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Tripod or Wide Angle Lens.......

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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
I will be able to afford one new accessory for my camera this year. I have a HV30 and I would like to afford a wide angle lens and a tripod. Unfortunately, this will not be financially possible, so what will help my filming and have a greater impact, a wide angle lens (probably a raynox) or a decent tripod? I was leaning towards the lens because it can be hard to fit everything in the frame but now I am thinking that a tripod would be much more helpful for smooth pans from a distance. So, does anyone have any helpful input to help me with my decision?
Nov 28 2009 10:44PM
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CS_Films
Posts: 468 - Karma: 466
Tripod is a must.
Nov 28 2009 10:50PM
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mattytru
Posts: 2788 - Karma: 5,618
agreed, tripod for sure
Nov 28 2009 10:53PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
tripod, a wide angle can come later
Nov 28 2009 10:59PM
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ThunderousFilms
Posts: 674 - Karma: 2,317
this
Nov 28 2009 11:14PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
okay guys, thanks for the help and +karma to you all.

Now I get to pick out a tripod. I have a budget of about $200 and I have been doing some research. There are lots of ideas floating about, but not very many solid recommendations with good reasons. I would like one that is sturdy and durrable but not too big to lug up to the ski hill.


Here are the one's  I was thinking about, if you have any other recommendations in my price range, please let me know about them.



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518B_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html
looks good but IhateOhio's experience with it makes me reluctant.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/502679-REG/Matthews_M25_M25_Tripod_System.html#features
seems like a good bet

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366741-REG/Velbon_DV7000_DV_7000_Tripod_with_2_Way.html
seems well liked(and cheaper) but some people don't like the panning motion


thanks for the help guys, If you could give me an idea of which of these meets my needs, then I would really appreciate it.



Nov 28 2009 11:28PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
Save up. If you spend 200$ on a lens or 200$ on a tripod + head you'll probably end up having to upgrade pretty soon.
Nov 28 2009 11:45PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
save up another 100-150 and then buy a tripod, don't cheap out on these things, i learned the hard way
Nov 29 2009 12:07AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
I simply don't think I will be able to justify spending that kind of money on a tripod. I would love a bogen or something of that caliber but I just don't think that's going to happen for me. I know that I would not be getting a product that is as good as I would like, but I still need as much of the functionality and durability of the more expensive models as possible.


thanks again.
Nov 29 2009 1:55AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
spend the extra money
Nov 29 2009 2:23AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
if you cant spend it on a tripod, then get a wide angle. Spending less than 200 on a tripod is stupid.
Nov 29 2009 2:42AM
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mattytru
Posts: 2788 - Karma: 5,618
unless however, you can buy that tripod cheap off of your school or something like that. i bought my bogen for 30 bucks off my school a few months ago and it's still working perfectly!
Nov 29 2009 8:40AM
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CS_Films
Posts: 468 - Karma: 466
The Davis Stanford is the best out of the three you listed. Altho its very heavy and when it gets cold out the oil gets thick and causes the head to be hard to move. The second one listed is lighter weight but it rebounds to center when you let go which can be horribly frustrating. its also not built that well. The third is actually well built but dosent pan very well it has sticking spots.
Nov 29 2009 9:24AM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,634
well i haev the velbon that you listed. you should be fine with an hv30 on it. i mean everyone here is saying spend loads on a tripod but his camera is SUPER small. you really IMO dont need something that is bullet proof. if you you get a wide angle it has its benefits but can be over used. id spend money on a tripod first. there is just something abotu tripod that makes shots look 100x better again IMO
Nov 29 2009 10:24AM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
Ebay or hit up the pawn shops for a tripod.  Don't buy a new one for $200, it will be a piece of junk.  You could actually get a decent used tripod for $200 if you look hard enough.

This is going to be way better than anything you'll get new for $200.  It's a decent tripod if you're on a tight budget.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOGEN-PROFESSIONAL-3021-TRIPOD-WITH-MANFROTTO-3063-HEAD_W0QQitemZ260511990002QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca7b980f2

Nov 29 2009 12:09PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
What style of filming do you plan on persuing?  Follow cams of your buddies in the park to make little edits, or well composed edits that have a large focus on cinematography?

I am a tripod person myself.  I'm into the art aspect of filming, but watching edits of people dicking around in the park doing laps can make a good edit too.

If you decide to go the tripod route...well I can't recommend the Davis and Stanford.  When it's not breaking on me I am able to get some decent pans.  The tilts are not all that great, but i have managed to get a few pretty ones.  I just can't recommend a tripod that isn't going to last for you.  I was in the same situation as you last year and I wish I would have saved a little more for a better tripod.
Nov 29 2009 2:19PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
tripod and a cheap lens, this is a great bang4buck lens, but youl need a step up http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Panoramic-Fisheye-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000TQPTTM
Nov 29 2009 5:30PM
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Galin
Posts: 2342 - Karma: 3,940
Spring an extra $80 and get this guy, definitely worth the money. Super mobile and the head will work beautifully for you.

http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=481985&is=REG
Nov 29 2009 10:04PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
there we go (hopefully)
Nov 29 2009 10:51PM
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 185
another vote for the tripod, i have a great giottos that i spent ~250 on (with head) and it is phenominal.
Nov 29 2009 11:48PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
thanks guys. how would this head work for my camera? remember, my hv30 is much much smaller than your HVXs and other larger cams so i think it would work well as part of a portable set-up for the slopes. It weighs about 1.5 pounds or so.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556159-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_701HDV_701HDV_Pro_Fluid_Video.html


Nov 30 2009 9:44PM
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Galin
Posts: 2342 - Karma: 3,940
very good call on that, my bad on recommending the 501. Although, a tripod is an investment and a good one will last you a long time so if you ever plan on upgrading to a bigger camera then a 501 head is worth the extra that it costs now. If you're not looking to upgrade past cameras like the hv30, which is a great camera anyways, then the 701 would be a more economical move for you.
Nov 30 2009 9:59PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
okay, thanks.

now i get to find legs for my tripod. At this small size, when I am trying to save weight and have a small tripod that could be easily taken skiing, do I need a large set of legs with cross spreaders, or would a simple set of the tripod type legs work fine for my application?

such as these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486865-REG/Induro_462_013_A013_Alloy_6M_A_Series.html

or would a slightly more expensive set have huge benefits?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479933-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_190XDB_190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html
Nov 30 2009 10:10PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
oops, i meant telescoping legs.
Nov 30 2009 10:31PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
please? if someone could help me with this one last thing, this thread will die.


thanks.
Dec 1 2009 7:16PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

One thing I noticed about all those tripods is that they all say they'll support upwards of 10 lbs (at least two of them do)...if you're using an HV30, there's NO WAY you need that much support.  Not ever.  My DVX weighs 4.2 lbs; less than half of what the least of those tripods, the Velbon, could support.  I don't know if that was a search criteria for you, but it shouldn't be; the HV30 is 1.2 lbs - teensy.

Next: I'm pretty sure I've used that Velbon before, and I'm pretty sure I hated it.  It just felt chincy.  I recently bought this...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/567602-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging__190XDB_with_701HDV_Video.html

...and I am so utterly satisfied with it; the only thing I would change would be to get snap legs instead of twisty ones, but even then that's tiny. 

What I love about this tripod is that it has weight.  While its still light, you can heft it and feel the strength beneath the metal with which it is crafted.  The fluid head is great - I filmed soccer with it all season, and it was a HUGE up from my last tripod.

It's also on your budget...

I think eventually you kind of need to bite the bullet and just go for it.  I asked a bunch of people, got responses, some good, some vague, and then just went for it. So it happened.  I'm really happy with what I bought, and that's what I'm going to recommend to you. 

Do your research, open up a bunch of different internet windows, and just compare them all.  If you really want to, make Pro/Con charts about them, just so you can read critically and condense the information presented to you.  Then make a choice.  Don't freak out though, because remember, no matter what you get, it will undoubtedly be better than what you have now, eh?

Good luck, man.  If you need anything else, shoot me a PM, b/c I really never have any time to surf the forums anymore.  Peace!

Dec 1 2009 8:29PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

Shit, I didn't read the thread.

The 701 head and the 190 XDB legs are combined in the kit I recommended.  Just a side note - you've already seen them, lawl, but the kit is put together.

Dec 1 2009 8:32PM
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AMcCraw
Posts: 845 - Karma: 703
it is not necessary to spend assloads on a tripod when your filming with a smaller camera. I have an hv20, and i just went with a cheaper velbon. I mainly look at the head on the tripod to make sure i love the way it feels. Sturdiness is more importnat the bigger the cam. so with hv20 you can save a little here.
But i completely agree if you have something like an hvx you need to save up and get a legit pod
Dec 1 2009 8:56PM
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