuki Murashige]

Sachtler Cine 30 with 150mm CF mid level spreader legs.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Ronford Sticks Standard and Baby are the best all terrain shoot all day in anything sticks. heavy but when panning and tiling... well

HEAD

an Epic with all the modules and gack is still going to prefer a O'Connor 2060 - 2065 on the low end which will toss it like butter.
If you got the $, buy the O'Connor 2575 is the industry gold standard. Will last for 25 years or more.

Heavy is hard to haul.. but heavy is also hard to beat for stable shots. Heavy means butter smooth pans and stutter free tilts

CF are easier to haul.. but the slightest bump or wind.. and most dont hold their legs very long- start slipping- need tightening. Run and gun day shoots only.
If you are grindng out an indie for 3 to 6 weeks... then Ronfords are your war horses. You can rent them for spit.

Sachtler definitely most durable CF (especially Spreader) and also make some excellent heads but the above will keep your A/C's happy.

More Americans should also buy and use the GEARNEX Gearhead or Arri, etc. They are even better for precision pan and tilt.

 

[Martin Widerberg]

If you are looking for lightweight, take a look at the Cartoni Focus HD.
It only weights 2 kg (4,4lbs) and can handle 0 / 10 Kg - 0 / 22 lbs - 0 / 12 Kg - 0 / 26 lbs.

Really inexpensive in comparsion, and with Manfrotto 536, light, cheap and versatile.

Or Miller Compass 20. Heavier and more expensive, but a Miller.