best tripod for dvc30?
 

I don't know if anyone on here has a panasonic dvc30 or knows the best tripod for one but I'm in the market for one. It isn't a heavy camera maybe 2.5-3 pounds but I need something for filmmaking that would give it good pans and tilts. This would be my first good tripod as I'm kinda new at this.

Depends on your budget. If it is under $300 then I would recommend the Manfrotto 3221 legs, ball leveler and 501 head. It will not give perfect pans at telephoto but with practice it could suit your needs.

Regards,

Mark

tripod for DVC-30
 

Hello

I just recently asked myself the same question as I also have the same camera.

I tried to adapt my other tripods to video use but apart from the basic concept of support, video/film heads and photo stills camera heads have very few things in common...

I also tried my old Bogen 3036 legs with a Bogen 3130 Micro Fluid Head and the results were a super heavy setup with a low quality head... the cost of learning.

My considerations were:
1) Lightest tripod possible.
2) Easiest to set up
3) Needed to allow me to pan ok at longest lens lenght.

I use my camera in the field, hardly indoors.

My choice was the Cartoni ActionPro, and having used it already I am very happy to have chosen it.

The method I used to choose:

Define your needs and don't look at cost yet, then list the tripods/heads that match those needs, cross your fingers and check the prices.

Hope you can pay for the matching result.

You will soon also have to address the Matte Box/filter holder need... I am still answering that one.

Having been in stills photography nearly all my life (up to Sinar level of costs), I now find prices for video/film equipment kinda high...

Hope this helps

Leo

Re: tripod for DVC-30
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Leo Salazar : Hello

My choice was the Cartoni ActionPro, and having used it already I am very happy to have chosen it.

Leo -->>>

Hi Leo,

Thanks for the informative post. I'll be looking soon myself and will be sure to take a look at the Cartoni.

Fluid Heads
 

Evan:

I am using the DVC30 with a Manfrotto 501 head and an old set of legs (the tripod’s and mine). The legs are old enough that the model number has worn-off and I no longer remember the Bogen/Manfrotto number.

Used with or without a Panasonic 0.7 wide angle lens; with or without Sennheiser ME66 shotgun mic and the Panasonic XLC connectors it is easy to place the camera in a perfectly balanced position. This really seems to help when making a XCU pan.

Best Tripod Under 100 dollars
 

My budget is a 100 dollars. I need a new tripod. Basically something smooth maybe with a fluid effect head also the tripod has to be stable. I have been looking at tripods from Slik and other brands. I would like to know which tripods you guys would recommend. I have a Panasonic DVC30 camcorder.

Klaus, in my opinion, you're wasting your time. You're not going to find "something smooth maybe with a fluid effect head also the tripod has to be stable" for $100.

Jay

I agree with Jay... For $100, you won't find anything that is stable and smooth. I spent over $300 on my Bogen 501 and legs, and they are less than fluid and stable. However, if that is all you have to spend, go shopping at Walmart. They have a bunch of cheapies there, and you might even be able to buy a cheapie battery for your cam.

Just remember, you get what you pay for.

In my book, Killer Camer rigs that you can build" I recommend using a surveyor's tripod (aroung $80). They work great for DV work and because the word "cinema" isn't used, they are much cheaper than a equal set of sticks you find in the video world. This will give you a little more money to spend on a good fluid head. Spend as much as you can possible afford for a head, then double it! I've got a couple of Miller heads I've had for 25 years that are still going strong, so you might look into getting a used head on ebay or something. You're simply going to have to up your budget to get anything half way decent. Better to buy something of quality than a cheap bit of crap that you'll end up replacing anyway.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

I bought a Velbon Videomate 706 when I didn't know any better for about $70. Not the same as a $500 Bogen setup, but it has been adequate for my needs and only 4.5 pounds. Movement moderately smooth, sometimes needs added weight in windy weather, pan start/stop a bit bumpy if you don't know some tricks. Decent enough for the money, about 1000x better than anything you will find at Wallymart. OTOH, I am now considering upgrading to a 503.

Klaus, transpose 'new' for 'used' and do some shopping on ebay. You'll get closer to your goal (smooth and stable) than you would buying new.

Allen

I use a Gitzo Fluid head and ball, and a carbon set of Gitzo 1380 legs. I have have a steady shot, and overseas, I am carrying the tripod all day long. It works great for a PD150/170, and I am now using it for a Z1. Total weight is about 8.5-0 lbs. total cost: legs $450 used. Ball about $90, Head about $300.

So you are looking at $850 - $1000 depending on where you buy. Lotta money. But, a good tripod is like wanting a generator after a hurricane. When you need it, you really need it, and for that priceless shot, money is secondary in my book. This is a rig that is going to last a very long time, and pay for itself twice over for every job I do.

If you are serious about making pictures and want steady video. Invest in a good tripod and fluid head.

Well thanks for all the input. The thing is I already have a walmart tripod, which cost like 40 dollars, it is stiff and the opposite of smooth. My thought is that a 85 dollar tripod from B and H would be much better than my walmart wonder. The ones I looked at are: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Cullmann 2200
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Smith Victor P820
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Slik Sprint
and also the cheapest Bogen tripod and the Velbon 607.

I understand I will not get star performance from these 'pods but which one in your opinion would be the smartest choice?


Also which tripod system would be regarded as great? (In the sub 300 dollar range)

Thanks For the Help

I got the Bogen/Manfrotto 701rc2 head from B&H, due to my own budget constraints. For the price, it's not bad at all. Light and relatively smooth for lighter cameras. It's not a Vinten or a Sachtler by a long shot...but again, not bad.

Here's your best bet...
 

Klaus,

Save just a little more and get this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I have one of these and they are the absolute best bang for your buck.

They support up to 18 lbs. I use my crane on mine all the time. Notice the two handles, which really come in handy when using the crane with a Varizoom controller.

I cannot say enough good things about this tripod, and you won't find a comparable tripod on ebay, even used. It's the best.

If you absolutely cannot wait and need a tripod for a shoot, I'd rent before purchasing any of those others.

Good luck.

JayH

Thanks, Jay! Good to know from someone who has tried more than one thing.

Good tripod under $200? sorry, once again....
 

Ok sorry, I know this has been discussed before and I do realize the importance of a good, solid tripod and that everyone will recommend me to a $800 Bogen, but there is just no way for me to ever afford that. Plus, I have used the Manfrotto 525MVB with a 501 head extensively and love it, but at $650 and about a hundred pounds, it's just too much for me.
My main concerns are simply height and a good fluid head, as a tape live shows, usually in the back (over the crowds heads). I'll be using cameras like a GL2 or a DVC30. So I have decided on these, and I really like the ProVista, for the price and the reviews. I'd love it to keep it under $250 and that one seems like the best bang for the buck. I know Bogens are indestructable but I promise I'm not that abusive. Any help or current user reviews are greatly appreciated.
Smith-Victor
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search
Davis and Sanford
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search
Bogen
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search
Bogen
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont....x=0&image.y=0

I also shoot performances from a distance of about 100 feet from the stage. Unfortunately this is one of the most demanding things for a tripod and head. When you're zoomed in all the way every slight jerk in panning/tilting motion is greatly magnified, as is every slight tripod movement. I used a Manfrotto 3221/501 setup and was very unhappy with the results even after a lot of practice. I upgraded to a Miller DS-5 which was a huge improvement, but it cost around $800.

I know it isn't what you want to hear, but I can't imagine you will get acceptable shots with a $200 tripod in this situation unless you are using locked down shots and not zooming in all the way.

Good Morning, Chris.

To be blunt: There is no such thing as a "good", or, "adequate", or, whatever, for @$250. It does not exist.

You get what you paid for. Swallow the lump in your throat, and spend the loot.

In the long run you will be much happier.

Need tripod and head for Canon 20D & DVC30
 

Can anyone please give me some advice on what kind of setup I would need for my digital camera (Canon 20D) and soon to be purchased Panasonic DVC30? I definitely do not have enough money to purchase two different setups. I need head and plate system that works for both. I plan on shooting alot of bald eagles this winter just to give you an idea of what I will be doing. My price range is about $300-400. Thanks.

Tripod recomendations
 

Hi all!

I do mainly weddings but also produce a weekly cable show from my church and am looking toward a better tripod. Mine is good but I would like to get a "real" fluid head and one with an adjustable plate so I can ballance my camcorder.

I have the Pana DVC30.

I have looked through B&H on line but for me ther are too many varibles for heads and legs. Can someone suggest a nice combo?? I would rather have legs that are conencted to each other.
Thanks,

Jeff

Can't go wrong with a Bogen 503 head and some good sticks with a spreader:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ipod_Legs.html

Hi Jeffery,

This is a huge question. There are quite a few threads already going on this but it really depends on your budget.

What type of tripod do you use now? I'm in the process of trying to upgrade my tripod system. I currently use a Cartoni ActionPro DV which does a very good job but I'm using it with a Canon XH A1. The tripod has a load capacity of just over 6lbs so when I load up my camera it is a little heavy for it.

I'm looking at a Sachtler system now but they are much more expensive. Your camera is pretty light so your choices are going to be a little more limited in the higher end tirpod range.

I was just getting ready to list my Cartoni on Ebay but if you think you might be interested I'd be willing to sell it directly to you. Let me knwo if you might be interesed.

I think the levels of different price ranges are (from lowest cost):

Bogen/Manfrotto 503
Libec
Miller DS10 or Cartoni
Vinten Vision 3 or Sachtler FSB6 or DV6

Things I would look for in a tripod sysetm, half ball mounting (bowl mounting) of the tripod head, mid level spreader, padded carrying case, fluid head, and make sure the tripod head can be balanced for the weight of your camera set up.

Good luck,
Garrett

Certainly no offense meant Rick. But my take on the new HDV from Bogen would not be a positive one. I run a Z1 and V1 on it and I dislike that head very much. The action on my old 503 is much much better. I think Bogen blew it when they made the 503hdv for smaller cameras, even though both the Z1 and V1 fit within the weight recommendations according to the poorly written manual. These are my opinions on the HDV 503. I have had a nightmarish experince with that head. I dont' go out of my way to talk negative, but I would use caution with the new 503 HDV.

Ah... I use the older 503 also. Wasn't aware they screwed with the newer one so much.

Par for the course though... It wasn't broke so we fixed it. :)

Yeah Rick, it's bad. I have yet to get (according to the instructions) the head/camera not to drop forward when I release the handles. I can tighten the drag all the way and get that to work, but not according to the instructions. I'll get off my soap box now.

Thanks for the replies. Don't remember right off hand what mine is. It supports it ok, but is not real smooth on movements.

I'll look into the 503 and see....

Jeff

You might also want to look at a Libec LS38. Many people find are very happy with this setup and it's in the same pricerange as the Bogen. You might also look into getting a used set. You can often find some really good deals if you can be patient and wait for one to come up. For the same price as the 503 or LS38 new you could find something a little higher end used.

I'd recommend getting the best tripod you can reasonably afford. Going through my current tripod search has been a really big eye opener to the different levels and limitations of the various tripods.