Tripod and head at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 26th, 2014, 06:46 AM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NY, NY USA
Posts: 519
Tripod and head

Hi,

I need to but another tripod for 5D Mark III, I don't want to spend more than $500. I am looking for something light but also that can possibly support C100 with 70-200 lens but not required. I have this and don't like it:
Manfrotto 190XDB with 701HDV Video Tripod System (Black) B&H

and I also have this and also don't like it (it's heavy, and cumbersome):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683563-REG/Manfrotto_504HD_546BK_504HD_Head_w_546B_2_Stage.html
If anyone can recommend some options I should look at that would be awesome.

Thanks
Kathy
Kathy Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 07:20 AM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Posts: 532
Re: Tripod and head

I recently ordered this because it is small, pretty light weight, and holds 26 pounds. And it gets great reviews.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/926476-REG/benro_a2350q2t_2_series_travel_tripod_kit.html
It would leave you $300 for a decent head.
Brian David Melnyk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 07:21 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Posts: 532
Re: Tripod and head

Oh, and it is also a monopod!
Brian David Melnyk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 07:36 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NY, NY USA
Posts: 519
Re: Tripod and head

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian David Melnyk View Post
I recently ordered this because it is small, pretty light weight, and holds 26 pounds. And it gets great reviews.

MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Travel Tripod Kit (Titanium) A2350Q2T B&H

It would leave you $300 for a decent head.
Thanks Brian! That's great. Now I need to find a head to go with it. One of the things I don't like about the first tripod I listed is that there is no easy to level. You have to play with the legs to get it leveled, the second tripod/head combination I listed allows me to unscrew the center column and level the head easily. I am looking fore something like that and of course I want a fluid head.
Kathy Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 08:08 AM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,267
Re: Tripod and head

It is very difficult to get good function out of a tripod that is inexpensive. Also lighter tripods often are not good when using longer lenses. Always some kind of compromise. There is a Manfrotto set of legs which does allow you to bubble the attached head with a mechanism on the riser instead of trying to balance the legs. I put a 501 head on it. There are better heads now. About the price range you are looking at. I use it for my DSLR for the most part. Now I would look for the Sachtler Ace system.

Tripod Systems | B&H Photo Video
Daniel Epstein is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 08:35 AM   #6
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Posts: 532
Re: Tripod and head

I find this very useful:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/431861-REG/Acratech_1117_Leveling_Base.html
Brian David Melnyk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 11:07 AM   #7
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,420
Re: Tripod and head

You might call B&H to be sure, but I believe that this is a leveling column that will fit your 190-series tripod:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272855-REG/Manfrotto_556B_556B_Leveling_Center_Column.html
Agreed, you really do need a leveler! I do like the Acratech products too, great design & engineering.
__________________
30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.
Seth Bloombaum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 02:00 PM   #8
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 2,211
Re: Tripod and head

Re the MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Travel Tripod Kit (Titanium) A2350Q2T B&H

This looks exactly like the Giottos I have - except for the color of the hinges. But has to be the exact same thing. I use mine for EVERYTHING because it fits in my briefcase when I travel (which is several times a month)

I use it with my 5 x 7 view camera (and just for laughs I put an 8 x 10 on it once) as well as a few heavy Medium Format cameras, and it never complains. I've even used my Black Magic CInema Cam on a Manfrotto fluid head. It works. And the monopod leg works as well.

Having said all the good things, it's still a light weight stills tripod and not a real video pod. It will wind up a bit when you pan and unwind when you stop. And I wouldn't extend the center column - it will make things much worse. If I'm working from the car I carry a real tripod but for something light and capable to stick in your bag I think it's hard to beat.

Re leveling attachment - I think there's no need in most cases. It's quick and easy to level the tripod once you learn the tricks. With the MeFoto/Giottos or just about any pod without a center spreader it's often quicker to spread one or two legs to level than to muck about with the leg clamps. I have a wooden Ries tripod that I use for heavy large format cameras as well as video and it has a system for independently clamping the angle of each leg at the top - easiest thing to level that I've ever had.

Last edited by Jim Andrada; May 26th, 2014 at 11:01 PM.
Jim Andrada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 26th, 2014, 05:07 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Posts: 760
Re: Tripod and head

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian David Melnyk View Post
Manfrotto has a similar unit which I use regularly.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html
Bill Koehler is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:38 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network