cheap tripod

Z

Zach

Member
I'm sure this has been asked before--I searched but did not find a good answer.

I need a decent tripod for my DVX without spending more than $200. You can save the speech about buying cheap tripods. I just can't buy a $400-500+ tripod right now. Once I get more money for something nicer, the tripod will be moved to my old Sony MiniDV cam, so I wouldn't be wasting my money. I know nothing about picking out a tripod.

I mostly tape live performances (plays, musicals...) and some weddings. I've been using a friend's old Vivitar tripod--i'm sure that's something cheap from Best Buy, but it's sturdy and has done the job so far.

Any advice is appreciated (or, a link to a previous post about this topic)



thanks

zach
 
Re: cheap tripod

well yesterday i happened to stop in a little camera/video store in the boston area that i like and i scored a really nice, fairly expensive bogen tripod for just a few hundred bucks.

i'm not trying to sell it, just pointing out that you can get great deals on used stuff at smaller shops that take trade in's or have old rentals.

matthew
 
Re: cheap tripod

[quote author=Thinketernity link=board=Links;num=1096010683;start=0#2 date=09/24/04 at 05:07:07]
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3178N


Up there is a link to the one I got. It's the cheapest fluid-head tripod I could find.

 It works fine for me right now.
[/quote]

This one is in your price category at $205. I tried it in a store, and it seemed quite adequate for the DVX. However, I got the more substantial 501. But this one above seemed very solid to me.
 
Re: cheap tripod

I got the Bogen 501 and Wilderness legs from NewEgg.com for $245.00. They are light weight and works pretty good with a DVX. Its not what I would really like, but for the money you cant beat it.
 
Re: cheap tripod

[quote author=John T link=board=Links;num=1096010683;start=0#7 date=09/25/04 at 05:58:24]I got the Bogen 501 and Wilderness legs from NewEgg.com for $245.00. They are light weight and works pretty good with a DVX. Its not what I would really like, but for the money you cant beat it.[/quote]

That's what I have too. It gets the job done for the price.
 
Re: cheap tripod

Can anyone tell me what is so inadequate about the 501? So many people talk like it is something they "settled" for. It seems like a lot of head to me. I've seen our local network affiliates use them for their full size cams. The DVX is a fairly light camera, and the 501 gives very smooth movements. I've never tried anything "better" so I don't have a point of comparison. However, based upon its performance, I couldn't see myself paying a cent more for a better head. What am I missing not having tried these more expensive heads?
 
Re: cheap tripod

The 501 IS a great head, don't get me wrong, but there are just much better ones out there. The main reason it may sound like people "settle" for it is because it's not a true fluid head, yet it emulates it very nicely. I love my 501, it's great, but down the line I'm sure I'll get a schattler or a miller.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top