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Tripod buying help

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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
Hey I was wondering what tripods you guys are using. I have found some sanford and davis provista setups with fluid heads for around 200 dollars.

looking for a decently sturdy tripod and a fluid head.

If you guys could tell me what tripod and price you guys are using I would really appreciate it.
Oct 20 2009 1:10AM
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screamin_seamen
Posts: 619 - Karma: 551
check out bescor
Oct 20 2009 1:29AM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
dont own one yet but ive heard good stuff about the dv-7000, but its a bit lower than your budget
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366741-REG/Velbon_DV7000_DV_7000_Tripod_with_2_Way.html
Oct 20 2009 8:47AM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
i have one of these now and I am going to suggest against it if you have anything over the size of a gl2. Probably the biggest I would actually use is an hv30 or something of that size. my hvx makes it seem like its going to break. I need a new tripod :(
Oct 20 2009 9:25AM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518B_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html

this is what im looking at.
Oct 20 2009 9:54AM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556159-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_701HDV_701HDV_Pro_Fluid_Video.html

I'm looking at getting that.
Oct 20 2009 9:59AM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
I'm sure you can find a bogen 501 head and legs for about that now. Used but still an awesome head.
Oct 20 2009 11:50AM
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Trent_Palmer
Posts: 226 - Karma: 936
I have a libec LS-38M, its a bit over your price range but I know they make lower models that are really good too. I would definitely recommend going this route. Also, I did the same thing as you are thinking of and got a cheaper tripod (a 501 setup) and it was a huge mistake. Spend a little extra money here because a good tripod will last you a long long time.
Oct 20 2009 12:56PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
he's right i got http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/537863-REG/Pearstone_VT_2500B_VT2500B_Video_Tripod_System.html and its basically dead after one winter, and minimal use this summer, legs are all fucked up and the head is 10 kinds of fucked up.  I baby my equepment too, it was just from cold weather, one drop to the head (the head is comming apart and the leveling ball broke somehow neither of which are from when i dropped it), and pressing down on one of the legs to get it to sink into snow made it not close right anymore because it bent a little bit.  Do yourself a favor and spend the extra 100 bucks
Oct 20 2009 3:09PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
This is a hard topic at the moment for me. Budget is low. I could save and get a tripod but I need one rather soon. I have some big projects that are about to go under way, and I really need a tripod. Im in Florida for school right now so cold weather wont be an issue for at least another year. Don't really know where I will end up after school. I will do some more research and post in some video forums and see what people seem to think.

Thanks for the advice thus far! plus K to all.
Oct 20 2009 3:15PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
STAY AWAY FROM THE DAVIS AND STANFORD TRIPOD!

I have that tripod.  It's broken.  First of all one of the leg clamps broke...WHILE I WAS FILMING AN IMPORTANT HANDRAIL.

Second of all the head has just come completely loose and wobbles making it simply unusable.  Waste of 200 bucks.

Save up more man or find something else.  I have to call and see if the warranty will cover me.
Oct 20 2009 6:04PM
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leone
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 1,121
just got this one for my fx1, love it.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505876-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging__055XPROB_Pro_Tripod_Legs.html
Oct 20 2009 6:13PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
^ did you handle yours with care? How heavy was your setup?

Oct 20 2009 6:15PM
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leone
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 1,121
weighs around 5 pounds or so, kinda heavy at first but on the lighter end of these kinds of tripods.  i put it on my backpack that i ski with for filming and it distributed the weight well so it won't be so bad for skiing and i like a slightly heavier and sturdier feel to the tripod
Oct 20 2009 6:17PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
hmm difficult im going to have to bite the bullet pretty soon. cant go much longer with out one...
Oct 20 2009 10:49PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
I'm going to bump this and not repost, i have the same budget and need a tripod fairly soon. The above is what i have been looking at but i keep hearing one bad story about it and am getting pretty cautious about it. Anyone else besides IHateOhio have this? or better recommendations? I have a DVC 30 btw
Nov 23 2009 9:57PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
also saw


Nov 23 2009 10:16PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
for the record i got the davis and sanford and when i got it the head was loose or some shit but got that all taken care of and now I am pretty satisfied with it, and have only one complain the thing that secures in the baseplate is annoying to use but thats about it.

this nerd breaks it down pretty good


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU0Xps3JXoE


Nov 23 2009 11:38PM
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