500$ Tripod suggestions for 60d

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krizard

Active member
hi i need some help buying a tripod, i am on a budget of 500$ for the tripod and the head. i was looking forward to buy the manfrotto 501 hdv pro head + 028b studio pro tripod kit.
its around 460$.
i will be using it with the 60d, and so far the biggest lens i have is the 24-105mm f.4 L is, i will use it for stills too with my 5dmkI.
thanks in advance.
 
Look into the Sachtler Ace - if it's not available yet it should be soon. Early reviews have been extremely positive and it may become "the" lightweight tripod choice. A Sachtler for well under a grand sounds pretty cool. And my understanding is, the head takes Manfrotto plates, so you can have a killer system of mounting options with affordable plates. Manfrotto makes a QR receiver that you can mount to all sorts of rigs for special shots - and there's a company making a carbon fiber versions for about $30.
 
thanks michal carter , i checked it on their website and it will be available in december . what about the tripod legs???winch ones you suggest? and the choice i going for is a bad one?
 
krizard said:
hi i need some help buying a tripod, i am on a budget of 500$ for the tripod and the head. i was looking forward to buy the manfrotto 501 hdv pro head + 028b studio pro tripod kit.
its around 460$.
i will be using it with the 60d, and so far the biggest lens i have is the 24-105mm f.4 L is, i will use it for stills too with my 5dmkI.
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I have this same setup with my 60d and really like it.
 
I'm finally buying a tripod next week; it will be a manfrotto, with the following bits:
* 501HDV fluid head
* 055xprob legs
* 555b column with 50mm bowl
* 055XCCSB short center column

I'll use the 555b column most of the time (the bowl head is very important for quick setup), the standard column when I need some extra height, and the short column when I need to get as close to the ground as possible

I know in the future I may want to get video-oriented legs (546 or similar), but even then I'll need a more lightweight option too, so I decided it's best to start with the good-but-relatively-lightweight 055

I think the sachtler ACE will have an incredibly smooth head, but the legs that come with it will be a dissappointment: if you watch the (very positive) video review by Philip Bloom, you can see the legs behaving in a very unstable manner and him having to put his hand on them to keep them steady (he doesn't comment on that issue, other than saying the feet are not great; I've seen similar complaints on other reviews, so maybe it's just the feet; but it definitely seems like a big problem)
http://philipbloom.net/2011/09/09/ace/
(on the other hand: on the comments there he says he prefers the ACE to the manfrotto 504+546: "i don’t like the Manfrotto. Too heavy and don’t like the head. i have one" - and then, on la later comment: "no the 501 head is AWFUL!!!")
(then, on those same comments, there's someone complaining he just got an ACE and it shows some kickback movement after panning)
(the fact that the ACE will probably not be available here in Spain except at outrageous prices makes my decision a lot easier)



edit: the ACE is already listed on bhphoto, at $535 and with arrival date in january:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sachtler+ace&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
total weight is very similar to 055+501 (4.4Kg vs 4.0Kg)
 
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i wouldnt get anything with a center column. look for something with a bowl. MUCH easier and FASTER to accurately level.
 
as I said, the 555b center column has a 50mm bowl (it turns the 055 into something very similar to a 755)
I know a 75mm or 100mm bowl would be better, but I think I can live with a 50mm for a DSLR
 
I'd stay away from that setup to be honest. The legs you're showing are awesome, for stills (my dad has them), but for video... Not so much. He has a 501 too, which after getting my real fluid head (a vintage Sachtler 3+3, 100mm bowl) I have to say that the difference is huge. The Manfrotto is hard to get smooth pans out of and very overpriced (you can get a real fluid head at that price).
You could check out the Sachtler ACE, but I'd also put down some on... E-Image! Yeah, I actually have a set of their legs to my Sachtler and they are fantastic! I'm surprised by them to be honest, very sturdy and well built.
 
NormanBates said:
I'm finally buying a tripod next week; it will be a manfrotto, with the following bits:
* 501HDV fluid head
* 055xprob legs
* 555b column with 50mm bowl
* 055XCCSB short center column

I'll use the 555b column most of the time (the bowl head is very important for quick setup), the standard column when I need some extra height, and the short column when I need to get as close to the ground as possible

I know in the future I may want to get video-oriented legs (546 or similar), but even then I'll need a more lightweight option too, so I decided it's best to start with the good-but-relatively-lightweight 055

I think the sachtler ACE will have an incredibly smooth head, but the legs that come with it will be a dissappointment: if you watch the (very positive) video review by Philip Bloom, you can see the legs behaving in a very unstable manner and him having to put his hand on them to keep them steady (he doesn't comment on that issue, other than saying the feet are not great; I've seen similar complaints on other reviews, so maybe it's just the feet; but it definitely seems like a big problem)
http://philipbloom.net/2011/09/09/ace/
(on the other hand: on the comments there he says he prefers the ACE to the manfrotto 504+546: "i don’t like the Manfrotto. Too heavy and don’t like the head. i have one" - and then, on la later comment: "no the 501 head is AWFUL!!!")
(then, on those same comments, there's someone complaining he just got an ACE and it shows some kickback movement after panning)
(the fact that the ACE will probably not be available here in Spain except at outrageous prices makes my decision a lot easier)



edit: the ACE is already listed on bhphoto, at $535 and with arrival date in january:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sachtler+ace&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
total weight is very similar to 055+501 (4.4Kg vs 4.0Kg)
Click to expand...
this is the first tripod I'm buying so I'm a noob in dslr video, so i would like to know what are the 555b column with 50mm bowl and 055XCCSB short center column ,and what do i need them for?its a quick release system?
 
Gabel said:
I'd stay away from that setup to be honest. The legs you're showing are awesome, for stills (my dad has them), but for video... Not so much. He has a 501 too, which after getting my real fluid head (a vintage Sachtler 3+3, 100mm bowl) I have to say that the difference is huge. The Manfrotto is hard to get smooth pans out of and very overpriced (you can get a real fluid head at that price).
You could check out the Sachtler ACE, but I'd also put down some on... E-Image! Yeah, I actually have a set of their legs to my Sachtler and they are fantastic! I'm surprised by them to be honest, very sturdy and well built.
Click to expand...
thanks for the help , but the ACE would not be an option right now, cause its only out in december i think, and whats wrong withs those legs for video???
 
the dual-bar legs are better for video because they are more stable under torsion (the force you apply for a pan, for example) and for vibrations in general - the 555b is a replacement for the central column in the 055 legs; instead of having just a flat surface at the top, it has a 50mm bowl (a system that allows you to quicly set the tripod so that the bottom of your fluid head is perfectly level: mandatory if you're going to pan; the alternative is to fiddle with the individual legs until you get it right) - the 055XCCSB is another replacement of the central column of the 055 legs, in this case just the same as the standard one (no bowl) but shorter, so you can get the camera closer to the ground - in all cases, you put the video head on top of the column, and the video head is the one that has the quick release system
 
@Gabel: thanks for the tip, I know there are lots of complaints about the 501 floating around, but there are also lots of happy users (probably the ones who haven't ever used a better fluid head, but that includes me so my guess is that I'd be happy with it too) - in any case, the problem with less mainstream options such as the ACE is that I can't find them at reasonable prices here in Europe; that applies to nearly everything that is not manfrotto, but luckily enough I've found a place in the UK that sells those e-image tripods that you talked about!! they have the 7050 for 200gbp and the 7060 for 285gbp, do you know the name of the one you've tried? http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/E-Image.html

edit: sorry, I see you've used the legs, not the head

also: this is exactly my problem: price in USA --> price in EUR (% extra markup)
manfrotto 055+501+555+...: $532 --> 470eur = $660 (+24%)
sachtler ACE: $535 --> 630eur = $880 (+65%)
e-image 7060: $295 --> 315eur = $440 (+49%)

part of the markup may be fair: it is due to taxes, mandatory 2-year warranty, etc; but for specialty items such as these it sometimes becomes outrageous; which is a big advantage for the mainstream option (manfrotto)

now, if the 7060 is actually better than the 501 head, it's also cheaper anyway, so my choice is being ripped off by a brand vs. been ripped off by the retailers, and I may choose the second

I found this very interesting thread, which I haven't finished reading yet:
http://cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=19188&sid=dab8a87704d13474f990285a99634b5d
 
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NormanBates said:
@Gabel: thanks for the tip, I know there are lots of complaints about the 501 floating around, but there are also lots of happy users (probably the ones who haven't ever used a better fluid head, but that includes me so my guess is that I'd be happy with it too) - in any case, the problem with less mainstream options such as the ACE is that I can't find them at reasonable prices here in Europe; that applies to nearly everything that is not manfrotto, but luckily enough I've found a place in the UK that sells those e-image tripods that you talked about!! they have the 7050 for 200gbp and the 7060 for 285gbp, do you know the name of the one you've tried? http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/E-Image.html

edit: sorry, I see you've used the legs, not the head

also: this is exactly my problem: price in USA --> price in EUR (% extra markup)
manfrotto 055+501+555+...: $532 --> 470eur = $660 (+24%)
sachtler ACE: $535 --> 630eur = $830 (+72%)
e-image 7060: $295 --> 315eur = $440 (+49%)

part of the markup may be fair: it is due to taxes, mandatory 2-year warranty, etc; but for specialty items such as these it sometimes becomes outrageous; which is a big advantage for the mainstream option (manfrotto)

now, if the 7060 is actually better than the 501 head, it's also cheaper anyway, so my choice is being ripped off by a brand vs. been ripped off by the retailers, and I may choose the second

I found this very interesting thread, which I haven't finished reading yet:
http://cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=19188&sid=dab8a87704d13474f990285a99634b5d
Click to expand...
I am reading the forum and seems like they recommend the E-Image EI-7060 AA tripod. seems nice but i don't really like the maximum height (160cm).
 
* my current (cheap) tripod is 137.5cm tall with the column down, and I use it like that (or with about 5-10 cm of column extended) most of the time, so 160cm should be enough for me

* I'm actually more concerned about minimum height: the manfrotto thing, with the short column, can get down to 30cm or so, half that if I screw the camera directly to the bowl (I think the screw on the bowl is 3/8", but I have a QR base and plate that would allow me to do so)

* I just measured, and to shoot at my eye-level I need a 154.5cm tall tripod (159cm if I don't use the battery grip)

* the manfrotto kit I was thinking about (055xprob+555b) has maximum height of 165cm, 140cm without column extended

* I know someday I'll want to have very very tall tripod at hand; it is definitely not a priority right now, but I see myself buying something monstruous like this in the future:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/walimex-12522-WM-6004-295cm-Pro-Tripod/dp/B000LWEC8I
Hitchcock weird angles FTW!!
but I don't need that one to be specially good, and it is definitely not what I'm looking for right now



@Gabel: thanks again for the tip: I've been searching for a tripod for months (literally: these boards are full of messages by me saying "I'm saving for a tripod") and hadn't found about e-image, which, after what I read on the thread from cinema5D, is quickly becoming my preferred choice



(edit: yes, I know, I must have some obsessive compulsive disorder or something, I'm starting to hear "knock, knock, penny" in my head, I really should be doing stuff right now instead of spending all day on the web looking for the perfect tripod, I have a shooting in 3 weeks and I still have to get a lot of things refined and ready, but I'm starting to realize my mind won't be free until I click the "buy" button)
 
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seams like the e-image 7060h is better then the manfrotto i was going for. reviews say it as a real fluid head, and the build quality is more solid, but it doesn't have the paning level knob.
this is the 1st tripod i will buy, so i don't want to make a mistake on this one...:D is the pan friction knob that important ?cause i see some guys saying that they can live without .
 
If you can hold out for the ace, it sounds like the best option for well under a grand; I've read the negative reviews on the legs, but I haven't seen an indication the head will sell separately. That said, my stills tripod usually goes to shoots with me, as a 2nd base for my slider, BTS support, things like that. One could get the ace and some nicer legs, sell the Ace legs on eBay or use them for other support needs.

For shooting very low, a slider makes a great camera platform - I've drilled and tapped mine so it can be bolted to walls, ceilings, etc. If you want a camera ten feet up in the air, use a jib, a scaffold, or mount it to some kind of rig - a tripod at that height (even if they're made) would be tough to engineer to be sturdy enough.
 
NormanBates said:
* my current (cheap) tripod is 137.5cm tall with the column down, and I use it like that (or with about 5-10 cm of column extended) most of the time, so 160cm should be enough for me

* I'm actually more concerned about minimum height: the manfrotto thing, with the short column, can get down to 30cm or so, half that if I screw the camera directly to the bowl (I think the screw on the bowl is 3/8", but I have a QR base and plate that would allow me to do so)

* I just measured, and to shoot at my eye-level I need a 154.5cm tall tripod (159cm if I don't use the battery grip)

* the manfrotto kit I was thinking about (055xprob+555b) has maximum height of 165cm, 140cm without column extended

* I know someday I'll want to have very very tall tripod at hand; it is definitely not a priority right now, but I see myself buying something monstruous like this in the future:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/walimex-12522-WM-6004-295cm-Pro-Tripod/dp/B000LWEC8I
Hitchcock weird angles FTW!!
but I don't need that one to be specially good, and it is definitely not what I'm looking for right now



@Gabel: thanks again for the tip: I've been searching for a tripod for months (literally: these boards are full of messages by me saying "I'm saving for a tripod") and hadn't found about e-image, which, after what I read on the thread from cinema5D, is quickly becoming my preferred choice



(edit: yes, I know, I must have some obsessive compulsive disorder or something, I'm starting to hear "knock, knock, penny" in my head, I really should be doing stuff right now instead of spending all day on the web looking for the perfect tripod, I have a shooting in 3 weeks and I still have to get a lot of things refined and ready, but I'm starting to realize my mind won't be free until I click the "buy" button)
Click to expand...
have you already decide winch one you'll take ???cause i think we're both on the same position, hehehe, so you let me know winch one you took, but i think i will go for the e-image 7060.
 
I'm thinking e-images 7060: it is definitely high enough for me, it is cheaper than the manfrotto 501, and according to the cinema5D thread seems to be better too

the sachtler ACE may be better, but it is also twice as expensive as the 7060 here in Europe, and I wouldn't have it for my shooting at the beginning of december; also, accessories for the 7060 are a lot cheaper too (the QR plate is about $15)

I know I may change my mind four times more before friday (that is when I'll buy it)
 
Gabel said:
I'd stay away from that setup to be honest. The legs you're showing are awesome, for stills (my dad has them), but for video... Not so much. He has a 501 too, which after getting my real fluid head (a vintage Sachtler 3+3, 100mm bowl) I have to say that the difference is huge. The Manfrotto is hard to get smooth pans out of and very overpriced (you can get a real fluid head at that price).
You could check out the Sachtler ACE, but I'd also put down some on... E-Image! Yeah, I actually have a set of their legs to my Sachtler and they are fantastic! I'm surprised by them to be honest, very sturdy and well built.
Click to expand...
winch legs you have from e-image?cause i was thinking i could use the legs from e-image that are not that expensive and get a 504hd head to go with it, if thats compatible.
what you think?
 
the only thing that keep me thinking about the manfrotto is cause for me it will cost almost the same price, its just a matter of choosing between the manfrotto or the e-image.
 
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