Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC

Ryan Jones · April 3rd, 2014, 05:31 AM

G'day Sticks.

Certainly did say NZ. It's for my day job, so taking a little video kit for some hobby stuff, nothing big.

My last workshop is in Dunedin so perhaps I can buy you a beer on the evening of Friday May 30?

Cheers,
Ryan

Kin Lau · April 3rd, 2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Jones

A friend has the Safari, it's much bigger and heavier than the 190 or 055, but almost as light including head and bag. Build quality of the head looks similar to the Fancier style that are cheap on ebay.

The head on the Safari is exactly the same one on the Fancier/Weifeng, everything is the same between my WF717 and the Safari.

My Miller DS5 is much smoother but a lot heavier and doesn't fold down as small.

I've had my Safari for about 3 years, and sure it's cheap but it's holding up well for weekend use with my GH2 and GH3 + 100-300.

Jase Tanner · April 4th, 2014, 12:36 AM

Thanks for posting that article Ryan. Despite the reports you referred to, I'm going to give the Gitzo GT1542T a try. Still uncertain about a head. I used to have the manfrotto 701 but didn't care for it.

Not high quality but I'm going to see what this is like. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/903499-REG/varavon_vasc_103hd_103hd_fluid_video_head.html
I did read one review that said it was good value for the cost.

Kin Lau · April 4th, 2014, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jase Tanner

Not high quality but I'm going to see what this is like. Varavon 103HD Fluid Video Head VASC-103HD B&H Photo Video

I did read one review that said it was good value for the cost.

This is the same head as the Fancier/Weifeng/E-Image/Safari without the bowl and a slightly different plate. You'll find the same thing under several names on Ebay.

Jase Tanner · April 4th, 2014, 09:54 AM

Kin, you say your Safari is holding up well which I take as a comment that it hasn't started to fall apart since you've had it. What would you say about the smoothness of pans and tilts? Could it take a GH3 with a larger lens, the sigma 18-35 for example. A little longer physically and .64 lbs. heavier.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/967345-REG/sigma_18_35mm_f1_8_dc_hsm.html

Kin Lau · April 4th, 2014, 10:41 AM

The problem with the 18-35/1.8 will be balance, but weight wise, no problem, I've used it with my Sigma 50-500 which has a dedicated tripod mount.

Smoothness differs a fair bit btwn winter and summer (it's not a true fluid head). At subzero temps, it's quite stiff for pans and tilts, and benefits from more weight being on the head.

In warmer weather, it's quite a bit better.

There's little adjustment available for pan's, pretty well all or nothing (just a friction screw). The tilt adjustment is more flexible with variable drag.

The part that wearing the most is probably the adjustable bowl, it's not particular smooth to begin with. Just have to twist a bit harder.

Jase Tanner · April 5th, 2014, 11:34 PM

The head's adjustable mounting plate along with a well positioned cheese plate should take care of any balance issues.

Ryan Jones · April 8th, 2014, 03:33 AM

I really like the Manfrotto 500 head Jase. I'm sure I looked at the Weifeng and it was heavier, although worth double checking.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the 500. With only little weight on it performance is good. I have to try the Sony on it. Lots of little things to impress too. Side load head? Awesome!

Only thing even with the 190 legs I've got is it's just easier to rest a hand on the tripod while panning. Other than that? Gold.

April 3rd, 2014, 05:31 AM	#16
Ryan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 124	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC G'day Sticks. Certainly did say NZ. It's for my day job, so taking a little video kit for some hobby stuff, nothing big. My last workshop is in Dunedin so perhaps I can buy you a beer on the evening of Friday May 30? Cheers, Ryan

April 4th, 2014, 12:36 AM	#18
Jase Tanner Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 346	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC Thanks for posting that article Ryan. Despite the reports you referred to, I'm going to give the Gitzo GT1542T a try. Still uncertain about a head. I used to have the manfrotto 701 but didn't care for it. Not high quality but I'm going to see what this is like. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/903499-REG/varavon_vasc_103hd_103hd_fluid_video_head.html I did read one review that said it was good value for the cost.

April 4th, 2014, 09:54 AM	#20
Jase Tanner Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 346	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC Kin, you say your Safari is holding up well which I take as a comment that it hasn't started to fall apart since you've had it. What would you say about the smoothness of pans and tilts? Could it take a GH3 with a larger lens, the sigma 18-35 for example. A little longer physically and .64 lbs. heavier. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/967345-REG/sigma_18_35mm_f1_8_dc_hsm.html

April 4th, 2014, 10:41 AM	#21
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC The problem with the 18-35/1.8 will be balance, but weight wise, no problem, I've used it with my Sigma 50-500 which has a dedicated tripod mount. Smoothness differs a fair bit btwn winter and summer (it's not a true fluid head). At subzero temps, it's quite stiff for pans and tilts, and benefits from more weight being on the head. In warmer weather, it's quite a bit better. There's little adjustment available for pan's, pretty well all or nothing (just a friction screw). The tilt adjustment is more flexible with variable drag. The part that wearing the most is probably the adjustable bowl, it's not particular smooth to begin with. Just have to twist a bit harder.

April 5th, 2014, 11:34 PM	#22
Jase Tanner Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 346	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC The head's adjustable mounting plate along with a well positioned cheese plate should take care of any balance issues.

April 8th, 2014, 03:33 AM	#23
Ryan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 124	Re: Portable/travel tripod/head for the BMPCC I really like the Manfrotto 500 head Jase. I'm sure I looked at the Weifeng and it was heavier, although worth double checking. I have been pleasantly surprised by the 500. With only little weight on it performance is good. I have to try the Sony on it. Lots of little things to impress too. Side load head? Awesome! Only thing even with the 190 legs I've got is it's just easier to rest a hand on the tripod while panning. Other than that? Gold.