OT: Advice needed for low cost tripod

plasmavideo wrote on 12/15/2005, 7:36 AM

I'm in the market for a "prosumer" cost range tripod for my home Mini-DV camera, a Sony TRV9. My inexpensive RadioShack tripod got killed last night by someone accidentally mangling it while I was setting up to tape an event at church.

There seem to be a LOT of choices out there from $50 to $200. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a brand/model?

Obviously I would like a fluid head mechanism, preferably 2 way.

Even Best Buy carries a Sunpak that is described as having a "fluid-effect" head for around $70.

Sony has one that B&H carries that has the LANC controller for record on/off and zoom function, but I don't know anything more about the quality of the tripod itself. Perhaps that's not the best way to go, but instead get a different brand of tripod and a seperate LANC control if that is desired?

Also, is having a motorized head of any advantage? I can guess it would be for remote operation, but do you find it handy for smooth motion pans in normal operation.

Thanks in advance, everyone, and the best of the holiday season to all.

Tom

Comments

DavidMcKnight wrote on 12/15/2005, 8:02 AM

I can tell you my experience for what it's worth; I went from using the best tripod money could buy....from Wal-Mart.....to a lower end Manfrotto sticks-head combo I got from Markertek for about $200. It's not bad, but...

This past weekend I had the need to rent an extra camera & tripod setup. The camera was a PD170, ok fine. But the tripod....made my mouth water. Until you've used a really good one, you don't know how bad yours is. (And that's probably true at several levels) This was a Manfrotto 525MV with a 503 head. The sticks alone sell for $399 from B&H, combo is probably $700 or so? I gotta tell ya, I see the difference. I think anyone would if they tried it (or any tripod in this class, there may be better values out there).

I'm just saying that only by getting hands on experience with it have I seen the light - tripods don't have flashing lights, they don't have 999 goofy transitions, and they don't do MIDI. But they're probably the most important thing during the shoot next to your camera.

Don't skimp. Get some hands-on time with models in different price classes and see for yourself what the difference is and what you're willing to live with. If your budget is $200, it's $200 - I understand that. (believe me I do!) But if you have the opportunity check out some different ones to see what's out there.

For the models I currently have, we spent about $400 for two. Since then, we've bought quick release clips ($80 for two) and still need to buy a leveler of some sort. I now wish I would've spent at least $400 or so for each one, and had it all built in.

Good luck!

David

(edit)
Markertek still sells the setup we have, which is the 3126 head and 3011N sticks for just under $200.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/15/2005, 8:26 AM

Forget about Sunpak or any consumer tripod. Once you use a good fluid head you will see how much better your shots are. Start acquiring good gear little by little. You can’t go wrong with a Bogen / Manfrotto. If $200 is your limit, take a look at the Manfrotto 3001BN with 3130 Fluid Head for $163 or the same sticks with a 700RC2 Fluid Head for $199.

For a little bit more than $200 ($232) take a look at the Manfrotto 3001BN with a 501 Head. I have the 3021 Pro with the 501 head and this head is really smooth.

~jr

riredale wrote on 12/15/2005, 9:25 AM

Do a search on this topic in this board--this has been discussed before. My shooting partner bought a relatively inexpensive Velbon tripod from Fry's, and, although lightweight, it has a remarkably smooth fluid (or "fluid-like") head. I have a Velbon 480 with a fluid head that I bought over a decade ago, which I guard as much as I do my camcorder. It's so smooth I don't bother to pack the tripod arm; I just grab the head assembly and with just a slight amount of pressure, the camera pans and tilts. I can do some pretty extreme closeups perfectly smoothly.

plasmavideo wrote on 12/15/2005, 10:39 AM

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I'm thinking along the same lines, because I know I'll never be satisfied with "almost". I'll just save a bit more and make sure I get something that will last.

The ENG guys at my "real job" have wonderful tripods, but they are in the $1000+ range, way over my budget for my semi-pro needs, but they sure are smooth and rugged.

Tom

TheHappyFriar wrote on 12/15/2005, 3:49 PM

I have a Velbon CX 686.... best birthday present I EVER got. :D

i belive i was tols is cost less then $150.

craftech wrote on 12/15/2005, 9:38 PM

I have a Velbon and also a Bogen/Manfrotto. The Velbon works well, but the Bogen is a little better. As long as the head works smoothly when adjusted to taste the tripod can be greatly improved by hanging a weight from the center.

John

Grazie wrote on 12/16/2005, 1:02 AM

jr is correct. Build up your kit, bit by bit.

I started with a "spring" resist Velbon - nasty. Moved to a Velbon D600: fluid head with resist dampeners . .er . .£60GBp? Amazing value; Then got a 2nd hand frotti immediately recognised the flaws in the Velbon ( still have the Velbon); now, finally gotta a Miller Solo 10 setup with carbon fibre legs - it is the Dog's DANGLIES! I can move the legs independently of each other . . all fluid head .. tip resist and auto re-level . . PLUS:"bubble-level" TOTALLY indispensable! . . . mind you, even my cheapo Velbon had this too!

So, buying tripos have been a mixed bag for me. Kinda stumbling and good luck ( picked up the 2nd hand frotti for . . sorry . .. £10 Quid!). As has been said, getting the opportunity to "use" a tripod and then practice again and again and again, this has shown me what I can achieve with good trips. .. . oh .. did I say I still have my Velbon? Well I do! Yah can't have it!

Grazie

farss wrote on 12/16/2005, 2:34 AM

Grazie,
glad to hear you're still in love with the Solo.
One really nice feature on Millers top line sticks, a light for the float.
Yeah, sounds dinky, until you try to level a head in a dark auditorium.
Bob.

Grazie wrote on 12/16/2005, 2:57 AM

Oh yes . .. "light for the float" . . this happened to me 8 days back! Oh really? Maybe not for the sticks I got then.

Grazie

jkrepner wrote on 12/16/2005, 7:04 AM

Consider purchasing a used professional tripod. I picked up a 10 year old Vinten Vision series tripod and can't imagine life without it. Good tripods rarley fail, and video pros tend to upgrade as they move up the chain, so it's easy to find good stuff cheep.