Blackmagic Forum

Hello everyone, can you suggest me some tripod that can handle the bmcc with the ikan base plate and a folow focus ? I had shot a test video and I saw in post production that my cheap tripod realy don't work with this equipement. I don't have a lot of money after buying all this new gear so I would like a very good value for money ! Thank you

I just ordered the Manfrotto 546B tripod and the Manfrotto 502HD 75mm ball head.
the head supports 12.2 pounds, and the sticks support 44lbs. the more weight you need to be able to support the more expensive the tripods and heads. I also wouldn't skimp on either as you want something that can get beat up a little

As much as I love the big names, for the most bang for the buck on a limited budget, I would go with one of the following E-bay specials:

For $300 plus shipping, this head and legs combo is a good starter value and would hold your rig easily: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SIMPLEITEM

If you already have a head and 75mm half ball leveler, then these are the same legs without the head: $149 plus shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT7402A-Pro-Vid ... 1e57031507

If you already have a head and 100mm half ball leveler, then these legs are a great value for the money, solid as a rock and the ones I have: $249 plus shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT7602A-Pro-Vid ... 1e570335d3

If you need even cheaper, this $129 combo: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SIMPLEITEM probably won't drop your rig and MAY be good enough to start with.

Thank you but don't you think the head is going to shake ?

yannickbelleauroy wrote:Thank you but don't you think the head is going to shake ?

On which tripod?

This one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SIMPLEITEM

These heads and tripods have received many great reviews around the net. I think this combo, while maybe not the very best in performance (or price), would do very nicely and much better than their price might suggest. I just got the $249 100mm legs was very pleased with the quality. They're also sold under the Fancier name.

Most important question is, what's your budget?

There are few things in the shooting world that can last you longer than a good pair of sticks and a fluid head.

If your budget allows, think about possible additions that'll be made to your rig in the future. Spending $300 bucks more now, may be better than having to spend 700 more later.

The 504hd is a great starter set, but its not a "true" fluid head. You could look at a pair of decent legs and aim for a Miller Compass 15 fluid head.

And also, make sure you've accounted for your weight tolerances that may come in the future:

BMCC + heaviest lens + rails + FF + battery solution = about 10.5lbs on the low end. That wont include the possible need for: a matte box + filters, monitor/evf, audio mounts, cage, bigger power solution.

I've got a 546B tripod with a 504HD head that I've been using with my DSLR's and I can tell you to set your mark higher if you want to pan smoothly. Sorry to be the bearer of honesty in this. From what I've learned you have to pay to play in this regard, meaning no shortcuts. Sachtler, Oconnor, Miller, expensive but worth every dime when it means you get the shot versus a jerky pan.

I'd love to hear what John Brawley thinks about heads and sticks so maybe he'll give his advice.

MarshallHarrington wrote:I've got a 546B tripod with a 504HD head that I've been using with my DSLR's and I can tell you to set your mark higher if you want to pan smoothly. Sorry to be the bearer of honesty in this. From what I've learned you have to pay to play in this regard, meaning no shortcuts. Sachtler, Oconnor, Miller, expensive but worth every dime when it means you get the shot versus a jerky pan.

I'd love to hear what John Brawley thinks about heads and sticks so maybe he'll give his advice.

wouldn't the problem be more with the head?

If you are buying new the Sachtler DV 12SB a good investment and best bang for your buck,
this one can handle a decent amount of weight, even a small Jib could be used on this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... 100mm.html

Darryl Gregory wrote:If you are buying new the Sachtler DV 12SB a good investment and best bang for your buck,
this one can handle a decent amount of weight, even a small Jib could be used on this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... 100mm.html

at 31lbs it could handle a Kessler pocket jib no problem. But I think if you're a minimal traveller and you'd like to keep the rig sub 20lbs, the Miller Compass 15 is the way to go, as it was designed more with the DSLR type in mind. I'm a big fan, fantastic products.

But Sachtler and oconnor will do the job too, if you plan on working with heavier rigs as well.

I've found Libec tripods & heads to be good values.

Not their lowest-priced models (as with most low-priced tripod systems, they're pretty funky), but their mid-range to higher-end kit is well-made.

There are better tripod systems available, and in general they cost more. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

TZuck wrote:

MarshallHarrington wrote:I've got a 546B tripod with a 504HD head that I've been using with my DSLR's and I can tell you to set your mark higher if you want to pan smoothly. Sorry to be the bearer of honesty in this. From what I've learned you have to pay to play in this regard, meaning no shortcuts. Sachtler, Oconnor, Miller, expensive but worth every dime when it means you get the shot versus a jerky pan.

I'd love to hear what John Brawley thinks about heads and sticks so maybe he'll give his advice.

wouldn't the problem be more with the head?

TKuck, maybe it's just my particular gear but I've had problems with both parts of this kit. On the tripod the locks on the bottom riser don't fit correctly and they constantly slip unless you pay very, very special attention to them. Actually it's not so much that they do not fit correctly, just that they're made out of a soft nylon/plastic? that bends easily. Not really a great design/material combination. I've been in the middle of a shot and had a leg slip.

And you're right about the head. It's just not smooth.

Don't get me wrong. It's a lot of bang for your buck. Think I paid $650-700 USD for the tripod/head/softcase, which is a great deal. But I'm getting just what I paid for, no smooth pans or quick moves from position to position.

lol I said cheap... It does'nt mean that I want a head at 2500 $ .... My budget is more like 300 $ ! But what do you think about this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... ATION.html

I wouldn't put my $3,000 camera and +$xxxx lens on a pair of $174 sticks. Just me personally. A good pair of sticks will last you through more than a few camera bodies.

If you have to go cheap, settle with a manfrotto 502ah/sirui n2004. Or something else of comparable quality.

Darryl Gregory wrote:If you are buying new the Sachtler DV 12SB a good investment and best bang for your buck,
this one can handle a decent amount of weight, even a small Jib could be used on this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... 100mm.html

Darryl, since this smaller head is almost as much money but carries only 9 kg, do you think it is suitable for a non-professional or would eventually lead to buyer's remorse?
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx

I am hoping to find something with smooth pan, tilt, diagonal movement and assuming I don't load more than 9 kg, would the quality of movement be as good as what you recommended?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Rick, I'm using an FSB 8 (75mm head) all the time - it's plenty smooth and allows for great movement!

I even put a (I know it's a little.. uhm.. "experimental") RED One with a PL-Lens on it once... it was a little on the heavy side and looked a little funny .. but still worked flawlessly, can't recommend the Sachtler 75mm heads enough!
Put a Scarlet on it two times, no problemo as long as it's not fully fledged out with (unnecessary ;o) gear...

Fancier tripod and ball head supports up to 27Ibs for $139.00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UO ... UTF8&psc=1

Soeren Mueller wrote:Rick, I'm using an FSB 8 (75mm head) all the time - it's plenty smooth and allows for great movement!

I even put a (I know it's a little.. uhm.. "experimental") RED One with a PL-Lens on it once... it was a little on the heavy side and looked a little funny .. but still worked flawlessly, can't recommend the Sachtler 75mm heads enough!
Put a Scarlet on it two times, no problemo as long as it's not fully fledged out with (unnecessary ;o) gear...

Thanks, Soeren, for the quick note. A few years ago after I bought my Canon HV20 camcorder, I bought the Manfrotto 701HDV kit. I could get good results from it thanks to careful movement and judicious edits in post since starts and stops were not as smooth as the pans. The sticks are decent actually but the 701 is only a 60mm ball so I need to get another head and tripod for the BMCC to balance the weight.

I'd prefer to buy something that will be my last purchase so I am still debating with myself if I should get a system with 100mm or 75mm balls/bowls. I think using a small slider or small jib would be desirable so I need to think about that weight too. Perhaps price will be the determining factor. Love the mechanisms on very high-end gear but I can't actually buy that! Must be a pleasure for pros to use though.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

rick.lang wrote:

Darryl Gregory wrote:If you are buying new the Sachtler DV 12SB a good investment and best bang for your buck,
this one can handle a decent amount of weight, even a small Jib could be used on this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... 100mm.html

Darryl, since this smaller head is almost as much money but carries only 9 kg, do you think it is suitable for a non-professional or would eventually lead to buyer's remorse?
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx

I am hoping to find something with smooth pan, tilt, diagonal movement and assuming I don't load more than 9 kg, would the quality of movement be as good as what you recommended?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hey Rick, yes this tripod http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx should work well for you,or the miller solo, then just buy another set of heavy duty sticks and you have a very light weight setup, great for Travel or Hiking when you need a light tripod, and heavy duty sticks for studio or secure location shoots. or you could buy the Sachtler 0705 FSB-8T, and get some carbon fiber sticks.

Either tripods will work very well for you.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... arbon.html

With the weight of the BMCC, the only reason to get a heavy duty tripod is if you plan on using a jib, or your fully loaded rigs total weight is way above the weight of the heads "Max" Load Capacity, Most Manufactures Max Weight Capacity is way below what the head can actually hold, but at worst you are risking the chance of blowing a seal, and best you could lose performance like being able to balance it, or smooth drag control from the head at heavy loads. With a 75mm ball you can use common sliders/dolly's and such, and if you need 100mm you can use an adapter, other than that just try and find a "True Fluid Head" that is within your budget, and you should be happy with it for years, If not sell it... and move up a notch.

And here is another tripod that is very popular at it's price, I even own it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... Stage.html
or the carbon fiber
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... Stage.html

Having 3 or more tripods is very common, One Light Weight, One Heavy Duty, One that can get very low shots like the Gitzo Gitzo GT4330LS 3-Section Aluminum Tripod Legs
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... ripod.html
and get the Manfrotto 504HD for the Gitzo legs



You may also want a Cine Saddle http://www.cinekinetic.com/
or
a VBag http://vbag.com/
or
a lower cost cine saddle from Digital Juice called the low Rider
http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/pr ... p?pid=1151

Here is a better demonstration of the Gitzo tripod


I must have edited this 15 times.
Update: Make that 20 times

Anyway I'm getting the Gitzo mentioned above since it accepts 75mm & 100mm ball heads, and one too many times I needed to get a "Low" shot.
I'm also getting the, Sachtler DV 12SB as soon as can afford it, because I need the ability to handle heavy balanced loads, and get smooth as butter pans.

Darryl Gregory wrote:

rick.lang wrote:

Darryl Gregory wrote:If you are buying new the Sachtler DV 12SB a good investment and best bang for your buck,
this one can handle a decent amount of weight, even a small Jib could be used on this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... 100mm.html

Darryl, since this smaller head is almost as much money but carries only 9 kg, do you think it is suitable for a non-professional or would eventually lead to buyer's remorse?
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx

I am hoping to find something with smooth pan, tilt, diagonal movement and assuming I don't load more than 9 kg, would the quality of movement be as good as what you recommended?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hey Rick, yes this tripod http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx should work well for you,or the miller solo, then just buy another set of heavy duty sticks and you have a very light weight setup, great for Travel or Hiking when you need a light tripod, and heavy duty sticks for studio or secure location shoots. or you could buy the Sachtler 0705 FSB-8T, and get some carbon fiber sticks.

Either tripods will work very well for you.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... arbon.html

With the weight of the BMCC, the only reason to get a heavy duty tripod is if you plan on using a jib, or your fully loaded rigs total weight is way above the weight of the heads "Max" Load Capacity... With a 75mm ball you can use common sliders/dolly's and such, and if you need 100mm you can use an adapter...

Having 3 or more tripods is very common, One Light Weight, One Heavy Duty, One that can get very low shots like the Gitzo Gitzo GT4330LS 3-Section Aluminum Tripod Legs
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... ripod.html

Anyway I'm getting the Gitzo mentioned above since it accepts 75mm & 100mm ball heads, and one too many times I needed to get a "Low" shot.
I'm also getting the, Sachtler DV 12SB as soon as can afford it, because I need the ability to handle heavy balanced loads, and get smooth as butter pans.

It all comes down to a question of weight and I don't know what my demands would be. I am leaning towards this for everyday use up to 9 kg and if I wanted to mount a jib, then I would need to rent better gear:
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx

It's interesting that I might be able to afford the 100mm ball DV 12SB which would be ideal, but Sachtler wants about another $3,000 just for their tripod in their recommended DV 12SB kit. Going down a few kg to the DV 10SB is still an expensive kit:
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoTrip ... Specs.aspx

Thanks so much for all the research!

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

How about Miller tripods? The 2030 is awesome ))