What tripod is the best for less than $1500? It is for a school, so it will be used for a long time. It will be for a DVX 100a. It should be rugged and relatively lightweight.

Hi Will,

In my book "Killer Camera Rigs that You can build" I recommend a surveyor's tripod. They run about $80 and I've abused mine for years (I also have a set of wood sticks, but tend to use the surveyor's tripod more). They are plenty strong enough for DV work, and if you want to throw a crane on there, I also show how to butch it up to hold a lot of weight. The advantage of a surveyor's tripod is that you'll save a lot of money over anything that says "cinema" on it, and you can spend that extra money on a good fluid head. And since it's for school, heck, get 2, they're cheap! You'll also need a spreader with this kind of tripod--something else I show you how to make in my book for about $20. If you'd like to know which model I use, feel free to contact me directly.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

I think they'll be better off with a normal tripod. The principal is not likely to approve a build it yourself rig. Thanks for the suggestion though.

You might consider the vinten vision 3 (which is just a little outside of the price range):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=234288&is=REG

Or a miller DS-10:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284154&is=REG


If it were me I would buy 2 bogens for that price, but you probably don't need two tripods.... :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272984&is=REG


matt rickman

Buy a cheaper bogen and a monopod and a glidecam and a quick release kit to swap between all three. And a dolly too. Its a better use of your budget.