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Tripods. Your best friend or your nightmare.

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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Ok so let me start off by saying this, a tripod is THE most important tool to film making besides the camera itself.  With a shitty tripod you will get extremely frustrated (resulting in the urge to hurt kittens, babies, ect.)

I made the mistake of "cheaping" out on my tripod last year.  I purchased the Davis and Stanford FM18 "Fluid" head tripod from B&H.

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This tripod appears to be an amazing deal.  WRONG.  One of the handles came snapped off where it attatches to the head.  Within 2 weeks of using it one of the leg clips broke while filming a handrail.  Lastly THE HEAD HAS COME LOOSE AND WOBBLES.  This makes the tripod unusable.  Maybe I got a defective model, but I'll see after I make my warrently claim (it comes with a 10 year warrenty.

So onto my questions.

I'm now in the market for a new tripod.

I need something far better.

My budget is still pretty low (around 300ish?).  I wish I had more to work with.

So far I see only a few options.

Bogen 501HDV with legs. ($280)

[ING]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/481931.jpg[/IMG]

Honestly though....how much better would the 501 really be?
or SOMEHOW find enough money to get:

Bogone 503HDV with legs.

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Libec LS22 Tripod System.

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Nov 5 2009 3:59PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
I'd go with the 501.

Go with the older style though.  The new 501 and 503 feel cheap.  The old style 501 and 503 are great.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/3433-Bogen-501-Fluid-Head
Nov 5 2009 4:22PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
That's what I've heard.  Funny that they got "worse" with a newer model.

On another note right after I made this thread the customer support from Davis and Stanford called me back and walked me through how to take apart the head and tighten it.  They're also sending out new parts for the leg clamp and shit.

So here's the question.  How much better would a 501 be than my current knockoff tripod.  I really don't have the money.
Nov 5 2009 4:47PM
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Trent_Palmer
Posts: 226 - Karma: 936
I had a 501 and hated it. It was the old one though. Now I have a libec ls-38 and I LOVE it. Worlds better and even compared to a couple sachler and vintens I have tried, it still holds its own. So I were you I would go for the ls-22, just because with bogen you are paying for the name and thats why their prices are so high for their stuff...


Nov 5 2009 4:53PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
I have new 501 and it's alright. Guess it depends on you're cam but the 503 seems to be a bit much. One thing I would suggest are the manfrotto 745xb legs. They're not to small but perfect for packing and they come with a 75mm ball for leveling. I think manfrotto even makes a similar model that telescopes and has a ball mount. That would be pretty nice.
Nov 5 2009 8:50PM
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Barf.
Posts: 1188 - Karma: 123
Get a 700RC2/190XDB mini fluid head. The 501 is meant for larger cameras. If you are using smaller cams this is perfect. I have one and I love it.
Nov 5 2009 9:16PM
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C.Wood
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 180
a solid manfrotto model??

i know you could get a used manfrotto(higher end) for the price range you are looking at
Nov 5 2009 9:23PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I have the bogen 503.  this exact kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496825-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_503HDV_351MVB2K_503HDV_351MVB2K_Aluminum_Video_Tripod.html
(sorry for some reason it won't let me post a link right now...)

It's a great setup.  When i have my bare XHA1 sitting on it, it handles like there isn't even a camera sitting on it.  It does pretty well with my Letus Extreme and rod setup as well.  It really was an expensive purchase, but it only hurts once.  By that I mean, I will definitely have my tripod longer than my camera.
Nov 5 2009 10:20PM
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Jodi
Posts: 4215 - Karma: 745
I find the manfrotto's super heavy. I have a sachtler and i likes it!
Nov 6 2009 1:01PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
I take back my statement about the old 501 being great, I have never used one.  I just assumed it was decent because my 503 has been a solid performer for a while now.
Nov 6 2009 5:23PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Welllllllllll not everyone can afford a Sachtler.

I guess I could try to manage with the tripod I have......  It just takes extreme concentration to get a smooth pan and tilts are even worse.
Nov 6 2009 5:34PM
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DBeck
Posts: 1275 - Karma: 63
i've been thinking about the 501 as well.. haven't really found much else in that price area or cheaper that i'd rather have..
Nov 6 2009 8:15PM
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dutch1
Posts: 465 - Karma: 11
i would go with the libec ls22 head, but pair it with a set of cheaper legs. i use a cheaper pair of steel induro legs and they have never failed me, very durable. you can always add ballast/security with a sandbag [or rocks or snow] on the hook. this would be closer to your price


Nov 7 2009 6:27PM
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dutch1
Posts: 465 - Karma: 11
sorry, libec h22 head..

Nov 7 2009 6:40PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Get legs with clamps. Screws are a total bitch.


I have a 501 head and it was amazing for a while, but after about a year the head got wiggley. Noo idea why or how to fix it.
Nov 8 2009 12:50AM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Hey Landis, PM me.  If your head is anything like the Davis and Standord one I can help you tighten that shit back to it's virgin days.

Any more suggestions guys?

That Libec H22 head is looking pretty good.  I'm assuming it's far smoother/beefier than a Bogen 501.
Nov 8 2009 2:10PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
call up b&h and see about getting your davis&sandford replaced or returning it for credit. theryre really good about that stuff
Nov 8 2009 3:05PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
Even after it has been nearly a year?
Nov 8 2009 4:12PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
idk, maybes. cant hurt to call
Nov 8 2009 4:45PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
shit man i was literally right about to buy the exact same tripod you did, but i guess i will keep looking.
Nov 8 2009 5:22PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
I mean it's "good" just not up to my strict standards.
Nov 8 2009 7:45PM
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eheath
Posts: 61097 - Karma: 118,202
My 501 head works great with my hvx but i wish i had better legs, i hate the screw tighen ones i want snaps.
Nov 8 2009 7:56PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
Check out a company called Benro. They are chinese but the quality is apparently very good. The KH-25 video tripod specifically, sells for about $259-279 on ebay (Free Shipping). Solid construction, fluid head, Lanc remote.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=320388033950&Category=30095&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2


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Nov 8 2009 8:07PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
Click for larger image
Nov 8 2009 8:44PM
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Mooserz
Posts: 2945 - Karma: 32
just make sure there arent any jewish holidays coming up
Nov 9 2009 6:15AM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
I really don't want a no name brand again.  Looks beefy but it could be a pile of junk.
Nov 9 2009 3:50PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
I hear you there! There are plenty of reviews online of their photo tripods. They are replicas of Gitzo (sp?) and apparently AS GOOD as the real thing from what i've read (and better in at least one case on one of their carbon fiber pods). Couldn't find much on their video line though other then some Italian video.

Tell ya what, i'm gonna order one and guinea pig it....
Nov 9 2009 4:22PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
That would be awesome if you tested it out and let everyone know how it is.

Right now I'm leaning toward convincing my parents to let me get the Libec H22 as my Christmas present since I'm going into film as a career.  A good tripod lasts a long time.  My only present would be a tripod and I'd be extremely content with that.
Nov 9 2009 4:38PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
i want a geared head
Nov 9 2009 5:29PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
that setup looks alot like mine. I went for THE cheapest halfway decent tripod i could get http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/537863-REG/Pearstone_VT_2500B_VT2500B_Video_Tripod_System.html and it was a mistake.  My friend broke off a leg(extended and hit the ground when on a snowmobile so i guess thats not the tripods fault), other then that, when i put my xh on it i feel like the legs are trying their hardest just to hold it up.  Also the head itself is more or less junk at first it works great, but after you start to use it, it gets broken in and turns to junk, bad pans all jerky, By the end of last season i couldnt really even pan with the thing.  if that tripod is anything like mine save yourself the time and money and dont get it.  I think im moving up to a 501
Nov 10 2009 2:19PM
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