What is a good Mid Range Tripod for Hpx300?
 

Anyone have a suggestion for a Tripod for the HPX300 for around $1.000.00?
Thank you
Art

Hi Art:

Sad to say, $1,000.00 is consumer level, not pro level for a mid size and weight camera like the HPX300.

I have had great results with my Sachtler DV-6SB with Miller Solo DV carbon legs, but if I loaded up the 300 with matte box, follow focus and Anton Bauer batteries, it would be too much. And my Sachtler setup is a cheap one, about $3,000.00.

All you will get for under $1,000.00 is a (cough, cough), Bogen or perhaps a Libec (better). But you would be probably very close to or over weight capacity and neither head will really give you smooth, simultaneous tilt/pans with no backlash like a Sachtler, O'Connor, Vinten or Panther head will.

Tripods are old school, you still totally get what you pay for. For a fine tool like the HPX300, my advice is to plan for around $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 to do it justice unless you hunt out something used.

Dan

I am using two Libec H50 heads with my 301, they are OK but only a 75mm head but the fluid and balance is very good.

THe current H55 model should be OK too.

I found my Sachtler DV12 with ENG 2 CF sticks for around 3000.00. Look around there are deals and a good set of sticks is so worth it.

All good suggestions. Thank you. I just ordered a AG HPX300 and a 170. I was forced to spend the majority of my broke budget on the cameras but with the rebate and internet special, now was the time.

Doesn't look like I will be happy with anything under $3,000.00, which I'll have to wait for a bit.

Dan, I see in your article your Sachtler and Miller combo worked for you. I don't have any applications for a Matte box yet but I should make my purchase as a forward thinker.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Art

Good luck Art. You have my dream setup. I own the 170 and aspire to buy a 300 but until money and projects loosen up, it will be just a dream. 300 for interviews and higher end projects, 170 for red carpets, travel, etc. The perfect pair and the footage between them cuts pretty well.

Buying a good tripod is painful because it is a lot of money but seriously, once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without one. FWIW, a good tripod will also outlive several cameras so if you amortize the cost over the number of years of service it will give you, you will find that a good tripod is actually cheap, it just requires some up front pain in your wallet. My Sachtler is on camera number three and still looks basically brand new even though I have used it a LOT over the past three years.

Enjoy your new cams!

Dan

Dan,
Thank you. It is a dream set up and the ONLY reason I went with that is because you mention both in your article. I'm brand new to HD. I've owned SD cameras for a few years and you are right. Even the cheap tripods outlast my cameras. I'll keep you informed. As it is right now, it's a great way to loose weight. Pay for cameras and starve!

Art

I use a Gitzo combo (about $2000).. Very smooth fluid head (best one I've run across).. Works Great!

Gitzo G-1380 Video Fluid Head
Gitzo GT3541XLS Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs
Gitzo GS5320V75 75mm Bowl Adapter
Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging MBAG90P 35.4" Tripod Bag

I use to own the Gitzo G-1380 and Carbon legs. Used it with my EX1 for over a year and it is by far the best tripod for the price. Having owned a Miller 55 with carbon sticks, except for the capacity on the Miller I liked the Gitzo better