Some tripod suggestions for ex1/r?

B

billygraydon

Active member
Anyone have any suggestions for a reliable tripod for the ex1/r for preferably less than $500? and maybe even around $300?

I have seen tripods on BH that have a capacity for 12 pounds at around $200 and then some others are 8 pound capacity and are $800.

any help is appreciated. thanks
 
Bill, you want to get as much tripod as you can afford. Don't base you decision on price alone. Solid images and smooth pans and tilts come at a price.

You just spent over $6,000 on your camera! Don't skimp on its support. Think of it as an investment. The tripod should outlast your camera many times (and more often than not, cost just as much or more)!
 
my first decent tripod was a $400 Libec for a DVX100a. for the money i thought it was pretty good at best. with the EX1 being a lot heavier and also back heavy i eventually upgraded.

im not sure if you just dont have the cash to spend or if you cant justify spending the cash for a good quality tripod but...if you have access to the cash i would recommend that you buck up and get something that you wont want to replace in 6 months.

one item that is a clear winner is these Miller Solo VJ Carbon Fiber legs...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...1505_SOLO_VJ_Carbon_Fiber.html#specifications

easily the most versatile legs that you can buy. goes up to about 74.5" tall (great for getting over standing crowds...you will need a stool to stand on since it so high) and goes as low to the ground as is possible. its lightweight, strong. waterproof & a strap attached for easy transporting. AMAZING!!!

if you can come up with the cash for the legs you will be set forever. i would suggest to scrimp on the head (if you must) in the short term rather than the legs. maybe the Manfrotto 503? the 516 would be nicer but then you are starting to get to a price category that you should be looking at other good heads like a Cartoni Focus or a Vinten Vision 3 series. Sachtlers are great but more expensive.

if you are relying on your tripod to give you a pristine look in your productions then the difference between a cheap rig and a more pro rig will be easily obvious...especially if you are putting a camera the quality level of the EX series on it.

find the money and dont cheap out. once you touch a good head and legs you will see how cheezy the cheap stuff really is.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Jay Gladwell said:
Bill, you want to get as much tripod as you can afford. Don't base you decision on price alone. Solid images and smooth pans and tilts come at a price.

You just spent over $6,000 on your camera! Don't skimp on its support. Think of it as an investment. The tripod should outlast your camera many times (and more often than not, cost just as much or more)!
Click to expand...

I def. agree I was really just hoping there was a hidden gem out there that may help me balance the budget lol but you are right. Thanks.
 
I can't say enough about the Sachtler DV4. It's light and compact, big enough for an EX-1
with 35mm adapter, but it won't break your back moving it around.

Another benefit, in my opinion, to using broadcast standard equipment (whatever that might
be in your area), is that you learn and develop skills in a piece of equipment that your professional
colleagues are using. So if you ever have to borrow or rent gear - or you get hired by a local
broadcaster, you skills will be transferable. My first tripod, for budget reasons, was a Manfrotto.
Though it was a decent tripod, using a Sachtler was very different and took getting use to.

Peter
 
Bill, of the two, the Sachtler would be your best bet. The Manfrottos can wear out very quickly. It guess it depends on what level you're shooting--hobbiest or pro--to really determine what you need.

When it comes to tripods and heads, the phrase "you get what you pay for" was never truer.

Another thing, not all "fluid heads" are true fluid heads, so beware.

Edit: I spoke earlier about your tripod and head being an investment. I just checked, and the system I bought in 2001 has gone up $1,200!
 
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Bill,

Jay speaks the truth. If you go the cheap route on a tripod, you’ll end up kicking yourself later for not spending the $$$ upfront and getting the right set-up.

On that note, if you end up deciding on a Sachtler, send me an email. We have a new and used DV6/CF set-up that I’ll work with you on a fair price.

Scott. sschneider@fvesco.com
 
I have been thinking about this Mannfrotto 503HDV:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...g_503HDV_535K_503HDV_535K_535_Tripod_503.html

I have an old 501 head with aluminum legs I got for 330.00 5 years ago. It's served me well. This 503 with carbon legs seems OK. On the other hand I think the Miler Solo that Plillip Bloom uses looks nice at twice the price:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293494-REG/Miller_1514_SOLO_DV_20_Carbon.html


Personally, now that I have 2 EX1 cameras, I am going back and forth. Do I keep my 501 bogen for my 2nd cam, and get the Miler for #1 cam? OR fo I get the bogen 503HDV above to hold me over, then get the miller later, and sell the 501?

With 2 EX1s everything is a giant expense. So I am here to find the best bang/buck ratio too without selling out. Also, I don't know if this even exists, but I want carbon legs with a column for extra height, but also to be able to level the head like tripods with no column. I have yet to see that. Oh and I prefer flip type adjustments so I don't have to stand there screwing the legs all the live long day...

Chad
 
Chadfish said:
I have been thinking about this Mannfrotto 503HDV:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...g_503HDV_535K_503HDV_535K_535_Tripod_503.html

I have an old 501 head with aluminum legs I got for 330.00 5 years ago. It's served me well. This 503 with carbon legs seems OK. On the other hand I think the Miler Solo that Plillip Bloom uses looks nice at twice the price:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293494-REG/Miller_1514_SOLO_DV_20_Carbon.html


Personally, now that I have 2 EX1 cameras, I am going back and forth. Do I keep my 501 bogen for my 2nd cam, and get the Miler for #1 cam? OR fo I get the bogen 503HDV above to hold me over, then get the miller later, and sell the 501?

With 2 EX1s everything is a giant expense. So I am here to find the best bang/buck ratio too without selling out. Also, I don't know if this even exists, but I want carbon legs with a column for extra height, but also to be able to level the head like tripods with no column. I have yet to see that. Oh and I prefer flip type adjustments so I don't have to stand there screwing the legs all the live long day...

Chad
Click to expand...

Get a Miller or Sachtler and you will have it for the rest of your career, then pass on to your grandchildren. Cost more and worth every penny. You will go through 20 cameras over the years but your Sachtler will still be the same. I bought a baby Sachtler head with carbon fiber sticks in 1984. Been around the world 20 times and still like new. Look for a used small Sachtler and your will be happy.
 
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Chad, you don't want the 503HDV. I too had used a 501 head previously, but the control knobs on the 503 were a disaster, for me. I spent the extra money and got the Sachtler FSB6 and love it. Sorry for the $$$ bad news.
 
thxdave said:
Chad, you don't want the 503HDV. I too had used a 501 head previously, but the control knobs on the 503 were a disaster, for me. I spent the extra money and got the Sachtler FSB6 and love it. Sorry for the $$$ bad news.
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That looks real purty. Got a line on some reasonable carbon legs? No spreader. I need mobility, height and lowness like the miller legs on the 20.
 
Ditto on a good head and sticks. I was out of the country a few years ago and rented a tripod for the EX-1. Rental house only had a 501 and a huge Sachtler-- overkill for the EX-1 and too heavy to schlep since I was shooting alone. Took the 501. As long as the camera was static, no problem. The minute I introduced any movement, I could immediately tell the difference between the 501 and my Sachtler at home. Go for something decent. Check the boards or eBay for used. Don't short change yourself on proper camera support.
 
Spend more and buy it only once! In the 25 years I've been doing photography and now video, I've only had 3 tripods because I heeded this advice.

The Sachtler prices will make you blush but the product is worth it. Again, you're buying this for the rest of your life. Be conservative with the weight estimates. Manufacturers often overstate what their sticks and heads can support. If the ad says 10lbs, you should expect more like 6.

Ask yourself what you anticipate using on the sticks before you buy them. For an EX-1, will you ever add an adapter, rails, monitor, matte box etc? If so, spend the extra money now to support it rather than having to upgrade later. I have the Sachtler DV-8 sticks and head. It will comfortably hold all that crap. The head is a thing of wonder compared to lesser, popular brands.

My best advice: go to a store to see and try before you buy. Remember, you're putting a $6000 camera on it!
 
billygraydon said:
Ok since I have to make a somewhat quick decision I think I am going to go with the following Sachtler:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0473_0473_FSB_6_Aluminum_Tripod.html#features

Let me know if I am getting the best bang for my buck I would like to be sure. Thanks again everyone.
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Great choice. The previous member was not joking about passing it on to your grandchildren. Sachtler is as well built as they come.
And, if you ever need to sell, they hold their value like mad. Just check out ebay - 20 year old tripods sell just as well as new.

Have fun!

Peter

P.S I did want to mention that my first tripod was a variation of this model from Manfrotto http://tinyurl.com/y9f535s
and although I do agree with the comments about it's build quality, if you don't have the money, or are just starting out, it's
a good tripod. Mine lasted 5 years at which point I was able to upgrade to the Sachtler. "Buy once and it will last your career"
is good advice, but for those that simple can't afford it, this is an excellent option.
 
I will add one caveat to my Sachtler suggestion. I bought the kit package seen here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498211-REG/Sachtler_0475_0475_FSB_6_Carbon_Fiber.html

and I absolutely love the fluid head. The carbon legs have been a little bit problematic. They collapse to a very compact size which is great. However, one of the flip-lever locks that they use to lock the legs in place has been coming loose. The legs are back at Sachtler right now for "repair" but I haven't been able to get them to tell me if I merely had a defective leg or if this is an engineering problem. If you want to contact me offlist, I can give more details. But, despite this problem, I still feel that this is a great system.

The FSB8 system wasn't available when I got my FSB6, but I might have gone with that system in case I ever get rails and a 35mm adapter. However, I don't really think that the FSB6 would have any major problems with it. I'd just love to have that extra margin of load-bearing capability.
 
billygraydon said:
Ok since I have to make a somewhat quick decision I think I am going to go with the following Sachtler:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0473_0473_FSB_6_Aluminum_Tripod.html#features

Let me know if I am getting the best bang for my buck I would like to be sure. Thanks again everyone.
Click to expand...

That's the exact one in my B&H wishlist. I've been using a Manfrotto 501 for a year now and have resigned to the fact that you 'cant' do smooth pan/tilt/zooms with it. Locked off it's fine but so is the kitchen counter..
 
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