So, I've recently upgraded my whole rig from a Canon 7D to a GH2. Now it's time for the tripod, stepping up from my Manfrotto 501. I'm somebody who shoots mostly tripod-mounted and a good tripod is very important for me.
The rig I'm using is a GH2, with old Nikon AI-primes, a TrusMT follow focus and matte-box and a SmallHD DP4, all mounted to a Gini Rig with just the rods (I remove the shoulder pad and handles when on sticks I should add). This is my base rig. I need a tripod that is good and will handle this. However, I want some future proofing too. Right now, I rarely shoot with a barebones kit and if I do, it's never any jobs, so my demands for this is smaller. But as I'm shelling out a bit on it, I don't want something that I'll have to get rid of once I upgrade my camera. It won't need to handle a RED or an Alexa, but I'd like something that at the most could take an F3 with Compact Primes, using the same setup for the rig.
I'm also adding a Kessler Crane KC8 crane. So I will be mounting the head on top it. I live in Sweden and will order from the UK or Germany (if you find any of these cheaper, let me know!)
My alternatives: E-Image 7083 (£525) http://www.proav.co.uk/E-image-EI-7083-AA-Video-Tripod-Kit/p26789.aspx Pros: The cheapest of them all, 100mm, the legs can take a crane. Handles the most weight (13kg/26lbs), supposedly great quality for the price. Cons: Still an "off-brand", so I'm not 100% about it, not much less than a Vinten, current rig might be too light!
Vinten Vision Blue (£610) http://www.proav.co.uk/Vinten-Vision-Blue-Tripod-System/p29084.aspx Pros: A real Vinten that is supposed to deliver anything one could expect from that. Pretty cheap too! Cons: Smallest weight range at 2kgs to 5kgs (4lbs to 10lbs) and don't know if it could handle a larger camera and screws to adjust the tripod!
And then there's Sachtler. They have some kits over at Creativevideo with the ENG 75/2 D legs, which I saw and they didn't impress me. I need some legs that are a bit sturdier. So I thought, why do I need their legs? I could get a nice head and then pick up a decent set of legs (E-Image or Libec) over at ProAV anyway (suggestions here are welcome)!
Sachtler CineDSLR (£506 for the head) http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_cine_dslr_head Pros: Designed for my needs, could balance up to 9.7 kgs (20lbs!), so it should work! Oh and it's a Sachtler. Cons: Ehm... Legs might be worse? Still haven't seen it with a bigger camera.
@tida That sounds interesting. Got a link to the one youre using? You have the Igus? like this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?is=REG&sku=298200&Q=&O=&A=details I got tired of all the hardware and fittings DSLR's require, so that's why I started just using wooded blocks, so if I can't make my slider work with them, I don't use the slider. It's a frill piece any how.
For a low angle ground shot, you can spread the tripod legs wide angle. To get down really low, you can either saw off the lower end of the center columns, or get a pair of low angle adapters:
I think it is Vitec/Manfrotto part sold separately, not the disassembled head :-) Head has big advantages, as possible angles are much larger. You can just use 717 head and modify it with large levers to lock it as hell. 7060 head is also very good option is this regard. I think I could talk about such modified head.
Why do you need to disassembly the head? Despite any tripod such setup is always worse than two tripods. So, if you want only slider solution it is much better to get two photo-like carbon tripods and 717AH heads. It is simply physics. But as standalone tripods they are no competition for good video carbon legs and FC-HDSLR head.
I meant a sturdy tripod that can support a slider firmly. Prolly it depends on length of the slider, too. I've seen some people getting new tripods for better sliding movement.
It's not just counterbalance. Quick release compatibility, slider integration, etc. After trying out 3 cheap tripods, I sold all. Still hard to make up the mind.
@yoclay Last time I checked you talked about fluid cartridges :-) So, I do not know why you need to re-grease anything :-) Normally, counter balance mechanizm and spring are easy to see after even initial disassembly steps.