Suggestions - Tripod

richke

richke

Well-known member
I picked up a Panasonic GS300 to try and start making some entry level films and i need a tripod. Obviously buy the camera i choose to get i dont have a lot of money to spend. Curious to know if there are any good tripods in the $50 range.

if so pass me links or info on which to look for.

thank you.
 
You won't find allot for $50 but I think most anything would be better than hand holding.
You'll probably want as little extension as possible. Don't think you can raise a center column and get a stable picture.

I lugged my Bogen 3192 to Hawaii and even as heavy as that was, I still had some shaky shots because of the wind.

I'd check garage sales and eBay. I think those would be your best bets.
 
The Velbon Videomate 607 is a suprisingly decent tripod for $70. I wouldn't put it next to a real fluid head but for the few months that I was using it I was getting fairly smooth movement with my FX1. It's not made for that kind of weight though (the handle broke off and the front of my camera keeps tilting) but if you really can't afford anything else right now then it might be enough to tide you over until you can get a better one.
 
For your limited budget, I suggest you get a nice bean bag and prop the camera on a ladder, etc. If you're going to be shooting moving footage, consider an entry level monopod. Once you get some money and appreciate the value of a tripod for your application, you can make a better informed choice.

Regards, Michael
 
ladders i see costs $99 :) - ill look into your suggestions. Like i said i have a small camera...so i dont know if i need a heavy tripod...but i dont know...im new to this stuff. Is there a certain wieght i should look for?
 
To me something with decent weight helps give it a steadier shot when panning or tilting but you don't need anything extremely heavy. Putting small sandbags on a really light tripod will help keep it steady. The big reason to spend the extra money is to get the fluid-head for panning. Cheap tripods do not give you very smooth pans and tilts. If you plan on doing every shot stationary then you don't need to worry about the weight (as much anyway) or the fluid-head.
 
Hi again Richke,

Oh, don't buy a ladder if you don't have one or can't borrow it. Hopefully you can improvise by using objects in your environment. At home or the office, you could place a cardboard box on a table surface, etc. But just like the cheapo tripods, be careful not to precariously place your valuable camera where it might tip over (ergo -$$$).

Regards, Michael
 
thanks for the info...i think i got what i needed. The fluid head does make sense...so how can you tell how fluid the head is by specs?
 
Can't, you gotta try it out. Some tripods claim that they're fluid head but they're not really, watch out for that.
 
jade8472 said:
Can't, you gotta try it out. Some tripods claim that they're fluid head but they're not really, watch out for that.
Click to expand...

great!!! :) - well i guess i'll hit some camera stores(few and far between in Indiana) but i'll see what I can find then look for it online. Thanks for all the info. I'll chekc on the monopod too.....thanks
 
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