In the Market for a Libec LS-55 at DVinfo.net

Shiv Kumar · September 14th, 2007, 01:24 AM

I need to tripod ASAP (funny how that goes). I wrote to Scott from Tapeworks (one of the sponsors of this forum), but have not heard back from him.

Other stores I've found seem to be in the UK (I'm in the US) and so I'm not sure it'll make it here in time. So doesn anyone:
1. Know how to get a hold of Scott from Tapeworks?
2. Know of a dealer here in the US I can order it from?

Thanks.

Shiv.

Jim Andrada · September 14th, 2007, 03:09 AM

How about B&H in New York?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ch&Q=%2A&bhs=t

Shiv Kumar · September 14th, 2007, 03:14 AM

Jim,

I feel so stupid :) I thought I had looked there. I'm buying so many thing simultaneously that...

Anyway, thanks for point it out.

Jim Andrada · September 14th, 2007, 03:28 AM

No problem - glad I could help.

I got a Libec from them (legs only) a couple of months back. I have a Manfrotto 501 on them and so far I'm happy with the combination. I know people knock the 501, but so far it's good enough for what I do with it.

The legs are solid and I think a good deal for the money.

Shiv Kumar · September 14th, 2007, 04:43 AM

Jim,

What legs did you get and what camera do you have?

Jim Andrada · September 14th, 2007, 10:10 AM

Shiv,

I have a Canon GL-2 with a Firestore DTE recorder and the wide angle attachment and the large battery.

The Libec legs are model T 72. I have the ground level spreader as well as the mid-level spreader (got it from EVS, not B&H) which I mostly use. They have an opening for a 75mm leveling ball. I got a Manfrotto ball from B&H for around $50 which works well

The 501 is a fairly basic head and I think it relies on a grease captured between two plates. For a setup as light as the GL-2 and with the center of gravity as low as it is I can adjust the drag so the camera stays balanced as it's tilted, but for a heavier and/or taller camera keeping it in balance may be trickier. Higher priced heads use a different drag and counterbalance system.

I'm looking at adding a larger/heavier camera and may have to upgrade the head as well, but for now I'm quite satisfied with the setup and prefer to put the money into camera and/or sound at this point.

September 14th, 2007, 01:24 AM	#1
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	In the Market for a Libec LS-55 I need to tripod ASAP (funny how that goes). I wrote to Scott from Tapeworks (one of the sponsors of this forum), but have not heard back from him. Other stores I've found seem to be in the UK (I'm in the US) and so I'm not sure it'll make it here in time. So doesn anyone: 1. Know how to get a hold of Scott from Tapeworks? 2. Know of a dealer here in the US I can order it from? Thanks. Shiv.

September 14th, 2007, 03:09 AM	#2
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	How about B&H in New York? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ch&Q=%2A&bhs=t

September 14th, 2007, 03:14 AM	#3
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Jim, I feel so stupid :) I thought I had looked there. I'm buying so many thing simultaneously that... Anyway, thanks for point it out.

September 14th, 2007, 03:28 AM	#4
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	No problem - glad I could help. I got a Libec from them (legs only) a couple of months back. I have a Manfrotto 501 on them and so far I'm happy with the combination. I know people knock the 501, but so far it's good enough for what I do with it. The legs are solid and I think a good deal for the money.

September 14th, 2007, 04:43 AM	#5
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Jim, What legs did you get and what camera do you have?

September 14th, 2007, 10:10 AM	#6
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Shiv, I have a Canon GL-2 with a Firestore DTE recorder and the wide angle attachment and the large battery. The Libec legs are model T 72. I have the ground level spreader as well as the mid-level spreader (got it from EVS, not B&H) which I mostly use. They have an opening for a 75mm leveling ball. I got a Manfrotto ball from B&H for around $50 which works well The 501 is a fairly basic head and I think it relies on a grease captured between two plates. For a setup as light as the GL-2 and with the center of gravity as low as it is I can adjust the drag so the camera stays balanced as it's tilted, but for a heavier and/or taller camera keeping it in balance may be trickier. Higher priced heads use a different drag and counterbalance system. I'm looking at adding a larger/heavier camera and may have to upgrade the head as well, but for now I'm quite satisfied with the setup and prefer to put the money into camera and/or sound at this point.