Tripod Query at DVinfo.net

James Curran · June 24th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Hi all. I am in the process of purchasing a Sony HVR-Z1E camera. Can anyone recommend a good tripod? My knowledge on this is very limited, so any advice will be much appreciated. (I'm based in Northern Ireland, UK). Thanks.

Mike Beckett · June 24th, 2008, 11:40 AM

James,

Hello from just up the M2!

What is your budget? Approx UK prices are below:

These I think are non-starters:
£30 - Cheap tripods. Don't even go there
£160 - Libec 650DV - it'd be fun putting a Z1 on those!
£200 - Libec 950DV (still a bit flimsy - not sure I'd trust it with my V1, let alone the bigger Z1)

These fall in to the "OK" category - strong enough, though not perfect:
£400 - Libec LS-38 (much more robust - will hold the Z1 easily)
£400 - Manfrotto 503HDV with 525 2-stage legs. Whether this is better than the LS-38 is debatable.
£600 - Vinten Pro-6HDV (503HDV head re-badged, with heavy, sturdy Vinten legs)

These are the good guys!
£1000 - Starting price for a Vinten Vision 3. This is where you want to be if you can afford it!
£1200 - Starting price for a Sactler DV6SB.

The Vinten Vision and Sachtler models are the start of the "serious" tripods, and it's where I want to get sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, there's no NI-based dealers that carry a really good stock, at least not that I'm aware of. So it's kind of hard to try before you buy.

Martin Mayer · June 24th, 2008, 11:42 AM

We use Vinten Vision 3s with our Z1s - once you've tried them, you won't want anything less, even if it means selling the family silver... :D

James Curran · June 26th, 2008, 06:36 AM

Thanks for all your advice to-date. One further query. If a teleprompter is being used in addition to the Z1E camera, what tripod would be recommended?

June 24th, 2008, 10:48 AM	#1
James Curran Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dromara, Northern Ireland Posts: 34	Tripod Query Hi all. I am in the process of purchasing a Sony HVR-Z1E camera. Can anyone recommend a good tripod? My knowledge on this is very limited, so any advice will be much appreciated. (I'm based in Northern Ireland, UK). Thanks.

June 24th, 2008, 11:40 AM	#2
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	James, Hello from just up the M2! What is your budget? Approx UK prices are below: These I think are non-starters: £30 - Cheap tripods. Don't even go there £160 - Libec 650DV - it'd be fun putting a Z1 on those! £200 - Libec 950DV (still a bit flimsy - not sure I'd trust it with my V1, let alone the bigger Z1) These fall in to the "OK" category - strong enough, though not perfect: £400 - Libec LS-38 (much more robust - will hold the Z1 easily) £400 - Manfrotto 503HDV with 525 2-stage legs. Whether this is better than the LS-38 is debatable. £600 - Vinten Pro-6HDV (503HDV head re-badged, with heavy, sturdy Vinten legs) These are the good guys! £1000 - Starting price for a Vinten Vision 3. This is where you want to be if you can afford it! £1200 - Starting price for a Sactler DV6SB. The Vinten Vision and Sachtler models are the start of the "serious" tripods, and it's where I want to get sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, there's no NI-based dealers that carry a really good stock, at least not that I'm aware of. So it's kind of hard to try before you buy. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

June 24th, 2008, 11:42 AM	#3
Martin Mayer Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 416	We use Vinten Vision 3s with our Z1s - once you've tried them, you won't want anything less, even if it means selling the family silver... :D __________________ Martin at HeadSpin HD on Blu-ray

June 26th, 2008, 06:36 AM	#4
James Curran Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dromara, Northern Ireland Posts: 34	Thanks for all your advice to-date. One further query. If a teleprompter is being used in addition to the Z1E camera, what tripod would be recommended?