Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Sturdy and Light Tripod for Video

profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
I'm in the market for a new tripod for video. I'm leaning towards the Manfrotto 701 or 501 head (any idea the difference?), because I've used it before and it works well enough.

I've been making due with a low end fluid head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/146249-REG/Velbon_VMATE_607_F_VMATE607F_Videomate_607_Tripod.html) for the past 6 years but a leg of mine finally snapped last weekend somehow. Plastic is brittle when its cold.

Anyone have some suggestions on a set of legs that are sturdy and light? Ideally I'd like to be able to do short-ish tours with it on my pack and not be too bummed about skiing back down with it (so not too heavy). Looking to stay under $200.

Thanks!
Mar 1 2014 1:29AM
7 1
profile picture
NPF
Posts: 5152 - Karma: 12,116
fork out an extra $100 and get this.


such a good deal
Mar 1 2014 1:55AM
1 0
profile picture
plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
This. I can vouch for the Ace being a super solid setup. And the head is leagues better than the 501 or 701. Not particularly light but its manageable.
Mar 2 2014 3:30PM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
That tripod seems very hefty.

I would not be too pumped to strap that to my pack and skin up to a zone.
Mar 2 2014 4:40PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Fork out an extra 800 and buy a real tripod
Mar 2 2014 5:14PM
0 0
profile picture
caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
Yeah cause we all have that money to spend...
Mar 2 2014 7:39PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
I know, but I feel like mvf films enough and is invested enough he should spend more. A 501/701 setup will just break in 2-3 years
Mar 2 2014 8:01PM
0 0
profile picture
plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
Light. Sturdy. Cheap. Pick two.

If you want something sturdy and light you're going to have to drop the bills on some nicer CF legs.
Mar 2 2014 11:25PM
1 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Thanks all for the responses.

That Sacther Ace looks way too hefty for my liking. Not the kind of thing I'm finna bring into the BC.




Whats gonna be the main difference between the two? Just from reading the B&H pages, the 190X is ~1lbs lighter, get fold into ~2" shorter, but can hold only 11lbs of load (whereas the induro can hold almost 40lbs).

I'll mainly be shooting with a DSLR and a 70-200 f/2.8, definitely less than 11lbs and still should be after decent head.

What do yall think?
Mar 3 2014 1:52AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
If you want something small that'd gonna last you 2-3 years get a 701 setup. The head will be fine in 3 years but you'll have to replace the legs, they're garbage. But it's a small setup.

Honestly if you want something that lasts Miller solo legs are really nice along with whatever head.

I have a fsb4 and Miller solos and yes its heavier than my 501 with 190 legs but it's 100 times better
Mar 3 2014 1:57AM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Damn those things are fresh...

I'll do some thinking about how much of an investment I'm finna make right now. Thanks bob.
Mar 3 2014 2:00AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
The satchler ace head is similar to a 501/701 head but like I said the manfrotto heads aren't the issue it's the legs.
Mar 3 2014 2:03AM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Ya mon just not sure I need something as boss as the Miller Solos for what I do.

I'll sleep on it.
Mar 3 2014 2:09AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Yeah solos might be past what you need. Just don't get the 190 legs if you can, manfrotto makes better legs in the same category
Mar 3 2014 11:11AM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Suggestion for better legs in this category?
Mar 3 2014 1:40PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Just dont get these
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479927-REG/Manfrotto_190XPROB_190XPROB_Pro_Aluminum_Tripod.html

The next step up are the 055
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Aluminum_Tripod_Legs.html

check out this page,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&ci=15921&setNs=p_PRICE_2%7c0&N=4232861048&srtclk=sort

the more money you spend, the better quality you will get. You the 055 legs are pretty much just as bad, these kinda caught my eye
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1010691-REG/manfrotto_mt190xpro4_190xpro3_aluminum_tripod.html

might be more up your alley, but if youre gonna spend more than $300 get CF legs but they really are only a pound lighter
Mar 3 2014 3:11PM
1 0
profile picture
lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
It's both, sadly. Manfrotto stuff does fine if you're walking around the streets of California, but once you introduce them to cold environments, they not only fall apart, but the head becomes anything but fluid. I remember using both the 501 and 503 in a measly 28˚F and I it took me 15+ tries to do a simple diagonal movement because the head kept grabbing randomly.

If you are just getting your feet wet in video and aren't sure if it's something you wish to pursue, by all means get a Manfrotto. If you are sure you are going to do this for more than 3 years, the Sachtler Ace really is the bear minimum (and no, it isn't burly). Cheaping out now by getting a Manfrotto will have you spending thousands of dollars more than you would if you just bought the right tool the first time around. Buy that ACE posted on NS; it's a steal.
Mar 4 2014 1:21PM
1 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Definitely not just dipping my feet into video.

Just trying not to become a film bitch, and owning equipment that inhibits my skiing is a fast track to exactly that.
Mar 4 2014 9:03PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,082
Not quite sure what you definition of "film bitch" is but owning the right equipment doesn't necessarily invoke that, IMO. If someone wants you to film but you don't want to, don't do it, thats when you become a "film bitch" which I don't think any of us really are.
Mar 4 2014 9:12PM
0 0
profile picture
lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
This term has always seemed like circular logic to me. The only thing that qualifies "film bitch" is your attitude about filming. The fact that you consider such a title valid in the first place suggests that maybe you aren't in it for the long haul. How exactly does owning the proper piece of equipment inhibit your skiing? If anything it makes your job much easier.
Mar 4 2014 9:19PM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Haha ok ok sorry to throw that term around so loosely.

I mean I want to own gear that does not inhibit me from being mobile with it. Right now if I go film pow lines I can throw everything I need on my pack and be able to keep up with my homies on the tour up. Or distribute the load of the equipment without anyone being too bummed about having to haul a tripod.

When it gets to the point where your gear is too hefty to dump off on people to help carry, or such that it will make whoever is carrying it way slower, it gets in the way of everyone's skiing.
Mar 5 2014 11:15PM
1 0
profile picture
lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
Why don't you carry your own gear? The ACE is not a large tripod by any means.
Mar 5 2014 11:40PM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Ahh exactly what I'm trying to get at when I say I don't want being the "filmer" to effect my skiing opportunities.

I don't want to ski a pillow line with a huge backpack on, nor do I want to tour up with a pack full of heavy camera gear. We all split the load so that the work to carry the gear around is distributed (somewhat) evenly.

That way I can still keep a first aid kit, beacon/probe/shovel, skins, extra layer, food, water, etc... in my own pack without having a jumbo pack to lug around when I wanna ski down.


Its a lot different for me filming urban, park, or if we're doing sled laps. Then I don't mind a bunch of gear cause I don't have to carry it up myself.
Mar 6 2014 12:41AM
0 0
profile picture
lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
That's the nature of the game. I hate to say it, but buck up or don't.

I use a Sachtler Cine DSLR head with carbon fiber Miller Solo legs. The Sachtler head weights about three times my camera body + 3 lenses. I shoot a GH2 because its small enough to fit in my pocket. I don't bring any unnecessary accessories because they only add weight. I use lightweight touring skis with Dynafit bindings. Do you see where I'm going with this?

The tripod is the most important piece of camera gear in your backcountry arsenal. My entire ski kit is designed to compensate for the weight of my tripod head. Sure, it isn't as light as skinning up without a backpack, but again my only option is to grow a pair to deal with it. I ski pillow lines with a camera bag all the time; don't be that guy who asks the riders to carry his weight (literally). Back when I started video ~9 years ago I boot packed up to my thigh each step until I was at the summit with a tripod over one shoulder and my skis over the other, and I'm not a particularly tough person. I think you can handle carrying a LIGHT tripod like a Sachtler ACE in a backpack.

All that stuff aside, you'd be stupid not to buy that used ACE that's for sale. That head alone is worth double the price, and he's only selling it for cheap because its disposable legs have some damage.
Mar 6 2014 11:42AM
0 0
profile picture
mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Yes, thanks for the info.

Is that tripod this though:

~50% off, if so.
Mar 6 2014 11:50AM
0 0
profile picture
lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
Yes. That tripod is generally considered the absolute lowest you can reasonably go on a tripod, and you can get one for $300...
Mar 6 2014 12:07PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)