Videomaker magazine and $250 Tripod Of The Year 2005

LuckyStudio 13

LuckyStudio 13

The Tapeless One
How credible is Videomaker magazine ? I think it caters more towards the home movie maker segment of the market ?

Anyway, I am looking for a new tripod for my Dvx100b, this MSRP $350 tripod ($199 from New Egg) was voted as one of Videomakers best product for 2005

Davis Sanford Provista Airlift Tripod with FM18 Head The review here: http://www.videomaker.com/scripts/article.cfm?id=10750&GU=le929

If not, can you experts please recommend me a good tripod for around $ 600

Thank You so much in advance for all your wisdom ! My 100b should be here sometimes this wednesday :) and I am looking to shoot ASAP.
 
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Dxmetal said:
How credible is Videomaker magazine ? I think it caters more towards the home movie maker segment of the market ?

Anyway, I am looking for a new tripod for my Dvx100b, this MSRP $350 tripod ($199 from New Egg) was voted as one of Videomakers best product for 2005

Davis Sanford Provista Airlift Tripod with FM18 Head The review here: http://www.videomaker.com/scripts/article.cfm?id=10750&GU=le929

If not, can you experts please recommend me a good tripod for around $ 600

Thank You so much in advance for all your wisdom ! My 100b should be here sometimes this wednesday :) and I am looking to shoot ASAP.
Click to expand...

I have that tripod and for the price i love it! You have to be willing to make a few modifications because its not perfect out of the box. I took some of the knobs on the screws to a grinder and made them smaller. Originally in certain positions the knobs would hit the tripod and make locking the head etc. impossible, after a little time on the grinder the problem was solved. The legs are very sturdy and simple to setup. The head is decent, though i don't believe its a true fluid head, it seems more like a friction. But for now it works very well for me, then eventually i'll throw a bogen head on it and i'll have a fine setup for less than $500.
 
Anyone has any comment about this setup ?

Bogen / Manfrotto 745MF3 MDeVe MagFiber Tripod Legs (Black) with 3460 (503) ??
 
I just shot a sporting event (UFC) and had to use one. I lost my plate to my sachtler up in the raptor beams 10 mins before (Don't ask), but I had to shoot with one and I thought for the price it was very good and smooth. Now it's nothing like my sachtler, but it got the job done.
 
EVS has this tripod and they dont recommend them. Management is trying to clear out the stock because they are so bad, but you really have to twist a sales person's arm there to get them to sell one to you. They have nothing nice to say about them, except the cheap price.

All that said, I will probably pick some up for myself because I'm running low on funds for a tripod and wont shoot static all that much. (And that's just me; I'll spend $500+ on a 7" TFT monitor and $250 on sticks and head.)

-GageFX
 
Affordable tripod

Affordable tripod

We sell a video tripod for $299.- . I understand that anything I say will be considered sales tactics so I am saving my breath. But in case you guys want to give it a try, I would certainly be willing to offer a moneyback guarantee.
If you don't like it just send it back and I will refund your money.
I haven't even had the chance to market it so anybody who is willing to post a picture of it after receiving it, I would give a 10% discount to (until we finally get some pictures ourselves).

The tripod is a 3 stage tripod made of aluminum, with a 100mm bowl (optional 75mm adapter available) It comes with a floorspreader and a cushioned carrying bag. No flimsy plastic parts.

Helmut
Indie Dolly Systems
323 467 6160
 
J5 squared said:
I have that tripod and for the price i love it! You have to be willing to make a few modifications because its not perfect out of the box. I took some of the knobs on the screws to a grinder and made them smaller. Originally in certain positions the knobs would hit the tripod and make locking the head etc. impossible, after a little time on the grinder the problem was solved. The legs are very sturdy and simple to setup. The head is decent, though i don't believe its a true fluid head, it seems more like a friction. But for now it works very well for me, then eventually i'll throw a bogen head on it and i'll have a fine setup for less than $500.
Click to expand...
I also own the Provista with the FM18 fluid head and 75mm ball leveler and for the price it's a great tripod.

I notice that this post stated the knobs would not tighten all the way and needed to be machined down. When I got my tripod I was under the same impression at first and couldn't figure out why someone would go to all the trouble of manufacturing a tripod with knobs so big they hit against other elements making them useless. Ah, but then I found after further exploration the knobs have a spring in them and all you need to do is pull them out to get over whatever hump needs getting over and then let go and snap! - you are able to tighten the knobs without having to get them machined down. Wanted to make this clear for potential buyers.

It's a sturdy set of sticks! For $200 I'm very happy!
 
I received my Davis and Sanford today and my initial impression is very positive. It feels sturdy and the construction solid. Since this is my first day using it, I can't comment on the reliability issues the previous poster brought up. So far it seems like a good value for the money.

Of course I would go with the bogen if I had more cash, but at 2-3 times cheaper, I'm satisfied with my purchase of the Davis and Sanford.
 
The Davis and Sanford is terrible. I just did a 3 day shoot using it, and by the 3rd day we were holding it together with duct tape. The head actually broke into two pieces.This thing is a waste of money unless you plan on very light use. And I also don't think it is a fluid head. Do yourself a favor and avoid this setup. Save your cash for something better.
 
UPDATE: My tripod broke on the second day. The piece that connects the handle to the head snapped in half. Crap.
 
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