OT - Tripod recommendation for video camera

Joe Balsamo|LVX wrote on 7/16/2008, 8:16 AM

I am in the market for a relatively lightweight tripod that I can use for hiking and fastpacking out in the mountains.

This will be used with a Panasonic SDC-HD9 and/or a Canon HF-10. I'd like to pay as little as possible, but still wish to get a reasonable tripod.

Suggestions??

Thanks,

Joe

Comments

UlfLaursen wrote on 7/16/2008, 10:49 AM

Hi

I use a Libec DV tripod for my smaller cameras:

http://www.libraprobroadcast.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=libecth650-kit

I think it is good, but not the cheapest you can get. The cheapest ones I have tried are not so fluid in theit movements.

/Ulf

JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/16/2008, 11:10 AM

I have a Bogen / Manfrotto with a 501 head that I use for my smaller cameras. It's light weight, easy to set up, and the head is fairly smooth. It's a good trade-off of performance and price. They recently changed their line-up so they don't make the model I have but it was something like this 90XDB 3-Section Tripod (Black) with 501HDV Fluid Head

~jr

Joe Balsamo|LVX wrote on 7/16/2008, 12:16 PM

Thanks, guys, this is just what I'm looking for. Gives me at least a starting point as to what to use in the video world.

Joe

johnmeyer wrote on 7/16/2008, 4:10 PM

Highly recommend the forum search feature. Search for tripod in the subject heading. Here's a great, very long post:

Finally got a proper tripod

Go down about 1/3 of the way and people start talking about tripod recommendations.

tripod for very fast shooting?

OT Bogen 542 ART tripod?? head?

DGates wrote on 7/16/2008, 5:04 PM

I use the Bogen 503 with the 3246 legs.

nolonemo wrote on 7/16/2008, 6:13 PM

If you're backpacking, you might want to think of the 701 head instead of the 501, the 501 is pretty hefty for backpacking - unless your primary goal is hiking in to get the shots.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/17/2008, 12:13 PM

I did some investigation and the replacement for the one I have (3021BPRO) is the Bogen / Manfrotto 055XPROB. But I agree with nolonemo, the 501 is fairly bulky and the 701 is lighter if weight is an absolute concern (701 is 1.8 lbs vs 501 at 3.5 lbs).

~jr

Joe Balsamo|LVX wrote on 7/17/2008, 2:23 PM

JR and others,

I really appreciate your attention to detail, the weight/size is most definitely of concern, for this application. I have a feeling that as time goes on, I will certainly acquire more than one tripod.

John Meyer, I appreciate your advice regarding searching. I did search and found some help, but I wanted to make sure I got *fresh* ideas. Hopefully I didn't violate forum etiquette too much ;)

My best,

Joe

nolonemo wrote on 7/17/2008, 3:57 PM

I'll put in a plug for the 109XB legs (the 90XDB legs are way too heavy for backpacking), which are fairly compact but still solid (I used the predecessor (3001?) for a 4x5 view camera in the the field. You can get a lot lighter with carbon fibre, at a significant price premium.

fldave wrote on 7/17/2008, 4:14 PM

I have a Bogen 501 head, Manfrotto 3221 legs, and this wonderful thing:

Leveling Center Column

Works great, amazingly quick to level on a hillside, but setup is very heavy with my FX1.

That said, I just got back from Kauai a few weeks ago. Thankfully I didn't take the above on the Na Pali trail. I took a microfiber/small bead pillow, about 3 ounces. Worked great when I wasn't shooting over a cliff! As long as there are downed trees, big rocks, hillsides, it works fine.

B & H has special camera support bags for just this if you are interested, can't find a link just now.

Joe Balsamo|LVX wrote on 7/17/2008, 7:50 PM

Very cool, fldave! I would very much like to run the Na Pali trail someday. The camera support bags you speak of sound very useful.

Speaking of which, I saw something interesting on the web the other day. A setup obviously for still cameras, but I wonder if it might not work for our camcorders as well?

Basically, it consists of a large washer, a length of line and a screw which screws into the tripod mount on the camera. You stand on the big washer, pull the line taught, and voila! You have a steadying device.

Thoughts?

Joe

JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/17/2008, 8:39 PM

The washer and the string looks like a clever idea and it's probably better than nothing but I've never tried it. I'd imagine you can't use it for too long without getting arm strain from keeping it taught.

If you're just looking for a steadying device (i.e., not a tripod where you can lock it off and get into the shot to do a monologue) I've got a Tiffen Steady Stick that I love. It's very light weight (the whole thing weighs 1.25 lbs) and provides a nice mobile platform to shoot from. I've even used it while sitting in an audience watching a stage performance. You could also get a monopod, but the Steady Stick has the advantage of giving you greater mobility while still being very stable.

~jr