Tripod under $1500 at DVinfo.net

Will Abele · February 19th, 2005, 09:36 AM

What tripod is the best for less than $1500? It is for a school, so it will be used for a long time. It will be for a DVX 100a. It should be rugged and relatively lightweight.

Dan Selakovich · February 19th, 2005, 10:09 AM

Hi Will,

In my book "Killer Camera Rigs that You can build" I recommend a surveyor's tripod. They run about $80 and I've abused mine for years (I also have a set of wood sticks, but tend to use the surveyor's tripod more). They are plenty strong enough for DV work, and if you want to throw a crane on there, I also show how to butch it up to hold a lot of weight. The advantage of a surveyor's tripod is that you'll save a lot of money over anything that says "cinema" on it, and you can spend that extra money on a good fluid head. And since it's for school, heck, get 2, they're cheap! You'll also need a spreader with this kind of tripod--something else I show you how to make in my book for about $20. If you'd like to know which model I use, feel free to contact me directly.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Will Abele · February 20th, 2005, 07:09 PM

I think they'll be better off with a normal tripod. The principal is not likely to approve a build it yourself rig. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Matt Rickman · February 20th, 2005, 07:45 PM

You might consider the vinten vision 3 (which is just a little outside of the price range):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=234288&is=REG

Or a miller DS-10:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284154&is=REG

If it were me I would buy 2 bogens for that price, but you probably don't need two tripods.... :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272984&is=REG

matt rickman

Bob Costa · February 20th, 2005, 09:20 PM

Buy a cheaper bogen and a monopod and a glidecam and a quick release kit to swap between all three. And a dolly too. Its a better use of your budget.

February 19th, 2005, 09:36 AM	#1
Will Abele Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 26	Tripod under $1500 What tripod is the best for less than $1500? It is for a school, so it will be used for a long time. It will be for a DVX 100a. It should be rugged and relatively lightweight.

February 19th, 2005, 10:09 AM	#2
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Hi Will, In my book "Killer Camera Rigs that You can build" I recommend a surveyor's tripod. They run about $80 and I've abused mine for years (I also have a set of wood sticks, but tend to use the surveyor's tripod more). They are plenty strong enough for DV work, and if you want to throw a crane on there, I also show how to butch it up to hold a lot of weight. The advantage of a surveyor's tripod is that you'll save a lot of money over anything that says "cinema" on it, and you can spend that extra money on a good fluid head. And since it's for school, heck, get 2, they're cheap! You'll also need a spreader with this kind of tripod--something else I show you how to make in my book for about $20. If you'd like to know which model I use, feel free to contact me directly. Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

February 20th, 2005, 07:09 PM	#3
Will Abele Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 26	I think they'll be better off with a normal tripod. The principal is not likely to approve a build it yourself rig. Thanks for the suggestion though.

February 20th, 2005, 07:45 PM	#4
Matt Rickman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: colorado Posts: 57	You might consider the vinten vision 3 (which is just a little outside of the price range): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=234288&is=REG Or a miller DS-10: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284154&is=REG If it were me I would buy 2 bogens for that price, but you probably don't need two tripods.... : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272984&is=REG matt rickman

February 20th, 2005, 09:20 PM	#5
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Buy a cheaper bogen and a monopod and a glidecam and a quick release kit to swap between all three. And a dolly too. Its a better use of your budget.