Blackmagic Forum

Hello all,

I am in front of to make a decision in Tripod System choice for my URSA mini 4.6k with EVF.

I am aware that weight of my Ursa included EVF and shoulder system is nearly 7kg so Manfrotto system payload is between 2-10 kg.
At the beginning, I was going to try out and buy Manfrotto Nitrotech System but unfortunately, it was discontinued due to some production issues and the new order will be back approximately with few months.

My second choice was going to be https://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/mil ... pod_system but its payload is up to 5kg.

Did somebody from you worked with this head?

Are there any other suggestions for good solid Tripod system which could last a long time but wouldn't be too expensive? My budget is £ 1200.


Looking forward to your comments. Your help is much appreciated!

I personally like miller tripods and own one myself. The miller heads are so smooth and can adjust according to weight of rig.

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Second Miller. Well made tripods with outstanding customer service.

Same here. Miller

Thank you, guys! I am going with Miller too.

Here is the model I want to purchase - http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/miller_1514

What tripods to you personally own?

I use Miller Compass 20 head with Vinten Pozi-loc legs.

Great combination, and can easily carry my fully rigged up URSA Mini.

This is my current set up

I'm using a Really Right Stuff tripod with a Nitrotech head. It's been pretty well overall. I expect that I'll eventually move up to an O'Connor or Miller though. For the money, the Nitrotech is pretty good. The Really Right Stuff legs are great.

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If you want to go the preowned route, I bought a Miller DV-20 kit on eBay for $700. The DS-25 - 30 heads with legs are generally under $1,200 used.

Stephen Press wrote:This is my current set up

Is there an URSA Mini somewhere under all that

Today's setup.

There is indeed, Yours looks very minimalist...

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Stephen Press wrote:There is indeed, Yours looks very minimalist...

It is today.

I took the train up to Sydney city with UM4.6k PL, 2 x CineAlta lenses, tripod, matte box + filters, and a three light kit. It all fit into a long wheelie case (HPRC 6400) and ThinkTank backpack.

Paul Kapp wrote:You've already decided, but just adding to the conversation,
Vinten Vision 3
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _Head.html
Mine is 10 years old and good as new.
Very smooth, takes 10Kg, adjustable balance with spring tensioning. Was $3000 new but can be had for $500 on eBay.
I've swapped the aluminium legs for Manfrotto carbon fibre.

The Vinten gear is very good quality.

Millers are awesome!

Benro is a good bang for your buck system.

Paul Kapp wrote:You've already decided, but just adding to the conversation,
Vinten Vision 3
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _Head.html
Mine is 10 years old and good as new.
Very smooth, takes 10Kg, adjustable balance with spring tensioning. Was $3000 new but can be had for $500 on eBay.
I've swapped the aluminium legs for Manfrotto carbon fibre.

My curiosity has been peaked on the Vinten heads! I'm currently looking for an affordable head/tripod system and the Vision 6 looks like it would fit my needs. I routinely shoot at 300mm-500mm and do a lot of macro work as well. That being said I need the setup to be very stable. Any input on the stability of the Vision 6 with a Mini 4.6k and say FD 300mm f/4?

Vinten make very nice heads (if they are set up properly, well worth taking the time to balance right) but I never liked their legs.

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I use Miller DS20s, have two of them, both work great, one is under a rigged AF100 (similar to Ursa Mini when rigged weight/size wise). They are great bargains for what you get, nice smooth real fluid heads (not friction clutch movements like Manfrotto is now using). Cheers

Thanks for the info Stephen and Paul! I think I'll try and find a decent Vision 6 and buy a separate pair of CF legs. The Vision 8 looks great as well but the price jumps a lot from the 6 to 8.

I just recently purchased the Benro BV6 Pro. I've been loving it so far. If you don't have the money for a Sachtler or Miller I'd look into Benro.


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Garth McElroy wrote:Thanks for the info Stephen and Paul! I think I'll try and find a decent Vision 6 and buy a separate pair of CF legs. The Vision 8 looks great as well but the price jumps a lot from the 6 to 8.

I've owned both the Vinten Vision+PoziLock and Miller Compass 20+3stageCarbon Fiber Legs for a number of years. Over that time I've had to send the Vinten head back to have the balance mechanism fixed twice while the Miller has been rock solid. The greater range on the Miller legs makes them far more versatile.

M, the ds 25 with the big ursa. Although I wouldn't say no to a skyline:-)

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Garth, is the Vision 6 a lot like the Vision blue5?

http://www.vinten.com/en/product/vision ... -tilt-head

The blue5 requires a minimum of 5.5 Kg and the blue3 has a minimum of 5.9Kg (less with a bridge plate they sell). Depending upon how you plan to rig the camera, your camera might not meet the minimum weight. If you are confident you'll always be shooting with a 6Kg load, then you're good to go.


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We own two Cartoni tripods and can't imagine life without them.

Cheers,

Fabián

rick.lang wrote:Garth, is the Vision 6 a lot like the Vision blue5?

http://www.vinten.com/en/product/vision ... -tilt-head

The blue5 requires a minimum of 5.5 Kg and the blue3 has a minimum of 5.9Kg (less with a bridge plate they sell). Depending upon how you plan to rig the camera, your camera might not meet the minimum weight. If you are confident you'll always be shooting with a 6Kg load, then you're good to go.


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Hi Rick,

Yea, it looks like they have similar load ranges. Here's a spec chart I found for the Vision heads: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/vintenFluidHeads.htm. I think I should be good on always meeting the 9.9lb minimum of the 6. I'd also like to have some room to grow as well and I'm hoping to get a longer lens in the near future. Either a Sigma 150-600mm Sport or even a Canon FD 150-600mm. I'm actually tempted to go with the 100mm bowl Vision 8. I'm also looking at the Miller DS-25. My main concern is having a tripod that is going to be rock solid using long lenses and can take some abuse.

I originally thought a 75mm bowl was enough, but I decided last year to go with a 100mm bowl. So if you have the budget for it, I think people generally would recommend the larger bowl. I don't have the budget yet, but one day. In the meantime I abuse my older Manfrotto system that I'd never recommend to anyone.


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Buy used heavy duty pro gear, for the same price (or even less), than new semipro/consumer gear.

That always worked really good for me, and is especially true, when it comes to tripods and heads.

I'm a huge Vinten fanboy.
My Vinten 20 head was like 6000 bucks in the 1990s. I bought it several years ago for 400 bucks on ebay. I still can throw anything at it, and the head handles all setups up to 40 pounds with ease.

Sadly they don't make em like this anymore, but the never Vinten models are also very good.

Side note: Floor spreaders are IMHO a pain in the ass, I would get sticks with a middle spreader.

Frank Glencairn wrote:Buy used heavy duty pro gear, for the same price (or even less), than new semipro/consumer gear...

My Vinten 20 head was like 6000 bucks in the 1990s. I bought it several years ago for 400 bucks on ebay. I still can throw anything at it...

But, sadly, I think those days are over on eBay now. When you look for something like that, the seller usually has it open for bids and eBay happily shows everyone alternatives and in a few microseconds, the ignorant seller, that thought it was worth $400, will have bids for $3,000. If you're very lucky and patient, someone will post a fantastic deal from an estate sale and offer it as Buy Now without bidding since they don't have a clue about value.

I've been watching OConnor 1030d systems and I swear sometimes the bids are higher than the retail new price.

Show me an OConnor 1030d system that I can buy for $1,000 and by the time I can open my browser it will be $3,000 and by the time I think about it, it will be $4,000 and I'm better off buying new since it might be crap.

I got a fairly good deal on my Fujinon Zoom and the Chrosziel Fluid Zoom control from a reputable shooter that needed cash. It could have just as well been a piece of junk that would have been a disaster to use or stolen goods! Thankfully your advice worked for me that time!


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