Picked up an Hv20 for B roll--I have a Gitzo 1227 tripod for my 20d--looking at using it with the Hv20 with maybe the Acratech leveling base with a lightweight fluid head---(I have a larger tripod with leveling fluid head for my Xl2)--

Any suggestions on a better combination--on the lightest fluid head?

Thanks
Ron
Stoecky Films

Hi Ron,

The Acratech at 0.5 lbs is the lightest leveling base out there, as far as I know. It's also pretty quick to use because it's basically a low profile ball head and you release/lock it with just one knob.

The lightest, yet decent, fluid head that I know of is the Gitzo G2180 at 1.26 lbs. An alternative at half the price but slightly more weight is the Bogen 701RC2 at 1.85 lbs. I've tested both in the camera store with my HV10 and they're about the same in performance with the Gitzo being subjectively better built.

Thanks Tim--

I ordered the Acratech leveling head--and a cheap cullman head to go with it--might be a mistake--but it was the lightest tripod DV head I could find at about 9 oz.--that puts my total head weight at about 1lb.--combined with a Gitzo carbon tripod--and the HV20--I think I'm about as light as I can get.

I may go to the Gizo head if the Cullman doesn't work out--but at 35.00 and the weight it was worth checking out.

Ron