Tri-Pod Recommendations

P

ProAmateur

Active member
Can anyone recommend a good quality tri-pod for use with the HMC-150? I was thinking about trying out a Glidecam 4000, but with the outdoor action sports run and gun stuff I am doing, I am not sure it will be the thing for me...but I am not 100 percent sure on even that.

However, I do need some sort of stabilization, and am thinking I might should just try a tri-pod. Any recommendations? From what I can find, seems I need a fluid head at a minimum? I am not even sure what the "name" brands would be.

I am a beginner...can you tell?

Regards,

G.
 
You should have a tripod. And budget is the first question that most will ask. Like most professional gear, you get what you pay for and then it is a matter of personal preference for brand. Many here use Manfrotto heads and legs and some also use Libec. If your budget is a higher, there are other brands, Sachtler(what I use) O'Connor, Vinten and others. If you are doing run and gun stuff lightweight is a consideration. If you are doing sports and working on the end of your lens alot (zoomed in) then you will need stability. Do a search on the site and you will find tons of info on a variety of heads and sticks. But get a tripod. A stabilizer like the Glidecam would be low on my list of thing to reccommend to a beginner. A mono pod with a quick release head might be a good way to start out and will always be a handy tool.
Good luck and check out the Marketplace here where you will often find great deals from fellow members who are upgrading their gear.
Brian
 
Also, this is probably a fine place to post it -- if you end up with an el-cheapo from Walmart @ $80 (but if at all possible don't -- your footage will scream "amateur"), there's a neat little trick to getting very smooth pans no matter whether you have a fluid-head or not.

Take a rubber band, wrap it around your handle and give it a tug. It's a fantastic way to get consistent, slow pans even at the end of your lens.

Good luck. :)
 
get a bogen with a 501 head. if you get a nice set of sticks it will cost you about $300 but for how good this head is (and any set of bogen legs), it is almost comparable to tripods that cost $2000.
 
Man this has been some good info for me. I really appreciate it very much.

Now, having said that, I have looked some more, and determined that tri-pods are like some CARS!!!!!...including PRICE!!!

Anyway, I did see the Bogen I think it is...looked at the 501 and 503 (I think). I would like to get in for around 500 bones...up to 8 if need be. But how much will I really gain going from around 5 to 8 hundred bucks? Or even three hundred as was suggested?

Anyway, I appreciate all the info. It helps alot, as I had no idea tri-pods could be that "high end".

Regards,

G.
Shopper
 
Keep in mind that most tripods (when taken care of) last a long time... you can find great values on used tripods on eBay. I've bought many through there over the years... A few months ago I got a 501 (the old style - not the 501 HDV) and a set of legs for under $140-

Just look over their feedback - and THOROUGHLY read the listing... but if you've got coin for new- go for it.
 
Tripod

Tripod

You can definately find deals on the Bogen stuff on ebay. You can pick up a 501 with sticks for less than 200 if you wait patiently. I have had the opportunity to mess around with a Libec LS-38 recently and would highly suggest it over the Bogen 501/503 if you have the $. I wouldn't suggest buying a Walmart special as they can be very frustrating to work with (don't ask how I know).
 
HCPROD said:
You can definately find deals on the Bogen stuff on ebay. You can pick up a 501 with sticks for less than 200 if you wait patiently. I have had the opportunity to mess around with a Libec LS-38 recently and would highly suggest it over the Bogen 501/503 if you have the $. I wouldn't suggest buying a Walmart special as they can be very frustrating to work with (don't ask how I know).
Click to expand...

Well there is a LS-38 on ebay right now with 18 bids, but I am still trying to learn all the features and terms on these things. For example, do I want/need//prefer 100 mm or 75 mm ball or none of the above? I wonder if the one on ebay is the type your suggesting? It says LS-38(2A)...not sure about the 2A part. And it comes with a remote that I don't think works with the HMC150.

I am not going to go for a Wal-Mart special, but boy is this taking much more research than I would have ever guessed.

Regards,

G.
Researcher
 
I have a Bogen 3182 with a mid-spreader and some foot pads, and the old version of the 501 head. Paid about $450 all told. The 3182 I love. Very sturdy, and the ball head mount is a joy. The 501 head... meh. It works well, and for the price it can't be beat, but I think I'm going to upgrade to the 503 or higher before too long.

B&H has a 3182/503 combo for under $800 I saw a few weeks ago.

But as others have said before... the $50 Walmart special is crap to begin with, and won't do the 150 justice. Fully expect to pay at least $400 for new sticks and head (used off of Ebay is a different story). Try to find one with a ball head... they're so much easier to get a level shot with.
 
I've been doing a lot of event videography such as fashion shows and weddings and have always used a big heavy tripod.

i was just surfing around amazon when i found this:
Manfrotto 561B Pro Fluid Monopod with Head and 501PL Sliding Quick Release Plate

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-561...1_160?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1239775420&sr=1-160

I've seen videographers here and there using this type of monopod style pod but can anyone who's acutally used something very similar to this give some insight?

Thx
 
I have one of those 561B fluid monopods. Love it. Actually bought it about 2 years ago and use it all the time (especially at weddings, but VERY handy for sports and such, especially on sidelines where tripods are generally forbidden). Very easy to use for interviews, takes the weight off you just like a tripod and allows fluid movements with the portability of a monopod.

I even attach my Varizoom controller to the pan handle (unique to this monopod) so I have zero handling noise on the audio.

B&H has the monopod for around $250 w/ free shipping.

Also would recommend the 503 head and some sticks. B&H has a good deal ($650 w/ free shipping) on a kit that includes tripod, 503 head, spreaders, feet and a bag to hold it all. In fact, there is a mail in rebate right now where you can get a FREE monopod with this kit. It's not the same monopod we're discussing (none of the fluid head stuff, but still has the standard quick release plate), but it's still a decent monopod that would run you about $100 otherwise. Here's some links:


503HDV head w/ kit
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...503HDV_351MVB2K_351MVB2_Tripod_Legs_with.html

MIR form (for details on the free monopod)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/053109_BOGEN_Kits.pdf

I would say to choose the 503HDV over the 501HDV, as the 503HDV has more controls for camera weight and drag control. It also has an illuminated bubble, don't know if the 501HDV has that.

The "-HDV" versions of these heads are a major improvement over previous ones.

All this being said...yeah, you'd be better off buying a much nicer head, but you may not really need it. If you do find that later on you need a better head, then at the very worst you have a second/backup tripod for your assistant or whatever, or you can usually sell these on eBay for a pretty decent return. Event better, you can get the free monopod right now, too.
 
Hey thanks to everyone who helped me out. Now, just a couple more questions...

I think I am going to go with that B&H 503HDV kit listed above (the one with the mono rebate). So, given that, what else do I need to include with this order? It seems to come with everything (including rubber feet). But I want to be able to disconnect and go "run and gun" if I want to, so I assume I need a quick attach/disconnect plate? Is that right?

Basically I want to do it all in one order from B&H, so any help making sure I get everything I need the first time would be great.

Also, while slightly off topic, I am wondering if I can use the monopod (or even the tripod with the right adapter) with my DSLR in those circumstances when I am shooting stills.

Thanks so much again for all the help. I love this site...SOOO much experience in here.

Regards,

G.
Apprentice
 
ProAmateur said:
...so I assume I need a quick attach/disconnect plate? Is that right?
Click to expand...

Nah, you're good...both of those devices feature the same quick release plate, no additional plates necessary to go between the two.

The only other thing you might want is a second pan handle...I use two, and it can help with a couple of things. For one, by using both arms, you have finer control over your motions on pan/tilt, and you can let your body move the thing. Also allows you to use either hand at either time (which may or may not be of any use to you).

The other thing is that you can attach zoom and focus controllers to each handle to operate them independently. I personally use the combo Varizoom controller on my DVX100B that allows zoom, focus, iris and s/s (record) functions on one unit, but that's not the traditional studio style control.

A spare QR plate can be handy, too, in case you lose yours or someone leaves it attached to their camera by accident. Of course, with one camera and two heads using the same plate, you'll probably already have a spare by ordering that tri/mono combo deal.

ProAmateur said:
Also, while slightly off topic, I am wondering if I can use the monopod (or even the tripod with the right adapter) with my DSLR in those circumstances when I am shooting stills.
Click to expand...

Yep, sure can...I've done it with mine, same QR plate on there.
 
whitecrow1 said:
get a bogen with a 501 head. if you get a nice set of sticks it will cost you about $300 but for how good this head is (and any set of bogen legs), it is almost comparable to tripods that cost $2000.
Click to expand...

+1

I love my Bogen 501 and sticks. I've got a few of these combos, and I shoot everything from short films to live events to weddings. A great combo for all, at a price that's not insane.

You'll hate spending the money, but after a few shoots, you'll know exactly where it went. :)
 
A tripod is the most important investment you will make in gear. About 10 years ago I bought a beta cam package, camera, batteries, charger, monitor, tripod etc. Since then I've bought 3 more cameras, a new monitor, batteries and charger. The tripod I bought is a Sachtler video 18 and it is still performing just as well as the day I got it. If your going to splurge on anything spend it on your tripod. If your going to skimp on anything don't skimp on your tripod. Sachtler is the best in my opinion. Other good ones are Vinten, Occonnor, and Cartoni. Bogen is an el cheapo tripod that does the job but not in the same league as a good tripod manufacturer.
 
Bucknfl said:
A tripod is the most important investment you will make in gear. About 10 years ago I bought a beta cam package, camera, batteries, charger, monitor, tripod etc. Since then I've bought 3 more cameras, a new monitor, batteries and charger. The tripod I bought is a Sachtler video 18 and it is still performing just as well as the day I got it. If your going to splurge on anything spend it on your tripod. If your going to skimp on anything don't skimp on your tripod. Sachtler is the best in my opinion. Other good ones are Vinten, Occonnor, and Cartoni. Bogen is an el cheapo tripod that does the job but not in the same league as a good tripod manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Wow..."el cheapo". Man that's harsh. :Drogar-Dum(DBG): And hey I am all about "you get what you pay for". I just don't think I need to go that high (Cartoni and others) on the scale. At least not now.
 
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