tripod suggestions

K

KROOKEDKROWN

Well-known member
Hey guys im looking to get a tripod and head for my A1 my budget is no more then 500bucks what would you guys suggest ???
 
Thanks jade .. thats actually the one im probly going to get I'm just worried about the height its only 62 almost 63 inchs high What if i want to do an interview with someone who is 6'5 or taller maybe im just a total newb but thats an actual concern for me because I work with college basket ball teams alot
 
Get the 3046 leg instead. It lacks a 75mm half bowl but the extended column allows it to get up to about 6'3 or higher (it's a lot taller than me and I'm 5'7). The only thing is that you almost never want the tripod that high because then it's impossible to control (just try reaching up all the way to the handle and hold for 10 min and you'll know what I mean; it's painful). Extending the column takes precious time as well. Have whoever you're interviewing sitting down or point the tripod up.
 
The 3046 will go up to 9 feet high. With a 503 head (the least expensive Bogen that has REAL fluid tension, don't even bother with the 501, it's garbage) and the control arm fully extended, I can comfortably operate the camera up to about 7 feet high. Good for shooting over crowds at events. I rarely need it that high, but I am 6'3" feet and I frequently need it at my eye level. I CANNOT do that with a 63 inch high tripod. I've been using 2 of them for 4 years and like them much better than the bowl type.
The center column has a crank and it spins the column up fast and the locking knob is positive. Doing interviews, I only use the column up a few inches for fine adjustments to get to my subjects eye level. The tripod legs with the first joint simply spread is a good height for seated subjects and the second joint extended brings you up to a good average working height for anything else.
When I do have to do something extreme, the legs have a 3rd joint and then there's the center column. Standing on a step ladder, I've gotten some really radical angled shots from 9ft high shooting a short narrative film.
The 3046 is $229 at B&H. The 503 is about $275. You just need to add a compact leveling head $74 at B&H and then you have quick leveling like with the half bowl.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=203536&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
That's $578. A little over your budget, but the best I've found for versatility.
It all delends on your needs. I'm sure jade8472's choice works just as well for him as mine does for me. Decide what you need to do with it and then know that you're going to have to carry it sometimes. The combo I suggested weighs about 14 lb. I have something lighter for hiking.
 
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