best tripod for AF100+PB Pocket dolly standard (3ft)???

[Nicholas Natteau]

If you have an AF100 and plan on getting the Philip Bloom standard pocket dolly (3ft), what would be a sturdy enough tripod?

I know Kessler Crane makes the Kessler K-Pod tripod. But that weighs 22 pounds!

Are there any other options, tripod wise (apart from the K-pod) that would NOT require additional support (2nd tripod or light stand) and weigh less than 22 pounds???

I'm asking because I also plan on putting some good quality lenses on the AF100 like perhaps the heavy Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 lens. That being the case, can I still go with the PB std pocket dolly, or am I better off getting the Cineslider?

The Philip Bloom Traveler pocket dolly is not really an option for me as I fear I'll be too restricted with only 2 ft of dolly to work with.

 

[wbrock001]

Actually, I know it seems like longer is better, but unless you already have experience that says otherwise the 2 footer is plenty and you can actually travel with it...whereas the 3 footer will NOT fit in any known suitcase, not even diagonally. Philip has longer ones at home that he says he barely uses because 2 ft is enough and is what has been used in all of his videos...so if you like the shots of what he's getting then 2 is enough and you'll be able to travel with it. 3 ft just crosses the threshold of being easy since only a very big tripod could balance a camera rig that is 1.5 feet off to the side, so that will be an issue and its unwieldy in tighter spaces so figure out your priorities and uses and that should dictate the length. But don't think for a second that you won't be able to get great shots with only a 2 footer.

As far as tripods go, I've been very happy with the Miller line. I have the Sprinter II carbon fiber (1576) with a crappy manfrotto 516 head (that I'd love to replace). For lighter work, the Solo DV and ENG are much better for mobility and are very flexible. The Solo ENG goes pretty high too.

If you can, get as much tripod as you can afford, because if you go cheap you'll only find you'll have to upgrade much sooner which will cost you more in the long run. I got the right legs...but my budget head choice was a bad one.

 

[jmarkham]

On the flip side, the Kpod is a beast NASA would approve.

 

[Erik Naso]

Actually, I know it seems like longer is better, but unless you already have experience that says otherwise the 2 footer is plenty and you can actually travel with it...whereas the 3 footer will NOT fit in any known suitcase, not even diagonally. Philip has longer ones at home that he says he barely uses because 2 ft is enough and is what has been used in all of his videos...so if you like the shots of what he's getting then 2 is enough and you'll be able to travel with it. 3 ft just crosses the threshold of being easy since only a very big tripod could balance a camera rig that is 1.5 feet off to the side, so that will be an issue and its unwieldy in tighter spaces so figure out your priorities and uses and that should dictate the length. But don't think for a second that you won't be able to get great shots with only a 2 footer.

As far as tripods go, I've been very happy with the Miller line. I have the Sprinter II carbon fiber (1576) with a crappy manfrotto 516 head (that I'd love to replace). For lighter work, the Solo DV and ENG are much better for mobility and are very flexible. The Solo ENG goes pretty high too.

If you can, get as much tripod as you can afford, because if you go cheap you'll only find you'll have to upgrade much sooner which will cost you more in the long run. I got the right legs...but my budget head choice was a bad one.

That's some good info. I'm wondering if the 2' PB dolly works so well because you dont need that extra few inches from the start of the slide like you do with other sliders. I have a 3' indislider pro and its a little heavy with the base attached so it requires a heavier tripod.

 

[wbrock001]

The problem with the manfrotto 516 is that is sticks and gets bubbles in the fluid. So to start vertical panning it sometimes jolts to get it moving and then the bubbles in the fluid cause it to pan inconsistently. I found if you go up and down a bit before that works the bubbles out, but can't always do that when in the middle of a long event shot. So when I can, I will definitely be getting a Miller Compass 20 head...