Any suggestions for a reasonably priced tripod for the HD1000. The basic Velbon I have does not cut it. Would like to also have LANC controls.

What do you consider reasonably priced? Because of its size and weight, I got a duplicate of the rig I use for my FX1: Manfrotto 3046/3246 legs, 503HDV head, 3502 Ball leveler, 523Pro Lanc remote pan bar. About $1K from B&H. Plus a few bucks direct to Bogen for extra mounting hardware to put the stock pan bar on the left.

What do you consider reasonably priced?

Was hopping to try and get something in the $200 to $300 range, but don't know if it is possible.

I think that might be hard to find for a cam the size of the HD1000. I think the one Sony tries to sell you on for it is about $1200, and I doubt it's all that good.

i use the Manfrotto 190XDB set of Legs with the 128RC head. Its nothing fancy but for the price they work pretty well. Plus the legs are nice and light so they are nice for carrying around.

What do you consider reasonably priced? Because of its size and weight, I got a duplicate of the rig I use for my FX1: Manfrotto 3046/3246 legs, 503HDV head, 3502 Ball leveler, 523Pro Lanc remote pan bar. About $1K from B&H. Plus a few bucks direct to Bogen for extra mounting hardware to put the stock pan bar on the left.

Well its nice that you have that gear
But why would anyone buy a cheap camcorder and than a pro tripod which costs more than half the price of the camera

Its rather big, but still..

How much does that puppy weigh? I don't know whether this is good advice or not but,

I'm a big fan of the Libec TH-20. I've got an expensive Satchler but I almost prefer using the Libec. (Actually, that was because the S. wasn't broken in. A friend has taken care of that for me.)

Is it as good as the Satchler? No. But considering the price, it does a heck of a job.

After about 7 years, the Libec mounting plate has developed a wiggle. I wrapped some 88 around it and its fine.

But why would anyone buy a cheap camcorder and than a pro tripod which costs more than half the price of the camera.
It's irrelevant how much the camera and tripod cost when you're talking about physics and functionality. The camera -- or more importantly, gravity or the breeze -- doesn't know or care how much it or the tripod cost. It's big and heavier than most cams and needs more support than an HC7, for which the Manfrotto is obviously silly overkill, even though it's the same inside as the HD1000U.

And I wouldn't consider my Manfrotto rigs "pro" level. You should hear the derisive comments elsewhere on this board about how my rig is a "toy"...

I've used small tripods and for cams of this size (or even FX1 size) they just aren't stable enough, even without the center column extended. You'll get a lot of vibration even in the slightest breeze. You should see the ones B&H recommends for the similarly sized DSR-250 -- a $3K Cartoni!

That being said, the Libec and the smaller Manfrotto look like pretty good bargains. Just don't expect a lot. HDV is very unforgiving of even the slightest wobble.

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I am on a budget so will have to work with what I can get. Thinking of one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472706-REG/Impact_VT2500_VT2500_Video_Tripod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131444-REG/Libec_THM20_TH_M20_Aluminum_2_Stage_Tripod.html

Or doing a Manfrotto combo. Comments/Suggestions?

To be honest with you they all look fine but I like the look of the Davis & Sanford. It just looks beefier, and the two-handled head will come in handy with the HD1000.

Plus it comes with a dolly... very cool.

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I am on a budget so will have to work with what I can get. Thinking of one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518_Pro_Vista_Tripod_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472706-REG/Impact_VT2500_VT2500_Video_Tripod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131444-REG/Libec_THM20_TH_M20_Aluminum_2_Stage_Tripod.html

Or doing a Manfrotto combo. Comments/Suggestions?

Out of the three you mentioned, the Libec (TH20) appears to be the best, but its fluid head is not very good. If the Impact's head (said to be very smooth) is available and is 65mm claw ball, then the libec legs (unfortunately, the Impact's legs are not built very good) with the Impact head would be best.

I know the Sanford and Davis tripod looks beefy, but I have heard horror stories about this tripod - broken screws, leg locks stripped after only a few uses, head screws breaking, etc. I heard the company is good as far as replacing and fixing the defects of its product, but if your tripod has to often be sent out to be serviced, I don't know how much fun it is not to have a working tripod when you need it. This doesn't sound like a very reliable tripod system to me.

I'm about to get a hd1000 in the next week or so and I'm also having dilemmas about the tripod. Finance rules out the possibility of getting a top range tripod and I cant afford more than 200 dollars ( I may live in england but tend to find i can save a fortune using B&Hphoto). I have been using a Sony VCT-870RM for my HC1 - only 129 dollars, very smooth pan, great zoom using the LANC handle, get a reasonable case for the tripod and lightweight. The lightness can be a problem if you knock it with your knees. The big question is am I fooling myself thinking this is adequet for the hd1000. It says it can support up to 8.8lbs the camera weighs over just 7lbs with everything on it
Anyone any opinions

I have two 870RMs for my HC3s, and even with these tiny cams the tripod is a bit wobbly. Sometimes in a pinch I will put my FX7s on them but there is a lot of vibration if you even touch the cam or the tripod head. I think these are too small and fragile for even an FX1, much less an HD1000.

We just did a four-cam shoot with HC3s on the 870s and we were riding the manual exposure dial the whole time, but every time someone even touched the cam the whole rig shook like an earthquake.

The other thing to note is that the tripod mounting screw hole on the HD1000 is not really under the center of gravity, so you'll need a pretty substantial head to avoid the whole thing wanting to shoot the sky all the time.

But since you have an 870, you should just try it to see if you like it with the HD1000. If it doesn't work you can later upgrade.

Out of the three you mentioned, the Libec (TH20) appears to be the best, but its fluid head is not very good. If the Impact's head (said to be very smooth) is available and is 65mm claw ball, then the libec legs (unfortunately, the Impact's legs are not built very good) with the Impact head would be best.


How about the Matthews M25? I believe it has the same legs as the Libec TH20 but a different head.

EDIT: I passed by a Samy's Camera and stopped by to take a look at one. It look nice I bought one. When I get a chance I will take some pictures of it with the HD1000. Now the next step is to get a LANC.

Set up the Matthews M25 with the HD1000. It is very nice. Very sturdy and the head feels very good. Seems like it will be a keeper.

http://www.speedandmotion.com/pictures/CIMG1177.JPG

I have Sony HD 1000, I already have a Manfrotto 058 tripod for still photography ( holds up to a 12lbs camera ) would I be better off purchacing a proper video tripod and fluid head ,or just purchace a fluid head for the 058.
I have £400 to spend.

Terry, sorry I do not know anything about the tripod you have. But if it can handle the weight a nice fluid head might be fine.

I went out and used the Matthews M25 today for the first time. It worked GREAT! I was on an uneven surface and had all three legs at slightly different heights. Very stable and smooth. Also bought one of the Sony LANC controllers. For $40 the Sony controller is not bad. Would be nice to have more then the two speeds, but something I can work with. I will post again here when I get the footage edited.

How about a Libec LS-22 Zotz has them with a free controller.

I have Sony HD 1000, I already have a Manfrotto 058 tripod for still photography ( holds up to a 12lbs camera ) would I be better off purchacing a proper video tripod and fluid head ,or just purchace a fluid head for the 058.
I have £400 to spend.

Its not just the fluid head you need a ball joint to level the camera, the manfrotto combo of the 503/525 is one of the best combos and at around £439 delivered is good value:http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~6224~categoryid~158.html\
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1019766

Cheapest I found is here at £399 plus £10 postage:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-503-525PKIT-MVB-SERIES/dp/B000A2JU9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209298431&sr=8-1

P.S. I also use this combo with my Z7

To be honest with you they all look fine but I like the look of the Davis & Sanford. It just looks beefier, and the two-handled head will come in handy with the HD1000.

Plus it comes with a dolly... very cool.

this is a neat feature but kind of lost on the hd 1000 as it really does not accept zoom and focus controls like the beta cam lens does where you have all kinds of shaft and electrical cables and controls...

since I also still have some of the old cameras with electrical mechanical controls i think I may get one of these...

has anyone used the fluid head is it nice?

To stick with site sponsors, Video Gear have the 503HDV/525 legs kit for £420-ish including VAT (£365 before VAT):

http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=420

Thew one linked above on Amazon isn't the 503HDV as far as I could tell, it looked like the older model.