Good tripod for under 200? at DVinfo.net

Brian Maurer · February 28th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Can anyone suggest a good tripod and head combo for under $200? Camera equipment is under 4 pounds, so nothing huge is necessary. Just want something that provides smooth pans. Thanks in advance.

Michael Hutson · February 28th, 2009, 07:52 PM

The matthews M25 is a great deal for the money.
Matthews | M25 Tripod System | M25 | B&H Photo Video

Ken Steadman · March 2nd, 2009, 01:40 PM

Davis & Sanford | Pro Vista Tripod with FM 18 | PROVISTA7518B

Brian Maurer · March 2nd, 2009, 02:14 PM

Thanks guys, that really helps! I appreciate it.

Adam Gold · March 3rd, 2009, 01:20 AM

FWIW, I'm with Ken. I have two of those and they're sah-weet.

Brian Maurer · March 4th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Went with the Davis and Sanford. Damn fine tripod for < $200

Adam Haro · March 5th, 2009, 03:47 PM

I just received my Matthews M25. Seems like a nice tripod except for panning. Its acting like the lock is on even when it isn't I guess I'll have to have them exchange it.

Michael Hutson · March 7th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Adam,
I loosened mine up. Just remove the 4 set screws on the bottom of the bowl and use an allen wrench to adjust. Be prepared to take it off several times until you get the feel you are looking for. (be advised: metric)

Ted Hinkle · October 18th, 2009, 04:40 PM

You can get by, ok (maybe...), with the Davis and Sanford 7518 for a while if your just starting out. When your ready to upgrade buy a 701 or 501 manfrotto head. Fits right on the 75mm half ball, except you'll have to cut the bolt a little short for it to fit the 701 as I found out today when I upgraded mine, no big deal. What I found with the FM18 Davis & Sanford fluid head that comes with the 7518, is that it gave me an undesireable amount of play when I would tilt up or down unless my pan was locked tight (lame). I would get a tiny little jerk followed by smooth movement. This is something you may not realize until you put a little weight on the tripod. But when you can upgrade to the manfrotto head it will solve that, meantime just be aware that it may do that, and try your best to compensate for it with super steady hands. You can find a 701hdv tripod head for $100 or less on ebay most of the time. Not sure what the ball size is on the Matthews? One nice advantage of the Davis & Sanford 7518 tripod is that the legs will get you higher 173cm versus the 152cm on the M25 Matthews tripod. From my experience with the D&S 7518 I've found that I like the strength and portability of the tripod legs, it's easy to kick/nudge the mid-level spreader up and move quickly from one place to another. Well there's my two cents hope that helps.

February 28th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#1
Brian Maurer Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Columbia, Missouri Posts: 210	Good tripod for under 200? Can anyone suggest a good tripod and head combo for under $200? Camera equipment is under 4 pounds, so nothing huge is necessary. Just want something that provides smooth pans. Thanks in advance. __________________ "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." R W Emerson RED ONE MX \| 5DmkIII \| SD744T \| SD442 \| Sennheiser MKH416 P48

March 2nd, 2009, 02:14 PM	#4
Brian Maurer Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Columbia, Missouri Posts: 210	Thanks guys, that really helps! I appreciate it. __________________ "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." R W Emerson RED ONE MX \| 5DmkIII \| SD744T \| SD442 \| Sennheiser MKH416 P48

March 4th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#6
Brian Maurer Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Columbia, Missouri Posts: 210	Went with the Davis and Sanford. Damn fine tripod for < $200 __________________ "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." R W Emerson RED ONE MX \| 5DmkIII \| SD744T \| SD442 \| Sennheiser MKH416 P48

October 18th, 2009, 04:40 PM	#9
Ted Hinkle New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 6	Davis and Sanford 7518 for these reasons You can get by, ok (maybe...), with the Davis and Sanford 7518 for a while if your just starting out. When your ready to upgrade buy a 701 or 501 manfrotto head. Fits right on the 75mm half ball, except you'll have to cut the bolt a little short for it to fit the 701 as I found out today when I upgraded mine, no big deal. What I found with the FM18 Davis & Sanford fluid head that comes with the 7518, is that it gave me an undesireable amount of play when I would tilt up or down unless my pan was locked tight (lame). I would get a tiny little jerk followed by smooth movement. This is something you may not realize until you put a little weight on the tripod. But when you can upgrade to the manfrotto head it will solve that, meantime just be aware that it may do that, and try your best to compensate for it with super steady hands. You can find a 701hdv tripod head for $100 or less on ebay most of the time. Not sure what the ball size is on the Matthews? One nice advantage of the Davis & Sanford 7518 tripod is that the legs will get you higher 173cm versus the 152cm on the M25 Matthews tripod. From my experience with the D&S 7518 I've found that I like the strength and portability of the tripod legs, it's easy to kick/nudge the mid-level spreader up and move quickly from one place to another. Well there's my two cents hope that helps.

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February 28th, 2009, 07:52 PM	#2
Michael Hutson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 249	The matthews M25 is a great deal for the money. Matthews \| M25 Tripod System \| M25 \| B&H Photo Video

March 2nd, 2009, 01:40 PM	#3
Ken Steadman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: DC Suburbs Posts: 86	Davis & Sanford \| Pro Vista Tripod with FM 18 \| PROVISTA7518B

March 3rd, 2009, 01:20 AM	#5
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	FWIW, I'm with Ken. I have two of those and they're sah-weet.

March 5th, 2009, 03:47 PM	#7
Adam Haro Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 171	I just received my Matthews M25. Seems like a nice tripod except for panning. Its acting like the lock is on even when it isn't I guess I'll have to have them exchange it.

March 7th, 2009, 02:19 PM	#8
Michael Hutson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 249	Adam, I loosened mine up. Just remove the 4 set screws on the bottom of the bowl and use an allen wrench to adjust. Be prepared to take it off several times until you get the feel you are looking for. (be advised: metric)