Which tripod to get for my needs?

Gabel

So, I've recently upgraded my whole rig from a Canon 7D to a GH2. Now it's time for the tripod, stepping up from my Manfrotto 501.
I'm somebody who shoots mostly tripod-mounted and a good tripod is very important for me.

The rig I'm using is a GH2, with old Nikon AI-primes, a TrusMT follow focus and matte-box and a SmallHD DP4, all mounted to a Gini Rig with just the rods (I remove the shoulder pad and handles when on sticks I should add).
This is my base rig. I need a tripod that is good and will handle this. However, I want some future proofing too. Right now, I rarely shoot with a barebones kit and if I do, it's never any jobs, so my demands for this is smaller.
But as I'm shelling out a bit on it, I don't want something that I'll have to get rid of once I upgrade my camera. It won't need to handle a RED or an Alexa, but I'd like something that at the most could take an F3 with Compact Primes, using the same setup for the rig.

I'm also adding a Kessler Crane KC8 crane. So I will be mounting the head on top it.
I live in Sweden and will order from the UK or Germany (if you find any of these cheaper, let me know!)

My alternatives:
E-Image 7083
(£525)
http://www.proav.co.uk/E-image-EI-7083-AA-Video-Tripod-Kit/p26789.aspx
Pros: The cheapest of them all, 100mm, the legs can take a crane. Handles the most weight (13kg/26lbs), supposedly great quality for the price.
Cons: Still an "off-brand", so I'm not 100% about it, not much less than a Vinten, current rig might be too light!

Vinten Vision Blue
(£610)
http://www.proav.co.uk/Vinten-Vision-Blue-Tripod-System/p29084.aspx
Pros: A real Vinten that is supposed to deliver anything one could expect from that. Pretty cheap too!
Cons: Smallest weight range at 2kgs to 5kgs (4lbs to 10lbs) and don't know if it could handle a larger camera and screws to adjust the tripod!

And then there's Sachtler. They have some kits over at Creativevideo with the ENG 75/2 D legs, which I saw and they didn't impress me. I need some legs that are a bit sturdier. So I thought, why do I need their legs? I could get a nice head and then pick up a decent set of legs (E-Image or Libec) over at ProAV anyway (suggestions here are welcome)!

Sachtler CineDSLR
(£506 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_cine_dslr_head
Pros: Designed for my needs, could balance up to 9.7 kgs (20lbs!), so it should work! Oh and it's a Sachtler.
Cons: Ehm... Legs might be worse? Still haven't seen it with a bigger camera.

Sachtler FSB6
(£589 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_0407
Pros: It's a Sachtler. Alternative to the CineDSLR.
Cons: Don't know if it's better or worse than the CineDSLR. The most expensive of the bunch.

Other suggestions are welcome!

tida

@Vitaliy_Kiselev that's right - three legs are stable anything else will be always unstable ..... It's not convinient for outdoor shooting

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Yep.
But this thing is very hard touse if you have non-flat floor or shoot in real situations outside.

tida

@brianluce

I use a igus slider and a similar like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PKS20-Double-Braced-Keyboard/dp/B002PAW5JW

It's very stable and can be hight adjusted quite easiliy. I sold approx 30 EUR. I did connect it only on one side as distance is changed.

brianluce

@tida
That sounds interesting. Got a link to the one youre using? You have the Igus? like this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?is=REG&sku=298200&Q=&O=&A=details
I got tired of all the hardware and fittings DSLR's require, so that's why I started just using wooded blocks, so if I can't make my slider work with them, I don't use the slider. It's a frill piece any how.

tida

Why not simply using a height adjustment Keyboard Stand for a slider. It's cheap and you will find some with reasonable quality.

LPowell

@stonebat
With my aluminum slider, I use a pair of Manfrotto 190XDB aluminum tripods:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=479933&Q=&is=REG&A=details

For a low angle ground shot, you can spread the tripod legs wide angle. To get down really low, you can either saw off the lower end of the center columns, or get a pair of low angle adapters:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325233-REG/Manfrotto_190LAA_190LLA_Low_Angle_Adapter.html

bubba

Yep!
You're the man!

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@stonebat

Get the Nest tripod, and elevator column for it :-) It also can be veyr low (about 20cm).
It is also very decent video tripod legs.

stoney

How do you control the height? Chop the woods on the fly? :)

brianluce

I used to use a tripod and monopod for my Igus. Now I just don't bother and use a pair of 2x6 wood blocks.

stoney

Definitely I prefer fewer parts to carry. If the head can hold the slider tight, that's great. Thanks!!!

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@stonebat

I think it is Vitec/Manfrotto part sold separately, not the disassembled head :-)
Head has big advantages, as possible angles are much larger.
You can just use 717 head and modify it with large levers to lock it as hell.
7060 head is also very good option is this regard.
I think I could talk about such modified head.

stoney

I was thinking about this

But I guess it wouldn't be necessary to disassemble the head if the legs are strong enough.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Why do you need to disassembly the head?
Despite any tripod such setup is always worse than two tripods.
So, if you want only slider solution it is much better to get two photo-like carbon tripods and 717AH heads.
It is simply physics.
But as standalone tripods they are no competition for good video carbon legs and FC-HDSLR head.

stoney

Thanks. I like the simple setup. But no need to disassemble the head? I mean that looks so simple that I'm like... wtf?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

>How to attach slider on the tripod? Any example please?

You mean this?

stoney

I can't carry two tripods :(

CT-7402 & FC-04H look great. Hmmm... 4 times more expensive than my previous crappy tripod.

http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1325/special-deals-weifeng-carbon-video-tripods-and-monopods/p1

How to attach slider on the tripod? Any example please?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

OK.
You mean good legs.
I dount that anything can compete with Weifeng CT legs in their price range.
They are really solid things.

But any slider will be running better if you use two good tripods.

stoney

I meant a sturdy tripod that can support a slider firmly. Prolly it depends on length of the slider, too. I've seen some people getting new tripods for better sliding movement.

brianluce

I love my slider but I don't think I'd base a tripod selection on how compatible it is with a slider.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Quick release compatibility - this is not really a problem.
Slider integration - can you provide mroe details what you mean under this?

stoney

It's not just counterbalance. Quick release compatibility, slider integration, etc. After trying out 3 cheap tripods, I sold all. Still hard to make up the mind.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@yoclay
Last time I checked you talked about fluid cartridges :-)
So, I do not know why you need to re-grease anything :-)
Normally, counter balance mechanizm and spring are easy to see after even initial disassembly steps.

yoclay

I wouldn't need to re-grease after?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@yoclay

Just film all the process :-) If it uses cartridges it must be easy to assembly.
As it is very interesting to see cheapest Vitec-O'Connor head inside.

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