New Tripod Suggestions

[Marlon Torres]

Okay, so my fully rigged out Scarlet is now 22lbs. My little old 8 year old Bogen is really struggling with it and I guess its time for me to get a new one. My budget is currently between $1k-$2k. I was looking at the new Manfrotto 509 and Cartoni FocusHD. I'm torn between the two. Are there any others I should consider?

[Terry VerHaar]

Marlon - with the same thing in mind, I recently decided to upgrade from my Libec LS-55. I real like the Libec but wanted to go to a 100mm ball. I ended up getting carbon fiber Libec sticks (T98C) and, even though the are less than $450, I love them.

Then I put a Manfrotto 509 on it. I really wanted to like the 509 but I have to admit I am disappointed with the panning. It's just not as smooth as I'd like - sticks a bit at start. Admittedly, it is still new to me and maybe my technique will improve as I get used to its idiosyncrasies. YMMV

[Lee Saxon]

I have the Focus HD and find it great. I've heard a few negative comments about it lately that have lead me to believe that, had I any experience with higher-end heads I would not be impressed with the Focus. *shrug*

I haven't used the 509HD but I know the 504HD upon which it is based sucks. Very jerky movement and whatever is inside in place of a true fluid movement makes a crinkling sound when you tilt. It also has wildly insufficient drag but the 509 is said to have fixed that.

Also, I've yet to find 100mm bowl sticks that I like. I'm strongly considering selling my Focus and getting a 75mm head so I can use my Really Right Stuff's Versa sticks.

[Lliam Worthington]

Seriously consider the Libec 450 series for that weight and great price.
Have the 350 and it's outstanding. So smooth and counter balance is perfect. True fluid head. Take a lot to convince me there is a better
performance to value tripod/head combo out there for just over 1K. They just announced some minor, but good, free upgrades at NAB too.

http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/04/fre...ab-2012-libec/
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=228

[Nick Morrison]

The libec 450 sounds like a great suggestion. Good call!

[Michael Millichamp]

Cartoni Focus HD.

Awesome head, but the tilt lock is less than good.

[Rob Gardner]

I don't know why these Lumiere Technology tripods aren't getting more attention. For $700 very good lightripod and head.


EI7063A2 Photo Video Tripod Leg&Fluid Drag Head Hight1.65M/65"MaxLoad15Kg/33Lb on ebay. Handles an Epic with most primes no problem. Proudly made in China, but well made. Check it out.

[Josef Gatti]

These are the exact 2 I've been looking at also. From my research it seems Cartoni is the way to go (and I was on the verge of clicking that purchase now button) - although now I've just had a look into Libec and this has changed thins again.

This looks interesting - 100mm bowl as opposed to the 75mm on the 450. Hasn't got the greatest height on it and is a little heavy, like the rest of the Libec options.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Aluminum.html

Can anyone chime in here? Is the 100mm bowl specs something that should take preference?

[Ned Wilson]

I would seriously reconsider your tripod budget. You may have spent 15 grand or more on your camera kit. It's professional gear now. Why mount it on prosumer support? Manfrotto or Cartoni Focus are really a few leagues below your camera package. Performance wise, they're just not that good compared to a real fluid head tripod. Both are friction heads (despite what their promo says). Libec on the otherhand even though it doesn't have as much adjustable drag as the Focus or Manfrotto is actually much smoother. It reminds me of Miller smoothness though without the range of drag. If you can fathom spending 2500.00 or more for a head, that gets you a Miller Arrow or Compass. They're completely in a different league than the Focus or Manfrotto and as good or better than heads costing two times as much. I had a Focus and sent it in for repair three times within a year mostly due to poor build quality issues. It also has considerable backlash. Manfrottos in general are deplorable when it comes to performance. Both will cost you more in the long run in blown takes or less than pro moves (wait until you have to perform a creeper pan on a 200mm plus lens).

They great thing about investing a bit more for a decent tripod is that long after your camera has passed on to greener pastures of obsolescence, you'll still be getting more mileage out a of pro level tripod. My Miller Arrow 25 is now on its 6th year and still performs like a champ. I've long ago sold my Cartoni Focus.

[Josh Beadle]

Tripod / Head Budget = Buy it once and grow into it . . .