Davis & Sanford Pro Vista Video Tripod w/ FM18 Fluid Hea

pinnaclelwf
Member

Any opinions on this product? It's priced right ($200 @ B&H) and certainly has the features I desire, just wondering if anyone has any experience with this tripod?

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Use the Search feature in these forums for tons of info on choosing a tripod, but for a quick summary -

Only a "true-fluid" head will allow smooth pans and tilts from start to finish. About the lowest priced head for a professional is the Manfrotto 503.

When buying legs, most advice says to go lightweight, but hold on - isn't the purpose of a tripod to provide a steady mount for your camera? Lightweight legs vibrate on wooden floors when people walk, they vibrate in a breeze and they don't stay still when you have some friction adjusted and start to pan or tilt.

If you video events with two or more cameras, go for black legs so they don't stand out so much when caught in the frame of another camera.

Obviously quick release legs and ball-levellers save time.

Unfortunately, there is no adequate solution in the $200 range for a pro or serious amateur. Expect to pay more than three times that amount.

The good news ? A good tripod/head will last a lifetime.

Posted 5 years ago #
hiproductions
Member

I've purchased/used one of these before. I will say for $200 its pretty good. It can't handle much of a beating though, we had one of the "spreaders" snap on us due to a baggage handler mishap. The great thing is, we sent it back and the company TOTALLY stood behind the thing and shipped us an entire new one. Very impressive. Its much better than the cheapies that you see on ebay "Professional, Heavy Duty, etc" tripods. It offers a claw ball and decent height and light weight. The head is 'fine' not 'great' and like the poster before said, its not a 'pro' tripod just a very good cheap tripod. If you're a student or a serious amateur. Buy this OR consider the the Libec TH650. I bought one of these as a student 7 years ago and have BASHED the bejeezers out of it and its still working great. Lightweight but heavy duty with a claw ball. Head is 'fine' not great. But I've made thousands and thousands off this little $140 tripod.

Good luck in your search. I've found that the next best step up is the Bogen 3192 with 316 head (allows for full size video cam and teleprompter) and moves pretty good. Its around $1200.

Posted 4 years ago #
Ken
Member

I just took a look at the description of that tripod on the B&H website. Has a lot of features you'd expect on a much more expensive model (crutch-style legs, mid-leg spreaders, bubble level, good max height). For that low price, they might have cut back on something (durability? smooth panning?). But still, it sounds like the best bet if you're only going to spend $200 (and you won't be rough-handling it).

You should look at the "Tips and Techniques" sections of episodes 27 and 28 of Videomaker presents (on the Videomaker website here). They give excellent advice on tripod selection.

My 3 cents worth, :)
Ken Hull

P.S. -- If you could spend a little more.... the Bogen / Manfrotto 3046 Tripod Legs for $229.95, and the Bogen / Manfrotto 3433 (501) Pro Video Head for $149.95 would be a most excellent combination! (Or the Bogen / Manfrotto 501HDV Fluid Video Head for $173.95 adds a counterbalance spring. Useful if people are taking turns operating the camera.) Ahhhh....decisions, decisions! :?

Posted 4 years ago #