Cartoni Focus HD Head

John Wiley · September 3rd, 2016, 05:37 AM

Well, after a few more days of scouring forums and the wider web, it looks like I'll have to pull the trigger blind on this one!

If I can find the time I might even do a proper write up on it here once it arrives, for the benefit of the next guy.

John Wiley · October 9th, 2016, 12:37 AM

I've had the Cartoni Focus 8 sitting around my house for a week now but my camera is currently in at Sony's service centre for maintenance. So while I can't comment on it's use in the field, I do have some comments on the build quality:

It is much lighter than my Manfrotto 502/546 combo but also feels a lot sturdier. No wobble at all throughout the rig even when fully extended - that is probably owing to the single stage legs, which I love. They don't pack down as short or extend as tall as most 2-stage sets, but they feel rock solid and are very quick to set up. The locking clamps are excellent and use a great double-latch system - very easy to operate with one hand. Overall it feels a lot nicer out of the box than any other tripod I've owned (most recently the Manfrotto as well as a Miller DS10 Solo)

Quick testing with a longer lens (Sigma 150-500mm) and A7s seems smooth, in particular on diagonal (ie combined pan & tilt) moves. Much better than the Manfrotto 502/504 or the Miller DS10/DS20, which are the closest in price range and, due to the limited distributors for other brands, probably the most prevalent systems in Australia for low & mid-range professional use. I'm looking forward to testing it out properly with my fully rigged FS700 in a working situation. I've got no idea what to expect for durability though, which is where the Miller's in particular have impressed me in the past.

September 3rd, 2016, 05:37 AM	#16
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Cartoni Focus HD Head Well, after a few more days of scouring forums and the wider web, it looks like I'll have to pull the trigger blind on this one! If I can find the time I might even do a proper write up on it here once it arrives, for the benefit of the next guy.

October 9th, 2016, 12:37 AM	#17
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Cartoni Focus HD Head I've had the Cartoni Focus 8 sitting around my house for a week now but my camera is currently in at Sony's service centre for maintenance. So while I can't comment on it's use in the field, I do have some comments on the build quality: It is much lighter than my Manfrotto 502/546 combo but also feels a lot sturdier. No wobble at all throughout the rig even when fully extended - that is probably owing to the single stage legs, which I love. They don't pack down as short or extend as tall as most 2-stage sets, but they feel rock solid and are very quick to set up. The locking clamps are excellent and use a great double-latch system - very easy to operate with one hand. Overall it feels a lot nicer out of the box than any other tripod I've owned (most recently the Manfrotto as well as a Miller DS10 Solo) Quick testing with a longer lens (Sigma 150-500mm) and A7s seems smooth, in particular on diagonal (ie combined pan & tilt) moves. Much better than the Manfrotto 502/504 or the Miller DS10/DS20, which are the closest in price range and, due to the limited distributors for other brands, probably the most prevalent systems in Australia for low & mid-range professional use. I'm looking forward to testing it out properly with my fully rigged FS700 in a working situation. I've got no idea what to expect for durability though, which is where the Miller's in particular have impressed me in the past.