Tri-Pod Recommendations

I picked up a VariZoomVZ-T100AM from Amazon last week, insane price of $143 USD (Yes, normal price is around $280 at B&H). Shipped from Amazon (however that works) , but..wow.. I was going to spend $180 on Matthews, but since I got such a deal on the sticks, I went to B&H for a 501HDV, 100mm half bowl and a Libec remote zoom controller. Crossing my fingers this combo works well.
 
MadHMC150 said:
Next weekend I will be able to use and compare a 501 and 503... Ill post my findings. Wish I had a libec to get my hands dirty with.
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Hey Mad,

Did you ever get to mess around with either of those heads? Curious what your findings were as I am seriously interested in the 503HDV but am still trying to figure out if that is the best setup to purchase for the money. Will be using it frequently for action sports.

Thanks for any input:thumbsup:
 
I too would be really interested in differences in using a 501(old one, not HDV) as compared to the 503HDV. I currently use the 501, which works good - but is the 503hdv that much better, so much so, that I need to upgrade?

I could sure use the lighted bubble level, since I do mostly theater shooting...

Terry
 
I like the satchler fsb-4 kit. At least that's what I use and I it really is smooth with the Hmc and a Genus mattebox with two filters in it.
 
I am really impressed with the feature set of the new bogen tripods. I'll have to admit that I am a little biased in that I have never used the more expensive brands but bogen is what I learned on and they have never left me out in the cold. Been using bogen's (and a few libecs) for almost 11 years and I like the build quality and feel of Bogens better. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on (3) 503 heads with 028B legs for my new HMC-150's. The 17+ Lb max on these heads, robust feature set, true fluid drag and sheer height alone sells me on them. Not to mention buying a larger head sets me up for using a HPX 500 or other full size camera in the future without having to worry too much. I'm hoping to get 8-10 years of service out of these new tripods/heads.

The only place im going to get into trouble is if I later try to add a bunch of stuff to the HPX500, I'll run out of weight pretty quick. That wont be for probably at least another year or 2 though.
 
davdav said:
I bought the Miller Compass 15 with Carbon Fibre Solo legs (3-stage). It's not cheap... but it IS THE BEST I have ever used.
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I agree I use the 501 503hdv and the miller compass no comaparson Millers out-preform many heads.
 
Hizzo said:
Hey Mad,

Did you ever get to mess around with either of those heads? Curious what your findings were as I am seriously interested in the 503HDV but am still trying to figure out if that is the best setup to purchase for the money. Will be using it frequently for action sports.

Thanks for any input:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hey Hizzo,

Yeah, I was able to use a 503 with my 501HDV a few times now... Honestly with a lighter rig like the HMC there was not really a noticeable difference. If you plan on heavy stuff of course the 503 is going to be better... but for me I would rather spend more on sticks and of course the extra handle - best $20 I have spend yet...

501HDV is a great value for the money, best head? no but very acceptable inexpensive head.
 
Sweet, thanks for the reply and input Mad, I appreciate it. I am not going to be doing a ton of heavy stuff, I am actually using a $75 tripod right now, so anything is going to be better!

So, I think after a lot of research, I am just going to go with the 501HDV and tripod. Here's the link to what I was looking at getting.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2K_501HDV_351MVB2K_1_Stage_Tripod_System.html

Which sticks did you go with? Any reason why this setup wouldn't be sufficient? Heck, if I can save the extra couple hundred bucks over the 503HDV, I would be happy!
Again, any input greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,
Hizzo
 
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Hizzo, any thoughts on the tripod you linked to? Happy with it? How is the weight? I'm need a travel tripod for the summer, something that's not too heavy, and I'm wondering how you feel about the weight.

I was thinking of springing for this tripod, but the weight also seems like an issue given my needs: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...503HDV_351MVB2K_351MVB2_Tripod_Legs_with.html

Anyone have experience with this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ripod_Legs_Black.html/mode/edu#specifications
It seems like a good tripod for the weight
 
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Hizzo said:
Sweet, thanks for the reply and input Mad, I appreciate it. I am not going to be doing a ton of heavy stuff, I am actually using a $75 tripod right now, so anything is going to be better!

So, I think after a lot of research, I am just going to go with the 501HDV and tripod. Here's the link to what I was looking at getting.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2K_501HDV_351MVB2K_1_Stage_Tripod_System.html

Which sticks did you go with? Any reason why this setup wouldn't be sufficient? Heck, if I can save the extra couple hundred bucks over the 503HDV, I would be happy!
Again, any input greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,
Hizzo
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I wouldn't get a 2 stage tripod unless you could care less how big it is. I like 3 for the most part since its about 30% smaller when folded up.

My best purchase so far is the 525mvb legs... just love them. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._525MVB_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html/mode/edu

But also used this setup which is acceptable for a lighter weight tripod. It has a ball head type leveling which is super convenient. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._501HDV_755XBK_Video_Tripod_Kit.html/mode/edu

I used a friends 755xbk and will be getting it soon... replacing a crappy 190xb (not really just to light weight for me, to little control) that i purchased for the GH1. He used it with the ZAZA slider and it was a really nice combination. The legs fold out wide to get a real wide stance for a slider.
 
Spreader???

Spreader???

Man, this took a lot of looking into, but after some research and finally getting the dough together I am placing my order today. Just needed to know one last piece of info if anyone can lend a hand.

Is it better to go with a tripod with a mid-level spreader or Floor-level spreader? Are there any noticeable benefits between the two? Either one stronger than the other?

Any help from you guys is greatly appreciated.

Thank you:laugh:
 
Hizzo said:
Man, this took a lot of looking into, but after some research and finally getting the dough together I am placing my order today. Just needed to know one last piece of info if anyone can lend a hand.

Is it better to go with a tripod with a mid-level spreader or Floor-level spreader? Are there any noticeable benefits between the two? Either one stronger than the other?

Any help from you guys is greatly appreciated.

Thank you:laugh:
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i would definitely go with a mid level spreader ,for uneven terrain its almost always better
 
I also agree. The mid level spreader is better, though I was never really a fan of the floor spreader to begin with.
 
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