Best tripod/head combo under $1k
- Thread starter FiddlerMD
- Start date
hayashi635
Member
i have the budget just enough for a Sachtler DV6 SB setup. do you guys think i better buy the Sachtler (i'm sure i won't regret) or the libec is good enough for me to play with for years and just save the money up for other gears? i'm having a tough decision here...
btw my setup is an HVX with Letus EX, RR follow focus and IKAN monitor (planning to get a mattbox)
btw my setup is an HVX with Letus EX, RR follow focus and IKAN monitor (planning to get a mattbox)
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Hi:
Simple. If you are a pro and are making money from your gear, buy the Sachtler, you will not regret it.
If you are a student/hobbiest/amateur and just do this for fun, I would buy the Libec unless you are independently wealthy. It's not bad.
Best,
Dan
Leo Versola
Well-known member
Happy Libec LS-55 owner here... Very smooth and well built tripod. IMO, best bang for the buck under $1000... Seriously though, here's a good review of the LS-38 and the LS-55 is even better.
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150
Cheers,
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150
Cheers,
FiddlerMD
Well-known member
i did end up geting the ls38 - quite happy with it - the only thing is that on an unloaded dvx, the counterbalance seems kinda strong.. i did find that if i sorta half-lock the vertical then it provides enough fricition that the counterbalance spring doesnt take over - is this bad practice, will it have any adverse effect on the head?
the only other complaint i have is that the system came w/ the tc-60 case, but with the rubber feet mounted (i have a mid level spreader), the tripod doesnt fit in the case
the only other complaint i have is that the system came w/ the tc-60 case, but with the rubber feet mounted (i have a mid level spreader), the tripod doesnt fit in the case
Chenopup
Well-known member
ls38 here as well... Really impressed and for the $$ you can't beat it.
Bag sucks and I've had issues with both the one it came with and a replacement that broke (zipper) the moment I tried to zip it for the first time - Libec USA had a replacement the following day - still crappy bag but I'm very impressed with their customer service.
It's a heavy duty set of sticks that again, for the price can't be beat.
cheno
Bag sucks and I've had issues with both the one it came with and a replacement that broke (zipper) the moment I tried to zip it for the first time - Libec USA had a replacement the following day - still crappy bag but I'm very impressed with their customer service.
It's a heavy duty set of sticks that again, for the price can't be beat.
cheno
Carmen Neely
Active member
Mike, my LS-38M(2A) came with a T70 bag...everything fits....
at First my LS55 didnt fit for some reason in the case supply with the feet on. But now it does.... the only thing I did was take the little rubber stops off the spikes on the bottom and whala it fit. I have no Idea if that was the reason, but ever since I did that, It has fit perfectly and snug. I have no Idea that that small of a difference would do it. But I have since lost those rubber nubbins, so I cant se if they where the culprit.
Jon
Jon
Ahh Jon, I think you sort of need those "rubber nubbins" so you can securely attach the floor spreader!!!!!
Woops, ahh who needs them when I have duct-tape. also I have a mid spreader, so I dont think It will be a problem. Whenever I need to dolly, I use tape to help secure. Most of my shooting is on dirt or grass anyways so I usually need the spikes, I just put on the boots if I need them for an indoor shoot.
Jon
Jon
my vote for under 1k
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5460-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3193_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html
although I am sure the Libec is fine
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5460-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3193_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html
although I am sure the Libec is fine
Punkavious
Member
I have a Libec T58 and a 37 head. Works pretty well and feels very solid, but admittedly I don't know a great deal about tripods so I can't really compare performance/ergonomics to anything mentioned previously. It was bought like a year ago, though.
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puredrifting
Major Contributor
I finally got a chance to use my LS38 on a shoot - wow what a difference from the manfrotto combo i had (501 head). Finally able to start and stop a pan w/o a jerk. it's the little things that make me happy
I wish that there was a way to get everyone who thinks the 501 is a real tripod head to read your post!
Enjoy it!
Dan
FiddlerMD
Well-known member
well, when buying the 501, i was looking for the cheapest "fluid" head available, and that was the 501.. i'm sure a lot of people buying it are in the same boat. I also was buying only the head since i already had a tripod so that was another decision. If, however, you've got 600-700 to spend on tripod/head combo, the L38 is great!
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Hi Mike:
I see that you have "fluid" in quotation marks, you are right. Sadly, the 501 is not a true fluid head even though Bogen markets it as that. There used to be a thread, I think either here or on DV Info, where someone completely disassembled the 501 to prove that indeed, it is not a fluid head. The tilt mechanism is Teflon bumpers.
I own one, yes, it is inexpensive.
Dan
The thing I found out, when using a fluid head in -10 to -29 deg. F(done work at ski resorts at night, in storms lol, it get freaking cold), the fluid in the head starts to become more of a solid, the pans be come harder to push (more resistance), but hey that is just proof that it is a true fluid head. I love how DV camera start to have drop-outs when it gets in the -20 to -25 range also... lol I want solidstate!
Jon
Jon
What do you think of this combination? Libec H38 head with Miller solo dv stage2 CF legs? The reason why I didn't want to get the LS38 legs/system is that I'm not convinced that the spreaders are good for all round situations, such as when use on uneven surfaces.
Thanks heap in advance!!!
Thanks heap in advance!!!