tripod recomendations
 

I have Sony HD 1000, I already have a Manfrotto 058 tripod for still photography ( holds up to a 12lbs camera ) would I be better off purchacing a proper video tripod and fluid head ,or just purchace a fluid head for the 058.
I have £400 to spend.

Terry, sorry I do not know anything about the tripod you have. But if it can handle the weight a nice fluid head might be fine.

I went out and used the Matthews M25 today for the first time. It worked GREAT! I was on an uneven surface and had all three legs at slightly different heights. Very stable and smooth. Also bought one of the Sony LANC controllers. For $40 the Sony controller is not bad. Would be nice to have more then the two speeds, but something I can work with. I will post again here when I get the footage edited.

How about a Libec LS-22 Zotz has them with a free controller.

Its not just the fluid head you need a ball joint to level the camera, the manfrotto combo of the 503/525 is one of the best combos and at around £439 delivered is good value:http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/Product...oryid~158.html\
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1019766

Cheapest I found is here at £399 plus £10 postage:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-50...9298431&sr=8-1

P.S. I also use this combo with my Z7

the two handles on the d&s
 

this is a neat feature but kind of lost on the hd 1000 as it really does not accept zoom and focus controls like the beta cam lens does where you have all kinds of shaft and electrical cables and controls...

since I also still have some of the old cameras with electrical mechanical controls i think I may get one of these...

has anyone used the fluid head is it nice?

To stick with site sponsors, Video Gear have the 503HDV/525 legs kit for £420-ish including VAT (£365 before VAT):

http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php...&productId=420

Thew one linked above on Amazon isn't the 503HDV as far as I could tell, it looked like the older model.