Tripod Decisions

A

AlpineSteez

Active member
Hello guys. I'm primarly a snowboard filmer. Tripods are EXTREMELY important in my style of filming. Steady pans and tilts make or break a shot.

I currently have a Davis and Stanford FM18 tripod. It just isn't cutting it for me and the head keeps coming loose. It's time that I upgrade to something more reliable and beefier.

I would love to get some expensive tripod that could hold 3786123782 pounds, but I simply can't afford anything like that. (I'm only 17 so this is going to be my Christmas present).

My two options are:

-Libec H22 Head on my current Davis and Stanford Sticks.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/411085-REG/Libec_H22_H22_Professional_Fluid_head.html

OR

Bogen 501HDV Head on Bogen 190XPROB Legs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...gen_Imaging__190XPROB_Tripod_with_501HDV.html

I heard that the 501HDV isn't all that fluid. I have heard great things about the Libec tripods so I'm leaning towards that.

The Libec says 75mm.....does that mean it would work out of the box with my Davis and Stanford legs (which has a 75mm bowl)?

Sorry for another thread on tripods, but this one is specific to my needs.

Thanks!
 
When I got mine 4 years ago, I went with the Bogen-Manfrotto 701RC2. I picked it up from Armato's Video in New York for $250 with legs. I have to say that after 4 years of constant use and abuse, it still pans and tilts like new (actually better than new since they recently repaired it). I definitely look into another Bogen (already have since I want to get either a RED Scarlet or HPX300)
 
You should just go to bestbuy and buy the most expensive tripod there. Don't waste your money on a Bogen. All a tripod does is hold your camera up. So just get the best one from bestbuy and it'll be less expensive and better then a bogen. Plus it'll be made of all plastic so it won't rust in the wet snow. Obviously the way to go
 
iplaysnowboards said:
You should just go to bestbuy and buy the most expensive tripod there. Don't waste your money on a Bogen. All a tripod does is hold your camera up. So just get the best one from bestbuy and it'll be less expensive and better then a bogen. Plus it'll be made of all plastic so it won't rust in the wet snow. Obviously the way to go
Click to expand...

No offense IPLAY but that maybe the worst advice ever.

Alpine- Since you acknowledge you need quality do you yourself a favor and stay away from Best Buy or any sub $500 (for new) tripod. I also have the Davis & Sanford and I can't stand it any more. It does pan and tilt smoothly but it doesn't stay level for long during the pans. I find myself constantly re adjusting. And it doesn't help that the bubble level is way off so every adjustment needs to be eyeballed through the LCD. I think the Bogen's are worth looking at for the next price range. Sachtlers rock but they are a little pricey. My first 2 tripods were the Sunpack pieces of junk from Best buy and I got what I paid for. They work for static shots but they are VERY sticky for tilts. They do "OK"for a straight horizontal pan with no tilt but any up and down movement and it becomes very jerky. After going cheap on my first 3 (including the Davis & Sanford) I will be looking at the very least for a Bogen/Manfrotto, but probably a Sachtler.

Also keep an eye out in the DVX marketplace or B&H's used listings for previously owned gear.

Good Luck.
 
Cole said:
No offense IPLAY but that maybe the worst advice ever.

Alpine- Since you acknowledge you need quality do you yourself a favor and stay away from Best Buy or any sub $500 (for new) tripod. I also have the Davis & Sanford and I can't stand it any more. It does pan and tilt smoothly but it doesn't stay level for long during the pans. I find myself constantly re adjusting. And it doesn't help that the bubble level is way off so every adjustment needs to be eyeballed through the LCD. I think the Bogen's are worth looking at for the next price range. Sachtlers rock but they are a little pricey. My first 2 tripods were the Sunpack pieces of junk from Best buy and I got what I paid for. They work for static shots but they are VERY sticky for tilts. They do "OK"for a straight horizontal pan with no tilt but any up and down movement and it becomes very jerky. After going cheap on my first 3 (including the Davis & Sanford) I will be looking at the very least for a Bogen/Manfrotto, but probably a Sachtler.

Also keep an eye out in the DVX marketplace or B&H's used listings for previously owned gear.

Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I really just need an opinion of the 501HDV vs. the H22. I wish I could spend money on a nicer tripod but I NEED this for this winter and I can't get something expensive right now.

So guys. What do you recommend for under 300 bucks?

Will the Libec H22 fit on my Davis and Stanford 75mm Bowl Tripod?
 
Cole said:
No offense IPLAY but that maybe the worst advice ever.

Alpine- Since you acknowledge you need quality do you yourself a favor and stay away from Best Buy or any sub $500 (for new) tripod.
...
Good Luck.
Click to expand...

I agree buy quality... but 'sub $500'... I bought my Bogen for about $150... oh, wait a minute... that was 30 years ago...

Actually the last one I bought was about $250 about 15 years ago... and that doesn't count the one that got stolen... about 20 years ago... I have 3 around the house...

The 'big' deal with tripods is not so much that 'they are just sticks', but that they are stable when the camera is mounted on them, and they are heavy enough to not contribute to jiggling themselves. Some of the 'cheap' offerings, when setup, are not rigid enough to even be stable 'just walking around them'... on a location situation, a small gust of wind will cause the lighter tripods (even quality ones out of composites) vibrate... (there's a reason why motion pictures are called motion pictures... but not because of crappy, or the wrong, tripods...)

Ok, one of the three is pretty much out of commission because The Wife was doing a shoot at the beach... a wave came through and loaded the legs with sand and salt... despite my quick use of WD-40, cleaning out with fresh water, etc... the legs still tends to jam at the least provication...
 
AlpineSteez said:
Thanks man. I really just need an opinion of the 501HDV vs. the H22. I wish I could spend money on a nicer tripod but I NEED this for this winter and I can't get something expensive right now.

So guys. What do you recommend for under 300 bucks?

Will the Libec H22 fit on my Davis and Stanford 75mm Bowl Tripod?
Click to expand...

The Wife, she does still photography, bought something like this from Calumet:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CK7800K/

Don't know what they may have for a 'video head', but the one she bought looks like a Manfrotto/Bogen, and Calumet has just 'rebranded' it.

A million years ago I bought a Calumet 4x5 and used it for years... it wasn't a Sinar, Linhof, or even a Cambo... but it was serviceable...
 
Cole said:
No offense IPLAY but that maybe the worst advice ever.

Alpine- Since you acknowledge you need quality do you yourself a favor and stay away from Best Buy or any sub $500 (for new) tripod. I also have the Davis & Sanford and I can't stand it any more. It does pan and tilt smoothly but it doesn't stay level for long during the pans. I find myself constantly re adjusting. And it doesn't help that the bubble level is way off so every adjustment needs to be eyeballed through the LCD. I think the Bogen's are worth looking at for the next price range. Sachtlers rock but they are a little pricey. My first 2 tripods were the Sunpack pieces of junk from Best buy and I got what I paid for. They work for static shots but they are VERY sticky for tilts. They do "OK"for a straight horizontal pan with no tilt but any up and down movement and it becomes very jerky. After going cheap on my first 3 (including the Davis & Sanford) I will be looking at the very least for a Bogen/Manfrotto, but probably a Sachtler.

Also keep an eye out in the DVX marketplace or B&H's used listings for previously owned gear.

Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Ahaha man i was only kidding. Alpine is my buddy and i was only posting that as a complete joke.
 
I hate the 501's and I have the FM18.. I would say get steadier sticks and just put the FM18 head on it. The problem with the 501 is that if you add fluid drag to the pan and/or tilt, it feels more like turning a gear on a piece of paper.
 
I've had a libec TH-950DV (an H22 on a cheaper set of legs) and it's done great so far. I wish it had a real sliding plate instead of just a sliding screw / pin ass'y, but other than that, I've never had problems other than the fact that I use Sachtlers at school, which definitely outdo it in performance, and price, by about $500.
 
AlpineSteez said:
Ok so after talking to my mom about the budget...
Click to expand...

I just love that line! :)

Okay, laugh if you want. But I just bought a Dynex DX-MW010 off Ebay. The first one I ever saw was in my local Best Buy. The only one they had was the display model, and a friend of mine wound up buying it for $75.00. Another friend got one from Ebay for around $80.00. I like the tripod -- heavy and solid, sweet 2-way fluid action, sliding quick-release plate. More of them showed up on Ebay, through the Best Buy Outlet, but I kept losing the bids.

I finally got one from a private seller on Ebay. Cost me $42.00, but when it got to me it was missing the quick release plate. (Sly seller buried that fact in his Ebay posting.) But I found a dealer on Ebay who sold a plate that fits it for $16.00 with shipping. The 'pod works great with my Panasonic HMC40, as well as my DVX100a.

It's not a 'pro' tripod I suppose, but it works great for me. And you still might see one occasionally on Ebay. Sometimes it's listed as "Dynex 65" tripod".

My 2 cents.
 
andythefilmer said:
I hate the 501's and I have the FM18.. I would say get steadier sticks and just put the FM18 head on it. The problem with the 501 is that if you add fluid drag to the pan and/or tilt, it feels more like turning a gear on a piece of paper.
Click to expand...

The FM18 head is a piece of ****...in my opinion. It has fallen apart on me and i have to take a wrench and tightren it every hour of filming. I simply need something better.

The legs are also pretty haggard and I would not reccomend them.

I'm hoping the Libec H22 head (LS22 Kit) is way better. Can anyone vouch for this Libec tripod?
 
I'd say the opposite. The 501 hdv is overrated / overpriced compared to the 501 / 503 series.

I have taken my 501 from the streets of NYC to heli skiing in AK, and its always performed perfectly, no questions asked

I had a hdv, and the build quality, especially in the pan and tilt, was not on par with the 501, especially in low temp environments
 
does anyone have any experience with the Libec LS-38? i read a rave review that was linked from this board awhile back and i was interested in picking one up for myself.
 
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