Need tripod recommendations

1. REGGAE UNPLUGGED
   Member

   
   hey guys...I'm looking for a tripod...need it for an event...an awards show I'm filming this saturday...my $$$$$ is limited...and I don't know what to get...I have a sony pd 170 camera....I can't really afford the 503...but if its a must have...I guess I have no choice... I'm an amateur...and when I say that I really mean AMATUER :)
   
   please help....I'm real confused...

   Posted 5 years ago #

2. compusolver
   Member

   
   Will you be doing pans and tilts? Are you going to be in the business very long?
   
   If your answers to those two questions are "yes" and if you want to spend as little money as possible, the 503 is your only answer.
   
   The 501 head is awfully close, but isn't quite as smooth at the start and end of pans/tilts. It might be my choice if I wasn't all that serious about videography.
   
   If you're not ever going to pan or tilt, then it really doesn't matter as much.
   
   When selecting your legs, for events, look for quick setup/take down, sturdiness, enough weight to not lift a leg when panning or tilting, quick leveling (ball leveller is often a good add-on), visible bubble level and adequate height. Also, if you'll be working outdoors as well as in, look for feet that can switch from rubber to spikes, quickly. So many tripod reviews overlook height. We shoot a lot of weddings and it's been our luck to work with photographers who are not only agressive but tall. The ability to raise my camera seven and a half feet, lets me shoot over everyone's heads when I need to.
   
   I don't necessarily like the high angle, but when there's two photographers in front of the cake, so close that icing is getting onto their dirty tee shirts (can you tell I "love" wedding photographers?) there is no other choice for this "must have" shot.
   
   We cover this topic much deeper in our video course.
   
   Remember - you'll likely go through several cameras during your video career, but make a good first tripod/head choice and it will stay with you for the duration!

   Posted 5 years ago #

3. REGGAE UNPLUGGED
   Member

   
   you are the man!!!!!!! thanks

   Posted 5 years ago #

4. paulears
   Member

   
   The Vinten Pro 5 and Manfrotto 501 (same head, different legs) are amazingly popular, and although a step up from the consumer models, are not that good really. They do give smooth movement, but the friction controls don't allow pan and tilt to be finely adjusted. fair enough, with a light camera like the PDs, they are ok - the 503 being a tad better because of the spring balance, but there are better. I have two of these heads and went off them pretty quickly. I've got loads of tripods and heads, I kind of collect them - and the Libec for a similar price is a lot better - not much in the tripods - I still like the Vinten legs, but the Libec head (I have a 55) is much better. The 22 is very similar without the multiple drag settings. A diagonal move is much better.
   
   On a camcorder costing 1300-1500, £400 on a tripod/head seems fair to me - even if you have to borrow the money.
   
   If it's a one-ff job, then more difficult. Do you have a local college that does media studies - maybe they will loan you one of theirs?
   
   If you live in Suffolk, I'll lend you one of mine.

   Posted 5 years ago #

5. REGGAE UNPLUGGED
   Member

   
   thnks guys...I ordered one from b and h yesterday..... bogen 503 head...with 351 legs....
   
   
   thanks for all your help

   Posted 5 years ago #

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