Is there a decent tripod under 50 bucks? at DVinfo.net

Dorothy Engleman · November 17th, 2003, 12:40 AM

Can anyone recommend a cheap, lightweight tripod for a ZR65?

I'm wondering which brand at B&H to order - Slik, Sunpak, Velbon, Davis & Sanford - that will give me the biggest bang for my limited bucks.

Thanks for your help!
Dorothy

Ken Tanaka · November 17th, 2003, 01:48 AM

Wow, now that's a very ambitious budget, Dorothy!

I might first look to see if I could find a good -used- tripod and head appropriate for videography. I know that dealers such as B&H Photo have "open box" sales and also carry used gear they've taken as trade-ins. So some research along that avenue might produce a better product than a new purchase.

Failing that, your budget puts you in a realm of legs and heads that are generally going to be designed principally for still photography rather than videography. This might not be a terrible situation since your ZR65 is very small and light-weight...actually lighter than many still cameras. Nevertheless, these tripods tend not to be very rigid and will not have head mechanisms that facilitate very smooth pans or tilts. Most will have adjustable center columns which actually can make for even less stability when extended.

Still, any tripod will be better than no tripod at all!

I've owned a lightweight Slik and a Velbon. Both were quite imited, but I would choose the Velbon over the Slik for a small video camera. Do a Search here on Davis & Sanford, as I know that that brand has been discussed several times here. I've never seen a Sunpak mentioned here...I didn't even know they made a tripod. I have only seen them in reference to flash units for still photography.

Good luck Dorothy and let us know what you select and how it works out for your ZR65 camera!

Dorothy Engleman · November 18th, 2003, 04:29 PM

"Wow, now that's a very ambitious budget, Dorothy!"

Har! Har! I'm just trying to economize my ZR package, so I can save up for my big-budget dreams in 2004........an updated GL2 or the new DVX100A!

Grateful thanks for your thoughts, Ken! Here's the inexpensive, lightweight tripod, I'm ordering:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=261907&is=REG&si=spec

And for trips to museums, this portable pod with tripod legs looks very cool:

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=details&sid=1069189745911657&sku=BG3242

Dorothy

Boyd Ostroff · November 18th, 2003, 04:40 PM

Hey, you need to do the best you can on your available budget! I guess it may be too late, but when talking about this sort of inexpensive equipment my personal preference would be to go to a local store (national chain like Ritz, or even better a hometown business) where I could actually screw my camera onto a couple different models. You should find several choices in this price range, and some of them will feel really flimsy with latches that don't work, etc. I've had my share of cheap tripods and more than once a key part (like the entire head!) has simply snapped right off without warning!

Regardless, congrats on your purchase - looks like you managed to stay under budget by almost 20%! Let us know if you can continue to do that when you shop for some bigger ticket items ;-)

Dorothy Engleman · November 18th, 2003, 10:22 PM

"Hey, you need to do the best you can on your available budget!"

Tutu true, Boyd! But I'm revising my decision to go el cheapo. Even though my Canon ZR 65 costs 75% less than a GL2, my investment is still important to me and worth supporting, and not with a 75% reduction in the quality of accessories.

Think I'll call Zotz about this way cool monopod:

http://www.tvcameramen.com/newsroom/nab2001/nab2001_mse.htm

And any suggestions for a lightweight tripod for my ZR65, hopefully under $125, shall be greatly appreciated!

Dorothy

November 17th, 2003, 12:40 AM	#1
Dorothy Engleman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Monica, California Posts: 146	Is there a decent tripod under 50 bucks? Can anyone recommend a cheap, lightweight tripod for a ZR65? I'm wondering which brand at B&H to order - Slik, Sunpak, Velbon, Davis & Sanford - that will give me the biggest bang for my limited bucks. Thanks for your help! Dorothy

November 17th, 2003, 01:48 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Wow, now that's a very ambitious budget, Dorothy! I might first look to see if I could find a good -used- tripod and head appropriate for videography. I know that dealers such as B&H Photo have "open box" sales and also carry used gear they've taken as trade-ins. So some research along that avenue might produce a better product than a new purchase. Failing that, your budget puts you in a realm of legs and heads that are generally going to be designed principally for still photography rather than videography. This might not be a terrible situation since your ZR65 is very small and light-weight...actually lighter than many still cameras. Nevertheless, these tripods tend not to be very rigid and will not have head mechanisms that facilitate very smooth pans or tilts. Most will have adjustable center columns which actually can make for even less stability when extended. Still, any tripod will be better than no tripod at all! I've owned a lightweight Slik and a Velbon. Both were quite imited, but I would choose the Velbon over the Slik for a small video camera. Do a Search here on Davis & Sanford, as I know that that brand has been discussed several times here. I've never seen a Sunpak mentioned here...I didn't even know they made a tripod. I have only seen them in reference to flash units for still photography. Good luck Dorothy and let us know what you select and how it works out for your ZR65 camera! __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

November 18th, 2003, 04:29 PM	#3
Dorothy Engleman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Monica, California Posts: 146	"Wow, now that's a very ambitious budget, Dorothy!" Har! Har! I'm just trying to economize my ZR package, so I can save up for my big-budget dreams in 2004........an updated GL2 or the new DVX100A! Grateful thanks for your thoughts, Ken! Here's the inexpensive, lightweight tripod, I'm ordering: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=261907&is=REG&si=spec And for trips to museums, this portable pod with tripod legs looks very cool: http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=details&sid=1069189745911657&sku=BG3242 Dorothy

November 18th, 2003, 04:40 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Hey, you need to do the best you can on your available budget! I guess it may be too late, but when talking about this sort of inexpensive equipment my personal preference would be to go to a local store (national chain like Ritz, or even better a hometown business) where I could actually screw my camera onto a couple different models. You should find several choices in this price range, and some of them will feel really flimsy with latches that don't work, etc. I've had my share of cheap tripods and more than once a key part (like the entire head!) has simply snapped right off without warning! Regardless, congrats on your purchase - looks like you managed to stay under budget by almost 20%! Let us know if you can continue to do that when you shop for some bigger ticket items ;-)

November 18th, 2003, 10:22 PM	#5
Dorothy Engleman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Monica, California Posts: 146	"Hey, you need to do the best you can on your available budget!" Tutu true, Boyd! But I'm revising my decision to go el cheapo. Even though my Canon ZR 65 costs 75% less than a GL2, my investment is still important to me and worth supporting, and not with a 75% reduction in the quality of accessories. Think I'll call Zotz about this way cool monopod: http://www.tvcameramen.com/newsroom/nab2001/nab2001_mse.htm And any suggestions for a lightweight tripod for my ZR65, hopefully under $125, shall be greatly appreciated! Dorothy