Hi Everyone,
I've just bought my XL2 and am now in need of a decent tripod. This is my first professional camera, and needless to say, my £20 Jessop's tripod is unusable. Which tripods do you all recommend? I must say looking at the other tripod threads, people really emphasise that ideally you should spend alot, however, I'm still a student, graduating this year, and buying my XL2 has wiped me out. I have pehaps a £150 budget.

Any help would be appreciated,

Ryan

You've backed yourself into a corner. The term "ideal tripod" and having only 150 pounds to spend creates an oxymoron.

To answer your question, visit the "Support Your Local Camera" section here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=42 and browse around to find your answer.

Hey Ryan,

Just an FYI, Bogen has a student discount program for students in video classes/programs. The discount won't be spectacular on a $150 purchase, but it might help step you up a notch higher. Just e-mail the education department there at Bogen and tell them what you have and what you want to spend and they will definitely help you out tremendously. Just keep in mind that in order to be happy with a tripod for your front heavy XL2, expect to spend a minimum of $500. With a cheaper tripod you will basically be confined to static shots (very minimal pan and tilt capability), not to mention shaky full zoom shots. For more extensive info, do a search. There is plenty of info out there about sticks and heads for the XL2.

Hope this helps.

Please take this discussion to Tripod recommendations for the Canon XL2 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=72737).