Compact fluid head tripod for PDX10
 

Hi,

I will be ordering the Sony PDX10 and wanted to get some essential starter accessories. Among these a compact fluid head (and possibly LANC) tripod to take to the weekly soccer games. I figure I'll need this initially and then eventually a larger one for more 'sophisticated' work but for now something in what I'm figuring will be ~$100-150. I like to save money but I don't like quality so brittle that one mishap dusts it so make any reccomendation that fits my situation and I'll gripe about the price later.

Thanks for the help, Steve.

A number of people have used the Bogen/Manfrotto 501 head for the PDX-10. I have one that came with the 3321WN legs and soft case.... I saw a B&H ad in a current issue of a video magazine listing this as a special for somewhere around $250, which seems like a pretty good deal. Personally I think you're going to have to spend somewhere near this for anything half decent. The $100 SLIK variety are really poor and don't hold up well either in my experience. I saw a lightweight Sony tripod with LANC awhile ago at the camera store. It was pretty flimsy, and I think it was over $200 anyway.

FWIW, I recently got a Miller DS-5 and it's a great choice for the PDX-10, but WAY over your budget (around $800 IIRC). It is a huge improvement in quality over the 3221/501, as you might expect from the price.

If you are shooting sports I'd guess there will be a lot of long telephoto shots. I can't overemphasize how important a study tripod is with a nice fluid (or is it fluid assist?) head for this kind of work. I had been pretty content with the 501 until I started shooting lots of telephoto shots.

So these choices ought to give you a couple things to gripe about ;-)

I just bought from B&H the 3221 wilderness tripod with the 501 head and carry bag. Totally happy.. great quality.. Its $291.50 total shipped to me. This tripod and head seem to me to be heavy duty top of the line... i am so pleased... Good choice and no dissapointment.

If your in a dilemma on what tripod to buy without being able to touch and feel before purchase..

I got rid of my heavy tripod and head for the much lighter Manfrotto 055pro legs and 128RC head. These black legs are stable, it has a bubble level on it. The head is friction, but pans and tilts smoothly. The cost is $349 Canadian, so around $250 or less in US Dollars.

http://www.manfrotto.com and check the Bogan codes for this set-up.

I'd go along with that. The 128RC head is perfect for the 950/X10 and works well with my VX2000 as well. And although not a true fluid head (very few of them are) the silky smoothness of the 128 is a delight to behold. Often when I'm filming a wedding cake or a guest list I'll let the weight of the camcorder do it's own pan-down on the subject - the head is just so beautifully smooth.

tom.

Bogen/Manfrotto also has a micro fluid head perfect for this camera...$70 at B&H.......it's called the 3130...(has QR plates)