Best FSB-6 package for EX3

[Don Greening]

[Cade Muhlig] ” have you ever heard of one breaking? “

Yes, though not through personal experience, nor do I want to do a test on my Miller carbon legs. The owner of the broadcast supply house I deal with has had rental carbon legs break. He didn’t mention how much force was required but I suspect it was considerable. He was the person who talked me out of carbon legs on my most recent tripod purchase.

My thought is that you want the most trouble free gear when you’re a long way from civilization. I’m just sayin’.

– Don

[Cade Muhlig]

thanks for your input
god bless

[Will Salley]

That’s exactly what happened to ours. The legs were in the rear of a golf car (camera was on hi hat) and they got shattered by falling over and binding against something else. I can’t say aluminum wouldn’t have been destroyed, but it certainly destroyed the carbon fiber.

Mac Pro 2×2.8 Quadcore – 10.6.2 – QT 7.6.3 – 22 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro – Open GL 1.5.10 – Wacom Intous2 tablet – AJA io
SONY XDCAM EX3 – Letus Elite

[Don Greening]

[Will Salley] “I can’t say aluminum wouldn’t have been destroyed, but it certainly destroyed the carbon fiber. “

Yep, all I”m sayin’ is that there’s more of a chance to repair aluminum in the field than carbon fibre.

– Don

[Clint Fleckenstein]

I’ve had the FSB-6 with single lever release and carbon legs for a year or two now, and I love it. I’ve used it repeatedly in temperatures approaching -20F, the only situation I can think of where carbon might have a durability problem, and never had an issue. It does come with a padded bag for protection in transit.

I’ve had the same great performance in subzero temperatures with my Manfrotto/Bogen still camera tripod. I also ride a carbon mountain bike and have replaced lots of parts on my motorcycles with carbon fiber bits – also without incident 🙂 I’m not riding them in the subzeros, but I’ve had some stuff get bonked, a couple of times at over 150 mph.

The FSB-6 head is by far the smoothest, nicest feeling head I’ve tried in this price range. Period. In fact, I have been planning to order a second one for a while now. Before I bought it I read every review I could hunt down, no matter how obscure. I was very pleased with the result when I received mine, and would hands-down recommend it to anyone looking for a tripod in the $1500 range.

One thing about carbon is that it’s very solid. It also doesn’t transfer heat/cold as well as metal, which can make it easier to grab and/or carry during temperature extremes. As far as aluminum bending…well, I’ve bent lots of aluminum, sometimes on purpose. It only likes to bend ONCE. That second time, especially if you’re trying to straighten it, is a gamble.

Cf

[Mark O’connell]

is there any reason why i should not go with the fsb-8? as seen here https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/610342-REG/Sachtler_0772_0772_FSB_8_T...

most video i do is out of a suitcase in other countries. but it only adds like .7 pounds, and costs only $120 more. would this be the better choice?

I was going to get the FSB6 but got the FSB8 instead. I also got the single clamp carbon legs. It will not only hold more weight then the FSB6, it also has more levels of drag control and an illuminated bubble, which I find very useful. I had been using a Manfrotto 503, extremely difficult to get smooth pans with that, the Sachtler is in a whole other league. hth

https:// http://www.markoconnell.org