Tripod for under 500

D

DDirector

Veteran
Its tough finding a video tripod & head for under $500.
For the Canon T2i, with roughly 14lbs of equipment

The best I could come up with was the Manfrotto 501 Fluid Head & 055XDB Legs. It comes to about $470. Are there possibly better legs and/or a fluid head to stay below $500?
 
DDirector said:
Its tough finding a video tripod & head for under $500.
For the Canon T2i, with roughly 14lbs of equipment

The best I could come up with was the Manfrotto 501 Fluid Head & 055XDB Legs. It comes to about $470. Are there possibly better legs and/or a fluid head to stay below $500?
Click to expand...

Iv'e had Manfrotto 3182 legs for a long time with an old Miller head. Good for the money, but after years of abuse it's not like it uesd to be. I still use it because it's heavy and I like it, but it sort of pisses me off at the same struggling with it.
I've also had a Baby Sachtler for a lot longer, same abuse, but still in the same working condition as when new. I'd look for a used Sachtler. In the long run it will way outlast the Manfrotto for a little more money on a used unit.
I mean you got a grand invested in the T2 alone and a few more in the rest of the rig. Do yourself a favor and get a Sachtler. It will be working long after the T2 is history.
 
Why do you want to put the shoulder mount and weights on the tripod?
You could cut the payload down and get a tripod that's lighter and less expensive, or better for the same money.
Dave
 
I second the Davis and Sanford (Tiffen) FM-18. Pictured holding my slider and 7D on the provista sticks. The panning is smooth as butter, and i honestly prefer it to the manfrotto 503 setups they have at the local college.

4476498370_985b48ff5b_o.jpg

Came with a sweet foldable dolly to for under $200 shipped
 
The Davis & Sanford is a surprisingly great tripod. I have not used anything as smooth within hundreds of dollars. I also prefer it to the 503 bogens I have used and it definitely beats out the 501 in my opinion. They also have a "grounder" version that drops to where your camera is only about a foot from the ground. It's says it can hold 18lbs so that is fine for such a small camera. I had no problems using it with an hpx and letus extreme combo and that weighs a good bit.
 
Have been shooting with a manfrotto 501/525 kit for 4 years now. No complains so far. Used it with my old XL2 and now with my 7D. Works perfect.
 
Thanks.

The one thing that really bugs me with the Davis and Sanford tripod is the weight. Its pretty heavy, and if I want to just take my gear on my back, its not possible to do.
Unless if I get different legs for it, but I doubt I'll be doing that as I don't think I can get just the head.

Also, is it possible to mount the Redrock shoulder mount onto the head? Will it fit?
 
I'll ask my question again out of puzzlement.
Why do you want to put your shoulder mount and weights on your tripod?
You're just loading it down with unproductive mass, therefore needing a heavier head and legs.
keep the mass on the head down and you can get away with a lighter head, hence being able to get a higher quality for your money.
Just a thought.
Dave
 
I've owned a D&S FM18 and actually... it was junk. Stiff sloppy head with loads of play, fittings cracked easily. Overall very low quality IMHO.

I picked up this jewel: Bescor TH770 at B&H as a backup tripod and was surprised at the excellent build quality. It's a bit light for a heavy video camera, but works great for a light HDSLR. Much better than the D&S.
 
daveswan said:
I'll ask my question again out of puzzlement.
Why do you want to put your shoulder mount and weights on your tripod?
You're just loading it down with unproductive mass, therefore needing a heavier head and legs.
keep the mass on the head down and you can get away with a lighter head, hence being able to get a higher quality for your money.
Just a thought.
Dave
Click to expand...

um.. I do a lot of shooting on my Redrock shoulder mount rig. It fastest to just attach the shoulder mount onto the tripod as is.

I will be having two rigs eventually. (one large; with a shoulder mount, and one small; without the shoulder mount)
But, since I do a lot of shooting on the shoulder mount, I only have this set up right now. I cant afford the other one right now, even if I wanted it.

dcloud said:
Try libec
Click to expand...
Have not seen one in my price range...
 
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