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Tripod Help

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WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
So I'm looking for a very nice tripod, but as a tripod noob, I don't know anything about them besides you need a good "head" and decent, heavy legs.

I will use it for both Video and Photo.

My cameras are the Canon T3i and Sony FS100.

My lenses are Canon 70-200mm f2.8, Tokina 11-16mm, Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3, and Canon 50mm f1.4.

I want a solid setup that's not too over the top in pricing.

My Budget is anywhere around $200-300.

I need some good suggestions! Thanks!
Jul 31 2015 2:14PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
First off, yes this is out of your budget but I'd HIGHLY recommend this if you can afford it.

The legs are amazing. Having a gear center post helps out so much. You can go with a cheaper head but I'd highly recommend the legs. I've had them over or 5 years and are still rock solid.


Head - $199
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827210-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502AH_75Mm_Flat_Head.html
Legs - $329
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554068-REG/Manfrotto_028B_028B_Studio_Pro_Triman.html
Aug 1 2015 12:15AM
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WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
*Fujative*First off, yes this is out of your budget but I'd HIGHLY recommend this if you can afford it.

The legs are amazing. Having a gear center post helps out so much. You can go with a cheaper head but I'd highly recommend the legs. I've had them over or 5 years and are still rock solid.


Head - $199
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827210-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502AH_75Mm_Flat_Head.html
Legs - $329
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554068-REG/Manfrotto_028B_028B_Studio_Pro_Triman.html


Holy fuck $330 for legs damn. Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into them!
Aug 1 2015 3:15PM
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eheath
Posts: 61655 - Karma: 123,568
WPochHoly fuck $330 for legs damn. Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into them!


"very nice tripod" and "$200-300" doesnt exist. Best you can do is a satchler ace for around $500.
Aug 4 2015 2:59AM
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ICary
Posts: 325 - Karma: 806
Check out a Pro Master USV 428

$350 with head and legs. Decent starter. The USV 432 is 100% worth the extra $50 IMO though.
Aug 4 2015 4:21AM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
eheath"very nice tripod" and "$200-300" doesnt exist. Best you can do is a satchler ace for around $500.


I second this. Just spend the extra on a Sachtler if you plan on keeping your tripod for more than a year or so. You might be able to find a used Ace if you raised your budget just a little bit.

The Ace blows anything Manfrotto in the price range out of the water. The legs aren't the greatest but the head is a steal for the price. I've had mine for over two years, have never had a complaint about the head besides a few times when I've been forced to use it with a rig thats way too heavy for it. My legs just shit the bed this week, but I'd been expecting that for a while now. Honestly, the head alone would be worth the $500 price tag. It's much, much smoother than any Manfrotto head I've ever used.

Don't bother with a flat-mount head for video. A 75mm bowl saves you so much time in leveling your shots, and allows you to upgrade to a burlier head or sticks down the road.
Aug 4 2015 6:12PM
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eheath
Posts: 61655 - Karma: 123,568
Also OP considering you have an fs100, you should save up some money for a nice tripod. With my fs100 I was using my current tripod, fsb4 ($850) and miller solo legs ($350) and that was barely enough, if youre going to have a nice camera, you need to have nice gear.
Aug 4 2015 6:15PM
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j-cal
Posts: 693 - Karma: 3,295
Look into the davis and sanford. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598810-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTAGR18_Davis_Sanford_PROVISTAGR18.html

I have had this tripod for years and it work great. One thing i would highly NOT recommend is getting legs with a center connecting design. Like the manfroto legs recommended above. I have had very bad luck with the center breaking and getting jammed. Also it is much harder to set up the tripod how you would like. These legs are expensive but killer.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=556157&gclid=COvn_77wkMcCFQGqaQodRakFTQ&is=REG&m=Y&A=details&Q=
Aug 4 2015 10:19PM
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WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
eheathAlso OP considering you have an fs100, you should save up some money for a nice tripod. With my fs100 I was using my current tripod, fsb4 ($850) and miller solo legs ($350) and that was barely enough, if youre going to have a nice camera, you need to have nice gear.


Kay I knew I would have to go over my limit damn. Ill look into everyones suggestions. My bank account is going to hurt
Aug 5 2015 1:44PM
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WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
j-calLook into the davis and sanford. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598810-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTAGR18_Davis_Sanford_PROVISTAGR18.html

I have had this tripod for years and it work great. One thing i would highly NOT recommend is getting legs with a center connecting design. Like the manfroto legs recommended above. I have had very bad luck with the center breaking and getting jammed. Also it is much harder to set up the tripod how you would like. These legs are expensive but killer.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=556157&gclid=COvn_77wkMcCFQGqaQodRakFTQ&is=REG&m=Y&A=details&Q=


I can totally see how the center connection could jam. Thanks for the advice! Also, don't you use a red camera? Does the tripod you recommended support that kind of weight?
Aug 5 2015 1:46PM
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