Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? at DVinfo.net

Royston Coppenger · June 15th, 2011, 06:52 PM

I need a decent tripod and this is about as much as I can afford. It's down to the D&S or the Weifeng 717 for me at this point. I like the look and feel of the D&S but have read conflicting things about how well it works with the size and shape of the XHA1s. Any experience?

FWIW, I am not in a position to buy a more expensive tripod at this moment. I can't wait until I can afford a better tripod. PLEASE don't leave any of those, "if you aren't spending $_, it ain't worth a crap" comments - it does me no good.

John Peterson · June 18th, 2011, 06:48 AM

There are User Reviews here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/336011-REG/Davis_Sanford_FM18_FM18_Fluid_Head.html

John

John Wiley · July 5th, 2011, 06:31 PM

Royston, did you end up getting the D & S? I'm looking for a cheap tripod for my 2nd camera and I've also narrowed it down to these two. I think I'm really leaning towards the D & S at this stage.

Royston Coppenger · July 16th, 2011, 09:40 PM

Hi John:

I did wind up with the Davis & Sanford, and so far I think it's really quite nice. I get very smooth pans and tilts, and it handles my XHA1s with no problem. After a few tries getting the camera on and off is not an issue, nor do I find the pan and tilt controls to be in the way. I wish the leg clamps were metal instead of plastic, but they feel substantial and the tripod feels very secure and stable when extended. All in all, I like it very well. I'll be saving up for something more sophisticated, but for now it's great.

John Wiley · July 17th, 2011, 03:53 AM

Thanks Royston.

I actually already ordered one last week. I paid $170 for shipping (almost as much as the tripod cost from B & H!) but it still worked out a lot cheaper than anything that is available is Australia. I made sure I filled the parcel up with SDHC cards and other goodies to get my value out of the shipping.

I think the amount I saved on all the items compared to the prices in Australia almost cancelled out the shipping cost. I saved $100 on the Zoom H4n alone, so even if the tripod is a dud then at least the whole process will not have been in vein.

Barry Richard · July 17th, 2011, 11:03 AM

does this head have an adjustable weight spring that allows it to stay tilted without locking ?

How well does it work with very small and light video cameras ?

June 15th, 2011, 06:52 PM	#1
Royston Coppenger New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 12	Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? I need a decent tripod and this is about as much as I can afford. It's down to the D&S or the Weifeng 717 for me at this point. I like the look and feel of the D&S but have read conflicting things about how well it works with the size and shape of the XHA1s. Any experience? FWIW, I am not in a position to buy a more expensive tripod at this moment. I can't wait until I can afford a better tripod. PLEASE don't leave any of those, "if you aren't spending $_, it ain't worth a crap" comments - it does me no good.

June 18th, 2011, 06:48 AM	#2
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	Re: Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? There are User Reviews here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/336011-REG/Davis_Sanford_FM18_FM18_Fluid_Head.html John

July 5th, 2011, 06:31 PM	#3
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? Royston, did you end up getting the D & S? I'm looking for a cheap tripod for my 2nd camera and I've also narrowed it down to these two. I think I'm really leaning towards the D & S at this stage.

July 16th, 2011, 09:40 PM	#4
Royston Coppenger New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 12	Re: Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? Hi John: I did wind up with the Davis & Sanford, and so far I think it's really quite nice. I get very smooth pans and tilts, and it handles my XHA1s with no problem. After a few tries getting the camera on and off is not an issue, nor do I find the pan and tilt controls to be in the way. I wish the leg clamps were metal instead of plastic, but they feel substantial and the tripod feels very secure and stable when extended. All in all, I like it very well. I'll be saving up for something more sophisticated, but for now it's great.

July 17th, 2011, 03:53 AM	#5
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? Thanks Royston. I actually already ordered one last week. I paid $170 for shipping (almost as much as the tripod cost from B & H!) but it still worked out a lot cheaper than anything that is available is Australia. I made sure I filled the parcel up with SDHC cards and other goodies to get my value out of the shipping. I think the amount I saved on all the items compared to the prices in Australia almost cancelled out the shipping cost. I saved $100 on the Zoom H4n alone, so even if the tripod is a dud then at least the whole process will not have been in vein.

July 17th, 2011, 11:03 AM	#6
Barry Richard Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 60	Re: Anybody using a Davis & Sanford FM18 with a XHA1s? does this head have an adjustable weight spring that allows it to stay tilted without locking ? How well does it work with very small and light video cameras ?