Cheap Tripod time

M

MeAgain

Carbonite Member
Hey everyone, I've been reading a lot about tripods on this forum, and yes, I know you'd need about 600 bucks to even get a "basic" tripod.

But I don't have that money, and I need to shoot my final film for school this upcoming semester. All my school has is some seriously beatup 3046/501 heads that barely move anymore. I've use them before and a lot of parts are sort of broken, and it's a hassle to borrow from my school just to get something like that for a day (and a 50 dollar fine if it isn't returned on time).

I'm on a super tight budget since I'm getting a mic, lcd screen hard drive and other things. What I need is a tripod for 200 bucks to get me through the shoot.

Know that I don't have a rig- it's just my DVX100 plus LCD mount, so weight isn't an issue. Also, this shoot happens to be a lot of static shots, although there are a handful of slow pans. The pans are not CUs, but LS and MS, and there is no tilt/pan combos, no zoom pan combos- it's all really simple stuff.

So I'm looking for something I can spend 200 bucks on that won't break- new or used, ancient or just came out.

I was looking at those Davis and Sanford tripods that have those fake fluid heads...I heard for the price you get a decent pan, but I also have read MANY testimonials that they break really fast.

My other option is the Matthews M25. I've heard very little about this, but I've read it's bare bones but well built, and for the price you can't complain. Only thing I'm wondering is if the Matthews has as smooth a pan as the Davis and Sanford.

Other than that, I saw some old wooden Miller tripod with a fluid head on ebay, which I think would be a blast to work with (at least for the reactions from my crew) but maybe not so practical as an antique.

Understand, again, I'm not a pro cinematographer, but I understand why some tripods are 3 grand. I have 0 grand, but this has never stopped me from getting creative.

So people who have used the Matthews m25 and/or Davis and Sanford F18 head, help me out? Or is looking for an antique tripod for a couple of hundred just crazy enough to work?
 
When i first started out, i used the top of the range consumer tripods and they work well for the price.

Most stores will have a few tripods on display, ask if you can use them, they'll all probably be better than the school's heads but at least these will do the job
 
MeAgain said:
Hey everyone, I've been reading a lot about tripods on this forum, and yes, I know you'd need about 600 bucks to even get a "basic" tripod.

But I don't have that money, and I need to shoot my final film for school this upcoming semester. All my school has is some seriously beatup 3046/501 heads that barely move anymore. I've use them before and a lot of parts are sort of broken, and it's a hassle to borrow from my school just to get something like that for a day (and a 50 dollar fine if it isn't returned on time).

I'm on a super tight budget since I'm getting a mic, lcd screen hard drive and other things. What I need is a tripod for 200 bucks to get me through the shoot.

Know that I don't have a rig- it's just my DVX100 plus LCD mount, so weight isn't an issue. Also, this shoot happens to be a lot of static shots, although there are a handful of slow pans. The pans are not CUs, but LS and MS, and there is no tilt/pan combos, no zoom pan combos- it's all really simple stuff.

So I'm looking for something I can spend 200 bucks on that won't break- new or used, ancient or just came out.

I was looking at those Davis and Sanford tripods that have those fake fluid heads...I heard for the price you get a decent pan, but I also have read MANY testimonials that they break really fast.

My other option is the Matthews M25. I've heard very little about this, but I've read it's bare bones but well built, and for the price you can't complain. Only thing I'm wondering is if the Matthews has as smooth a pan as the Davis and Sanford.

Other than that, I saw some old wooden Miller tripod with a fluid head on ebay, which I think would be a blast to work with (at least for the reactions from my crew) but maybe not so practical as an antique.

Understand, again, I'm not a pro cinematographer, but I understand why some tripods are 3 grand. I have 0 grand, but this has never stopped me from getting creative.

So people who have used the Matthews m25 and/or Davis and Sanford F18 head, help me out? Or is looking for an antique tripod for a couple of hundred just crazy enough to work?
Click to expand...

Many times we have to live with 'good enough'. But a lot of folks forget, and start going on the thousands and thousands of dollars of gear. It also depends on where you're going. I find that since I'm shooting events and not feature films, I can get by on less. Then there is the reality of what we can afford.

If your budget is $200 for head-only, you can pick up the Manfrotto 701 or 501 depending on how much dough you want to plow into it. The 701HDV was bashed by a lot of reviews, it works perfectly fine for my applications (HMC150 and a shotgun, nothing fancy). Pan slightly up down, left/right for events, fast or slow, works fine.

If it's head plus sticks, get the 701 and something cheap in aluminium from Manfrotto. Note that ordinary photo tripods work fine. My indulgence was the Gitzo 1530, which I bought a few years back (together with the awesome Markins Q3 ballhead) for SLR photography, and there is NO problem with torsional rigidity during the pans (testimony to Gitzo overengineering), even though this is a single-leg still tripod, not the dual-leg video kind. I have swung a 300 f/2.8 IS USM around on it and it doesn't even give. But something solid and aluminium from Manfrotto will do fine. 190-series should be fine. They are very well built and very solid as well.

Levelling base - I am still working without that luxury. I level the old fashioned way - by adjusting the legs. Time consuming? Yup, but that's why I get there way in advance. I am waiting for the Acratech levelling base to fall from the sky but that is a while yet ;)

It's probably not going to be the most awesome rig on the market - I am not touting it as that. But it might just work for you :)
 
I've had a D&S with an FM18 head for a year. It's a good deal with a dolly for under $200 (link). I have also read about these units falling apart and I believe it's mainly due to weak rod supports and owners in a hurry. If you're careful with it, it won't break. If something does break, you've got 10 years to contact Tiffen to send replacement parts.

I also have two Manfrotto tripods (190XPROB and 190CX3) which I have used with a 701HDV. It's very convenient to carry the 190CX3 with a 701HDV on my backpack with a DVX; however, it's not as stable as the D&S and movements are simply not as smooth.

The main drawback, in my opinion, of the D&S, is its weight. At over 10lb., you ain't gonna be hiking with it.
 
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