Anyone know of a great "low-profile" tripod? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Support Your Local Camera > Tripod Sticks & Heads

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 4th, 2008, 07:39 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Va Beach, Va
Posts: 241
Anyone know of a great "low-profile" tripod?

I have a nice regular tripod (503HDV,351MVB2K), but would love to have one for filming low to the ground as well.

Any suggestions?
Brad Vaughan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 4th, 2008, 09:00 PM   #2
Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 4,449
You mean a hi hat?
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch
Bill Pryor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 6th, 2008, 07:29 PM   #3
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: North Conway, NH
Posts: 1,745
Try this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...29_Hi_Hat.html
Tripp Woelfel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 9th, 2008, 06:52 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Posts: 51
Miller Safari

Today I purchased a Miller Safari tripod. I hadn't heard of it before, but was looking for something cheap(er) with a fluid head. Came across this badboy for 400, and got the price down to 350 for buying it on the spot. It's got a 55mm bowl head, and is incredibly smooth. The greatest part, it has angle locking legs so you can literally lay the tripod to the ground and get the low shots you need. Payload is 11 lbs, weighs about 8 lbs itself. Have a look...

http://safaritripod.com/

Very pleased with it, I recommend.
Andrew Hoag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 9th, 2008, 07:20 PM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Deep South, U.S.
Posts: 1,526
If you want to go on the cheap then use your 503 head with the 3221 legs.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t
I also use the half/ball leveler #3502 between the legs and head. I know it shows a center column but you can remove that and it includes a short plug adapter for the head. Goes down to 3.5 inches plus the height of the head.
Mark Williams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 9th, 2008, 07:26 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 192
Miller?

Andrew,
I'm curious what makes you think this tripod is from Miller? I don't see anything about Miller on the Safari website, or in the instruction manual. The head greatly resembles the 717A fluid Head from Weifeng, which is available on eBay. Who makes it isn't as important as whether it works well; I'm glad to hear it operates smoothly.
Best,
Peter
www.parkfilms.com
Peter Rhalter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 9th, 2008, 07:30 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Posts: 51
Good call,

I realized that after I posted. The vendor I bought it from (Washington Professional Systems [www.wpsworld.com] ) mentioned to me that Safari is a sub-section of Miller. I spoke out of context, apologies.
Andrew Hoag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2008, 02:40 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 68
The Gitzo GT3540XLS tripod can do ground level work and works great with the manfrotto 3502 leveler and Gitzo G2180 Head makes a great lightweight
tripod at about 7.5 lbs.
Bob Magill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2008, 11:30 PM   #9
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 192
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Magill View Post
The Gitzo GT3540XLS tripod can do ground level work and works great with the manfrotto 3502 leveler and Gitzo G2180 Head makes a great lightweight
tripod at about 7.5 lbs.
My pet peeve with the G2180 is its lack of a bubble level. I find it awkward to level a tripod without one. Otherwise its a really nice mini fluid head.

Best,
Peter
Peter Rhalter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2008, 01:24 AM   #10
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Elk Grove CA
Posts: 6,838
Here is 503 with the Manfrotto 3221, with post pulled for lowest level capability.
Attached Thumbnails
Anyone know of a great "low-profile" tripod?-tripodpic.jpg  
__________________
Chris J. Barcellos
Chris Barcellos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2008, 11:06 AM   #11
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: switzerland
Posts: 2,133
weifeng has a lot of tripods from ultracheap to mid-expensive. (in the e-image serie)
take a look on their website, you will probably find the safari twin brother
http://www.weifengchina.com/pro/index.asp?page=1&id=135
Giroud Francois is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2008, 11:53 AM   #12
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 959
I read in one of the trade magazines a while back that the Chinese knockoffs really do a good job cosmetically cloning other makers tripods, but it said that's about where it ends. Functional-wise you might be disappointed.

I'm not saying this particular company... just in general. Just a heads up :)
Bill Busby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2008, 03:34 PM   #13
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: switzerland
Posts: 2,133
got a EI717 for $140, looks like a $600+ tripod, put my FX1 on it... and it doesn't fall (yet).
admittedly, yes it is just a bunch of tubes painted in black. but at that price , i am happy.
Giroud Francois 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 > Support Your Local Camera > Tripod Sticks & Heads

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:46 AM.


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