Well I am a convert to Vinten, when youre ready give them a shot. Excellent.
Best Trip-Pod for A1 $500 or less..
- Thread starter bentramer81
- Start date
E_D_N
Active member
How about the Davis & Sanford Pro Vista with FM18 Fluid Head? Costs only $199 at B&H and supports up 18 lbs - comes with a free D&S dolly to boot.
Anybody got any experience with one of those? Feedback on this is rather favorable, though given the price, I'm not expecting miracles. Comes with a 10-year warranty and from all accounts, it is a beast. A solidly-constructed beast at that.
some reviews http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo
Anybody got any experience with one of those? Feedback on this is rather favorable, though given the price, I'm not expecting miracles. Comes with a 10-year warranty and from all accounts, it is a beast. A solidly-constructed beast at that.
some reviews http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html#goto_itemInfo
Last edited:
SUPPATIME
Active member
In all honesty, the best set of sticks you can find under $500 is the set you find on Craigslist, eBay or in any of the trade magazines as used gear coming out of a DP or Operator's collection.
For instance, I have a set of Bogen sticks with a 3066 fluid head and 100mm bowl that I found at a garage sale, by chance, for $500. Retail, they would have cost me $1350.
The main thing is the quality you get is directly related to what you pay for.
That said, while the technology of cameras is always changing, tripod tech rarely advances.
So, if you shelf out $3000 now for a good tripod, that same tripod will be good to go for several decades if taken care of correctly.
So again, for $500, your best bet is buying someone's used system.
For instance, I have a set of Bogen sticks with a 3066 fluid head and 100mm bowl that I found at a garage sale, by chance, for $500. Retail, they would have cost me $1350.
The main thing is the quality you get is directly related to what you pay for.
That said, while the technology of cameras is always changing, tripod tech rarely advances.
So, if you shelf out $3000 now for a good tripod, that same tripod will be good to go for several decades if taken care of correctly.
So again, for $500, your best bet is buying someone's used system.
I have 3 ProVista tripods. One of the claw and ball 7518's you have pictured and 2 ProVista Air's with a pneumatic tube placed in the center for raising and lowering the head. For the price they are phenominal. Really as close as you can get to a fluid head for under $600 with a sturdy set of legs to boot. The 7518 is not as solid as the pro vista air model due to how the med spreader is locked. If you can't afford a $600 bogen 503 set-up then the Davis & Sanford rig is a great deal for less than $300. Just get the air and NOT the 7518.
perfect_blue
Member
i have a d&s and i hate it. the head is useless and the nuts keep coming loose and fall off sometimes. get a manfrotto kit off B&H there are some available for less than $500.