Lightweight tripod recommendation? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harrell · March 21st, 2008, 04:39 AM

I apologize if this has been covered here before; I've searched the forum quite a bit, but I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for.

A few weeks ago I was hired on as the all-purpose guy -- videographer, editor, sound mixer, you name it -- for a medium-sized nonprofit that wants to get heavily into video production. They had purchased a basic kit before I started, including an XL H1, a couple wired lav mics, a couple not-actually-useful lights and so on.

They'd also bought a ridiculously heavy-duty tripod and head. I didn't note the make or model, but seriously, I could stand on this thing. It's a monster.

We did our first location shoot on Monday, and lemme tell you, lugging a thirty-pound tripod around all morning wasn't my idea of a great time. After lunch, I ditched the tripod entirely and just shot handheld for the rest of the day. Even without a shoulder support of any kind, I was happier than I had been trying to maneuver that boat anchor of a tripod into position for quick setups.

Since I just started here, and since they spent about $15,000 on post-production gear for me already, I'm not entirely comfortable complaining to my execs about the gear they've already bought. I've made the case for a decent set of lights, and I think that went over okay, but I'd like to be a little diplomatic when broaching the tripod question.

Can anyone out there recommend an extremely lightweight, even flimsy, tripod/head combo that can comfortably support the XL H1's nine-ish pounds and is good for quick setup situations, but that doesn't have an extreme price tag? I'd like to stay under $300 if possible, just to keep my boss as happy as possible. The pitch will be that I'm not trying to replace the undoubtedly insanely expensive tripod they already bought, but just supplement it with one that's useful in specific run-and-gun situations.

Skimming around on the B&H Web site, just to see the lay of the land, yields a couple inexpensive tripod kits in the sub-ten-pound range, including the attractive looking Impact VT2500. Does anybody out there have any advice about this tripod in particular, or tripods like this one?

Thanks.

Allan Black · March 21st, 2008, 05:18 AM

There are a few around, but the biggest consideration will be a good fluid head for steady/even pans, that's if they're a requirement now, if not I think they will be later.

Maybe price your monster on Ebay to offset the cost against a better rig, to try and get above a $300 budget.

Cheers.

Trev Bartlett · April 9th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Hi there
This is my first post. Does anyone have any comments good or bad on the Miller/Arrow tripods. Thinking along the lines of a 1741 Kit that consist of a 55 Head and 925 Tripod.

Using a XL H1 with the biggest bit of glass wedged on the front being a EF600mm.

Any advice please

Trev

Tony Warren · April 9th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Trev, I use the arrow 25 with my XLH1 set up and it works great, smooth pans and tilts and thats including a marshall monitor, chrosziel matte box, firestore and IDX batteries, so I'm sure the 55 would be a great choice as well.

Trev Bartlett · April 10th, 2008, 04:13 PM

Tony
Thanks for that I think I will keep going along the lines of the 55 and 925

Trev

March 21st, 2008, 04:39 AM	#1
Jeff Harrell Tourist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 4	Lightweight tripod recommendation? I apologize if this has been covered here before; I've searched the forum quite a bit, but I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. A few weeks ago I was hired on as the all-purpose guy -- videographer, editor, sound mixer, you name it -- for a medium-sized nonprofit that wants to get heavily into video production. They had purchased a basic kit before I started, including an XL H1, a couple wired lav mics, a couple not-actually-useful lights and so on. They'd also bought a ridiculously heavy-duty tripod and head. I didn't note the make or model, but seriously, I could stand on this thing. It's a monster. We did our first location shoot on Monday, and lemme tell you, lugging a thirty-pound tripod around all morning wasn't my idea of a great time. After lunch, I ditched the tripod entirely and just shot handheld for the rest of the day. Even without a shoulder support of any kind, I was happier than I had been trying to maneuver that boat anchor of a tripod into position for quick setups. Since I just started here, and since they spent about $15,000 on post-production gear for me already, I'm not entirely comfortable complaining to my execs about the gear they've already bought. I've made the case for a decent set of lights, and I think that went over okay, but I'd like to be a little diplomatic when broaching the tripod question. Can anyone out there recommend an extremely lightweight, even flimsy, tripod/head combo that can comfortably support the XL H1's nine-ish pounds and is good for quick setup situations, but that doesn't have an extreme price tag? I'd like to stay under $300 if possible, just to keep my boss as happy as possible. The pitch will be that I'm not trying to replace the undoubtedly insanely expensive tripod they already bought, but just supplement it with one that's useful in specific run-and-gun situations. Skimming around on the B&H Web site, just to see the lay of the land, yields a couple inexpensive tripod kits in the sub-ten-pound range, including the attractive looking Impact VT2500. Does anybody out there have any advice about this tripod in particular, or tripods like this one? Thanks.

April 9th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#4
Tony Warren Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: los angeles california Posts: 42	Trev, I use the arrow 25 with my XLH1 set up and it works great, smooth pans and tilts and thats including a marshall monitor, chrosziel matte box, firestore and IDX batteries, so I'm sure the 55 would be a great choice as well. __________________ Tony R. Warren

March 21st, 2008, 05:18 AM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,921	There are a few around, but the biggest consideration will be a good fluid head for steady/even pans, that's if they're a requirement now, if not I think they will be later. Maybe price your monster on Ebay to offset the cost against a better rig, to try and get above a $300 budget. Cheers.

April 9th, 2008, 04:53 PM	#3
Trev Bartlett Tourist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 2	Hi there This is my first post. Does anyone have any comments good or bad on the Miller/Arrow tripods. Thinking along the lines of a 1741 Kit that consist of a 55 Head and 925 Tripod. Using a XL H1 with the biggest bit of glass wedged on the front being a EF600mm. Any advice please Trev

April 10th, 2008, 04:13 PM	#5
Trev Bartlett Tourist Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 2	Tony Thanks for that I think I will keep going along the lines of the 55 and 925 Trev