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Sachtler Heads

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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
I am having trouble deciding between the FSB-8 or the FSB-8T. Anybody here have any experience with either plate attachment?
Thanks!
Aug 28 2012 12:14PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
bump

i'm also starting to look at heads in this price range
Aug 29 2012 5:27PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,483
why the fsb8?
Aug 29 2012 6:51PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
honestly, it has come down to weight. The difference between the FSB-6 and the FSB-8 is only a couple hundred bucks. If I am spending around $2,000 on a head and some legs, I want to make sure this is going to last me a while. I would hate to be fortunate enough in the future to have a much heavier camera rig and not be able to have this very expensive tripod be fit for it you know?

Also, after doing a lot of research on Miller vs Sachtler vs Vinten etc.... Sachtler consistently came out on top.

Is that what you meant?
Aug 30 2012 3:46AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
oh and because I have quickly grown to hate my 501HDV head.
Aug 30 2012 4:04AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Cine DSLR is essentially the FSB4, FSB6, and FSB8 all rolled into one head. With an FSB8, you're hosed unless you're using a heavy rig.
Aug 30 2012 12:01PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
I have the FSB8T and I really like it. But, I am also using a 15 pound FS100 and 700 on it, heavier than a typical DSLR rig. Anything smaller would not be well suited for the head. It comes down to the counter balance mechanism and the weight it is designed for. If the camera is too light, the head will spring back, which defeats the purpose of the counter balance.
Aug 30 2012 3:19PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,483
I wondering what set you're using thats so heavy you need an fsb8
Aug 30 2012 3:49PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
i think his t2i might be solid lead
Aug 30 2012 7:13PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
well, I am planning on building up a rig for my FS since I have been doing a large number of commercial jobs lately.

FS-100

Novoflex adapter

Nikkor 24, 35, 50, 35-70, 80-200

tokina 11-16

Rhode NTG-2

looking at adding rails, matte box and monitor.

I guess my reason for the FSB-8T, is that I would hate to invest a couple thousand into a tripod and then when I upgrade cameras or want to build ontop of my FS, I have to get a new head...
Sep 2 2012 10:43AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,483
check out the cine dslr head landis suggested. it has a huge range so if you just had say your 50 and fs100 itd balance and if you had your 80-200 with rails and matte box itd balance too
Sep 2 2012 10:25PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
yea, the more I look at that cine dslr head, the more it looks like the right one for me. I think I was planning much to far into the future with that FSB-8...


thanks everybody! =)
Sep 3 2012 11:27AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
as for legs, I am thinking of getting these-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293495-REG/Miller_1501_SOLO_DV_Carbon_Fiber.html

or the 3-stage

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/327753-REG/Miller_1505_SOLO_VJ_Carbon_Fiber.html

thoughts? other suggestions?
Sep 3 2012 11:29AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I have the two-stage version and they are magnificent. If it helps, I rarely expand the second stage, and for nature/skiing this works great; fully extended it comes up to about head level. I don't see the reason in paying another $300 to get the camera another 8" off the ground, especially considering how little you'll need that height. And in the off chance that you do, you can just use a hi-hat + ladder, jib, tree, whatever, and put the money you save towards something more economical.

Also, the longer you extend the legs, the less stable it will be. My two-stage is solid fully extended, but I feel that three stages would be pushing it.
Sep 3 2012 11:41AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
awesome, this is what I had been thinking, just wanted to hear it from someone else that had the legs. thanks!
Sep 3 2012 10:45PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
I have gitzo 2 stage CF legs, and they are absolutely wonderful. I'm sure the miller's are the same. Once you go CF, you'll never go back. They're just so light and strong and portable!
Sep 3 2012 11:02PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
oh yea, got some CF legs right now. will never go back. I was checking out some gitzo legs...saw some on sale locally...have heard very good things about them.
Sep 5 2012 12:04AM
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