Tripod selection question at DVinfo.net

Kaya Saman · Yesterday, 11:58 PM

Hi everyone,

so before I start I have selected the Sachtler FlowTech75 and Aktiv8 head as the best go to system.....

What I'm a little concerned about is how easy will this be to walk about with all day or take on long hikes?

Also is it easy to fly with?

For filming I'm going be using a mirrorless camera and the total payload I envisage is not going to exceed 5kg. - basically I'm putting together a travel setup of minimum lenses and body to take abroad.

I have been following several pro photographers/video guys and they seem to do things a little differently....

Looking at Harry Collins, he seems to use the Cartoni system and specifically the Stabilo.

Morten Hilmer uses a bunch of stuff but for video seems to be either the Gitzo pro 75mm legs or the Sachtler Ace XL system. He'll use the fluid head with either legs - I think he might have the FlowTech75 judging by his video:

Between the Sachtler and Cartoni, the Cartoni seems to be the lightest weight of them all.

I also had a look at Miller too.

I'm completely confused now. For anyone who will hike and take videos of landscapes and wildlife, what is your preferred setup and why?

I'm not sure if I mentioned this in my other thread (forgive me, it's been an all nighter)? But I may have a chance to go to the south (Mediterranean) region of Turkey as I haven't been back home for around 20 years and as my health is going south it will definitely be a good experience for me.

The plan is to go to the National Parks and see if I can catch some of the wildlife which includes: wild boar, brown bears, pine martens, golden jackals, wolves, ceracals, lynx, ibex etc....

My current thought is either going to take my Novoflex photo tripod along or the smaller and lighter and almost as sturdy Falcam TreeRoot travel tripod.

I can use the TreeRoot for vlogging, audio and stills where I don't need a long telephoto lens - so basically everything bar perhaps the Canon RF 200-800; even though I'm sure it will take the weight.
A microphone can also easily be attached to this so that covers everything pretty much there....

Obviously a photo tripod is no good for smooth and steady video work so which direction to go into?

I think even Coman (manufacturer of my other travel tripod) do fluid heads but I'm not sure if they're going to be on the same level as anything I mentioned already.

I've discounted stuff like Sirui and Manfrotto etc... as I'm not sure if they will be as good or last as long.

iFootage and SmallRig have video centric tripods too but the reviews suggest they may not be of as good quality either.

I'm totally stuck here.... I think max payload will probably be in the region of around 5kg. Probably more in the line of 3-3.5kg

Between Sachtler, Miller, and Cartoni which one would be more suitable or is there something else that I haven't considered?

Thanks.

Doug Jensen · Today, 07:25 AM

A Flowtech75 and aktiv8 would be an excellent choice.
You might find this video I did a couple of years ago helpful.

Kaya Saman · Today, 10:16 AM

Doug,

I think I watched it already but I'll re-check it out as I always like watching your stuff!!

Maybe it's a blessing that you're here or perhaps a curse as it's a high standard to compare to but hey haha :-)

Kaya Saman · Today, 12:39 PM

Ok yeah I did see this as I remember the Irwin handle lol - great idea!!

I just read about the Cartoni tripods and some people claimed they breakdown a lot - this was for pro work though.

Checking the Miller stuff and people think they're good. This guy does storm chasing with one:

https://www.xdcam-user.com/everythin...5-head-review/

Just checking out the Sachtler website:

https://www.sachtler.com/en/product/...flowtech75-ms/

and Aktiv6 system.... it's 6.2kg or 13.6lbs. That might be difficult to hike with?

My Nikon 600mm f/4 G series lens weighs in at 5kg or 11lbs and that's a very heavy thing to carry around for a long time.

Of course when you reduce the overall weight a lot you loose rigidity.

Uh well even the Ace XL carbon fiber is around 4.1kg (9lbs):

https://www.sachtler.com/en/product/...l-cf-ms-mk-ii/

Maybe I just need to get used to carry heavier gear?

I mean my Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is manageable for a few hours and that's around 2.3kg or 5lbs so total of around 3kg (6.6lbs) with the D500 body

Hmm....

Doug Jensen · Today, 04:30 PM

Yes, it can be tricky to find gear that is light and portable enough to carry into the woods -- but still have the performance you need when you actually find something to shoot. I choose to err on the side of carrying heavier gear than I would like -- because it is a total waste of time to have a tripod or camera that can't get the job done.

One technique I use is to walk for awhile . . . stop and shoot . . . walk for awhile . . . stop and shoot. Before you know it, you can be pretty far down the trail -- all while actually getting some good stuff along the way. One thing I have learned is that if you just stop moving, setup the camera, shut up, and wait, things appear that you'd never have seen if you just trudged on by. The old saying "It's the journey, not just the destination." certainly applies.

Kaya Saman · Today, 04:58 PM

Now you're starting to give me anxiety issues hahaha because I need to figure out how to build my astro setup setup as well.

That technically *can* work with an ordinary tripod so either my Novoflex or TreeRoot. Testing at home will be needed.... only light lenses needed up to 200mm so nothing dramatic

Jeeze.... thanks for being around! Honestly it's great that the industry has people like you in it who are helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable

I'll have to start putting equipment together now

Maybe I could sacrifice the Aktiv8 head for an Aktiv6 or even check out the Ace XL, though they are all pretty similar weights...

This is one of the locations in my plan... it's about 2 hours drive from the nearest town, a great astro spot and camping spot but no idea about logistics. Gona have to check that out!

- actually it looks like there's some kind of dirt road/track leading there so I may be in luck?

Oh well - we'll see lol

Yesterday, 11:58 PM	#1
Kaya Saman New Boot Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: London, England Posts: 23	Tripod selection question Hi everyone, so before I start I have selected the Sachtler FlowTech75 and Aktiv8 head as the best go to system..... What I'm a little concerned about is how easy will this be to walk about with all day or take on long hikes? Also is it easy to fly with? For filming I'm going be using a mirrorless camera and the total payload I envisage is not going to exceed 5kg. - basically I'm putting together a travel setup of minimum lenses and body to take abroad. I have been following several pro photographers/video guys and they seem to do things a little differently.... Looking at Harry Collins, he seems to use the Cartoni system and specifically the Stabilo. Morten Hilmer uses a bunch of stuff but for video seems to be either the Gitzo pro 75mm legs or the Sachtler Ace XL system. He'll use the fluid head with either legs - I think he might have the FlowTech75 judging by his video: Best Tripod Head for Wildlife Photography - if I could only choose one. - YouTube Between the Sachtler and Cartoni, the Cartoni seems to be the lightest weight of them all. I also had a look at Miller too. I'm completely confused now. For anyone who will hike and take videos of landscapes and wildlife, what is your preferred setup and why? I'm not sure if I mentioned this in my other thread (forgive me, it's been an all nighter)? But I may have a chance to go to the south (Mediterranean) region of Turkey as I haven't been back home for around 20 years and as my health is going south it will definitely be a good experience for me. The plan is to go to the National Parks and see if I can catch some of the wildlife which includes: wild boar, brown bears, pine martens, golden jackals, wolves, ceracals, lynx, ibex etc.... My current thought is either going to take my Novoflex photo tripod along or the smaller and lighter and almost as sturdy Falcam TreeRoot travel tripod. I can use the TreeRoot for vlogging, audio and stills where I don't need a long telephoto lens - so basically everything bar perhaps the Canon RF 200-800; even though I'm sure it will take the weight. A microphone can also easily be attached to this so that covers everything pretty much there.... Obviously a photo tripod is no good for smooth and steady video work so which direction to go into? I think even Coman (manufacturer of my other travel tripod) do fluid heads but I'm not sure if they're going to be on the same level as anything I mentioned already. I've discounted stuff like Sirui and Manfrotto etc... as I'm not sure if they will be as good or last as long. iFootage and SmallRig have video centric tripods too but the reviews suggest they may not be of as good quality either. I'm totally stuck here.... I think max payload will probably be in the region of around 5kg. Probably more in the line of 3-3.5kg Between Sachtler, Miller, and Cartoni which one would be more suitable or is there something else that I haven't considered? Thanks.

Today, 07:25 AM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,547	Re: Tripod selection question A Flowtech75 and aktiv8 would be an excellent choice. You might find this video I did a couple of years ago helpful. How to Choose, Setup, Balance and Operate a Pro Video Tripod - YouTube __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

Today, 10:16 AM	#3
Kaya Saman New Boot Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: London, England Posts: 23	Re: Tripod selection question Doug, I think I watched it already but I'll re-check it out as I always like watching your stuff!! Maybe it's a blessing that you're here or perhaps a curse as it's a high standard to compare to but hey haha :-)

Today, 12:39 PM	#4
Kaya Saman New Boot Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: London, England Posts: 23	Re: Tripod selection question Ok yeah I did see this as I remember the Irwin handle lol - great idea!! I just read about the Cartoni tripods and some people claimed they breakdown a lot - this was for pro work though. Checking the Miller stuff and people think they're good. This guy does storm chasing with one: https://www.xdcam-user.com/everythin...5-head-review/ Just checking out the Sachtler website: https://www.sachtler.com/en/product/...flowtech75-ms/ and Aktiv6 system.... it's 6.2kg or 13.6lbs. That might be difficult to hike with? My Nikon 600mm f/4 G series lens weighs in at 5kg or 11lbs and that's a very heavy thing to carry around for a long time. Of course when you reduce the overall weight a lot you loose rigidity. Uh well even the Ace XL carbon fiber is around 4.1kg (9lbs): https://www.sachtler.com/en/product/...l-cf-ms-mk-ii/ Maybe I just need to get used to carry heavier gear? I mean my Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is manageable for a few hours and that's around 2.3kg or 5lbs so total of around 3kg (6.6lbs) with the D500 body Hmm....

Today, 04:30 PM	#5
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,547	Re: Tripod selection question Yes, it can be tricky to find gear that is light and portable enough to carry into the woods -- but still have the performance you need when you actually find something to shoot. I choose to err on the side of carrying heavier gear than I would like -- because it is a total waste of time to have a tripod or camera that can't get the job done. One technique I use is to walk for awhile . . . stop and shoot . . . walk for awhile . . . stop and shoot. Before you know it, you can be pretty far down the trail -- all while actually getting some good stuff along the way. One thing I have learned is that if you just stop moving, setup the camera, shut up, and wait, things appear that you'd never have seen if you just trudged on by. The old saying "It's the journey, not just the destination." certainly applies. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

Today, 04:58 PM	#6
Kaya Saman New Boot Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: London, England Posts: 23	Re: Tripod selection question Now you're starting to give me anxiety issues hahaha because I need to figure out how to build my astro setup setup as well. That technically can work with an ordinary tripod so either my Novoflex or TreeRoot. Testing at home will be needed.... only light lenses needed up to 200mm so nothing dramatic Jeeze.... thanks for being around! Honestly it's great that the industry has people like you in it who are helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable I'll have to start putting equipment together now Maybe I could sacrifice the Aktiv8 head for an Aktiv6 or even check out the Ace XL, though they are all pretty similar weights... This is one of the locations in my plan... it's about 2 hours drive from the nearest town, a great astro spot and camping spot but no idea about logistics. Gona have to check that out! - actually it looks like there's some kind of dirt road/track leading there so I may be in luck? Oh well - we'll see lol Attached Thumbnails