jmproductions13
Active member
who ever thought that 3 aluminum rods would cost upwards of 300 dollars? why are tripods so much money? does anyone know where to buy a good tripod for under $100? thanks.
tripods
- Thread starter jmproductions13
- Start date
Re: tripods
From someone who is a newbie at this also, I'd like to share with you my perspective. I think it depends what you want to do. Do you want to make home videos or do you want to do something more ambitious? I thought I had a decent tripod, a $250 Bogen with the micro fluid head. It has gotten me all the shots I wanted, but I think I will invest in a better set of tripods. Having a ball leveller would have been so nice and saved some time setting up. I think that when you're trying to do the best work that you can, any tool that makes that easier is worth it. Hope you find what you're looking for.
From someone who is a newbie at this also, I'd like to share with you my perspective. I think it depends what you want to do. Do you want to make home videos or do you want to do something more ambitious? I thought I had a decent tripod, a $250 Bogen with the micro fluid head. It has gotten me all the shots I wanted, but I think I will invest in a better set of tripods. Having a ball leveller would have been so nice and saved some time setting up. I think that when you're trying to do the best work that you can, any tool that makes that easier is worth it. Hope you find what you're looking for.
Z
Zoomforce
Guest
Re: tripods
I will assume you dont mean the heads but just the legs... and there is alot more than 3 pieces of aluminum in them. Granted, it probally material cost around $20 to make, but if you can make a good pair for that let me know and I will buy a dozen of them.
I will assume you dont mean the heads but just the legs... and there is alot more than 3 pieces of aluminum in them. Granted, it probally material cost around $20 to make, but if you can make a good pair for that let me know and I will buy a dozen of them.
Story_of_Yesterday
Active member
Re: tripods
EVS has a good bogen tripod that's 319.95, without the discount. It's the 3046 model with a 501 fluid head. I almost nutted my pants when I saw it. It's in my shopping cart on the site as we speak. ;D
EVS has a good bogen tripod that's 319.95, without the discount. It's the 3046 model with a 501 fluid head. I almost nutted my pants when I saw it. It's in my shopping cart on the site as we speak. ;D
Re: tripods
Ok this is just my opinion and I could well get shot down in flames but...
A good tripod for video/film is a very different beast to a good tripod for still photography. $320 (do the conversion to banana republic currency... about $500 give or take) seems very cheap for a good video tripod with a decent head.
Weight is one issue the video gear is probably going to weigh more than your standard still gear, unless your talking medium format or bloody big lenses.
The biggest issue is that for video your capturing a moving image over time not one single image the tripod has to be very steady very level and be able to maintain both of these while the subject and possibly the camera/tripod are being moved.
I wouldn't skimp on the tripod spend the money and get a good one.
Ok this is just my opinion and I could well get shot down in flames but...
A good tripod for video/film is a very different beast to a good tripod for still photography. $320 (do the conversion to banana republic currency... about $500 give or take) seems very cheap for a good video tripod with a decent head.
Weight is one issue the video gear is probably going to weigh more than your standard still gear, unless your talking medium format or bloody big lenses.
The biggest issue is that for video your capturing a moving image over time not one single image the tripod has to be very steady very level and be able to maintain both of these while the subject and possibly the camera/tripod are being moved.
I wouldn't skimp on the tripod spend the money and get a good one.
ruester
Well-known member
Re: tripods
So I was considering getting the ProMax Cobracrane 1+, I believe I have to get a tripod for that, should I get one dual purpose tripod (ie to use with and without the crane) that's good? or get two tripods, one for ea. purpose?
And what would you recommend? (more detailed answer preferred) Thanks guys.
Aza
So I was considering getting the ProMax Cobracrane 1+, I believe I have to get a tripod for that, should I get one dual purpose tripod (ie to use with and without the crane) that's good? or get two tripods, one for ea. purpose?
And what would you recommend? (more detailed answer preferred) Thanks guys.
Aza
G
Guest
Guest
Re: tripods
Just wanted to add my 2 cents about tripod experiences. I spent every penny I own on my DVX (college student budget) and quickly realized that my $40 rinky dink tripod wasn't gonna cut it. Its like investing in a Porche and then skimping on the tires - just doesn't make sense. Once you get a quality camera (DVX is awesome!) you can't hold it back with sub-par accessories. I saved up some more cash and bought a $250 Davis and Sanford Provista with the F18 fluid head. Again, this model is on the bottom of the video tripod totem pole, and as expected, I got what I payed for. The fuild tilt on the head was decent, but the pans were aweful - jumpy and uncontrollable. I ended up sending it back and saving up some more cash for a Bogen 3021 / 501 combo. It is great! I'm impressed with every aspect of this system. So in response to the first post, $300 may seem like a lot, but it is well worth it - you're DVX will reward you with amazing shots! (The 501 IMO is probably the best head in its price range and the 3011 or 3021 is a great set of sticks.)
Just wanted to add my 2 cents about tripod experiences. I spent every penny I own on my DVX (college student budget) and quickly realized that my $40 rinky dink tripod wasn't gonna cut it. Its like investing in a Porche and then skimping on the tires - just doesn't make sense. Once you get a quality camera (DVX is awesome!) you can't hold it back with sub-par accessories. I saved up some more cash and bought a $250 Davis and Sanford Provista with the F18 fluid head. Again, this model is on the bottom of the video tripod totem pole, and as expected, I got what I payed for. The fuild tilt on the head was decent, but the pans were aweful - jumpy and uncontrollable. I ended up sending it back and saving up some more cash for a Bogen 3021 / 501 combo. It is great! I'm impressed with every aspect of this system. So in response to the first post, $300 may seem like a lot, but it is well worth it - you're DVX will reward you with amazing shots! (The 501 IMO is probably the best head in its price range and the 3011 or 3021 is a great set of sticks.)
chi_red
Well-known member
Re: tripods
Try this,
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=131444&is=REG
Alot of people say it is the best tripod you can buy for less than 300.
Try this,
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=131444&is=REG
Alot of people say it is the best tripod you can buy for less than 300.
Story_of_Yesterday
Active member
Re: tripods
Bah. A 501 is almost necessary. Don't buy a tripod without one.
Bah. A 501 is almost necessary. Don't buy a tripod without one.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: tripods
There's almost nothing quite as enjoyable as seeing a post that begins "Bah."
There's almost nothing quite as enjoyable as seeing a post that begins "Bah."
Story_of_Yesterday
Active member
Re: tripods
I like to keep my game fresh. Ya know, pitch a screwball every once and a while.
I like to keep my game fresh. Ya know, pitch a screwball every once and a while.
Z
Zoomforce
Guest
Re: tripods
that libec tripod is a piece of ****, no offense. Its really just a photo tripod in disguise.
The 501 and 503 heads are about as good as you can get in the price range, I use the 503 with the 525 legs and its a great combo.
that libec tripod is a piece of ****, no offense. Its really just a photo tripod in disguise.
The 501 and 503 heads are about as good as you can get in the price range, I use the 503 with the 525 legs and its a great combo.
John
Well-known member
Re: tripods
If you want to be an adventerous chap like myself, you can just use 3 bamboo sticks and some twine. Works wonders for jungle shots and blends into the background.
But really, a decent tripod shows in your shoots. It really can make the difference between a pro looking shot and an amatuer looking shot. Anybody can pick up on that jerky motion and it really does ruin the shoot.
To be honest, most of the things you have to purchase for your shoots are all over-priced. It's still a heck of alot cheaper than what it used to be.
If you want to be an adventerous chap like myself, you can just use 3 bamboo sticks and some twine. Works wonders for jungle shots and blends into the background.
But really, a decent tripod shows in your shoots. It really can make the difference between a pro looking shot and an amatuer looking shot. Anybody can pick up on that jerky motion and it really does ruin the shoot.
To be honest, most of the things you have to purchase for your shoots are all over-priced. It's still a heck of alot cheaper than what it used to be.
Re: tripods
Firstly great site. Wasted many an hour at work rummaging around it.
But onto the tripod scenario.
I've now spent months going back and fourth trying to work out exactly what the best tripod setup for my dvx100a is. Very confusing and frustrating with so many oppinions fliying around...but have finally decided to go with 525MVB PRO VIDEO TRIPOD WITH 503 PRO VIDEO HEAD.
Alas after going to loads of links on this site to try and get the best price i cant seem to find any good deals in my neck of the woods, namely London, UK.
Anybody out there with any UK based links?
:a:
Firstly great site. Wasted many an hour at work rummaging around it.
But onto the tripod scenario.
I've now spent months going back and fourth trying to work out exactly what the best tripod setup for my dvx100a is. Very confusing and frustrating with so many oppinions fliying around...but have finally decided to go with 525MVB PRO VIDEO TRIPOD WITH 503 PRO VIDEO HEAD.
Alas after going to loads of links on this site to try and get the best price i cant seem to find any good deals in my neck of the woods, namely London, UK.
Anybody out there with any UK based links?
:a:
phd
Well-known member
Re: tripods
I can recommend head 503 http://db.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=79&itemid=679
and tripod 755B http://db.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=299&itemid=1976
I can recommend head 503 http://db.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=79&itemid=679
and tripod 755B http://db.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=299&itemid=1976
G
Guest
Guest
Re: tripods
This is a store that I've had good experience with. Bought my DVX and gear there. I know that many professionals go there, and you should because they have a great showroom with equipment. A true candystore
http://www.prokit.co.uk/
This is a store that I've had good experience with. Bought my DVX and gear there. I know that many professionals go there, and you should because they have a great showroom with equipment. A true candystore
http://www.prokit.co.uk/
G
Guest
Guest
Re: tripods
If you want really chep cranes or stabilzers (better than steadicam) then I suggest www.cameracranes.us
They sell their stuff for much less. The Tripods are the same but I don't know of any other tripod besides Bogen to support such a heavy weight.
John
If you want really chep cranes or stabilzers (better than steadicam) then I suggest www.cameracranes.us
They sell their stuff for much less. The Tripods are the same but I don't know of any other tripod besides Bogen to support such a heavy weight.
John
magicdavek
Well-known member
Re: tripods
[quote author=ruester link=board=Links;num=1087210600;start=0#5 date=06/15/04 at 01:58:46]So I was considering getting the ProMax Cobracrane 1+, I believe I have to get a tripod for that, should I get one dual purpose tripod (ie to use with and without the crane) that's good? or get two tripods, one for ea. purpose?
Aza[/quote]
I was wondering the same thing then thought, wait, I have only one DVX100, why two sets of tripod legs? I won't need to quickly switch between crane shot and tripod shot, and I don't have lots of cash to blow so I purchased with the idea of upgrading to a crane in the future.
I have the Bogen 3046 with the 501 head. Frankly, I have a hard time seeing why you'd need to spend more, unless money was not a big part of the decision. The 3046 is big. It extends up to 7 feet, unlike most tripods that go between 5 and 6 feet. This 7 foot feature is great for the back of the church at wedding videos - it shoots over the heads of people, even when they are standing. Last week, my 5'11" teenage son had to stand on a chair to operate the camera with the tripod at full height.
A seven foot maximum height plus future expansion to a small crane is what made me choose the 3046. The 501 head gives very smooth pans and tilts. Honestly, the DVX isn't that big, and my set up is borderline overkill. I would suspect this set up would work for the lighter full format cameras as well (e.g., Panasonic's AG-DVC200 or JVCs GY-DV500).
[quote author=ruester link=board=Links;num=1087210600;start=0#5 date=06/15/04 at 01:58:46]So I was considering getting the ProMax Cobracrane 1+, I believe I have to get a tripod for that, should I get one dual purpose tripod (ie to use with and without the crane) that's good? or get two tripods, one for ea. purpose?
Aza[/quote]
I was wondering the same thing then thought, wait, I have only one DVX100, why two sets of tripod legs? I won't need to quickly switch between crane shot and tripod shot, and I don't have lots of cash to blow so I purchased with the idea of upgrading to a crane in the future.
I have the Bogen 3046 with the 501 head. Frankly, I have a hard time seeing why you'd need to spend more, unless money was not a big part of the decision. The 3046 is big. It extends up to 7 feet, unlike most tripods that go between 5 and 6 feet. This 7 foot feature is great for the back of the church at wedding videos - it shoots over the heads of people, even when they are standing. Last week, my 5'11" teenage son had to stand on a chair to operate the camera with the tripod at full height.
A seven foot maximum height plus future expansion to a small crane is what made me choose the 3046. The 501 head gives very smooth pans and tilts. Honestly, the DVX isn't that big, and my set up is borderline overkill. I would suspect this set up would work for the lighter full format cameras as well (e.g., Panasonic's AG-DVC200 or JVCs GY-DV500).