Tripod suggestions

[Reid Welch]

Am making a casual demo video to illustrate what I mean.

Here is the new video made for this thread.

________________

The only reason you can even understand what I'm saying to the Panasonic TZ5, is that
I'm speaking directly into the TZ5's inbuilt mic from less than 1 foot away. Worst audio of any digicam, ever.

[Erik Bien]

Hi Reid,

That's one of the benefits of a tripod with a sliding quick-release or dovetail: instead of counterweights, you slide the camera back when using a heavy lens or accessories, so you can put the CG of the rig directly over the pivot of the head.

[Reid Welch]

Hi Reid,
That's one of the benefits of a tripod with a sliding quick-release or dovetail: instead of counterweights, you slide the camera back when using a heavy lens or accessories, so you can put the CG of the rig directly over the pivot of the head.

Hi Erik, oh I see better now: it is just a see-saw and any see-saw can be put into balance just that simply.
That would be grand if I had a sliding mount. So, I wonder which way to best kluge the head here?
Perhaps the countermanding weight will still be easiest for my case?
I think it will take some fiddling on my part.
I'm a good fiddler, when I get lucky and read the notes right, that is.

Thanks Erik!

[Erik Bien]

If you want to see how the pros do it, watch the first two videos at this site.

I'm not suggesting that you run out and buy any of that expensive heavy-duty gear, but it might inspire your DIY efforts ...

[Reid Welch]

... but it might inspire your DIY efforts ...

oh, yes! it will work

thank you Erik!

[Sluggy]

Greetings,

Using our cheap $10 tripod on our home-made dolly results in a shaky picture. What experience have folks had with these tripods on plywood-and-skateboard-wheel dollies?

• Mathews M25
• Velbon DV7000
• Velbon 607

Recommendations, other suggestions, and general advice would be greatly appreciated.

- Carl
p.s.
Pictures of the dolly: http://benkadie.com/movies/AFriendly...duction_Photos
Shaky dolly shot: http://www.vimeo.com/984370 "Greetings from Ed Sobey"
Another dolly shot: http://www.vimeo.com/898195 "A Friendly Game"

[Erik Bien]

Hi Carl,

The easiest way I know to smooth out a dolly move is to add weight as low as possible: sand-bag each of the tripod legs and/or throw some gym weights on the deck (hopefully you built your dolly platform from a double thickness of plywood so it won't sag when you do this).

[AAA]

I got the velbon 607F (amazon $60.00)

Decision theory: First timer, great value (fluid head for sixty bucks). I tend not to buy the cheapest or the most expensive - not ready for a $200 tripod.

I thought I read somewhere that the M25 does not even have a fluid head? I thought the whole purpose of buying a fluid head tripod was to get a fluid head ; ) Not knocking it its prolly much better than what I bought but it does it w/o a fluid head.

[mbwkrause]

- not ready for a $200 tripod. I thought I read somewhere that the M25 does not even have a fluid head? I thought the whole purpose of buying a fluid head tripod was to get a fluid head

haha, nice joke. A REAL fluid head starts somewhere around $800 to $1,000... Everything else is just marketing or you could say: false advertising.

[sometown]

At B&H the 607 is $69 and the 7000 is $109, can anyone speak to the pros and cons of the two? I see that the 607 is lighter, but can hold more weight, beyond that are there any substantial differences to justify the price difference?

Thanks,

Ben

[ronstew]

My DV-7000 arrived today from B&H. It is much better than I expected, even though I had read so much good about it. I am blown away by the difference between this and the slightly-less-expensive Velbon tripods available at London Drugs and similar stores here in BC. The cheaper ones have much cheaper heads and sticks. This is very good value. Admittedly, the $500 Manfrotto sticks I rented last month were more rigid, but at this price, I am impressed.

I spent an extra $20 for a Vidpro TC35 (slightly) padded tripod case. It is fine, but not the fantastic bang-for-the-buck value of the tripod itself.

Thank you to all who recommended it. I just wish I had it three weeks ago......


Ron

[cheetah]

I got the 7000 last week and took it with me on our vacation in Canada. My setup is HV20, Raynox 6600, rode videomic and the Canon Hood. Everywhere I go the people are always staring at my rig. Some tourists even came up close to inspect on it. Very interesting. I must admit that it is kind of heavy to carry the rig around. Then, it happened. I accidentally dropped the tripod and the Platform locking lever broke off. I have no problem locking and opening the platform to put in the HV20. Does anyone have any idea where I can a replacement part?

Never mind. I just received email from Velbon Service center that they will ship me the Platform Locking Lever at no extra cost.

[The Duck]

If you're looking for an Arca Swiss type QR plate that does NOT block the battery compartment, and includes the tab to fit into the hole next to the screw hole to prevent the camera from twisting - check out the PZ-40 plate from Kirk Photo.

He says it's a general camcorder plate, but I'd swear it's as custom made for the HV-20 as his custom camera body plates!

Couldn't find it on his website, but when I called him he knew just what to send me.

Be seeing you,
The Duck

[Sam7]

best buy has a manfrotto tripod for $180.
it has the 390rc2 head and 190xdb legs. i picked it up for dslr and hv20 use. coming from a sunpak tripod, this is a dream. it's very stable. the head is rock solid when all the adjustments are locked up. minute flex in the legs. this is my first real tripod. i wish it had quick release legs, instead of the "wing nut" type lock downs. i also wish it had a bubble level.

[awa202]

Hey guys im thinking about buying a Mathews M25, what do you guys think? or is this Velbon you guys were talking about better?

[koolpenguin89]

The matthews M25 is a great tripod, i would highly recommend it.

Dylan

[Pictor100]

best buy has a manfrotto tripod for $180.
it has the 390rc2 head and 190xdb legs. i picked it up for dslr and hv20 use. coming from a sunpak tripod, this is a dream. it's very stable. the head is rock solid when all the adjustments are locked up. minute flex in the legs. this is my first real tripod. i wish it had quick release legs, instead of the "wing nut" type lock downs. i also wish it had a bubble level.

I have the same legs and a 700RC2 head, $300CDN (everything costs too much in Canada!) It's light years better than the cheap Giottos tripod I picked up on sale at Black's Photography for $40.00CDN.

Like you, I find the tripod to be extremely well built and pretty stable. I just wish the head were more fluid. I had considered getting either a Matthews M25 or a Davis & Sanford Pro Vista, but with exchange, shipping and tax (levied at the border by Canada Customs!) I was looking at $450.00, more than I wanted to pay - and no retailers in Canada carry either tripod.

My only complaint with the 700RC2 head, as well made as it is, is that it isn't as fluid as I would like. Vertical and horizontal pans, no matter what I do, are still tricky. It could be I just need practice. By the same token, I realize I'm not going to get true pro quality and a nicely weighted head in a $300.00 tripod.

I'm not a big fan of the wing-nut locks either, but I think Manfrotto went this route because quick releases eventually fail with heavy use. One thing I do like is that they make adjusting the tripod for uneven pavement fairly precise.

Oh well, I can always upgrade the head later. Or save my shekels and dream of the day I can afford a Sachtler - which *is* a pro-quality tripod.

[kosulin]

haha, nice joke. A REAL fluid head starts somewhere around $800 to $1,000... Everything else is just marketing or you could say: false advertising.

Does this mean my Gitzo G2180 is not fluid? I believe, you are speaking about ENG heads able to accommodate a heavy camcorder, but there are true fluid heads for HV30, listed for much less than $800, IMHO.

[abredon]

At B&H the 607 is $69 and the 7000 is $109, can anyone speak to the pros and cons of the two? I see that the 607 is lighter, but can hold more weight, beyond that are there any substantial differences to justify the price difference?

The DV7000 is much more stable than the 607 - in fact the DV7000 with the center section fully extended has less flex than most comparably-priced tripods with center sections retracted. The DV7000 legs are, in my opinion, comparable in stability to good $300 tripod legs.

Also, the head on the DV7000 is removable. This means that if the head dies, or you want to use a different head, you can replace it. At least some of the 607 tripods have non-removable heads

The main downside of the DV7000 tripod is weight - it is inexpensive and stable, but relatively heavy.

Another possible tripod to look at is the Velbon DV6000 - this is supposedly a downsizing of the DV7000 legs with the smaller PH-358 head. I have not actually looked at this tripod, but it might be good. If you can accept the weight of the DV7000, though, I would get the DV7000.

[Thousanium]

Does anyone know if the Velbon DV7000 is substantially better than the DV6000? I know it's about 8cm taller and has a bigger pan head (what repercussions does this have?) but apart from that, is there any real difference? Is the pan head on the DV6000 removable?

[Samusaaron3]

I am going to get a tripod soon, and I want to know if the Velbon DV-7000 is worth the extra $40 over the Videomate 607.

Thanks.

Edit: My situation has changed a bit. I now have about $200 to spend.

First, I would like to know what tripod in my budget is the best for the price (I am currently leaning twoard the Velbon DV-7000)

Second, I would like to know what is the best tripod in my price range.

Thanks again.

[derek4iLL]

Best Cheap Fluid head is the new Manfrotto 701 HDV head. Put it on the cheapes legs you can put up with. They now package it with the 190xb legs which are light weight for the on the go guy.
head is like $170 kit is like $280.

[Andrew C]

Hi everyone, i am also looking to buy a new tripod. I can get dv7000 legs for about £35 ($70) including postage and wondering what head to get. I am on a very tight budget. Would this head be ok? It is a Velbon PH-250:

[zcream]

Hmm. Looks like it has a leveling head aka clawball. Is that correct ?

Hi everyone, i am also looking to buy a new tripod. I can get dv7000 legs for about £35 ($70) including postage and wondering what head to get. I am on a very tight budget. Would this head be ok? It is a Velbon PH-250:

[Andrew C]

Hmm. Looks like it has a leveling head aka clawball. Is that correct ?

Yes i think so. What are peoples opinions? Would this head be better than a dv7000 stock head? Is it a good head for fluid pans etc for video cameras, anyone know? I am asking because i can get this and dv7000 legs both for about £50-£60. (around $110) and i need to hear your opinions soonish as time is running out on the auction