Reccommend a Video Tripod Head. at DVinfo.net

Allan Birch · January 18th, 2011, 04:35 PM

Hello
Can anyone reccommend a fluid head to carry my Canon XL1s cam fully loaded approx 3.5 kg.
Many thanks
Allan :cool:

Mike Beckett · January 18th, 2011, 04:49 PM

Allan, what's your budget?

Chris Soucy · January 18th, 2011, 08:04 PM

The only two I can recommend are the Libec RH25:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/688728-REG/Libec_RH25_RH25_Head_w_Pan_Handle.html

and the Vinten Vision Blue:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734617-REG/Vinten_V4092_0001_VISION_BLUE_PAN_TILT_HEAD.html

which are the only two with perfect counterbalance systems.

They both work well with the XL1s and will work equally well when you trade up to similarly sized HD rig in future (I can say that with confidence as my XL1s has been on the Blue before and I've just gone and parked it on the Libec to make sure).

The Vinten has the advantage of infinately variable pan and tilt drag, whereas the Libec only has two stage drag for both, and no "off" position.

Oh, and the Libec leveling bubble isn't illuminated, if that's a deal breaker.

Both are true fluid heads with very few vices, if any.

If you're in the mood to shell out even more readies, the Sachtler FSB 6:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538602-REG/Sachtler_0407_0407_FSB_6_Fluid_Head.html

can be persuaded to work with the XL1s with CB at 3 and 1 stop of tilt drag (I've just tried it, works better than with my XH A1).

Nice head and does have that very nice snap load too.

Then, there's always the Manfrotto:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683559-REG/Manfrotto_504HD_504HD_Fluid_Video_Head.html

which will work with the XL1s at CB setting 2 and tilt drag at 6 - tho' not to the full +90 forward tilt, bit of kickback there, but still better than with my A1.

The latter two DO NOT have continuously variable CB so any camera upgrade/ pimping is going to be a bit of a lottery with getting correct CB.

CS

Allan Birch · January 19th, 2011, 04:01 PM

Thanks Mike and Chris for replies. Lots to think about. Was thinking somewhere around £120 budget.
Regards
Allan, :cool:

Mike Beckett · January 19th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Allan,

For £120, you could probably get a 501HDV head, maybe a 503HDV second-hand. I presume you have tripod legs they fit to? The 501HDV comes with a flat base and should screw mount to any flat-topped tripod.

Unless you are prepared to spend a bit more (or a lot more!) then that's probably my best recommendation. Don't expect miracles from those heads, but it should be OK for your Standard Definition Canon unless you intend to do a lot of extreme telephoto lens wildlife work.

If £120 is for head as well as legs, then I really don't know what to recomment, other than your shoulder!

Les Wilson · January 19th, 2011, 04:37 PM

The Cartoni Focus has continuously variable tilt and pan drag. It held my pimped out XL1s with teleprompter just fine, then my XH-A1 and now my EX1R.

The Cartoni has a very nice side mount quick release that lets you mount and unmount with one hand all on the left side while your right hand is firmly on the camera. I used a Vinten Vision which lacks this and realized how good I had it.

Oh and the level is illuminated.

Allan Birch · January 20th, 2011, 04:57 PM

Thank you Mike and Les. Been reading the reviews and leaning towards the 501 HDV which will work well on the Man sticks I have at present for my 2 cam equestrian dressage set up.
Allan. :cool;

Les Wilson · January 20th, 2011, 08:04 PM

I scored a Sachtler FSB-4 on eBay and to my surprise, the FSB series QR was changed to use a side release. It's a very nice piece of kit.

Brian Luce · January 20th, 2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

I scored a Sachtler FSB-4 on eBay and to my surprise, the FSB series QR was changed to use a side release. It's a very nice piece of kit.

was it a used FSB-4? How much are the used ones going for?

Les Wilson · January 21st, 2011, 07:51 AM

If you do a search on eBay and check the Completed Listings box you will see those that sold and those that didn't over the last 2 weeks. The Sachtlers have different legs (two stage v 1 stage) and spreader which affect the price. Also, some are missing the QR plate or have a broken floor spreader. So you gotta take all that into consideration. I was actually looking for the prior model DV4 II when the current model came on.

What's nice about the Sachtler design is that the ball comes off so the head can be used on a slider and using a Manfrotto ball on the slider, the legs can be used to hold the slider.

January 18th, 2011, 04:35 PM	#1
Allan Birch Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S/W UK Posts: 37	Reccommend a Video Tripod Head. Hello Can anyone reccommend a fluid head to carry my Canon XL1s cam fully loaded approx 3.5 kg. Many thanks Allan :cool:

January 18th, 2011, 08:04 PM	#3
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Hi, guys................. The only two I can recommend are the Libec RH25: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/688728-REG/Libec_RH25_RH25_Head_w_Pan_Handle.html and the Vinten Vision Blue: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734617-REG/Vinten_V4092_0001_VISION_BLUE_PAN_TILT_HEAD.html which are the only two with perfect counterbalance systems. They both work well with the XL1s and will work equally well when you trade up to similarly sized HD rig in future (I can say that with confidence as my XL1s has been on the Blue before and I've just gone and parked it on the Libec to make sure). The Vinten has the advantage of infinately variable pan and tilt drag, whereas the Libec only has two stage drag for both, and no "off" position. Oh, and the Libec leveling bubble isn't illuminated, if that's a deal breaker. Both are true fluid heads with very few vices, if any. If you're in the mood to shell out even more readies, the Sachtler FSB 6: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538602-REG/Sachtler_0407_0407_FSB_6_Fluid_Head.html can be persuaded to work with the XL1s with CB at 3 and 1 stop of tilt drag (I've just tried it, works better than with my XH A1). Nice head and does have that very nice snap load too. Then, there's always the Manfrotto: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683559-REG/Manfrotto_504HD_504HD_Fluid_Video_Head.html which will work with the XL1s at CB setting 2 and tilt drag at 6 - tho' not to the full +90 forward tilt, bit of kickback there, but still better than with my A1. The latter two DO NOT have continuously variable CB so any camera upgrade/ pimping is going to be a bit of a lottery with getting correct CB. CS

January 19th, 2011, 04:18 PM	#5
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Allan, For £120, you could probably get a 501HDV head, maybe a 503HDV second-hand. I presume you have tripod legs they fit to? The 501HDV comes with a flat base and should screw mount to any flat-topped tripod. Unless you are prepared to spend a bit more (or a lot more!) then that's probably my best recommendation. Don't expect miracles from those heads, but it should be OK for your Standard Definition Canon unless you intend to do a lot of extreme telephoto lens wildlife work. If £120 is for head as well as legs, then I really don't know what to recomment, other than your shoulder! __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

January 18th, 2011, 04:49 PM	#2
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Allan, what's your budget?

January 19th, 2011, 04:01 PM	#4
Allan Birch Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S/W UK Posts: 37	Thanks Mike and Chris for replies. Lots to think about. Was thinking somewhere around £120 budget. Regards Allan, :cool:

January 19th, 2011, 04:37 PM	#6
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	The Cartoni Focus has continuously variable tilt and pan drag. It held my pimped out XL1s with teleprompter just fine, then my XH-A1 and now my EX1R. The Cartoni has a very nice side mount quick release that lets you mount and unmount with one hand all on the left side while your right hand is firmly on the camera. I used a Vinten Vision which lacks this and realized how good I had it. Oh and the level is illuminated.

January 20th, 2011, 04:57 PM	#7
Allan Birch Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S/W UK Posts: 37	Thank you Mike and Les. Been reading the reviews and leaning towards the 501 HDV which will work well on the Man sticks I have at present for my 2 cam equestrian dressage set up. Allan. :cool;

January 20th, 2011, 08:04 PM	#8
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	I scored a Sachtler FSB-4 on eBay and to my surprise, the FSB series QR was changed to use a side release. It's a very nice piece of kit.

January 21st, 2011, 07:51 AM	#10
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	If you do a search on eBay and check the Completed Listings box you will see those that sold and those that didn't over the last 2 weeks. The Sachtlers have different legs (two stage v 1 stage) and spreader which affect the price. Also, some are missing the QR plate or have a broken floor spreader. So you gotta take all that into consideration. I was actually looking for the prior model DV4 II when the current model came on. What's nice about the Sachtler design is that the ball comes off so the head can be used on a slider and using a Manfrotto ball on the slider, the legs can be used to hold the slider.