Compact fluid head tripod for PDX10 at DVinfo.net

xsrossiter · September 18th, 2003, 01:49 PM

Hi,

I will be ordering the Sony PDX10 and wanted to get some essential starter accessories. Among these a compact fluid head (and possibly LANC) tripod to take to the weekly soccer games. I figure I'll need this initially and then eventually a larger one for more 'sophisticated' work but for now something in what I'm figuring will be ~$100-150. I like to save money but I don't like quality so brittle that one mishap dusts it so make any reccomendation that fits my situation and I'll gripe about the price later.

Thanks for the help, Steve.

Boyd Ostroff · September 18th, 2003, 02:52 PM

A number of people have used the Bogen/Manfrotto 501 head for the PDX-10. I have one that came with the 3321WN legs and soft case.... I saw a B&H ad in a current issue of a video magazine listing this as a special for somewhere around $250, which seems like a pretty good deal. Personally I think you're going to have to spend somewhere near this for anything half decent. The $100 SLIK variety are really poor and don't hold up well either in my experience. I saw a lightweight Sony tripod with LANC awhile ago at the camera store. It was pretty flimsy, and I think it was over $200 anyway.

FWIW, I recently got a Miller DS-5 and it's a great choice for the PDX-10, but WAY over your budget (around $800 IIRC). It is a huge improvement in quality over the 3221/501, as you might expect from the price.

If you are shooting sports I'd guess there will be a lot of long telephoto shots. I can't overemphasize how important a study tripod is with a nice fluid (or is it fluid assist?) head for this kind of work. I had been pretty content with the 501 until I started shooting lots of telephoto shots.

So these choices ought to give you a couple things to gripe about ;-)

Scott Plowman · September 22nd, 2003, 01:02 PM

I just bought from B&H the 3221 wilderness tripod with the 501 head and carry bag. Totally happy.. great quality.. Its $291.50 total shipped to me. This tripod and head seem to me to be heavy duty top of the line... i am so pleased... Good choice and no dissapointment.

If your in a dilemma on what tripod to buy without being able to touch and feel before purchase..

Frank Granovski · September 22nd, 2003, 03:07 PM

I got rid of my heavy tripod and head for the much lighter Manfrotto 055pro legs and 128RC head. These black legs are stable, it has a bubble level on it. The head is friction, but pans and tilts smoothly. The cost is $349 Canadian, so around $250 or less in US Dollars.

http://www.manfrotto.com and check the Bogan codes for this set-up.

Tom Hardwick · September 26th, 2003, 07:51 AM

I'd go along with that. The 128RC head is perfect for the 950/X10 and works well with my VX2000 as well. And although not a true fluid head (very few of them are) the silky smoothness of the 128 is a delight to behold. Often when I'm filming a wedding cake or a guest list I'll let the weight of the camcorder do it's own pan-down on the subject - the head is just so beautifully smooth.

tom.

Steve Nunez · September 28th, 2003, 10:29 AM

Bogen/Manfrotto also has a micro fluid head perfect for this camera...$70 at B&H.......it's called the 3130...(has QR plates)

September 18th, 2003, 01:49 PM	#1
xsrossiter Tourist Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 2	Compact fluid head tripod for PDX10 Hi, I will be ordering the Sony PDX10 and wanted to get some essential starter accessories. Among these a compact fluid head (and possibly LANC) tripod to take to the weekly soccer games. I figure I'll need this initially and then eventually a larger one for more 'sophisticated' work but for now something in what I'm figuring will be ~$100-150. I like to save money but I don't like quality so brittle that one mishap dusts it so make any reccomendation that fits my situation and I'll gripe about the price later. Thanks for the help, Steve.

September 28th, 2003, 10:29 AM	#6
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	Bogen/Manfrotto also has a micro fluid head perfect for this camera...$70 at B&H.......it's called the 3130...(has QR plates) __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com

September 18th, 2003, 02:52 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	A number of people have used the Bogen/Manfrotto 501 head for the PDX-10. I have one that came with the 3321WN legs and soft case.... I saw a B&H ad in a current issue of a video magazine listing this as a special for somewhere around $250, which seems like a pretty good deal. Personally I think you're going to have to spend somewhere near this for anything half decent. The $100 SLIK variety are really poor and don't hold up well either in my experience. I saw a lightweight Sony tripod with LANC awhile ago at the camera store. It was pretty flimsy, and I think it was over $200 anyway. FWIW, I recently got a Miller DS-5 and it's a great choice for the PDX-10, but WAY over your budget (around $800 IIRC). It is a huge improvement in quality over the 3221/501, as you might expect from the price. If you are shooting sports I'd guess there will be a lot of long telephoto shots. I can't overemphasize how important a study tripod is with a nice fluid (or is it fluid assist?) head for this kind of work. I had been pretty content with the 501 until I started shooting lots of telephoto shots. So these choices ought to give you a couple things to gripe about ;-)

September 22nd, 2003, 01:02 PM	#3
Scott Plowman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City, Kansas, USA Posts: 85	I just bought from B&H the 3221 wilderness tripod with the 501 head and carry bag. Totally happy.. great quality.. Its $291.50 total shipped to me. This tripod and head seem to me to be heavy duty top of the line... i am so pleased... Good choice and no dissapointment. If your in a dilemma on what tripod to buy without being able to touch and feel before purchase..

September 22nd, 2003, 03:07 PM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I got rid of my heavy tripod and head for the much lighter Manfrotto 055pro legs and 128RC head. These black legs are stable, it has a bubble level on it. The head is friction, but pans and tilts smoothly. The cost is $349 Canadian, so around $250 or less in US Dollars. http://www.manfrotto.com and check the Bogan codes for this set-up.

September 26th, 2003, 07:51 AM	#5
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I'd go along with that. The 128RC head is perfect for the 950/X10 and works well with my VX2000 as well. And although not a true fluid head (very few of them are) the silky smoothness of the 128 is a delight to behold. Often when I'm filming a wedding cake or a guest list I'll let the weight of the camcorder do it's own pan-down on the subject - the head is just so beautifully smooth. tom.