Best tripod for the money

E

Emperoryder

Member
So my cheapo dynex tripod isn't working out and looked at couple manfrotto, but I thought I ask you guys before I pick one up.

It also needs to be relatively bank friendly :smile:

Cheers
 
I hve a pair of the 3246s and bought them on Ebay for not bad prices. Both are in excellent shape, as I think many people buy and never use them.

I went with the 3246 for the height potential is gives. As far as being portable, consider them "Charles Atlas Portables" in other words, heavy !!!!

My theory in a tripod is it's great, no matter what height pod you get, as long as everything that's between your camera and what you want to shoot, is shorter than your tripod. If it isn't.... well,...... you're screwed.

My favorite weapon of choice though is the 561B monopod from Manfrotto. Each though, has it's own application.
 
you'll want at least a Bogen 701hdv head, but ideally the 501 or 503hdv.
the 701 will work very well, it's smaller and lighter than the full-size 501 and a bit cheaper, and imo makes for a good travel tripod.

the Bogens are solid and will give you smooth action no matter what you put on them.
can't really vouch for any of the other pricey pro heads.

as for legs, you'll have to decide whether you like a bottom or mid-level spreader.
i like a mid spreader so that i can open the legs wider/lower and can set my tripod down on uneven surfaces.

additionally, i highly recommend getting a tripod head with clawball bowl if you do a lot of quick shoots where you need to be able to level the camera quickly and easily to get your shot. the bowl will add more weight to the tripod though if that is an issue.

if you're looking for low-budget, but with good features, i'd even try:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Video-Tripo...ltDomain_0?hash=item5634f533ec#ht_2599wt_1165

for that price it would be worth finding out how well built the head is.
 
averan said:
you'll want at least a Bogen 701hdv head, but ideally the 501 or 503hdv.
the 701 will work very well, it's smaller and lighter than the full-size 501 and a bit cheaper, and imo makes for a good travel tripod.

the Bogens are solid and will give you smooth action no matter what you put on them.
can't really vouch for any of the other pricey pro heads.

as for legs, you'll have to decide whether you like a bottom or mid-level spreader.
i like a mid spreader so that i can open the legs wider/lower and can set my tripod down on uneven surfaces.

additionally, i highly recommend getting a tripod head with clawball bowl if you do a lot of quick shoots where you need to be able to level the camera quickly and easily to get your shot. the bowl will add more weight to the tripod though if that is an issue.

if you're looking for low-budget, but with good features, i'd even try:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Video-Tripo...ltDomain_0?hash=item5634f533ec#ht_2599wt_1165

for that price it would be worth finding out how well built the head is.
Click to expand...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1NX7VPOGCS38M
 
Get a GOOD used tripod... Tripods taken care off last a lonngggg time. I got my 1st few bogens on ebay for under $200.
 
I've had a Miller fluid head (other manufacturer's sticks) for well over twenty years and it still works great. Even though it has leaked a bit of oil and has a funky mounting. Miller has been around for years and has a good name. By the way, I think "Howard" Miller makes clocks instead of tripods/heads. Cheers.
 
kalapakiboogie said:
I have used this one several times. Seems to be a good budget level tripod. IF you can get it at the student discount price somehow that always helps a little too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._351MVB2K_Aluminum_Video_Tripod.html/mode/edu
Click to expand...

I'll 2nd this one...I've done everything with this tripod/head except call it "baby"...it takes some serious abuse. The 503HDV head is one of the more functional and fluid tripod heads you can get without spending $1K.

The Miller tripods are good, too, but I'd prefer my Manfrotto set.

There are a LOT of folks who have bought this Manfrotto leg/head kit, so the liklihood of finding a good used set either here on DVXUser or on eBay is very high. And unless someone had the pan/tilt locked while swinging their camera around, it will probably work just like new.

The new price, however, is dirt cheap when you consider that you will probably own the tripod for 5-10 years (or more).

I also 2nd the 561B monopod suggestion, works great on run-n-gun...only wish it were carbon fiber :)
 
For weddings we use Bogen 055X Pro tripods. They are light, store small and extend high. If you want more stability, add some ankle weights. You can run and gun with the tripod w/o weights and save your back. My favorite thing is that they travel with me in a large suitcase with some other items, so for weddings we have the big suitcase, the overhead suitcase (w/ our camera) and our camera bag (w/ my wife's camera). We just throw that on the overhead suitcase.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ROB_055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html/mode/edu
 
I will second that Nathan, I also use a light bogen tripod for running around, or even a monopod...

But recently I also went with the Manfrotto 525MVB legs - love them

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481941-STUD/Manfrotto__525MVB_Professional_2_Stage_Tripod.html

I was surprised at how light weight they are... love having a pretty high tripod with a spreader and ball head. They are very sturdy and easy to setup/breakdown. I am not to crazy about the 501HDV head, but for the price you cant go wrong. Going to save up for the 503hdv eventually...
 
frosh said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ford_PROVISTA7518B_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598806-REG/Davis_Sanford_ATPG18_ATPG18_All_Terrain_Geared.html
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mess with these if you are looking for long term usage and reliability, let alone smooth pans and tilts....

Bogen has bottom of the line options up to 'good' tripods... A friend got stuck with a cheap tripod like you mentioned and very much regrets the purchase. He cant even sell it for a fraction of the price... I wouldn't even allow him to use it in any of my projects.
 
The Davis & Sanford Pro Vista Video Tripod with FM18 Fluid Head is not a "bad" tripod and head, but it's not useful for anything but basic full wide angle pans and tilts.

I have one that came with my Kessler Crane (KC Lite) and have loaned it to shooters who didn't have a tripod or forgot their's. There's no adjustable friction on pans or tilts which is a major no-no for a standard video tripod.

But for the price, it's a good stop gap. And it's probably the best thing you can get at that price. But if you only have one tripod and head, it better not be that one...it just is not good enough.

Agreed on the Manfrotto sentiment. My main tripod is the 503HDV with a set of Manfrotto sticks. It's really very good especially for sub $600. I like it a lot, but I will replace it one day b/c for $1,500 to $2,000 I can get one that is a million times smoother and adjustable and will stay with me 'til I'm dead (and probably long after, too). The Manfrottos are what I would consider the bottom of the barrel and still be classified as a professional tripod. Anything below that is just not going to be suitable for major video recording work of any kind.
 
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