Hello,
I'm pretty new to the videography buisness, and wanted to know what would be a good beginner tripod. Now I did get a tripod with my Gl2 and done some shots with it and not very impressed with the tripod. From the looks and feel, its a $20 tripod.

From reading the boards, it seems as though Bogen tripods are a good choice. But, I don't have a lot of money to get a high end tripod. I want to get a fluid head with a quick release. Any suggestions?

Hello,
I'm pretty new to the videography buisness, and wanted to know what would be a good beginner tripod. Now I did get a tripod with my Gl2 and done some shots with it and not very impressed with the tripod. From the looks and feel, its a $20 tripod.

From reading the boards, it seems as though Bogen tripods are a good choice. But, I don't have a lot of money to get a high end tripod. I want to get a fluid head with a quick release. Any suggestions?

Zoom control on the handle (in my opinion) is a very underated feature.

I have 2 of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=vct-1170rm

Hey Dan, I was in the same situation that you were in, so I did some looking around and got a really low price on this tripod.
http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=1850
The legs are heavy duty which I love and give you a solid base, the head on the other hand is ok, it's not the best, but would be a definite upgrade from those included with your camera on ebay. I was actually fortunate enough to get this tripod at a much lower price than posted through ebay, but goodluck with you search.

Eric Hansen
www.ehansenproductions.com

Hey Dan I just picked up a camera myself and went out and got the entry level Manfotto tripod and entry level head. It wasn't cheap but the results are awesome. I'm new to this too but if I can offer my little bit of experience - go with the best tripod you can get. It doesn't matter what camera you have - if it is not shooting smooth shots - it's going to look like Dad running around the zoo with his $200 vid camera. Trust me - put out the extra money - it makes a huge difference!

Sorry - that's Manfrotto.

Hey Dan I just picked up a camera myself and went out and got the entry level Manfotto tripod and entry level head. It wasn't cheap but the results are awesome. I'm new to this too but if I can offer my little bit of experience - go with the best tripod you can get. It doesn't matter what camera you have - if it is not shooting smooth shots - it's going to look like Dad running around the zoo with his $200 vid camera. Trust me - put out the extra money - it makes a huge difference!

------
what model did you pick up?

Zoom control on the handle (in my opinion) is a very underated feature.

Craig - I completely agree!! I have a Manfrotto/Bogen setup (both tripod and fluid head) and I really love the LANC support for my videocamera. It saves me from having to reach over the setup in order to get a zoom or change the iris or focus rings. Having it all in the handle really makes it easy to make adjustments without having to jostle the setup.

Dan - I was in this position last year and I opted to purchase the Manfrotto/Bogen (503 I believe) setup. It's a very sturdy, very nice system. I made this purchase in mind that someday I'd upgrade my camera (which I did) and I'm very glad I spent the extra $$ and got the upgraded setup.

If you plan to upgrade at some point, it wouldn't hurt you to check out a $300-400 setup for the pod and fluid head.

Best of luck!
-Michael

I've used Bogen/Manfrotto for years and am really pleased with their products. You get a lot of quality for the price. I was able to find a model 3001 tripod on e-bay for less than $100. It is a perfect base of the small GL2. I suggest spending more for a solid feeling fluid head. The current model 501 is a bit overkill for a GL2. If you can, look on e-bay for a model 3063 mini fluid head. It is the predecessor of the 501 and a very solid unit. I got a replacement 3063 on e-bay last year for around $100.

I use a Gitzo carbon tripod (I travel some and it is easy to carry) model G1348MK2, with a Gitzo fluid head G2380 and a Manfrotto 438 leveler. Also use a Cannon ZR1000 controller. Whole thing weighs 8 pounds. I can take the head and leveler off the legs and broken down it all fits in a suitcase. It supports a fully loaded Z1 nicely. Not cheap: Head is about $300; leveler about $80. Legs retail are about $790; but I got 'em used for $400.

I use a Gitzo carbon tripod (I travel some and it is easy to carry) model G1348MK2, with a Gitzo fluid head G2380 and a Manfrotto 438 leveler. Also use a Cannon ZR1000 controller. Whole thing weighs 8 pounds. I can take the head and leveler of the legs and broken down it all fits in a suitcase.

some things to consider

camera wieght make sure you can balance a camera to heavy or too light is no good

make sure the tripod legs have a balancing bowl saves time adjusting each leg to level a shot

snap legs? consider that weather changes will expand and extract aluminum causing the snaps to losen so carry a tool and adjust accordingly, or get carbon fiber less prone to adjusting, also some legs like the 3221win will snap back and take skin off your fingers

twist legs? some consider them a pain because of the order you must twist and untwist the legs in, so go to the store to give it a try

art/neotek legs new design that opens the legs via puch button or closes the legs via push button, art legs are expensive and heavy neotek legs are not that rigid

tripod feet some have a rubber twist to expose a screw for keeping the tripod steady, some have a pop up feet that expose the screw, the twist is cheaper but can get loose making your tripod roll

there are many thing to consider, but ultimately its your budget...if you have $1,400 to spend a cartoni focus can adjust from 2-22lbs giving you a very flexible head that has the best motion of almost any i have tried..

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll try to stick with the Bogen brand and look at what's on Ebay. My buget isnt that great so I'll probably have to piece it if I can, or find a good combo kit.

Zoom control on the handle (in my opinion) is a very underated feature.

I have 2 of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=vct-1170rm

Craig, the Sony 1170 is silly IMO. :)

The zoom rocker on the handle works bass-ackwards from the rocker on the VX. (And most other cams too). The head is great and I like the fact there is no center shaft to crank up BUT...

If I had to do it all over again I'd opt for a Bogen/Manfrotto with a varizoom controller.

Craig, the Sony 1170 is silly IMO. :) If I had to do it all over again I'd opt for a Bogen/Manfrotto with a varizoom controller.

Rick,

Are you saying that your average person would see a stunning difference between video shot on a Bogen/Manfrotto and the Sony 1170? I recommended the Sony because there is no better bang-for-your-buck than the 1170... anywhere. And he said his buget "isn't that great."

I must be very coordinated because until you mentioned the rocker was different - I never even noticed.

Rick,
Are you saying that your average person would see a stunning difference between video shot on a Bogen/Manfrotto and the Sony 1170? No. I'm saying the Sony's remote on the pan handle *is* the handle so removing it and replacing it with a different controller is not an option.

I recommended the Sony because there is no better bang-for-your-buck than the 1170... anywhere. And he said his buget "isn't that great."Which is why I recommended a much cheaper fluid head tripod. The LANC controller on the Sony is just fluff he doesn't need right now. He could always add one later. (with a rocker that matches the cam I might add)

I must be very coordinated because until you mentioned the rocker was different - I never even noticed.Now how the heck can you not tell that moving the rockers in the same direction will produce the opposite effect?

Then I ain't coordinated - have to "stop" and think about it. I've also tried using the secondary zoom rocker on the end of the handle but my fingers just don't work that way.

At least the Sony came with a bag. :)

Now how the heck can you not tell that moving the rockers in the same direction will produce the opposite effect?

Then I ain't coordinated - have to "stop" and think about it. I've also tried using the secondary zoom rocker on the end of the handle but my fingers just don't work that way.

At least the Sony came with a bag. :)

I never used the bag once - I threw mine away. Who has time to pack everything away with every new venue. Who has that kind of time? It's run and gun with wedding videography.

Anyway, I swear to God, may he/she/it strike me dead if I'm lying... I never even noticed about the controller until you brought it up. As a matter of fact... I soooo not noticed that I would have to go to my office to check to see if what you're saying is right. I believe you... but it's all very subconscious for me. And along those lines I have a mind boggling theory -maybe you'll be entertained? :p I grew up in an age of fanatical video gaming. An age when you have two choices... play "pong" or master the 20 button/position game controller. My hand/eye coordination was taken to olympic levels which the average non-gaming extraverted person could only dream of :p

So maybe you're point is valid for most people? I guess I'm not qualified to answer.

I never used the bag once - I threw mine away. Who has time to pack everything away with every new venue. Who has that kind of time? It's run and gun with wedding videography.Naw... there's time. Just tell the B&G to take a long limo drive after the ceremony. Failing that, store your fishing gear in it.

As a matter of fact... I soooo not noticed that I would have to go to my office to check to see if what you're saying is right. I believe you... By all means... do look for yourself. It's such a stupid design I'm actually wondering if an employee at the Sony plant dozed off and put mine in backwards.

I even tried taking it apart with the notion of reassembling it properly but the tiny screws are so cheap the heads stripped right away. But again for the record... the head and sticks are just dandy.