I think I'm going to move to a mono-pod, myself.
I use my tripod almost every time I shot but the big problem for me is, not having a 'Fluid head'. And to buy a nice 'fluid head' tripod would mean breaking my budget. Mono-pods don't have to be expensive to be fluid (you do).
But I too would like to know, what's the cheapest (good) 'fluid headed tripod' on the market?

Not the cheapest but damn good value for the money and the fastest in the game to rig in ANY scenario, Miller Solo (again). You can even press it into service as a monopod, just don't spread the legs.

Well I used a monopod before I got my Spiderbrace. The Spiderbrace was a step up stability-wise from the monopod. I wan't more stability than I was getting with a monopod. I love the Spiderbrace, but nothing is really like a tripod with a fluid head. I want that kind of stability with as fast a setup and as light a load as possible.

Can't beat the Solo, carbon fibre so it's very light and doesn't get hot / cold. If you've only got a lightweight camera then the DS5 head would be fine, a little cheaper and lighter than the DS10. The DS10 will cover all that the DS5 does plus you can change the settings for a heavier camera. In theory the DS10 head will take a larger ENG sized camera but I find it a tad underweight for that. The legs will take a huge weight though.

The other thing with the Solo legs is they go higher than most ofther tripods and that's been a real bonus for me. For conference shoots I can put the sticks on the ground and me on a platform. This way when I move the shakes of the platform don't affect the shot.

I agree with the Miller DS10 head. Will work with popular HD cameras.

If you still have to hold the camera, other than a monopod a shoulder bracket is a good investment.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=438776&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Bob, Laurence has seen my Miller Solo10 over the SKYPE link. I've also shown him my SpiderBrace set up.

Now, hear me out here, what I have been considering lately? Well, a kinda monopod that HAS a Universal joint on top and connected AT the base of the SB. What I have to consider, when utilizing a monopod, is that forward UP<>DOWN Z-plane movement. Subsequently I'm going to experiment with a "bodged" tubing affair shortly, to ascertain the usefulness of this approach. As a refinement, the tube would ideally fall down from beneath the SB and telescope into videoing action. My ideas have been directed by the:

* MANFROTTO FLUID VIDEO MONOPOD 560B

* MANFROTTO MONOPOD 558

* LIBEC MONOPOD

* CULLMANN MONOPOD . . this for only £26.99!

So much to try out. But I tell you what? I aint gonna spend money on something that isn't going to add more value than that my Miller does! The Miller does everything I want from a trip AND some.

OK, still looking for an easy, support method. The perennial search for the Holy Grail - eh?

I'd kind of given up on monopods, but this does look interesting:

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/4421?livid=103%7C113&idx=116

http://www.videomaker.com/article/12672/

http://www.cameratown.com/news/news.cfm/hurl/id%7C3287

Thanks Grazie.

The latest DV magazine has a cover story on tripods and fluid heads. It just came out.

Towards the end of the "News and Technology" clip they have a bit of a demo about the fluid head Manfrotto monopod. It looks pretty good:

http://www.videomaker.com/vidcast/28/

Certainly monopods have their place in the scheme of things however as we move into a 16:9 world one problem I see is getting the basis of your shot level becoming more critical and a monopod does little to assist with this.

Bob.

Indeed --- I have a level that I can drop on to fix that. Of course only applies to non-tripod work.

Good point, years ago I had a bubble for my still camera that fitted into the cold shoe.
Here's an idea, maybe some clever camera manufacturer can add an artifical horizon in the viewfinder.

This has been campaigned for, well . . since Archimedes! You didn't know that Archie used an XM2? Did yah?

Anyway, the next best thing to do is purchase a Miller Solo DS10 which HAS a bubble.

And yes an horizon in the view finder would be well neat!

Unless Shane Warne is bowling . . then we'd be all "over" the place . ..

This would seem the answer to your prayers.

Now if you think that looks risky, there was a guy at NAB who was riding a moded Segway (look Ma, no hands), wearing a Steadicam vest with a F900 out front. The possible effect on brain and bone if he took a tumble made it hard to watch the guy doing his 'thing'.

Bob.

Yeah! I saw a bruvver of his doing it through the Edinburgh Tattoo! And when I mean thru' I do mean THRU' ! That's was massed bands and swinging kilts!!!

Scared the daylights outta me!! What would have happened if one of those swirling kilts got wrapped around one of the passing wheels of the seggie? How many Scotsman does it take to turn over a Segway? - Only one . . if it's close enough . ..

Hell, Bob!! What was it with that clip's audio?? My ears are still bashing me up! Nasty . . . . .

Dunno know, thought it was just may internet connection not keeping up. Tell you though that's not the first clip I've tried to get through with audio disasters like that. Very, very annoying AND it starts with the volume set to MAX and it's hard to operate the widget to turn it down. Glad I wasn't playing it through my big monitors.

Glad I wasn't playing it through my big monitors

Well guess what? I WAS!!! I nearly put a spinal disc out clambering for a control knob!! Seesh . . .

Thanks for the warning --- I adjusted the volume before clicking. Had to select flash format to get intelligible audio. I must say it's a poorly put together advert.

Artificial horizon.....

My PD170 has a guide frame in the menu settings. I hardly use it unless
I have a horizontal object in the shot. (reduces the interlace zaggies)

HD may not need this function but thought I would mention it.

I know you might like a monopod but I get tired holding the camera vertical
and would sway left/right in time. The shoulder brackets I can hold longer
a steady shot.

For fast, I am EXTREMELY happy with my new Manfroto Roadrunner tripod:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=285196&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Not cheap - but, let's face it - it will be in my kit a LONG time more than any other piece of equipment.

Cons - a little heavier than some of my other rigs.
Pros - ONE CLICK SETUP - no joke - you push the legs together and they fall immediatly to the right length. Spread them and they lock. For a guy like me,with a failing back who HATES to bend over to adjust 3 legs, two times, this is a miracle. One click - DONE.

Have been using it a lot this week - have given up my "tripod assistant" - love this rig.

Usual setup time - under 10 seconds. Nothing else like it on the market.
v

Actually Miller have had this tripod for many years. Well OK they've just improved the design of the Sprinter lineup.

I don't recommend the Sprinter series as they're kind of expensive and really only for heavier cameras than most here would be using.
Also like the Bogan they rely on spreaders, spreaders are my biggest putoff when it comes to tripods, even trying to fold the things up to get them back into their bag is a PIA.

Bob.