I only have 200 dollars to spend on a tripod. I went to http://www.manfrotto.com/ and there they sell the "sticks" and the "head" seprate, I also couldnt find any procing info on the entire website.

So, I hate to bother you pro's here but someone here has had to have the same problem as me. I just need a decent cheap tripod to go with my Xl1s. If someone could throw out a name I can do a search on it on yahoo.

Somebody...puuhhlleeezzeeee help a guy out here!

Try B&H photo's site (www.bhphoto.com). They have several tripod systems close to your budget. (home > consumer video > tripod systems).

Link:
http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=CatalogActivator__Acatalog_html___CatID=3949___SID=EE39C5BD2A0

Here's a perfect tripod for you: the Matthews-Libec M20, this is a very good pro name, one of the best in the industry and not cheap junk by any means. It's only $195, sticks and head, and it's coming from Zotz Digital, one of this message board's sponsors so you know they'll treat you right. Check it out at:

http://www.zotzdigital.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=108&category_id=e85ae6b4d64ca52766afa4b87ff0212d

or go to www.zotzdigital.com and click "Libec" from the Manufacturers list on the left.

See also the Libec LS60 for less than $150 from Zotz:

http://www.zotzdigital.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=756&category_id=e85ae6b4d64ca52766afa4b87ff0212d

Hope this helps,

I ordered the Libec LS-35 from Zotz and absolutley love it, the quality is fantastic and you get everything you need, even a carry case. Granted it is more than $200 but you wont be dissapointed with Libec's quality.

Chris

I have not used a Matthews-Libec but I will echo what others have said. This tripod has a great reputation and those who have used them swear by them.

For those who have used it, is it comparable to a Manfrotto 503 or Cartoni Action Pro? I imagine not given the price point, but we are all looking for the holy graile(sp?) aren't we?

Greg M

I use the matthews-libec tripod, got it from b&h for $180, It is very lightweight and easy to transport. I am very happy with it. For proper balance with the XL1 you will need a quick release tripod plate, bogen makes one for quite cheap. This will allow you to adjust balance on the tripod to match your camera and lets you get the cam on and off the tripod in about 3 seconds. For better fluid movements I adapted a large piece of metal that goes between the tripod and the plate but this is not really needed.

Aaron, that large piece of metal you refer to, is that employed to add mass to your system? More mass meaning smoother moves?

Yes, exactly. The wieght being attatched to both the tripod and the camera really help to give smoother pans and tilts.

Araon, what is the name of that tripod and the plate that you use? Im looking for it, but im coming up empty

thanks!

I believe that the model number in the 3270 / LOW PROFILE ADAPTER. There are several available, check www.bogenphoto.com

Thanks araon, I found the 3270 plate. Now all I need to do is find the matthews-libec tripod...is it found under a different name?

Go to www.bhphotovideo.com and enter the consumer video section and then tripods. It is the TH-M20 they have it listed for $189 they also carry many bogen quick release plates.

For the Matthews-Libec tripod, as mentioned above, call Zotz Digital and speak to Brian Longely. I'm sure they will beat B&H pricing. Zotz Digital supports this community forum; B&H does not. Doing business with Zotz means not only are you getting a better price, but you're giving back to the boards you're using here. Go to www.dvinfo.net and click Sponsors for Zotz Digital contact info. Hope this helps,

I've got both a Cartoni Action Pro and a Manfrotto 136 fluid head sitting on Manfrotto 075 sticks. I wish I could put the Manfrotto head on the Cartoni sticks.

The 136 head gives smooth movement in all combinations of pans and tilts. I find the Action Pro is almost impossible to refrain from getting jerky starts and stops when panning and tilting. I also don't like the little switch that changes from free movement to some sort of auto-balancing mode.

My XL1 is dressed up with the dual battery charger on one end and the Canon manual lens trailed by a matte box. Not only does this make the XL1 look like a million bucks it also throws the centre of gravity way off so the camera is either way front-heavy with the matte box, or way back-heavy with the charger and regular lens.

On the Cartoni I have slid that mount forward and backward trying to balance the camera just right on top of the sticks. But I still get the jerkiness if the camera has been in one position without panning or tilting for any length of time.

I really like the Manfrotto head but the sticks do not have a spreader so you are always buggering around getting the legs out and locked down.

Does anyone else have this problem with the Cartoni Action Pro?

Randor10,
Just out of curiosity, how much was your 136 head?
Keith

Hi Randor10,

I've got my XH A1 on an Action Pro. It took a lot of very slight adjustments over and over again but I finally got it to be ballenced. The spring is set to on and at the far extremes of the tilting up it still drifts. Maybe the XL1 is just too heavy for it.

As far as using the Action Pro for my XH A1 I love it. I found it to be far better than the Bogen 503 or Libec LS-38 in both the smoothness of pans and stability. I also got a cheap dolly to put it on and that set up works great. I had to change the wheels to rollerblade wheels so it would be absolutly smooth when moving but after that it worked great.