Cartoni Focus

Eric Pascarelli · December 18th, 2007, 09:39 PM

The pan handle on the Cartoni Focus is a bit flimsy and I was wondering if anyone knows of an alternate, such as one from a Miller or O'Connor.

Are the rosettes and screws the same size on any better handles that anyone knows of?

Thanks.

Chris Soucy · December 18th, 2007, 10:47 PM

Can't give a direct response to your query as I am not familiar with the Cartoni equipment you mention.

I do need to ask however what you mean by "flimsy"?

Without knowing what you mean, the best I can suggest is to find out what size bolt the handle you have uses (shouldn't be too hard, simply take the handle and bolt to a local hardware store and see what nut fits the bolt - voila) then see what else is available that has the same type bolt (the rosettes seem to be universal).

Not sure how anyone is going to be able to judge "flimsy" tho' - what do you do with it apart from panning the head - beat elephants to death with the thing?

Sorry if that sounds flipant, it's just that even my Manfrotto 503 pan arm wouldn't fall into the "flimsy" category (by my reckoning), which if anything would, it would.

CS

Tim Le · December 19th, 2007, 12:34 AM

Eric: My hunch is the rosettes are not compatible and the threads may not be either, especially with OConnor using inch threads and the others probably metric threads. Your best bet is to look into one of the pan bars for the larger Cartoni heads like the Laser or Gamma and check with Ste-man first to see if those are compatible with the Focus (they may not be). All of the fluid head makers' pan bars are super expensive, so you wouldn't save much by trying to use another brand's pan bar.

Chris: The pan bar on the Focus was one my gripes with it. It definitely could have been more rigid, in my opinion. It's a two-piece telescoping pan bar with a fairly small diameter so it flexes a bit when the pan drag is dialed up, especially at the joint.

Eric Pascarelli · December 19th, 2007, 05:46 AM

Thanks.

Yes, the pan bar on the Focus is quite flexible, and its springiness makes it hard to make solid starts and stops in my experience.

I will certainly check with Ste-Man (already been there in Burbank for other isuues) but was curious if anyone had a tried and true solution.

Cary Lee · December 21st, 2007, 09:16 PM

You might try to telescope the arm to the shortest length to help support the arm more with a more rigid setting.

December 18th, 2007, 09:39 PM	#1
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Cartoni Focus - Alternate Pan Bar? The pan handle on the Cartoni Focus is a bit flimsy and I was wondering if anyone knows of an alternate, such as one from a Miller or O'Connor. Are the rosettes and screws the same size on any better handles that anyone knows of? Thanks.

December 18th, 2007, 10:47 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Eric.................. Can't give a direct response to your query as I am not familiar with the Cartoni equipment you mention. I do need to ask however what you mean by "flimsy"? Without knowing what you mean, the best I can suggest is to find out what size bolt the handle you have uses (shouldn't be too hard, simply take the handle and bolt to a local hardware store and see what nut fits the bolt - voila) then see what else is available that has the same type bolt (the rosettes seem to be universal). Not sure how anyone is going to be able to judge "flimsy" tho' - what do you do with it apart from panning the head - beat elephants to death with the thing? Sorry if that sounds flipant, it's just that even my Manfrotto 503 pan arm wouldn't fall into the "flimsy" category (by my reckoning), which if anything would, it would. CS

December 21st, 2007, 09:16 PM	#5
Cary Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood USA Posts: 128	You might try to telescope the arm to the shortest length to help support the arm more with a more rigid setting. __________________ Canon XHA1, SGpro,Flip,FF, RR Mattebox, Nebtek V-R70p-HDA with Canon, Nikkor Primes 24mm f2.8, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2.0, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 105mm f1.8, 135mm f2.0, and 300mm f4.0.

December 19th, 2007, 12:34 AM	#3
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	Eric: My hunch is the rosettes are not compatible and the threads may not be either, especially with OConnor using inch threads and the others probably metric threads. Your best bet is to look into one of the pan bars for the larger Cartoni heads like the Laser or Gamma and check with Ste-man first to see if those are compatible with the Focus (they may not be). All of the fluid head makers' pan bars are super expensive, so you wouldn't save much by trying to use another brand's pan bar. Chris: The pan bar on the Focus was one my gripes with it. It definitely could have been more rigid, in my opinion. It's a two-piece telescoping pan bar with a fairly small diameter so it flexes a bit when the pan drag is dialed up, especially at the joint.

December 19th, 2007, 05:46 AM	#4
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Thanks. Yes, the pan bar on the Focus is quite flexible, and its springiness makes it hard to make solid starts and stops in my experience. I will certainly check with Ste-Man (already been there in Burbank for other isuues) but was curious if anyone had a tried and true solution.