Tripod Help needed

armisiano

armisiano

Veteran
I'm in need of a decent video tripod, plain and simple. Sadly my budget is quite limited. I'm one of those poor schlubs who works their butt off to make about 1k a month, and the past few months has been spent saving up for a new computer (now have), and a LEX (will soon have). I have a very decent photographic tripod, great for still shots, but I cannot pan or tilt, and damnit I'd like to.
Can anyone recommend a decent video tripod (or just tripod head I could mount onto my current legs) that wouldn't cost me more than maybe 1 to 3 hundred dollars? Thanks.
 
If you search the forum, you'll find Libec as a possible option. I've never used one - but search and you'll find info and recommendations. The other low end ok option is bogen. The 501 may be under $500. I would go for the 503. you may want to see if you can find it used to save cash. Anything cheaper than these will only be frustrating.
 
Armisiano,

I hear ya man. Money is tight. For 100-300 you are going to be hard pressed to find anything that will serve you well. In the new department, fargetabait!!!!!

You will be looking used my friend. I know there is an O'Connor 50 head which weighs a ton, but sometimes can be had for cheap. Possibly with legs. The problem with your legs is that, I'm not sure what the mount is on them. (75mm, 100mm, maybe 50mm bowl. if it even has a bowl)

Like tumbleweed said, libecs are getting some good reviews, but I'm still skeptical. I had a 501 but didn't like it for serious work.(not really fluid head. more of like friction on plastic. bahumba!! liquid is what you need)
The 503 might be better, but again it must be used to be within your price range. and even then, I don't think it will work well. Meaning, yes, you will pan with it, and maybe if you are lucky and become a really good operator, you will get consistent smooth pans, but most likely, you'll only get 1/5 smooth pans. which means if working on a film set you will need extra takes to accomplish the same with a regular one. and chances are you'll have a bad pan when the acting is awesome. :(

What I suggest is just get an old one for $450-$600 that used to cost much more than that. Won't break the bank and it will be smooth.

Good luck.
 
Just got a 503HDV Head yesterday to replace my crappy 128RC head. The pan/tilts are alot smoother but still not quite what I would consider Ideal. I paid $385.00 CAN for it with taxes in. I've read numerous forum reviews on tripods & Heads, and looking back & recalling some of the people who stated the 503HDV was fantastic I can't help but wonder, ...What were they talking about? Honestly friend, take it from a perfectionist who just dropped 4 bills on this thing. If you can wait & save up for a $1,400 tripod head-DO IT. Otherwise, you'll just have to perform within your budget & get satisfactory results. As for me........I'll be saving up for that "Ideal tripod head" from this day forward. (which will now cost me $1,600 cause I bought the 503HDV).

Good luck.
Steve
 
Steve2012 said:
Just got a 503HDV Head yesterday...The pan/tilts are alot smoother but still not quite what I would consider Ideal.
Click to expand...

Not the best news I've had all day as I've just ordered this exact head. I too have read rave reviews about it. Hopefully it will live up to expectations.
 
Steve2012 said:
Just got a 503HDV Head yesterday to replace my crappy 128RC head. The pan/tilts are alot smoother but still not quite what I would consider Ideal. I paid $385.00 CAN for it with taxes in. I've read numerous forum reviews on tripods & Heads, and looking back & recalling some of the people who stated the 503HDV was fantastic I can't help but wonder, ...What were they talking about? Honestly friend, take it from a perfectionist who just dropped 4 bills on this thing. If you can wait & save up for a $1,400 tripod head-DO IT. Otherwise, you'll just have to perform within your budget & get satisfactory results. As for me........I'll be saving up for that "Ideal tripod head" from this day forward. (which will now cost me $1,600 cause I bought the 503HDV).

Good luck.
Steve
Click to expand...

Finally someone who understands and is realistic about the 503HDV. Anyone who thinks that this is a good tripod head has obviously never used a real professional tripod head like a Sachtler, Miller, Cartoni or O'Connor. For the money, it's not bad, but it's not enough money for a real head that has no stiction and will allow you to do a smooth simultaneous pan and tilt with no bobbles.

If you can only go cheap, I would suggest the Libex LS-38. If you go below that, you are in toy territory. Fine for lockoffs but for smooth pans and tilts, not going to happen.

Dan
 
Not the best news I've had all day as I've just ordered this exact head. I too have read rave reviews about it. Hopefully it will live up to expectations.Today 04:57 PM


Oh and uhm.......did I mention the crackling and popping sounds that it makes when you adjust the tension?

Steve
 
Ok, the 503 is definitely not that great. Its all relative. those who are posting that its awesome is because their last tripod sucked alot more. So to them this one is awesome.
For the money not bad. but like people keep saying you must spend more duckets to get the goods.
I haven't used it but some folks are happy with an old bogen 3066 head. definitely seems like a big one that can handle 15lbs. but again I haven't tried it. I would rather get that on ebay for $350 or so than a new 503. Just my thoughts. but if you can bump up to a $700 used one, that would get you the best bang for your buck.
 
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