Best tripod for dvx100b? Opinions please.

duuuuuude.....so many freakin tripods out there....you'd do best to narrow it down to a head and then get legs based on budget....manfrotto 503 or 501 is pretty standard...i've got the 503 and it rocks - then i went and spent $500 on some carbon fiber legs, but that's just cause i need to got super light...

if you spent any less than about 400 bucks, you'll probably get crap

just my .02
 
As far as a generic suggestion for reliable equipment - get a Bogen 501 head if you're on a budget and a 503 head if not. Get some decent sticks from a reputable manufacturer - Bogen, Gitzo, etc. (I'm happy with my inexpensive Slik legs). Will you be shooting doc/ENG stuff or narrative shorts and features? Light, quickly collapsible legs for the former, sturdier legs that can hold the extra weight of mattebox, follow focus, monitor for the latter.

Tho
 
I am using the MDEVE 756 legs and the 501 head. I don't have any other stuff on the cam right now so it seems to me that the 501 is almost overkill and one could go with a much smaller lighter head like the new 701rc2. I have a 700rc2 and I would say the difference (with a light camcorder such as the DVX) in action between that and the 501 isn't overwhelming. The MDEVE legs are nice, built in ball leveler, bubble level indicator, and leg clips to keep the legs together when closed. Of course, I am really a novice so salt should be applied liberally to my comments... Mark
 
What about when adding an adapter, and a matte box, wont that make it heavier, so I guess the Bogen is best for me.
 
Having been filming with large and small cameras alike, usually, the smaller the cam, the heavier the head needed to stabilize it and get good shots. Personally I feel the 501 is the bare minimum video head needed for any video camera, even a mini ZR90. I tried the 701RC2, and I my arms were not stable enough to get good moves out of it. Remember the heavier the head, the less you have to work to stabilize it, and the less it translates elbow jitter into the shot. 501 works for that. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top