Tripod suggestions

[kilikili]

MOD EDIT — Executive Summary 8/17/09
Too Much to Read?
Our Members Recommend

• Coach Class ($200 & under) — Velbon DV7000, Matthews M25
• Business Class ($500 & under) — Manfrotto 701 HDV,547B
• First Class (sky's the limit) — Cartoni Action Pro, Miller DS-5 Solo DV

(We now return you to our regularly scheduled discussion thread)


Can someone recommend a decent tripod to get with a fluid head around the $50 range? There are some tripod's I've seen at local stores that claim fluid head but found they're not fluid at all when panning or tilting. And I can't test tripods I see online, so I'll have to trust y'all on this if I order online. Thanks!

[Rikki]

Best to do a search for "tripod"

I got a Velbon 7000 myself

[Terfyn]

I think your problem will be the $50 budget. The Velbon 7000 is £74 on Amazon.
I suggest e-bay for a second hand Velbon. (probably the best at the consumer end of the market)

[Nacho]

The Velbon cx 686 has the same head as the dv 7000 and costs about 50€. I tested both though and decided the dv 7000 was worth the double price - the cx 686 has many plastic parts that seemed breakable to me. I'm now really happy with the dv 7000, it is robust and the head is really smooth.

[Dr. Benway]

Hey, tripod's can be confusing, how? The legs matter, best if they are cross-braced, that the leg locks work and HOLD, that the feet have rubber tips and spikes if possible and that they don't weigh a ton for field work.

The magic part of the tripod is the head and this is where you should put most of your money.

Often buying secondhand and separately can be an economical way to go, but know your stuff, it is an option for us vultures.

You can match and mismatch heads and legs to your hearts content; bogen/manfrotto, slik, velbon etc, just know the thread measurements. If you are ever in a store with a huge range check out their stock and have a play.

[Jessica]

I use this one. Its very tiny, but very easy to carry when you travel. It fits in my camerabag! http://www.hama.de/portal/articleId*...omcat_de_lin23

Max height: 21cm !

[dvtodd]

I use this one. Its very tiny, but very easy to carry when you travel. It fits in my camerabag! http://www.hama.de/portal/articleId*...omcat_de_lin23

Max height: 21cm !

That thing will fit in yer pocket too!!!

[Erik Bien]

I somewhat have a foot in both camps:

A) You need to bump your budget a bit to get a minimally-decent tripod for video, and

B) in my experience, Velbon generally handles better than their price would imply; I have their UP-4DX II monopod and although it's the cheapest of several one-leggers I own and the plastic attachment point for the shoulder strap snapped off long ago, it's still my favorite, and in your price range to boot!

[Rikki]

I agree that the Velbon is very sturdy, the 7000 at least. Cant believe the price of it and as mentioned its got a nice fluid motion.

[kilikili]

Seems like the consensus winner so far is the Velbon 7000. Problem is it's not being sold in the US

[dewde]

Seems like the consensus winner so far is the Velbon 7000. Problem is it's not being sold in the US

I think it might be called Velbon Videomate 607.

[Kev]

I think it might be called Velbon Videomate 607.

I bought this one a couple of weeks ago. I compared a bunch at a local store (DFW, TX area). They had more expensive - but I didn't find one that suited my needs any better.

Have field tested it (literally) a couple of times now and couldn't be more pleased. Next Saturday I'll be in waders and water with it - trying to capture some retriever water work.

Highly recommend the 607.

Kev

[DaFireMedic]

Another option is the Slik 504 QF II. It is sold in the U.S. and runs about $120. That is about as cheap as I've found for a sturdy fluid head tripod. Functionally, I like mine. The only problem that I've had is that the bubble level fell off. I had to attach it a bit more permanently. I think they could have designed the level attachment better, but it is a smooth panning tripod.

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

Another option is the Slik 504 QF II. It is sold in the U.S. and runs about $120. That is about as cheap as I've found for a sturdy fluid head tripod. Functionally, I like mine. The only problem that I've had is that the bubble level fell off. I had to attach it a bit more permanently. I think they could have designed the level attachment better, but it is a smooth panning tripod.

I bought this today! Indeed, it is a MUCH more smooth-panning head than my previous Bogen one which cost the same price as the SLIK tripod+head for the head alone!!!. I wrote about it and got some pics here: http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/1...ii-and-wd-h43/

Shame about the bubble level though, I will be careful about mine now that I read this.

[Lori]

I bought this one a couple of weeks ago. I compared a bunch at a local store (DFW, TX area). They had more expensive - but I didn't find one that suited my needs any better.

Have field tested it (literally) a couple of times now and couldn't be more pleased. Next Saturday I'll be in waders and water with it - trying to capture some retriever water work.

Highly recommend the 607.

Kev

Do you still like the Velbon 607?

[aero]

Seems like the consensus winner so far is the Velbon 7000. Problem is it's not being sold in the US

Well it seems to be in-stock at B&H. The 607 seems to be a different model, but cheaper and within striking distance of your budget.

[africanmarty]

i recently baught the Velbon 7000 and its a great tripod ( sure there are better, but for the money its FANTASTIC ) very solid and smooth pan/tilt head. highly recommended. Heres come pics (click thumbnail for bigger/better picture):




- Marty.

[africanmarty]

i got mine from B&H.

[zeroc]

Guys, how about 785SHB from Bogen / Manfrotto.
This tripod was recommended in the Canon Hv20 quick start guide. I never tried or owned one.
but i'm thinking of buying one if I get some good comments by the current owners of this equipment.

[digvid]

Guys, how about 785SHB from Bogen / Manfrotto.
This tripod was recommended in the Canon Hv20 quick start guide. I never tried or owned one.
but i'm thinking of buying one if I get some good comments by the current owners of this equipment.

I've got it. It's a great light tripod if you don't need to pan - no fluid head.

[doyouknowdave]

Guys, how about 785SHB from Bogen / Manfrotto.
This tripod was recommended in the Canon Hv20 quick start guide. I never tried or owned one.
but i'm thinking of buying one if I get some good comments by the current owners of this equipment.

I have it. It's alright. It's a very light, portable tripod, however it's pretty weak. But if your not looking to pan or anything to often, and you just need a cheap and easy tripod, it's perfect.

[dvtodd]

I use the Mathews M25 Tripod. I fell in love as soon as I pulled it out of the box. Now it can't compare to the Miller that I use at work. BUT for less than $200 I beleve this is the best tripod out there. Next step up from the $200 would be the Bogen 503HDV.

This is where I got my M25

[zeroc]

I use the Mathews M25 Tripod. I fell in love as soon as I pulled it out of the box. Now it can't compare to the Miller that I use at work. BUT for less than $200 I beleve this is the best tripod out there. Next step up from the $200 would be the Bogen 503HDV.

This is where I got my M25

is this tripod good for paning?

[dvtodd]

Can I say that the Panning is Beautiful? It is a smooth fluid head. I'm not sure the right word for it. But when you stop panning IT stops panning, no pull back.

It also has counter weight (Something that probablly doesn't matter for an HV20 unless you load it up with a BUNCH of gear. But the counter weight works great. Plus you an push the mounting plate 3" foward or 3" back. Like I said I can not find a tripod better than this for under $200. It might be better than tripods getting close to $300.

The sticks are strong. ANd the head works great. I don't think you will find a better deal for $170.

Trust me I've used the $30 circut city or walmart tripods. I've had two. (Thinking the second would be better ) . But in the end you waist 30 or 40 Bucks.

If you want some footage I might be able to whip something up real quick. Its only Thanks Giving Right?

Cheers

[fotosafari]

yup, M25 from Matthews is the best there is... for the money. Once you use it you will never go back to any other tripod.