I am looking for a good and affordable tripod for DV.

Price and weight are turning Sachtler and Vinten a bit unaffordable for DVX or DVC Panasonic cameras. But I would like to stick to my motto for fluid heads, which is that the head should do the movement, not the cameraman. You just point it, move and stop.

My short list is very short, as I am also ruling out telescopic legs, going for "triangular" legs. The ones I am considering are the Libec TH-M20 and a Bogen combo: #3181 legs + #501 head. Apparently any of these should serve the camera well. The problem is I only used the Libec once, but never the Bogen. Has anyone used both of them on a whole shoot to make a choice, for one or neither?


Carlos

I have the Libec and for panning is it is ok at best, although the ball leveling is nice to have. I would reccomend the 503 over the 501 or the Libec.

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Easler : I have the Libec and for panning is it is ok at best, although the ball leveling is nice to have. -->>>

Certainly. Ball leveling is essential for video work. I wouldn't take it any other way. Same thing as never using telescopic legs, which I don't think are steady enough, if given the choice.

The good thing of the Bogen legs is that I could use a better head later on, if I wanted to.

<<<-- I would reccomend the 503 over the 501 or the Libec. -->>>

Probably I would too... if the money difference was small. As I would have to buy two tripods for two cameras, then it's $224.

But how do you rate the 501 against the Libec?


Carlos

I cant say but there should be plenty who can. I am sure the 501 is an improvement over the Libec.