Tripod suggestions for a PD 170?
 

I have read over many of the threads regarding tripods, and much of the equipment sounds truly great for someone with a lot more money than I have. Can anyone suggest a tripod/head set under or around $500 that will work with a PD 170. Also, I do anthropological field research, so I am looking for something I can carry all day if need be.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Tripod for PD-170
 

For my PD-170 I have a Bogen 501 head and 3021 legs. It weights about 9 pounds. You can buy a kit at B&H for about $300 and it comes with a real nice bag. For my 2nd PD-170 I just brought the Bogen 3321 with the 503 head total is about $470. Bogen has a $25 rebate going till the end of January 2007. Hope that helps. Good Luck.

Al:

How do the two combo systems compare.

I have a VX2000 and an FX1. I borrowed a 501/3011 combo the other day, and it certainly was a step up from my cheap Velbron tripod. I am trying to decide whether to go all 503 or one of each, or both 501.


Ramdas:

For a couple years, I have been using two Velbron Videomate 607 tripods. The are cheap, but for the price, (around $80.00) and a lot of care, they can simulate a good tripod. I've shot my VX 2000 a lot with it. When I borrowed teh 501 setup the other day, though, I right away became irreversably dissatisfied with them......They will stick around for my other cameras from time to time, but I will be moving up....

There is nothing wrong with Bogen-they are for the most part sturdy, decently made and reasonable money. I DO have a problem with the 3011 legs-I feel they are very flimsy for video purposes-at the least I would go for the 3221 legs and frankly for real sturdiness with the ability to raise the camera up to about 10 feet with the center column get a 3246 with a minimum of a 503 head. I have 2 sets of 3246 legs and they were a very good investment that have paid for themselves many times over. I have run PD150s on them, a JVC5000U and a DSR250 with no shake or movement. I also have a set of 515 legs with a 516 head and although I do like the 515 legs better than the 3246 for a number of reasons (ease of set up and ease on setting on a dolly plus the bowl head) HOWEVER it doesn't raise as high as the 3246s do. Now having said all of that the 3246 legs (as well as the 515 legs) do weigh in quite a bit heavier than the 3221 for obvious reasons but if you want a set of legs that will last and last and be able to hold not only the PD series but other cameras that weigh more later on and is still reasonably priced check out the 3246 legs.

Don

Having suffered for years with Bogen (Manfrotto) heads (striction) and with their heavy weight legs, I gave up and invested in a lightweight yet sturdy Gitzo video CF leg with a 75mm cup.
I use a Sachtler DV 6 SR head with it. This system is about 10 pounds. It is unfortunately way above $500...
But a good tripod system may survive for decades and serve a number of cameras.

Thanx for the suggestions
 

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I ended up purchasing the Bogen 3021 sticks and am about to get a head for them. I am currently considering either the 501 or the 701rc2. I realize the 503 would be better, but my finances are too thin at this moment.

Thanx again,
Ramdas