Tridods?

[Steve Gibby]

For mobile EFP/ENG I've had great luck with Vinten and Sachtler over the years. What will you be using?

What are your favorite heads?

What are your favorite sticks?

Models?

For what type of EFP/ENG?

One tripood or 2-tripod approach?

Spreaders: floor-level, mid-level, or none?

Tripod care and maintenance for various environments?

[Phil Becque]

Hi Gibby,

I've been using a Vinten Pro 5 with a spreader for the past two years or so. It's been fine for the PD170 small style of ENG camera. I did hire an O'Connor when I went up to Yosemite a while back - that had a really nice fluid head and some spring mechanism on the front to keep everything balanced especially while you tilt. It was also a heavier duty tripod all round. Apparently it cost around $10,000 - but that seems a lot of money for tripod - I'm not sure?? I've hired Sachtler in the past which were especially good when you have to work around seating in side auditoriums with no where to put a camera. I wasn't that impressed with the heads on them though.

My cine friend has a really old fashioned black anodised three way head which I forget the name of but I want to use that with the RED ONE. It has these 3 levers that let you control the fluid resistance in all three dimensions and it's silky smooth. It weighs in at about 100lbs and was made to take the really heavy weigth cameras of yester year so you can't really ship it by air. It's a real museum piece and looks like it was made by Rolls Royce but I think on the right legs I can some great shots with it!

All the best, Phil

[Ken Willinger]

It's funny how some people are very snobby about the tripods they use. I've been using Sachtler tripods since 1982. Currently I have a Video 20 head and the heavy duty carbon fiber two stage legs. These have the single release latch which is just great. You don't have to bend down to release the second stage. It's all done with one latch! I use a floor spreader instead of the center (although I have it available). I'm just very used to it. Honestly I've never had problems with the Sachtler tripods I've had over the years. They are designed very well and I've traveled them all over the world without issues. That being said, I have some friends that swear by O'Conner heads. I'm sure they are just as good as the Sachtlers, but I'm just used to what I've been using for so long I see no need to change. There was a period when I had a staff job that supplied me with a Vinten set-up, head and sticks. There was no comparison. The Sachtler was so much better in everyway, and the Vinten couldn't handle the travel. It began falling apart. This was 12 years ago so they may be better now.

[Ralph Oshiro]

FAVORITE HEAD: VINTEN
Very cool drag system. Unlike Sachtlers, you can pull off a whip-pan at any drag setting.

FAVORITE STICKS: SACHTLER
w/off-ground spreader, and single-lever release leg lock (but too expensive).

As a cost-conscious alternative, the Libecs legs are cheap, and seem worth further investigation. I might go for a cheap Manfrotto for sawed-off or baby legs to save money, but certainly wouldn't choose Manfrotto sticks for my primary sticks.

I own a used Vinten Vision 5. It's a lightweight ENG-class head. Good enough for a small ENG camera, but underpowered for an F900, or even a fully loaded BVW400/600. I own a 15 lb. DSR450 and use it with 5-lb. Anton Bauer bricks, and it services that weight just fine. But that's probably its max load. If I were to buy a new head, I would seriously be considering the Vinten Vision 11.

[Ken Corben]

What will you be using?

Sachtler 100mm fluid head Video 20 (although one could fit a red ENG system on a 75mm it just wouldn't feel right?) with speedlock DBL extension carbon fiber sticks.

What are your favorite heads?

Original Miller Heads

What are your favorite sticks?
1930's wood sticks (see picture) cuz my hands don't freeze to them in the Arctic and they stay put in the wild - sand, mud, bog. mangrove swamps you name it then just hose 'em off. But alas, just to damn heavy to keep carting around the planet.

For what type of EFP/ENG?
Wildlife filmmaking from the Calahari to the Arctic and beyond.

One tripod or 2-tripod approach?
One in most cases unless specialty shots are required like underwater macro - then I use a rented fluid head or borrow Gibby's:biggrin:

Spreaders: floor-level, mid-level, or none?
Floor level for interior interviews - none in the field.

Tripod care and maintenance for various environments?
I use simple green to clean before going back into the bag after salt, sand, ice and dirt, not always possible though and sometimes it's before shipping home.

[tj williams]

Have used Sachtler for years. their larger heads such as the 25 are very nice cine pieces. This last year bought the new Miller Solo legs.
for small crew fast moving stuff these are great. They are not only
very light, quick to set up and go from about 8" off the floor to over 7 feet up.
They are also suprisingly rigid. They need no spyder as the leg angle is adjusted from the top in three spreads. I'm currently trading off using the good ole Sachtler 20II or a smaller lighter Cartoni.


http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=188

[Paul Hazlett]

I have used the cartoni gamma with my beta rig for years and it has performed very well and at half the cost of others.

Sachtler is always a fav. video 18 with carbon fiber sticks is used with
the High def package and probably for red too although the legs are not as tall as the cartoni.

as for spreaders, floor spreaders since I find the midlevels have too short a range of motion.

I never really liked the miller heads, Always found it hard to dial the
tilt and drag the way i wanted.

[tj williams]

Phaz I agree the Miller heads are ehhhhh but the new last year Solo sticks are very nice. reg 75mm or 100mm ball.

As for a TRIDOD I always follow Gibby on the proper use of that well known accessory.

[Milan Nikolic]

I am using Manfrotto with pleasure.

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Just had my Manfrotto stolen recently and am replacing it with an O'Connor 1030HD head on Cartoni A303 single stage CF legs that only weigh 5 lbs and are rated to handle 132 lbs of weight. We'll see if the legs can handle the tourque if I have the drag up on the head. I am not too worried because unlike almost everyone I know I like low to moderate drag - they all like it cranked way up.

[Jared VanLeuven]

I never really liked the miller heads, Always found it hard to dial the
tilt and drag the way i wanted.

Yep, I have the Miller Solo CF sticks and they're great. The head - not so much, very rudimentary drag controls, and the lock for the plate is crude. Buy the sticks though, very light and pretty stiff.

[JoshBertrand]

Greetings from Florida. This is my first post on this board although I have been following Red very closely from the beginning (including running up and down the aisles that Monday morning of NAB last year trying to just FIND the Red booth). I work for a University (a state one at that) and we've been given a reasonably sizable budget to equip ourselves for HD. Our previously small budgets relegated us to the world of Panasonic DVX100's which have suited us fine for our work in the past, but we are now ready to take at least some of our productions to the next level.

So, I'm not very well-versed in the world of "proper" tripods (we just use sub-$500 Manfrottos for the DVX's) and am looking for some recommendations. First off, any guesstimates on how much the Red will weigh with cage, batteries, Red Drive, EVF, Nikon 35mm still lens, mattebox and follow focus? I've roughly budgeted $2500 for the tripod so try to keep your recommendations in that neighborhood if possible.

We shoot a variety of EFP type situations from interviews to location shots and some studio work. We need something versatile and smooth, but it does not have to be the most amazing thing you've ever used. All of our work is in fairly tame environments in Florida so we won't be putting it through quite the array of rigors that you guys do.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I've learned a great deal from all of you already! Thanks.

[Phil Becque]

Hi Josh,

Here are my recommendations for Tripods on a budget. I think you will find all of these comfortably with your budget.

Vinten Vision System 3 (22lbs) ~$2,000

Vinten Pro-10DC System (22lbs) ~$1,330

Libec LS60 High Standard Video Tripod (13Kgs) ~$1,500

Sachtler System DV 6 (13lbs) $1,749

I'm sure other folks will have their own strong opinions but these are definately worth looking at before you make a descision. I've been using Vinten for about three years and consider them very good value for money (because I'm a cheapskate!). My mate prefers Libec in the same price band. I think Sachtler are good but not as good value for money -IMO.

All the best, Phil

[Hans von Sonntag]

Well, I came across this tripod business as well when I thought of "modernising" my equipment. I own two tripods:

A 20 years old Sachtler Horizont 16mm head with aluminium legs.

A 30 years old Sachtler Horizont 35mm head, also heavy aluminium legs.

Neither system is kind of "nice". This is the reason why I always rent proper stuff if I rent anyway.

This said I would never recommend DV-level tripods - much to light for RED.
My 16mm Sachtler tripod is even for a Arri SR with a small zoom too light. My old 35mm pig is much better.

Before I would by a new tripod around 3k I would always go for an used workhorse in usable condition, for instance Sachtler Video 25 / Horizont 7x7

I will keep my old 35mm pig. But I will get new nice, CF legs. Made by Schulz. Very high quality EFP gear, 2 times extendable. In case I start hating my old pig I will check the market for decent but used heads: O'Connor, Sachtler, perhaps Vinten (never used one... actually Sachtler belongs to Vinten)
Don't get misled by new shiny stuff. The rented heads I like most is a 15 year old O'Connor and a Mitchell gear head. Both much to heavy for EFP but nice, very nice. For EFP I rent a SachtlerVideo 25 or use my old pig.

Hans

[Gopher77]

I do a lot of shooting with a beta cam on vinten 11. The movement is OK but the locks seem to need cranked down tighter and tighter, like they are wearing out. No worse feeling then thinking you have your camera locked off only to look over at it and see it starting to tip. I have recently used the Cartoni Focus with the HVX 200, love the feel and ease of use. I think I'm going to try the cartoni gamma with my red.

[Larry McKee]

I bought a Cartoni Gamma 6 or 7 years ago to go under my BetaCam SP rig. I love it. It worked great with my DVX100 and now it is doing a wonderful job with my HVX200 with and without the Redrock M2. I have had it loaded up with the BetaCam with a teleprompter on several occasions and it never acted like it was under a strain. I have no doubt it will work with the RED.

For sticks, I have the single stage Cartoni aluminum legs. I also have a set of carbon fiber single stage Cartonis that I use with my 6' jib. The carbon fiber legs have an older twist lock that you can really crank down. For baby legs, I use a set of Bogen sticks.

I have never been comfortable with Vinten since a lock slipped once and the camera and teleprompter went crashing to the floor. Naturally it was the leg across from me so I was grabbing at air as the camera went away.

[Damien Molineaux]

Hi Josh,

Here are my recommendations for Tripods on a budget. I think you will find all of these comfortably with your budget.

Vinten Vision System 3 (22lbs) ~$2,000

Vinten Pro-10DC System (22lbs) ~$1,330

Libec LS60 High Standard Video Tripod (13Kgs) ~$1,500

Sachtler System DV 6 (13lbs) $1,749

I'm sure other folks will have their own strong opinions but these are definately worth looking at before you make a descision. I've been using Vinten for about three years and consider them very good value for money (because I'm a cheapskate!). My mate prefers Libec in the same price band. I think Sachtler are good but not as good value for money -IMO.

All the best, Phil

Although these may be great, I'm happily using a Vinten 3 myself, I don't think they're designed for something the size of a Red One.

Regarding weight, we don't have exact figures yet, but we know the body's coming in at between 8 and 9 pounds, add to that : battery, Red drive, EVF or LCD (maybe both), rods, handles, LENS, mattebox, follow focus. Depending on your setup, you should have a tripod capable of taking 20 to 30 pounds confortably. Remember a tripod performs best when your camera weighs in the middle of the recommended weight range.

If I don't find something appropriate second hand and can afford it, I will go with an O'Connor 1030HD, count $5'000. The Panther X15, seen being used by the Red team while shooting the drag races with Frankie, looks pretty sweet, $ 5'600 for the system.

Good luck,
Damien

PS Tripods are expensive, but they should last a long time, longer than most digital cameras.

[Steve Gibby]

Regarding weight, we don't have exact figures yet, but we know the body's coming in at between 8 and 9 pounds, add to that : battery, Red drive, EVF or LCD (maybe both), rods, handles, LENS, mattebox, follow focus.

A significant portion of the EFP/ENG shooters will not be using rods, use only one handle, no matte box, and no follow focus. IMO, depending on whether it is EFP/ENG or cine style shooting with RED One, the camera/lens/accessories package can weigh as little as 14 pounds, or as much as 55-60 pounds. Choice of a tripod will depend on the weight/genres of each individual project. IMO, if someone does a wide range of EFP/ENG and cine style projects, one tripod will simply not satisfy the needs of that range of productions. They will need to have at least two tripods (or rent them as needed): a mobile lightweight mid-range EFP style tripod, and a big, solid-head, heavyweight tripod for more stationary production.

[Damien Molineaux]

I'm not so sure, unless you really want to get a light tripod which is barely able to hold your Red.

I don't see how you could get a Red to way in at 55 to 60 pounds. The main things to add are a mattebox and follow focus. I would think many EFP/ENG shooters will go with two rods and handles AND a zoom lens which weighs considerably more than the primes many D-cinema shooters will use. So I don't see the weight being that different between the different styles of shooting. Since for optimum results you want a tripod where your camera fits in the middle of the weight range, I would think for most users a good tripod will allow most types of shooting.

Cheers,
Damien

[Steve Gibby]

I don't see how you could get a Red to way in at 55 to 60 pounds.

In some genres of cine style production, and even a few EFP style genres, cameras regularly get loaded up with heavy accessories/lens combinations that can weigh as much as 55-60 pounds, including the plate. Example: for certain genres of production (nature, sports, etc.), older long telephoto lenses and long zoom lenses are used. Some of those lenses can weigh as much as 25-30 pounds on their own. Add in the camera, and a bunch of accessories and it’s easy to get over 50 pounds with the camera weight. Second example: a cine-style production with camera, traditional S35mm zoom, rods, matte box, EVF, LCD, multiple batteries, drive, plate, and the multiple others accessories of other accessories, can easily weigh as much as 55-60 pounds.


The main things to add are a mattebox and follow focus. I would think many EFP/ENG shooters will go with two rods and handles AND a zoom lens which weighs considerably more than the primes many D-cinema shooters will use.

This is an EFP/ENG forum, and as I mentioned in my post #18, IMO many EFP/ENG shooters will not use a matte box, follow focus, rods, and only use one handle. Those accessories are almost never used with B4 2/3” HD ENG zooms, but are usually used with 2/3” HD cine lenses. B4 2/3” HD ENG zoom lenses typically weigh under 5 pounds, whereas D-cinema primes can easily weigh more than that, and D-cinema zooms (S35mm and S16mm) usually weigh much more than 2/3” HD ENG zooms. Traditional cine lenses are almost always heavier than EFP/ENG lenses.


So I don't see the weight being that different between the different styles of shooting. Since for optimum results you want a tripod where your camera fits in the middle of the weight range, I would think for most users a good tripod will allow most types of shooting.

Here’s just a tiny list of the many genres and sub-genres that RED One can be used in:

Feature “films”, Indie “films”, HDTV programs of various genres, Commercials, Infomercials, Business videos, News b-roll, Events, Broadcast teases and promos, Public service announcement, and on and on – probably the broadest list of potential uses of any camera system ever made.

Each of those genres and sub-genres will require a wide variety of lens/accessory combinations to effectively do the work. Some of them will require lightweight packages, and some of them will require very heavy packages. If someone only does a few genres of production, and those genres require similar weight packages, then I agree that one single tripod may suffice for that person. But if they do the wide range of genres that RED One is capable of, then IMO one single tripod will not suffice. In those cases, a 2-tripod rotation will be needed. One day they may be hiking into the wilderness with a lightweight carbon fiber tripod setup to shoot some stock footage, and the very next day be loading up RED One with a super heavy, stationary package for a hardlined EFP or cine style production. The same tripod will not work for a broad range of productions like that.

If you feel you can get by with a single tripod, it better be a very good one that is right in the middle range of the genres you work in. IMO if you want to work in all the genres and sub-genres that RED One enables, you’ll either need to own a 2-tripod system, or plan on renting tripods that have capabilities outside those of the one single tripod you own.

[chuck colburn]

Right on Gibby!
And this is from the man who can hand hold the Zeiss 1700mm lens.

[Steve Gibby]

Right on Gibby!
And this is from the man who can hand hold the Zeiss 1700mm lens.

Definitely...whew, good thing I hit the gym every day! Bring on da buggah...

(Uh oh, the Orygun posse is after me!)

[Phil Becque]

Although these may be great, I'm happily using a Vinten 3 myself, I don't think they're designed for something the size of a Red One.

Regarding weight, we don't have exact figures yet, but we know the body's coming in at between 8 and 9 pounds, add to that : battery, Red drive, EVF or LCD (maybe both), rods, handles, LENS, mattebox, follow focus. Depending on your setup, you should have a tripod capable of taking 20 to 30 pounds confortably. Remember a tripod performs best when your camera weighs in the middle of the recommended weight range.

If I don't find something appropriate second hand and can afford it, I will go with an O'Connor 1030HD, count $5'000. The Panther X15, seen being used by the Red team while shooting the drag races with Frankie, looks pretty sweet, $ 5'600 for the system.

Good luck,
Damien

PS Tripods are expensive, but they should last a long time, longer than most digital cameras.

Hi Earthling, we may be at cross purposes here - but I was reponding to Josh who has stated a budget of $2,500 which I know doesn't get you a fantastic tripod. You should be able to get something useable though? So my recommendations were with the budget restrictions firmly in mind rather than what I would actually buy for my RED. I can't tell you how much grief I've had with poor tripods and if you're going to use one it's a false economy to buy or rent too cheaply.

As Gibby has so eloquently and with a good deal of prescience pointed out, I'm one of those people (and suspect there are quite few on this forum) that are stuck between low budget EFP/ENG styles of shooting but with aspirations for much greater things for my RED - as in feature films or working with the BBC.

So I think I'll end up going with a set of Carbon Fibre legs, a good fluid head with a sturdy mounting plate. But I don't expect any change out of $5,000 and I may even have to go second hand. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be very happy to recieve them - then it's Ebay here I come!

Best regards, Phil

[Steve Gibby]

Hey Phil,

I've had good luck over the years buying used tripods. If you're in the right place at the right time, and the seller is highly motivated, you can sometimes find amazing deals! I've bought used sticks and heads from rental companies and from individuals. Most rental companies will have a short return/warranty period on merchandise you buy from them. That gives you the time to fully check out the equipment in the field and have your own technician check it over. Rental companies periodically turn over their equipment stock. Quite often there is nothing wrong with it, but it has been amortized out for a few years and renters are asking for newer models to rent. Good professional heads and sticks, well maintained, can give you years of additional service. Television stations/networks are another possible avenue to find used equipment. With them, I would reserve the right to have your own technician check over the equipment, and the right to return it if it doesn't meet your expectations. When I buy equipment from individuals I always reserve the right to have it checked out by my technician and return it if it doesn't measure up to what it should be.

One other suggestion: if you can only afford one used head, then perhaps you can find two sets of sticks for that head. One set that is lighter weight for mobile work, and another set that is heavier/sturdier for more stationary work. You end up transferring the head between sticks regularly, but at least you have the utility of effectively having two tripods.

You may already know all of the above, and if so ignore it, but there may be others that read this post and get some new ideas.

Cheers!

[Phil Becque]

Hey Gibby - well fantastic advice for anyone I'd say. You're sharing your experience here which is invaluable and can save us all a lot of money. I hadn't thought about two sets of legs and one good head but as always it makes perfect sense. So thanks for that. Knowing my lack of experience with these things and my aspirations for the RED what would you recommend I look for?

Thanks a bunch, Phil

[Steve Gibby]

Glad to help...

Not knowing exactly what genres your will concentrate on, here's some general observations:

Heavier loads will need a 100mm ball head, which can also serve for lighter loads. If you're only doing lighter loads, a 75mm ball head is fine. I'd suggest the 100mm because that will give you the upward utility should you need it.

Look for good name brand fluid heads with a lot of adjustments for tension, drag, etc. Generally, the better heads have many ways to tweak the parameters of use. For mobile EFP/ENG use, I've had excellent service out of Vinten, Sachtler, and Miller. For heavier loads, and stationary cine-style use, I've had excellent service from O'Connor. In heads I look for the smoothest action I can find, for both pan and tilt.

For sticks (legs) for mobile EFP/ENG I've had good luck with Sachtler, some Vinten, and lightweight carbon fiber from Miller. For the heavier loads and stationary work, the O'Connor legs that match their heads are hard to beat. I never use floor spreaders if I can avoid it. Mid-level spreaders, or no-spreaders (Miller Solo) are what I need for mobile outdoor work. Spreaders on the ground in outdoor work are a nightmare - the runners on them clog up with dirt and grit. I also find mid-level spreaders handy for hanging headsets, cables, and even small sand bags in heavy winds to stabilize the tripod. I'm not a fan of multiple stages. I like one simple stage if I can get away with it. In fast-paced mobile work having to constantly set and un-set multiple stages on the legs is a timewaster. I also look for stage locks that are fast but very secure. The last thing I want is for a stage lock to fail and dump a camera over.

I know the above is pretty general advice, but if you apply it to your particular needs/wants, and what is available in used tripods, you should do just fine. You’d be amazed how many deals you can find on good used heads and legs if you take the time to search carefully. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a new tripod in my entire 30-year career! I've always let someone else take the hit for new prices, bought carefully using the principles I’ve outlined above, and never been dissatisfied with my tripod equipment. I’ve used what I saved on tripods to purchase other accessories I needed.

Hope this helps…

[Phil Becque]

You are undoubtedly the most helpful person I have ever had the pleasure of exchanging words with - how extraordinary! You want everyone to benefit from your vast experience and you are like a walking encyclopedia of all things to do with film/video. What a treasure this forum has with you around!!

Thanks mate - I'll get you back at NAB !!

You don't happen to be partial to large cigars do you?

All the best, Phil

[Steve Gibby]

Thanks for the very kind words Phil...

Many people advised and mentored me at various stages of my career. I'm simply honoring them by following their example. I don't have all the answers - and I readily admit that. But what answers I do have I share with those I associate with.

I don't smoke...you can give my cigar to Jim at NAB. He's the one that deserves truckloads of good cigars as he celebrates the birth of his new RED baby!

C-ya at NAB!

[Phil Becque]

I went on an expensive sales course once - one of their favourite sayings was "be a helpful person" - you are certainly honoring your mentors - how respectworthy. Mentoring isn't a word you hear much these days - it seems to be dreadfully old fashioned - more's the pity.

I was going to take Jim a cigar anyway - so I'll make it a pair now.

C-ya buddy

[Damien Molineaux]

Hi Earthling, we may be at cross purposes here - but I was reponding to Josh who has stated a budget of $2,500 which I know doesn't get you a fantastic tripod. You should be able to get something useable though? So my recommendations were with the budget restrictions firmly in mind rather than what I would actually buy for my RED. I can't tell you how much grief I've had with poor tripods and if you're going to use one it's a false economy to buy or rent too cheaply.

...(cut)

True, you were presenting the options at the price given. I was trying to make the exact same point you mention above : when it comes to tripods, as you say, it's a false economy to go cheap, and we are talking about a tripod for a Red One here.

I thank you also Gibby for your wise advice. I, like Phil, am coming from smaller ENG/EFP type cameras and have been collecting much useful advice on this forum, among which, what the best tripod would be for a Red. O'Connor seems to clearly come out favorite of the polls, even though Miller, Vinten, Sachtler and Cartoni have been recommended by a number of Reduser or DVXuser members. According to the various weight estimates and Jim's kind input on the Red One Weight thread :
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1191&highlight=weight
an O'Connor 1030HD tripod is what seems to me like the best choice.

Cheers,
Damien

[ericyoung]

...I have never been comfortable with Vinten since a lock slipped once and the camera and teleprompter went crashing to the floor. Naturally it was the leg across from me so I was grabbing at air as the camera went away.

To be fair to Vinten though, this sounds like either the camera & teleprompter wasn't balanced front and back on the sliding baseplate (easy to forget if adding a prompter to a previously balanced camera), and/or the balancing spring wasn't turned up to match the weight of the whole load, and/or the total weight was out of the spec of the head's balancing spring.

Vinten tilt locks really aren't designed to be "hard locks" taking the weight of an out of balance load. If it was in balance, it would just stay in place when the tilt lock is released.

[Blair S. Paulsen]

I just picked up an O'Connor 1030HD head and put it on Cartoni single stage CF legs (A303). Perhaps its my suspicious nature but I chose not to follow Gibby's advice to buy used and ate the full cost of buying new. I used a vendor who I buy a lot of gear from and send customers to, who gives me great deals. I have also found that buying things new and taking meticulous care of them results in a predictable user experience and, gives me great confidence when selling my services.

Right now I have a Sony D-30 head with DVCAM back, Fujinon B4 zoom lens, Anton brick and matte box/CF rods up on the head - roughly 25lbs. The 1030HD head is like butter - I am in love.

The Cartoni CF legs weigh only 5lbs and are rated to hold 132lbs. The stage locks are particularly sweet - very quick and easy to use with a lever lock style that feels very solid when shut.

I certainly agree with Gibby that when you are loaded up with Cine accessories or a monster zoom the lighter rigs are overmatched - fortunately those are just the kind of gigs where the cost of a tripod rental is unlikely to be an issue.

[Tonaci Tran]

Yo Blair, you know I'll be over to check it out. congrats!

[Peter Richardson]

I'm probably going to go with the Oconnor 1030HD and their 35L Carbon fiber sticks with the quick release. I have an O'Connor right now matched with teh Miller Solo legs and love it, but it won't handle the Red.

Does anyone have experience with modern iterations of the 35L's, or comparable sticks? I used a set in film school and loved them, but sometimes the teeth on the legs would get gummed up and they wouldn't deploy properly -- not exactly an exciting proposition for a lot of field work. I wonder if they've fixed this problem.

I'm curious to know, for those who are going with Oconnor, who their preferred vendor will be. I foresee myself calling around a bit for price quotes, but am going to hold off till my Red has a delivery date.

Peter