Tripod for HDX900

[John Cummings]

After you hang a lens, battery and perhaps a wireless receiver, mattebox and monitor on that camera, it could weigh close to 30 pounds or more.

There are no safe “lightweight” solutions. If you go with too small of a capacity head, you risk overloading the head or a leg collapse that could ruin your entire day. Trust me, I know about failures.

I’m a big fan of sachtler heads and tripods. I have the same camera and would suggest the video 18 head at the very least. Heads (and especially tripods) lose some load capacity as they age and wear, so you’re always better off buying more capacity than you think you need.

Some guys I know use lighter Gitzo legs, but I feel safer with the HD legs from Sachtler.

Bottom line: this is one piece of gear where you get what you pay for.

J Cummings
Cameralogic/Chicago
cameralogic.tv
HDX-900/HDW-730S/DXC-D50

[Ernie Santella]

Here’s a few suggestions.

I’m old school and have used good old O’Connor 50D heads/Gitzo carbon fiber stix for years. Sure, they don’t tilt 90˚ or have lighted bubbles, but they are rock solid, smooth as glass, built tough. I can even run a prompter on top of them with my HDX900. I highly recommend them and everybody thanks me when they get one. You can usually find them used on Ebay for $250-$750.

I tried a Manfrotto/Bogen 526 as a trial (A buddy is a rep for Bogen and let me test it for a while). Horrible. I could never get the head to be smooth, it just had a sticking issue starting and stopping. I chatted with the engineers, no dice. IMHO, they are just not ready for prime-time.

I did come across another nice head/system, the Libec H60. Very nice. Smooth, solid, lightweight and well worth the $$$$ compared to Sachtler, Vinton or some of the other heads.

https://www.libecsales.com/products/ls/h60.html

[John Rosson]

John/Ernie,

I’ve googled and found the Sachtler name — and Ernie thank you for the Libec link.
Will investigate both — and thank you gentlemen for your responses.

JR

[Robin Probyn]

Also have HDX900. Sachtler 18 with light weight CF 2 stage legs,I think we be your best bet.. and as light weight as you would want to go.The off ground spreader is also very good.. once your used to it,you,ll never go back..

[Mark D’agostino]

I’ve used the Vinten Vision 10 head and sticks for about 15years with a heavier Sony 500 and for the last 2-1/2 years with our HDX900 and it’s worked beautifully and is lightweight.

Mark D’Agostino
http://www.synergeticproductions.com

[John Rosson]

robin, mark —
beg pardon this late post.
haven’t checked in in a bit — and appreciate replies.
i’ll re-post when i buy.
thank you.
jr

[Robin Probyn]

Ok thanks good luck.I found B&H was a good deal on the 18.But really I would recommend the off ground spreader.. so much better than on ground..

[Mark D’agostino]

John,
The spreader on my sticks is at the ground but is flexible so it works nicely on very uneven surfaces. However, I wholeheartedly agree with Robyn that you should look for sticks with the spreader at mid-level.

Mark D’Agostino
http://www.synergeticproductions.com

[Robin Probyn]

Yes IMHO the off ground spreader was really a leap forward .. as well as setting up on steps etc the thing doesn’t wear out!!! the plastic around those pins cracking etc.. the pins coming out.. and its weighs alot less than the heavy duty rubber spreader to say nothing of those steel monsters.. 🙂

[John Rosson]

You know — I am so used to the mid-level spreader — I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
I’m on uneven ground alot, steps often enough and was surprised to see your post Mark that the bottom spreader can even work on uneven ground.
Was surprised as well to see the price on the B&H Sachtler kit — around 7.5K for the sticks and head — yikes.