Cinematography : Support systems by Ken Willinger, Soc

Ken Willinger, Soc

Support systems

I came up using Sachtler tripods and tripod heads. I've been using them for 30 years now. We get used to things we use all the time. If they are designed well and work well we tend not to stray. I have two Sachter heads, a Video 20 (100mm) and a Video 25 (150mm). A couple years ago I also got a Gearnex Geared Head (which is for sale BTW) and after practicing with it quite a bit, never felt that I had it down well enough to start using it on jobs. It is the smoothest pan or tilt I could ever make however. I've not used the Miller systems or O'Connors but many of my friends swear by them. What's your favorite support system and why?

Amanda Toney

GREAT question Ken!

Andrew Sobkovich

I love the Sachtler 20. What a great head. Certainly one of my go to head for cameras in that weight range. Sachtler heads up to the 30 and down to the 18 are heads I will accept anytime. The Sachtlers smaller than the 18 are not as nice. The O’Connor 2575 is certainly at least as good as the best of the Sachtlers, love the movement and counter-balance with a much larger weight range. Other alternatives are any of the Vinten heads. Vinten seems to work quite well across the entire range as long as you fit the camera weight to the head you use. It is great to have so many excellent choices.

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