Originally Posted by Martin Catt (Post 736539)

Scott:
I run my XL2 on a Bogen/Manfrotto 351 tripod with the 503 fluid head. It's rock-steady, no problems with unintended camera motion with the 20x zoom all the way out. The fluid drag is adjustable so you can set it to a sweet spot for your preferences. I bought mine as a package (head, tripod, and carry case) for $485.00. I've used B/M tripods for years as a still photographer and never personally had any complaints about the quality and construction.

Before that, I was using a Davis and Sanford Mark II tripod with the D&S FM-25 fluid head. I found it for a good price at a used camera store, missing a few small parts. A couple of hours at a friend's machine shop, and it had two new solid aluminum handles, a nice brass clamping knob, and a new mounting stud. Monster of a tripod, better suited for a studio, but capable of holding an elephant steady. I went with the Bogen as a field tripod because it collapses up smaller, weighs less, and is easier to level with the bowl mount. You give up some convenience as to camera height adjustment without the center column, but I can set up and level the head in ten seconds. With the D&S, I'd spend a couple of minutes fiddling with leg length adjustments trying to center the bubble. I'm keeping the D&S to use as a base for the crane I plan on building.

Regards;
Martin

Originally Posted by Martin Catt (Post 737165)

That's it. I've used it on calm days, windy days, fast pans, slow pans, and locked down, wide angle to full zoom. No complaints. Also, I forgot to mention that the 503 head is counterbalanced, and with a little tweaking will hold the XL2 in whatever tilt angle you leave it WITHOUT locking the tilt.

However, this assumes you've followed the #1 rule of (any) tripod use: make sure the legs are set firmly on a solid surface and spread as wide as practical.

Unlike still photography, unless you're shooting locked down, you need some movement. The nice thing about the 503 head is you have a separate adjustment for the fluid drag, independent of the pan/tilt locks. Completely release the pan/tilt locks, then use the fluid drag adjustments to set the head movement to your satisfaction. Don't use the pan/tilt locks to change the drag settings -- the locks are either on or off. That way you get consistent head motion.

BTW, that's a good price.

Martin

Originally Posted by Kevin Randolph (Post 945207)

The reason I'm looking at this one is I've heard that the 503 head isn't as good as it could be (not a true fluid head?).

Originally Posted by Ty Ford (Post 945210)

Sachtler?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Originally Posted by Kevin Randolph (Post 945334)

Jack

(Sorry, still haven't figured out how to do multiple quotes) Thanks for the info on the 503. I had read a post somewhere on here about the 503. I currently own some older version of the 501 that I am not really happy with. So you feel that the 503 is adequate for a camera such as the XL2 or similar size?
Kevin