Tripod Help: 542ART/519 Vs. FSB-6/Carbon Fiber
by Ariel Cannon
on
Aug 6, 2009 at 6:42:30 pm
Hi All,
We are purchasing a tripod/head for a Sony EX1 and are looking for some feedback. We've heard good things about the Sachtler FSB-6 with carbon fiber legs, but are a little worried about the weight limit. It's listed as good up to 13lbs, but with our accessories (shoulder mount and rods/matte box/Anton Bauer battery) we think we'll be closer to 18 or 20.
We've found a good deal on a Manfrotto by Bogen 542ART tripod with a 519 head and are wondering how people feel about this set-up.
Re: Tripod Help: 542ART/519 Vs. FSB-6/Carbon Fiber by Joe Tyler on Aug 7, 2009 at 2:47:17 pm
With any Fluid head I'd pay special attention to the weight limit.
On such a small tripod you may have a few pounds of sway, but generally the fluid heads are pretty accurate with their limitations.
It may not affect your panning, but a full vertical tilt up or down could slip and drop your camera or burst something inside the head.
You can find great used tripods - Sachtler Videop 18P - former news tripods that will be much better with the heavy load.
www.killianthered.com
DP in the Washington DC Area
EX3 Owner
Re: Tripod Help: 542ART/519 Vs. FSB-6/Carbon Fiber by William Mims on Aug 7, 2009 at 7:58:52 pm
B&H Video, out of NY, has a Cartoni HiDV Fluid Head ($ 749).
Let me just say this, save the difference elsewhere and get the Cartoni. Hands down, the sweetest fluid head I have ever used. You will not regret it. 75mm bowl, I got a nice tripod for under $ 250. The Cartoni handles my EX3 with extra stuff on it just fine, it's velvet smooth, and very nice. It has some nice lock down features and you can tilt it +90 degrees.
Here's a flash I learned the hard way-cheap fluid heads are not fluid, they are friction with a honey like substance that will ozz out on a hot day in the trunk-then your sunk for sure. trust me. A tripod/fluid head is not the place to cut corners. At one time or another I have used them all, Sachs, O'Connors, Vinten, etc. This Cartoni is the best I have used.
