Did i buy the wrong head for my EX3 ? at DVinfo.net

Chris Amana · July 23rd, 2009, 01:22 AM

Ok i'm slowly getting there guys ! :)

I have a FSB-6 Sachtler-Head rated at a 6 kg but my load is potentially 6.541 kg.

My EX-3 is 3.6 kg
My Chrosziel Matte Box with follow focus + rails add another 1.5
Wide-Lense 731 g
Mic 140 g
Battery 350 g
PU60 HDD 220 g

So potetially 1/2 a kilo over rated weight.

Wondering if this is bad.

Would you have bought an FSB-8 rated at 9kg instead ?

thoughts ?

:)

Dave Tyrer · July 23rd, 2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Amana

Ok i'm slowly getting there guys ! :)

I have a FSB-6 Sachtler-Head rated at a 6 kg but my load is potentially 6.541 kg.

My EX-3 is 3.6 kg
My Chrosziel Matte Box with follow focus + rails add another 1.5
Wide-Lense 731 g
Mic 140 g
Battery 350 g
PU60 HDD 220 g

So potetially 1/2 a kilo over rated weight.

Wondering if this is bad.

Would you have bought an FSB-8 rated at 9kg instead ?

thoughts ?

:)

I went for the FSB8 for that very reason, I was warned beforehand that the FSB6 might not be enough.

Justin Carlson · July 23rd, 2009, 10:29 PM

Same here, that's why I went with the DV8. I wanted a lot of extra room as I don't plan on upgrading for a long time.

Les Nagy · July 24th, 2009, 01:25 AM

I am using an FSB-8 with my EX-3. The FSB-8 balances almost perfectly with a bare EX-3 at setting #3 out of 10. I don't think it waise to buy any head that has a whole bunch of balance settings that are wasted. If I purchased the FSB-6, that 10 step adjustability would have been wasted as I probably would be running at #8 or #9. Every step below is gone forever and unusable.

If you can return the FSB-6 and get an 8, I would suggest doing so.

Mitchell Lewis · July 24th, 2009, 02:42 PM

I went with the DV8.

You shouldn't worry too much. It's not like the head is going to break in half because it can't handle the weight. The big issue is it tipping over. The counter balance spring may not be strong enough to make the camera come back to center when left accidentally unattended.

If you can return it, I'd recommend doing it. But if you can't then I'm sure you'll be fine with it.

Rick Jones · July 24th, 2009, 07:11 PM

I've had the Cartoni Focus (which I think is comparable to the FSB-6) for several years and have been happy using it with my XL2's but the loaded EX3 is way too heavy. I've been using it for a year and have finally gotten so frustrated that I've ordered a Vinten 8AS. Much more horsepower for this loaded beast.

July 23rd, 2009, 01:22 AM	#1
Chris Amana Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: australia Posts: 40	Did i buy the wrong head for my EX3 ? Ok i'm slowly getting there guys ! :) I have a FSB-6 Sachtler-Head rated at a 6 kg but my load is potentially 6.541 kg. My EX-3 is 3.6 kg My Chrosziel Matte Box with follow focus + rails add another 1.5 Wide-Lense 731 g Mic 140 g Battery 350 g PU60 HDD 220 g So potetially 1/2 a kilo over rated weight. Wondering if this is bad. Would you have bought an FSB-8 rated at 9kg instead ? thoughts ? :)

July 24th, 2009, 02:42 PM	#5
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I went with the DV8. You shouldn't worry too much. It's not like the head is going to break in half because it can't handle the weight. The big issue is it tipping over. The counter balance spring may not be strong enough to make the camera come back to center when left accidentally unattended. If you can return it, I'd recommend doing it. But if you can't then I'm sure you'll be fine with it. __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

July 23rd, 2009, 10:29 PM	#3
Justin Carlson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 173	Same here, that's why I went with the DV8. I wanted a lot of extra room as I don't plan on upgrading for a long time. __________________ Justin http://www.carlsonmedia.ca

July 24th, 2009, 01:25 AM	#4
Les Nagy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: A Canadian in Canada, and sometimes Chile Posts: 265	I am using an FSB-8 with my EX-3. The FSB-8 balances almost perfectly with a bare EX-3 at setting #3 out of 10. I don't think it waise to buy any head that has a whole bunch of balance settings that are wasted. If I purchased the FSB-6, that 10 step adjustability would have been wasted as I probably would be running at #8 or #9. Every step below is gone forever and unusable. If you can return the FSB-6 and get an 8, I would suggest doing so.

July 24th, 2009, 07:11 PM	#6
Rick Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 126	I've had the Cartoni Focus (which I think is comparable to the FSB-6) for several years and have been happy using it with my XL2's but the loaded EX3 is way too heavy. I've been using it for a year and have finally gotten so frustrated that I've ordered a Vinten 8AS. Much more horsepower for this loaded beast.