Topic: TSKB: best video tripod under $100?

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Thanks in advance. 

[Shadow_7]

For what purpose?  Static view of stage / source.  No panning... yada yada yada...

If you need to pan and pan smoothly, or something with some girth so it doesn't fly away like a kite in a wind...  Probably more than $100 in most cases.

For me spider brace 2 + monopod + ace bandage.  Best fluid head for the buck IMO.  But not a tripod one.  Well sort of, monopod plus my own two feet.  Just no level option outside of best guess.  Which is impossible to judge on a 3" LCD.

[rastasean]

usually when buying a tripod it is strictly the legs. Do you already had a head to attach? The head will set you about no less than $60 depending on what exactly you're looking for.


the legs I have:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

I like it because of the independent leg spread and the height of it. Most people would whine about it being too heavy but carry it and you'll get stronger.

This is the head:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272449-REG/Manfrotto_486RC2_486RC2_Compact_Ballhead_w_Rapid.html

Its nice but not necessarily for video because people who use tripods for video like the pan and tilt action at a handle, not moving the entire camera; however, if you're doing static shots, the one i have and linked you to would work just fine provided your camera is not more than 14 pounds.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

I have nothing yet.  How sturdy are the tripods that have no braces in the middle.  I see both styles.  Me thinks you'd want braces in the middle?  Also I see most of the tripods only go to like 60"?  Seems low to me?

EDIT:  This one gets good reviews but again only 5 feet.  Seems low to me...

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=product&cat=&products_ID=26753

[Shadow_7]

Most are low, but most function to bring the camera (view finder) to the users eyes.  Baring special applications like star gazing / trying to see over standing peoples heads, there's not normally a need to go higher.  You can add a jib if you need the elevation factor.  Lots of options depending on purpose.

[rastasean]

I have nothing yet.  How sturdy are the tripods that have no braces in the middle.  I see both styles.  Me thinks you'd want braces in the middle?  Also I see most of the tripods only go to like 60"?  Seems low to me?

EDIT:  This one gets good reviews but again only 5 feet.  Seems low to me...

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=product&cat=&products_ID=26753

I also think 5 feet is kind of short.

It may be more sturdy to have tripod with a brace in the middle but I think it would be limiting if you wanted to independently spread the legs. May not be that big of a deal just for video camera usage but for photography, you may desire something in which requires one leg to be wider, shorter, or taller than another. another cool thing is that you can have each three legs at different locking points.

[Roger_D]

I got this $79 Quantaray from Wolf Camera, and I like it:
http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/291660652.htm

I got it because it extends to 75" so I can use it for a fairly high stationary camera when I'm taping bands, but also because it's sturdy enough to use for another hobby: a DSLR and a heavy Panosaurus panoramic camera mount. If you will only be using a lightweight camcorder, that's probably not a big issue, but it has a wide stance and is fairly heavy, so it is very solid even when extended all the way. You can lock the braces to the middle pole if you don't want to spread the legs all the way out, which is a nice feature, For video where you'll be panning, the head isn't as smooth as an expensive head, of course, but when I use it that way, I can get fairly smooth panning by extending the adjustable handle all the way out, putting it up in my armpit and panning by moving my body. If extremely smooth panning is what you need for your videos, then this isn't your best choice, but I doubt you'll do much better for under $100: After shopping around quite a bit before buying this one, I didn't see anything smoother for less than about $150, and of course a really smooth one is quite a bit more. For the price, this is the best tripod I could find and it's fine for my needs.

[Shadow_7]

My radioshack targus goes to 66".  I got it because it was the tallest one they had.  The center bars can be problematic in wind.  It's a light tripod, and those braces have a lot of flutter in a good wind.  It doesn't pan all that great either.

Bear in mind that your camcorder lens is probably an inch or more above the height of the tripod.  Not a lot, but throw in a beachtek preamp and other accessories and you might be +6" above the height of your tripod.  And other means to an end.  Things under the feet of the tripod and other ways.  A lot of time I'm sitting and the tripod is at a seated height.  Fewer down in fronts on the recording going that route.  Part of the reason I went with a monopod like approach.  In a crunch I can fly it like a flag pole and gain a quick 3' to 7'  Above it's 60" of goodness.  Stabilization goes to pot that way, but you get the extra lift.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

I ended up going with this.  A little more than I wanted to spend but what the hell.  Seems to get good reviews and it's heavy so hopefully it will keep down the vibration I see so much on a lot of folks dvd's.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/349250-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTAIR18_ProVista_Airlift_Tripod_with.html#specifications

[rastasean]

damn thats heavy. What camera did you go with anyway?

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Canon HV-30.  I'm sure it's overkill but I hope it's super solid.   

[beatkilla]

If your filming loud concerts the vibration will still travel thru the tripod,what i use is a cheap walwart memory foam pillow(must be memory foam not normal pillow)cut it into 3 big pieces and always use them directly underneath the tripod legs...or have unuseable footage.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Thanks for the info!  I will do that.  Where would I get memory foam?  Any idea?

[flipp]

any large retailer should have pillows made of memory foam in the bedding department

an alternative would be a place like overstock.com that has memory foam mattress toppers in various thicknesses but purchasing a mattress topper seems like overkill just to get enough to fit under tripod legs

another alternative, though more expensive than a pillow, is anti-vibration pads for a tripod - they popup on ebay every once-in-a-while or you can get them from your nearest telescope dealer (mine is http://www.astronomics.com/main/search.asp?catsearch_header=Astronomics&keyword=anti-vibration+pads&x=0&y=0 )

[Shadow_7]

Now that one has some girth.  Let us (me) know how the head pans and such.  I might get one of those myself.

As far as loud concerts, it really depends on the venue.  Solid ground beneath your feet and it shouldn't be an issue.  Wooden floor on a 100yo bowling alley with a basement... issue.