Cartoni Focus head for RED?

[Justin Anderson]

The Focus can support up to 18lbs of weight.
The Red is 7lbs. Is it possible that I can use this head for the camera or will the RED weigh more than 18lbs when fully loaded with batt/storage/rails/matte/FF/viewfinder/lens/lcd?

[Martin Ludwig]

The Focus can support up to 18lbs of weight.
The Red is 7lbs. Is it possible that I can use this head for the camera or will the RED weigh more than 18lbs when fully loaded with batt/storage/rails/matte/FF/viewfinder/lens/lcd?

film people normally prefer a bigger head. for a fully loaded RED, incl. lens I would suggest a OConnor 2060, or a Sachtler Cine 30...

[Jeff Kilgroe]

There's a big thread here on tripods already... I currently have the Cartoni Focus head myself and will be waiting until my RED arrives before I decide to change. If I do upgrade, I'm going O'Connor. I took a look at some last week (O'Connor, Sachtler and Miller). The O'Conner looks to be the best and all are about the same price. My second choice would probably be one of the larger Cartoni heads like the Gamma or Delta, but the O'Connor is still nicer for the same money and it looks like you could get away with the 1030 model, but the 2060 would be the best if you can budget for it... Then you never have to worry about overloading your head.

I think the Focus will work OK as long as you don't get too close to its weight limit with all your accessories.

[Blaine Golden]

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=10949&cat=0&page=1

It says the Focus has a payload capacity of 2.2 to 22 lbs.

http://www.cartoni.com/eng/focus.html

I, too, will be waiting for my RED before making any decision on tripod.

[Justin Anderson]

uh...since the capacity goes up to 22lbs, does that mean I could use a setup that weights 22lbs and be just fine? :D

[Jeff Kilgroe]

uh...since the capacity goes up to 22lbs, does that mean I could use a setup that weights 22lbs and be just fine? :D

Theoretically yes... But most people tend to think fluid heads perform best when not loaded to their maximum, but rather somewhere in the middle of their weight range. I would be a little nervous about placing a 20lb rig on a 22lb max tripod head. An accidental bump could add enough force to stress the head in some way. I feel that the Focus head is fairly well made, but it's not anything amazing and it does have limits.

I guess that's why we'll wait and see what happens when RED ships. I'm kinda thinking that my Focus head may just work OK... Im using it now with an HVX200 w/35mm adapter and Red Rock FF, matte box and rail system... I think RED will actually weigh the same or less because I won't have the added weight of the HVX200 lens and 35mm adapter in the mix.

Either way, I still don't have my REDservation # just yet... So I'm sure someone else will have this answer before I do.

[Justin Anderson]

I guess that's why we'll wait and see what happens when RED ships. I'm kinda thinking that my Focus head may just work OK... Im using it now with an HVX200 w/35mm adapter and Red Rock FF, matte box and rail system... I think RED will actually weigh the same or less because I won't have the added weight of the HVX200 lens and 35mm adapter in the mix.

That's good to hear. How much does your rig way?
We've also got to consider battery and storage drive weight.
================================================

Has anyone here worked with the Cartoni LASER? It has a limit of 25lbs and I was wondering how it handles.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hey guys.
How about posting in the original thread (A question of tripods...) on page 5. It is already quite long, and all this seems to fit there quite nicely.
Of course I am no moderator or anything, so feel free.

Yours Emmanuel

[Justin Anderson]

Hey guys.
How about posting in the original thread (A question of tripods...) on page 5. It is already quite long, and all this seems to fit there quite nicely.
Of course I am no moderator or anything, so feel free.

Yours Emmanuel

sometimes you just need a fresh start....else people will start responding to statements from page 1 that were answered on page 3.

[Alex Boothby]

For what it's worth here are my rather pathetic weight guesses including RED zoom & matte box with (heavy) swing away feature:

ITEM MAXIMUM
body - 8 lbs
zoom - 7 lbs
rail - 2 lbs
battery - 2 lbs
drive - 1.5 lbs
matte box - 4 lbs
follow focus - 1 lbs
EVF - 2.5 lbs
LCD 1 lbs
mic - 1 lbs

ALL 30 lbs


ITEM MINIMUM
body - 8 lbs
zoom - 5.5 lbs
rail - 1.5 lbs
battery - 1 lbs
drive - 0.5 lbs
matte box - 2 lbs
follow focus - 0.5 lbs
EVF - 2 lbs
LCD 0.5 lbs
mic - 0.5 lbs

ALL 22 lbs

AVERAGE MAX & MIN = 26 lbs


Note: edited to reflect new R1 body weight.

[Blaine Golden]

Perhaps, depending on what battery setup you're using, it could be mounted to the sticks instead of the camera (on the head).

[Mark B.]

I feel like building my own tripod. How tough could it be?

[Teague Kennedy]

tripod is easy. the head is not.

[Eric MacIver]

We have a few of the focus heads, and I can tell you, I don't think they'll handle the Red very well. The most I suggest putting on them is an XL series camera.

We've had 15lb payloads on them and they feel overburdended, and before Cartoni fixed a manufacturing flaw in one of ours, it actually torqued a head apart.

For a cheap option, the Bogen 526 actually seems to hold together better, but I'd still suggest something like a Sachtler Video 18 if you can afford it.

[Justin Anderson]

For a cheap option, the Bogen 526 actually seems to hold together better, but I'd still suggest something like a Sachtler Video 18 if you can afford it.

the Bogen has a max load of 35lbs. If the Red+accessories weighs 25lbs, would that be enough give?

Anyone else have experience with the 526?

[Jeff Kilgroe]

An update here.... I'm changing my mind about liking the Cartoni Focus head (I was somewhat doubting its use for RED anyway). Anyway, after Jannard said the camera is gaining about a pound and my luck today, I would not recommend the Focus head to anyone.

I was using the Focus with my HVX this morning to grab a timelapse sunrise. It was kinda cold (about 15F / -9C), wind blowing a bit, etc.. Anyway, my Focus hasn't totally failed yet -- however it's not really usable now until I get it fixed. As of this morning, there's a very noticeable amount of "play" or sloppiness to it in just about every direction. Probably more noticeable due to the cold and the contracted metal pieces. I used it to finish what I was doing anyway. It's warmed up now sitting here next to my desk and all the fittings seem tighter, but when I place the camera on it (just the HVX with no accessories) it's feeling a bit sloppy.

I really liked this head up until today. I wouldn't have guessed it had worn-out, I've only had it 6 or 8 months and use it maybe 10 to 15 hours a month (or about that) with the HVX and my other lesser cameras.

So now I'm investigating my other options and will probably get the Focus repaired or will trade it in towards something new. I'm really thinking of the O'Connor 1030... The 2060 might be a better choice, but is getting pretty expensive and may not be necessary. But I think while I deal with fixing the Focus head, I'll just rent some of the others and see what I like.

[Stephen Williams]

An update here.... I'm changing my mind about liking the Cartoni Focus head (I was somewhat doubting its use for RED anyway). Anyway, after Jannard said the camera is gaining about a pound and my luck today, I would not recommend the Focus head to anyone.

I was using the Focus with my HVX this morning to grab a timelapse sunrise. It was kinda cold (about 15F / -9C), wind blowing a bit, etc.. Anyway, my Focus hasn't totally failed yet -- however it's not really usable now until I get it fixed. As of this morning, there's a very noticeable amount of "play" or sloppiness to it in just about every direction. Probably more noticeable due to the cold and the contracted metal pieces. I used it to finish what I was doing anyway. It's warmed up now sitting here next to my desk and all the fittings seem tighter, but when I place the camera on it (just the HVX with no accessories) it's feeling a bit sloppy.

I really liked this head up until today. I wouldn't have guessed it had worn-out, I've only had it 6 or 8 months and use it maybe 10 to 15 hours a month (or about that) with the HVX and my other lesser cameras.

So now I'm investigating my other options and will probably get the Focus repaired or will trade it in towards something new. I'm really thinking of the O'Connor 1030... The 2060 might be a better choice, but is getting pretty expensive and may not be necessary. But I think while I deal with fixing the Focus head, I'll just rent some of the others and see what I like.


Hi,

Interested to know what happens, it has a 5 year factory guarantee.

Stephen

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I bought my Cartoni head and sticks from B&H I called them to see what their thoughts on it would be. As expected... "call Cartoni - 5 year warranty".

I haven't located where I put the original packaging / papers for the Focus kit. No phone number on the Cartoni web site, just a form to fill out for USA customers. I filled it out and haven't received a response yet. I'm going to call Ste-Mann (USA distributor) to see if they know where I need to send it or what I do with it.

[Stephen Williams]

I bought my Cartoni head and sticks from B&H I called them to see what their thoughts on it would be. As expected... "call Cartoni - 5 year warranty".

I haven't located where I put the original packaging / papers for the Focus kit. No phone number on the Cartoni web site, just a form to fill out for USA customers. I filled it out and haven't received a response yet. I'm going to call Ste-Mann (USA distributor) to see if they know where I need to send it or what I do with it.

Hi,

FWIW I met Elizabeth Cartoni at IBC last year, she speaks good English, I would contact her direct if you have any problems.

Stephen

[Eric MacIver]

the Bogen has a max load of 35lbs. If the Red+accessories weighs 25lbs, would that be enough give?

Anyone else have experience with the 526?

I'm thinking camera - 8lbs, prime lens - 3lbs, batt/drive - 3lbs, monitor - 4lbs... That's about the max you can take on the 526 comfortably. For more weight look into the Sachtler Video 20 - nice head, but it's pricey.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Never got a response from the support request at cartoni.com today... But ste-mann headed me in the right direction for a replacement. It's a done deal -- got a dealer shipping me a new one, I send mine to them. They took down credit card info and will bill me if they don't receive mine within 20 days. 8)

[Billy Summers]

I have a laser and it works beautifully. I have used O'connor, Sachtler, Vinten, but I really like the feel of Cartoni

[Billy Summers]

I have a Laser, it works beautifully. I've used O'connor, Sachtler, and Vinten but I still really like the Cartoni feel.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Billy,

I agree with you there... I really liked this Focus head a lot until today. Not sure what went wrong, but I'm kinda grumpy about it. I haven't tried a lot of others - this is the nicest head I've ever owned, but I'll have to rent something next week. I'm going to start with the OConnor 1030 and will see how that goes.