Tripod recommendation?
- Thread starter ramkuma
- Start date
I bought a Sachtler ACE this Spring, which works quite well with my HMC-150.
Spending more will buy you a better/smoother fluid-head. Here are the tripods I would be looking at given your budget:
Sachtler Ace : $535 at B&H Photo
Libec RS-250M : $769 at B&H Photo
Vinten VB-AP2M Vision Blue System : $1,165 at B&H Photo
...Previously I've owned four Manfrotto video tripods, and I've hated the Manfrotto "fluid" head that came with every one. I will never buy a Manfrotto head again, as the competition is just so much better.
Spending more will buy you a better/smoother fluid-head. Here are the tripods I would be looking at given your budget:
Sachtler Ace : $535 at B&H Photo
Libec RS-250M : $769 at B&H Photo
Vinten VB-AP2M Vision Blue System : $1,165 at B&H Photo
...Previously I've owned four Manfrotto video tripods, and I've hated the Manfrotto "fluid" head that came with every one. I will never buy a Manfrotto head again, as the competition is just so much better.
ChrisHarding
Well-known member
Hi Guys
I'm different ... Pay $5K for a tripod and yes you will notice the difference!! I have used Weifeng 717 tripods on both my HMC82's (which are heavier than a 150) with absolutely no issues at all and smooth pans and they cost under $200!! The Chinese Fancier models actually have a new upgraded one out too..also under $200 and it really works well. My oldest Weifeng is now getting on for 3 years old and still pretty much perfect...levelling is easy with the ball head and I think I would rather replace tripods once a year at that price. It might also be worth looking at something like a used Miller..that way you get a very good one at a cheaper price
Chris
I'm different ... Pay $5K for a tripod and yes you will notice the difference!! I have used Weifeng 717 tripods on both my HMC82's (which are heavier than a 150) with absolutely no issues at all and smooth pans and they cost under $200!! The Chinese Fancier models actually have a new upgraded one out too..also under $200 and it really works well. My oldest Weifeng is now getting on for 3 years old and still pretty much perfect...levelling is easy with the ball head and I think I would rather replace tripods once a year at that price. It might also be worth looking at something like a used Miller..that way you get a very good one at a cheaper price
Chris
At work we have a Weifeng 717 tripod, which is a very good tripod for the low price, but there are a couple of big drawbacks for me.
1- Proper camera counter-balance, so you can pan/tilt your camera in any direction and then let go, and your camera will stay exactly where you have it pointed without having to lock anything. The Sachtler / Libec / Vinten heads will all do this.
2- Fluid and smooth controlled pans/tilts. The more expensive Sachtler / Libec / Vinten fluid heads are in a whole other class when it comes to smooth controlled movement.
3- The horrible Weifeng quick-release plate, which is anything but quick. ( I am very tempted to file out the camera plate slot just to get this to work better )
1- Proper camera counter-balance, so you can pan/tilt your camera in any direction and then let go, and your camera will stay exactly where you have it pointed without having to lock anything. The Sachtler / Libec / Vinten heads will all do this.
2- Fluid and smooth controlled pans/tilts. The more expensive Sachtler / Libec / Vinten fluid heads are in a whole other class when it comes to smooth controlled movement.
3- The horrible Weifeng quick-release plate, which is anything but quick. ( I am very tempted to file out the camera plate slot just to get this to work better )
ChrisHarding
Well-known member
Hi Dingo
The upgraded model does a return via the counter balance but nowhere as good as the big boy models. Hmm I forgot about panning smoothness as I very seldom use it at weddings and at most I might just swing the cam a few millimetres to correct the framing but it seems fairly smooth to me BUT if panning and tilting are a big part of your style then you will appreciate a really good fluid head. I did a 2nd shooter job last year and the organiser used a Sony EX-3 and Miller tripod (hired) and I was on the front camera filming a forum discussion on climate change and had to go from a wide shot of the stage and then zoom into an audience member asking the panel a question....the big bucks tripod there was magic!! Seamless pan over normally a full 180 degrees or more!!
The ugraded Weifeng/Fancier heads now have a narrower plate and better controls ..haven't got mine yet but it's supposed to be better..the the E-717 with a shoulder-mount camera it's pretty hard to get to the release knob...yeah I must admit I had to do some serious filing and then smoothing to get the Weifeng plate to work correctly...the last thing you need is to struggle to mount the camera when you are running out of time...I guess this is what you have to work around for the cheaper price!!
Chris
The upgraded model does a return via the counter balance but nowhere as good as the big boy models. Hmm I forgot about panning smoothness as I very seldom use it at weddings and at most I might just swing the cam a few millimetres to correct the framing but it seems fairly smooth to me BUT if panning and tilting are a big part of your style then you will appreciate a really good fluid head. I did a 2nd shooter job last year and the organiser used a Sony EX-3 and Miller tripod (hired) and I was on the front camera filming a forum discussion on climate change and had to go from a wide shot of the stage and then zoom into an audience member asking the panel a question....the big bucks tripod there was magic!! Seamless pan over normally a full 180 degrees or more!!
The ugraded Weifeng/Fancier heads now have a narrower plate and better controls ..haven't got mine yet but it's supposed to be better..the the E-717 with a shoulder-mount camera it's pretty hard to get to the release knob...yeah I must admit I had to do some serious filing and then smoothing to get the Weifeng plate to work correctly...the last thing you need is to struggle to mount the camera when you are running out of time...I guess this is what you have to work around for the cheaper price!!
Chris
Terry_Martin
Active member
I started off with Manfratto 503 and 504's, but now find the Vinten Vision Blue to be far superior, in control, smoothness and stability.
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
I own a Walimex (which is the same as Weifeng i guess) 717 and and a 9901 i like the 717 more because of its smoothness in tilt direction, the 9901 has the advantage of a nice big grip for locking the tilt which is nice to operate with... sure that are not the best tripods you can get, but if you get used to them they will give you great results for a reasonable price!