Tripods

[James Siler]

Have a question for everyone. I have recently started using my video camera for more than just storm chasing but don't have a tripod. I was looking on ebay and there are tons fo them. My question to everyone is is there some kind of special tripods? I mean because I have seen them for almost $100 and some on ebay are just $15. I do want one that can take rough use. I have seen some that look really weak were other look more sturdy and stable. Other than that, that is the only difference I can see. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[John Diel]

Spend the bucks for a Bogen/Mannfrotto tripod. The 3221 series is very stable. Also look for a "Fluid" Head. This will keep your panning and tilting from being 'jerky'.

Bogen is a little more expensive, but will last forever and IMHO worth every penny spent on them.

 

[Tony Perkins]

How about a window mount where the removable mounting plate also fits a standard tripod of the same brand? Anyone know what fits that bill?

 

[John Diel]

Almost all tripods and the heads are interchangable. There are two sizes of screws that hold them together. If you have a mis-match, there is an adapter set that goes on the smaller of the two so they will fit. I've seen them available on E-bay and I'm sure they are avalable from BHPhoto, etc.

The window mounts are a little tougher as they are mostly made cheap. There are a few that are made well and these will most likely fit the bill for the adapter if needed. I know Bogen makes a couple of different window mounts and most of the tripod heads will fit these.

The larger tripod heads will not fit though. However, these larger heads are generally built for larger cameras and specific to the larger (thus more expensive) tripods built to carry the load. Most anything you get that will carry a 35mm (or 35mm frame digital) camera and long lens will suit your needs.

 

[Billy Griffin]

In regards to tripods, after two cameras smashed and one camcorder tumbling down into a bar ditch, please, PLEASE invest the money in a heavy-duty, sturdy tripod! The lightweight, Wal-Mart specials DO NOT hold up for chasing. I lost a Canon 20D on the pavement after a hard wind came up and took it for a ride. Didn't learn the first time, then lost a Panasonic SVHS camcorder down into a creek under the same conditions. (sigh)
Take the time to invest good $ into a good quality, sturdy tripod!

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I would also suggest avoiding the high-priced carbon fiber tripods; they're sturdy as heck, but you can get the same stability for much less by buying a normal, high-end aluminum tripod. They weigh quite a bit more, but this isn't a bad thing (it helps wind resistance), and since you're just setting up out of the car and aren't hiking, weight really isn't much of an issue.

I heavily reccomend the Manfrotto (formerly Bogen) line of tripods. Personally, I use a ball head, but that's for photography. If I were shooting video, I'd probably use a traditional pan/tilt head.

Ditto on the avoidance of the Walmart midnight specials. Your camera is worth money -- you stick it on one of those in a windstorm, you're eventually going to regret it.

 

[fplowman]

+1 on the Manfrotto/ Bogen.. I have the 3221 mentioned above with a 501 head on it. This is the bare minimum in my opinion to shoot good video and not have your cam fall over in a muddy ditch due to wind or instability.

 

[Bob Schafer]

Here's a tip I heard somewhere a couple years ago. It seems so intuitive that I couldn't believe I never thought of it myself before: Keep your tripod's mast at the lowest setting. The lower your camera sits, the less likely it is to be blown over, and even if it still blows over, it will have a shorter fall. It will also sit more quietly that way. There's nothing wrong with taking pics or vid from two feet above the ground vs. four feet above the ground.

 

[J Gontesky]

+2 on Manfrotto/Bogen and ALSO on the Wilderness 3221. I purchased it along with several extra RC2 plates so I can leave the plates attached to my cameras and easily switch between them on the tripod.

I bought this model on the recommendations of other ST members who favored it in a thread I started earlier in the spring.

This thing rocks - I only wish I had purchased it sooner.

 

[Cris Schroeder]

I've got the Manfrotto 3021B Pro. It's a little on the heavy side (5 lb) but is really sturdy. It sets up and folds up really fast. I have a clip on my camera bag (Lowepro Sling 200) that lets me clip it onto the bottom of the tripod mast. That adds an extra 10 pounds to the setup and keeps it in place. I haven't had it out in extreme winds yet, but 30+ is almost a normal day around here and it's been steady as a rock. I've got the pistol-grip ball head on it which wouldn't work well for video. Total cost of the tripod and head were around $250 at B&H.

 

[Bob Hall]

The one recommendation I have heard throughout the industry is buy the best tripod you can afford. This is one of the few pieces of gear that can potentially be with you the rest of your life. I have a Bogen that is over 25 years old and has been through everything and still is solid. Last year I added a Sachtler DV-2IISL (same German company as Manfrotto).
I was shooting ice storms this past winter and it was a joy not to have every bit of heat sucked from my hand when it was time to strike the shot. This tripod is designed for Electronic News Gathering and is easily set up in 15 seconds.
I’ve never heard a bad comment or failure story about Bogen/Manfrotto/Sachtler (All the same company).

 

[Greg Campbell]

Spend the money!
There is no comparing a $20 WallyWorld POS with a $100+ unit.

Head for a camera store (not Ritz or another chain, they seldom have substantial tripods.) and check the inventory. You want something rigid, sturdy and heavy. I'd suggest something from Bogen/Manfrotto, Benbo, or Slik. Flimsy crap from Velbon, etc. just isn't going to make it.

As others mention, a fluid pan head is probably best for video.

FWIW, I'm happy with my Slik 700 base. It's drop-proof, cliff-proof, monsoon-proof (so far...) and reasonably affordable.

Sportsmans Warehouse has rebadged B/M equipment at excellent prices. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/store.cfm?storeNum=135

-Greg

 

[Johnathan Brouwer]

Hold off on the Manfrotto. Let me ask some questions. What kind of camera do you own? Is it a professional grade or consumer? You want to use it other than chasing...what type of shooting do you want to do with it? For you hobby? Weddings?

Answer these and then I'll give you some ideas.

I make a living shooting video and will say that the tripod is THE most important item you will buy...dont rush to do it

 

[Mike Davis]

Photography was part of my profession for years, and now retired, I still do a lot of coaching. I suggest buying a very good quality Aluminum Tripod and Bogen/Manfrotto is a good choice. One key to look for: Buy one with the availability of a hook at the bottom of the head assembly. Then suspend a sandbag from it for more stability.

As others have suggested, don't do the cheap on this equipment. Buy a good Fluid Head.

 

[John Wetter]

If you go with the 3221 system, there is also the 3292 Car WIndow Pod as well.

-John

How about a window mount where the removable mounting plate also fits a standard tripod of the same brand? Anyone know what fits that bill?