Best tripod for Z1? at DVinfo.net

Martin Taidy · September 1st, 2005, 02:59 AM

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I just got a Z1 today and am still trying things on the camera but I'm really happy with it. So anyway, I'm looking for a tripod that is best for Z1. I've been reading some of the topics here but didn't find a satisfactory answer.
I've been recommended Miller DS10, Sachtler, Manfrotto and also Bogen. Can anyone help me choose? I'm sorry for this silly question but I only have little experience from making short videos so I guess you can say that I'm totally inexperienced. ^.^

Mike Hardcastle · September 2nd, 2005, 04:20 AM

Hi martin, I've been using a LIBEC TH-950 Kit for my XL2, this camera is a lot heavier than your Z1 so should be more than enough, good panning smoothness and feel, has a Leveling ball head which is a fast way to level the head, a lot easier than adjusting each tripod leg. also built well, cost me £220 from UK - about $390 US.

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Libec_Tripods.htm#950

Richard Lewis · September 2nd, 2005, 11:06 AM

No disrespect Mike, but those lower budget range of Libecs tripods aren’t too good, and for an XL2 I would have thought you would have looked at a 503/525 kit or something along the same lines. The same would go for the Z1.

Remember you get what you pay for with tripods, so at the end of the day, it depends how much you want to spend.

-Rick.

Martin Taidy · September 2nd, 2005, 11:10 AM

Hey Richard, what do you mean by 503/525? Are those Libec models too?

Richard Lewis · September 2nd, 2005, 11:38 AM

They are Manfrotto. The 503/525 is a leg and head combination, 503 fluid head and 525 legs.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Forgotten how to make them active!!

edit: FIIIIIIINE activate yourself then!

Martin Taidy · September 3rd, 2005, 12:58 PM

Well,thanks for the recommendations. Is there anyone else who want to share their opinions?

Boyd Ostroff · September 3rd, 2005, 01:19 PM

I have a Miller DS-5 which I got a few years ago for my PDX-10, a much lighter and smaller camera. Am currently using it with my Z1 although the DS-10 would be preferable. The DS-10 adds drag and balance adjustments to the head and is rated for heavier cameras. The action on the Miller head is very nice, and the tripod is relatively sturdy.

One disappointment with the Miller is that the lower section aluminum legs have sometimes popped out of the sliding plates. They can be put back in without any real problem, but it would be nice if they were anchored better to start with.

My DS-5 has action that is far, far superior to the Manfrotto 501 head. Not sure if the same comparison would apply to the DS-10 vs 503, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Martin Taidy · September 5th, 2005, 01:23 AM

Hey Boyd, a lot of people has recommended the DS-10 so maybe I'll get that. Does anyone know the differences between aluminum and carbon fiber? Which one is better? Thanks again.

Darko Flajpan · September 5th, 2005, 02:19 AM

If you can afford them, carbon fiber legs are way to go. They are much, much lighter than aluminium ones.

Martin Taidy · September 5th, 2005, 05:38 PM

Does that mean carbon fiber is also less stable?

Darko Flajpan · September 6th, 2005, 04:21 AM

Does that mean carbon fiber is also less stable?

No, not at all. Carbon fiber legs are very stable and less prone to deformation than aluminum ones. Anyway, after 6 years of heavy usage (Sachtler 18P), legs are looking like new.

Martin Taidy · September 6th, 2005, 11:08 AM

Thanks a lot Darko. Should I get a mid or ground spreader? The mid spreader looks sturdier somehow or maybe it's just me?
A quick search at B&H revealed these. Which one do you think I should get? And why is aluminum more expensive than carbon fiber?

Darko Flajpan · September 7th, 2005, 02:15 AM

Well it depends on what are you shooting. I found mid-level spreader very useful for field shooting, rough terrains...etc, while ground spreader is better on smooth surfaces like floors. It seems to me that carbon legs are priced more than alu ones when you look all specifications.

Martin Taidy · September 7th, 2005, 03:15 AM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...hs=Miller+DS10

I've narrowed my selection down to the first 3 items on this page. Am I right to say that I can't attach a dolly to the carbon fiber one because it's not provided in the accessories section for it? The carbon fiber one also look considerably different than aluminum. What do you think Darko?

As for shooting condition, it will mostly be floor although I wouldn't discount the possibility of shooting on an uneven terrain, just not as frequently.

Darko Flajpan · September 8th, 2005, 01:20 AM

Well, IMHO first combination with mid level spreader is my personal favourite. Good thing is also that you can set up that tripod on ie. stairs or rough terrain. I'm not so thrilled about carbon fiber one, couse it doesn't seem so stable. I have some bad experience with telescopic legs.

September 1st, 2005, 02:59 AM	#1
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Best tripod for Z1? Hello everyone, this is my first post. I just got a Z1 today and am still trying things on the camera but I'm really happy with it. So anyway, I'm looking for a tripod that is best for Z1. I've been reading some of the topics here but didn't find a satisfactory answer. I've been recommended Miller DS10, Sachtler, Manfrotto and also Bogen. Can anyone help me choose? I'm sorry for this silly question but I only have little experience from making short videos so I guess you can say that I'm totally inexperienced. ^.^

September 2nd, 2005, 11:06 AM	#3
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	No disrespect Mike, but those lower budget range of Libecs tripods aren’t too good, and for an XL2 I would have thought you would have looked at a 503/525 kit or something along the same lines. The same would go for the Z1. Remember you get what you pay for with tripods, so at the end of the day, it depends how much you want to spend. -Rick. __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

September 2nd, 2005, 11:38 AM	#5
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	They are Manfrotto. The 503/525 is a leg and head combination, 503 fluid head and 525 legs. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Forgotten how to make them active!! edit: FIIIIIIINE activate yourself then! __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

September 6th, 2005, 11:08 AM	#12
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Thanks a lot Darko. Should I get a mid or ground spreader? The mid spreader looks sturdier somehow or maybe it's just me? A quick search at B&H revealed these. Which one do you think I should get? And why is aluminum more expensive than carbon fiber? Last edited by Martin Taidy; September 6th, 2005 at 06:05 PM.

September 7th, 2005, 02:15 AM	#13
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	Well it depends on what are you shooting. I found mid-level spreader very useful for field shooting, rough terrains...etc, while ground spreader is better on smooth surfaces like floors. It seems to me that carbon legs are priced more than alu ones when you look all specifications. __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

September 2nd, 2005, 04:20 AM	#2
Mike Hardcastle Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lancs , UK Posts: 50	Hi martin, I've been using a LIBEC TH-950 Kit for my XL2, this camera is a lot heavier than your Z1 so should be more than enough, good panning smoothness and feel, has a Leveling ball head which is a fast way to level the head, a lot easier than adjusting each tripod leg. also built well, cost me £220 from UK - about $390 US. http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Libec_Tripods.htm#950

September 2nd, 2005, 11:10 AM	#4
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Hey Richard, what do you mean by 503/525? Are those Libec models too?

September 3rd, 2005, 12:58 PM	#6
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Well,thanks for the recommendations. Is there anyone else who want to share their opinions?

September 3rd, 2005, 01:19 PM	#7
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,800	I have a Miller DS-5 which I got a few years ago for my PDX-10, a much lighter and smaller camera. Am currently using it with my Z1 although the DS-10 would be preferable. The DS-10 adds drag and balance adjustments to the head and is rated for heavier cameras. The action on the Miller head is very nice, and the tripod is relatively sturdy. One disappointment with the Miller is that the lower section aluminum legs have sometimes popped out of the sliding plates. They can be put back in without any real problem, but it would be nice if they were anchored better to start with. My DS-5 has action that is far, far superior to the Manfrotto 501 head. Not sure if the same comparison would apply to the DS-10 vs 503, but it wouldn't surprise me.

September 5th, 2005, 01:23 AM	#8
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Hey Boyd, a lot of people has recommended the DS-10 so maybe I'll get that. Does anyone know the differences between aluminum and carbon fiber? Which one is better? Thanks again.

September 5th, 2005, 02:19 AM	#9
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	If you can afford them, carbon fiber legs are way to go. They are much, much lighter than aluminium ones. __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

September 5th, 2005, 05:38 PM	#10
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	Does that mean carbon fiber is also less stable?

September 6th, 2005, 04:21 AM	#11
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	Does that mean carbon fiber is also less stable? No, not at all. Carbon fiber legs are very stable and less prone to deformation than aluminum ones. Anyway, after 6 years of heavy usage (Sachtler 18P), legs are looking like new.

September 7th, 2005, 03:15 AM	#14
Martin Taidy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 51	http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...hs=Miller+DS10 I've narrowed my selection down to the first 3 items on this page. Am I right to say that I can't attach a dolly to the carbon fiber one because it's not provided in the accessories section for it? The carbon fiber one also look considerably different than aluminum. What do you think Darko? As for shooting condition, it will mostly be floor although I wouldn't discount the possibility of shooting on an uneven terrain, just not as frequently.

September 8th, 2005, 01:20 AM	#15
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	Well, IMHO first combination with mid level spreader is my personal favourite. Good thing is also that you can set up that tripod on ie. stairs or rough terrain. I'm not so thrilled about carbon fiber one, couse it doesn't seem so stable. I have some bad experience with telescopic legs. __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP