T2i Tripod for shooting on bare 550D (Libec LS-22DV vs LS-38)

N

Nic Bathgate

New member
Hi,

I'm sorry if this topic has already been discussed, I searched but could not find exactly the answer I was looking for!

I'm after a fluid head tripod for shooting with the very light weight Canon 550D (T2i). I won't be attaching any more than a mid weight tele lens and a light weight shotgun mic to it, so it will be a very light payload.

I've done quite a bit of reading, and have a supplier in my country who sells Libec at a good price. At the moment i'm looking at the LS-22DV and the LS-38, but if anyone has other suggestions for a good lightweight tripod that will work with 550D I would love to hear them.

My main issue is counterbalance. I would go straight for the LS-38 if it were not counterbalanced for a minimum of 4KG, the 38 can extend higher and lower and is smoother than the LS-22DV, the only advantage I can see in the 22DV is that it's much lighter and is counterbalanced for a lighter payload.

I have three questions:

1. What does "Counter balance: Off + 3position" mean (on the libec website), does that mean there is a 3 way adjustable counterbalance for different camera weights? http://www.libecsales.com/products/dv/ls-22dv.html

2. Will it be significantly easier shooting on the 22dv that is counterbalanced closer to my camera's weight than on the LS-38?

3. Has anyone actually tried either of these tripods using the tiny Canon 550D?

:)
 
for a T2i, even with the Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 or 70-200 VR II, those two libecs are way overpriced for the weight/offerings. you are paying a lot for a name there. you can counterbalance any tripod with some duct tape and a bag full of rocks.

i had the LS-22DV for my D300/70-200VR rig that i later used with an XH A1/shotgun mic for outdoor weddings, and i had bought a generic 25lb capacity fluid head 'ebay' brand tripod for $250 for mounting lights, a monitor, and misc stuff on. I assumed it would be pretty flimsy and cheap. after a few uses, i threw the XH A1/Letus on it and mounted the shotgun mic on the Libec. i later sold the libec and bought another pair of identical 'ebay' tripods for lights and misc gear.

if you are using a T2i, its probably budget work; save the difference and put it towards lenses, mics, etc. the T2i is very light (i have 3 for B-roll and other angle shots), you dont need a $300 tripod. besides, most of them are either rebranded 'generics' and most are manufactured in the same facilities in china as the 'name brand' units. i also have a manfrotto tripod as well as an IDENTICAL 'Zhe Zuhuan' or some such brand tripod i bought in NYC; they are CLEARLY the exact same product, but the 'china' version was less than half the brand name one. i use them interchangeably; the lack of a 'recognizeable brand name' has never affected my bottom line.
 
I was using my 550D on my Libec 38M last weekend and on Tuesday. It is a bit annoying having it counterbalance only to heavier cameras. It pretty much means that you'll be tightening the tilt lock every time you take your hand off the pan handle when the camera is anything but perfectly horizontal. It's a fantastic tripod, though, I really like it. It is made in Japan, not China.
 
btw, my first 'tripod' was a pair of milk crates i drug around with me when i had first bought an SLR at 14. some of my favorite and best shots were taken with my film minolta SLR propped up those milk crates.
 
Thanks very much for those responces! Thats really good to know.

Zissou, how heavy was the lightest camera you used on your 22dv? Would it have any chance of counterbalancing a .5kg camera without using a bag of rocks (rocks are so inconveniant!). Theres the possibility i will use a very low end prosumer camera like xha1 or hmc40 on these sticks later so i dont want to go too low end.
 
SECCED DV4 should do the trick if you can find one. Inexpensive and a Sachtler copy. Despite what others are saying here though, don't scrimp on your tripod. It will outlast your cameras and be your best friend for years to come. It is the least sexy and most essential piece of kit you can own.
 
the 'generic' ones ive used apprear and act exactly like name brand clones, just 30% less. im not saying skimp on a tripod, but you dont need a $1,000 carbon fiber set of sticks and $700 fluid head if you are just starting out. $300 for a 6-7 lb capacity tripod is preddy damned expensive. If you want a nice tripod that will last and last, and grow with your gear, buy something in the 11-15lb capacity range; even if its heavier, you wont look to replace it nearly as soon. I drag a big heavy 20lb capacity tripod all over, but i usually have an XH A1, 8.9" monitor, carbon fiber rail system, DN-60 CF recorder, and mattebox assembly as well as a handle/shoulderpad combo attached, so im usually right around 15 lbs loaded.

Nic my heaviest setup i used on the Libec 22DV was a D3s and 70-200 VR II lens was a little over 6.5 lbs; still steady and sturdy. i mounted the 70-200 lens to the tripod, not the camera and it was perfectly balanced. I also used a D50 (comparable weight to 550D/T2i) with the same lens, about 4.5-5 lbs. That lens is pretty heavy though. if you are using primes (which i suggest), your weight will be MUCH less, and you could easily throw a mic rig or light rig on the hotshoe.

you can counterbalance the tripod/cam rig by taping weight on the handle. i always carry hockey tape, and in a few circumstances i have taped various bits onto the back of the handle to counterbalance a heavier rig, or i use a small canvas bag on the handle and keep things like lenses,chargers, and batteries in it.
 
I have a manfrotto 501 head (but I'd like a sachtler). The manfrotto does a pretty good job and has taken all the abuse thrown at it so far.
 
Great, thanks for the extra information, Zissou. I need the tripod in a bit of a hurry and the only decently priced supplier in New Zealand i havwe found doesnt do manfrotto but does do these libec systems. Ive heard the similarly priced manfrotto heads are no where near as good as these libec anyway.

I think i will go with the 22dv as i will at least have a chance of balancing it especially with your trick of putting weight on the handle, and its a whopping 2kg less to carry around!

Thanks dvxusers for your kind input!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top