Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod at DVinfo.net

Dale Simmons · July 30th, 2012, 11:15 AM

I have been searching for a crutch style tripod w/fluid head with 2 expandable panning arms. Everything I see is $1500 and up and I do mean UP!. What s out there that will support the hm750, Red Style large matte box and focus and zoom controls? Suggestions?

John Sirb · July 30th, 2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Simmons

I have been searching for a crutch style tripod w/fluid head with 2 expandable panning arms. Everything I see is $1500 and up and I do mean UP!. What s out there that will support the hm750, Red Style large matte box and focus and zoom controls? Suggestions?

Dale, your packing a lot of weight on those sticks (20+ lbs) even a Manfrotto to handle that type of weight lists at 2500.00. The Vinten that I use on the other hand has lasted thru three cameras all in the neighborhood of 18lbs.

sticks isnt something you wnt to 'cheap' out on. JMHO

Mike Kujbida · July 30th, 2012, 01:07 PM

Dale, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but with tripods you do get what you pay for.
My department has a Manfrotto tripod and so-called fluid head that ran around $1,000 and it isn't close to being as good as our 30 yr. old Miler that was around $8,000 originally.
Play with a cheap one and then a good one and you'll see what I mean as there's a world of difference in the feel.
You don't need to spend that much money as prices have come down over the years.
Total up the weight of everything you want to put on it, add at least a 10% safety margin and start looking at tripods that will handle the load.
The Miller DS-20 is a really nice 2-stage system that will support up to 20 lb. and, with proper care, will last you a very long time.
It's $1,50.00 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/178845-REG/Miller_848_DS_20_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html
Sachtler also make some very good tripods.

Bill Bruner · July 30th, 2012, 11:24 PM

Dale - my Ravelli AVT Professional holds up to 27 lbs, has a 75mm bowl, two handles and crutch-style legs - and you could buy 10 if them for the price of the Miller. This is one case where you get a whole lot more than you pay for.

$120 at Amazon

.

Good luck with your decision,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Brian Drysdale · July 31st, 2012, 12:42 AM

It really depends on how demanding you are about smoothness and a lack of sticking. Glancing through the Ravelli AVT reviews, this head does seem to suffer from an element of the latter. You really need to test them yourself to see if a tripod and head meet your needs.

I suspect the Millar could still be working in 10 years time.

Steve J. Nordahl · July 31st, 2012, 10:40 AM

Hate to be another bearer of bad news but I've been there and done that..

Peruse this link.. you will see what I went through.. I loaded mine down and had a cheapy Manfrotto system.. I went to a Vinten 8AS CF system.. Your money shots won't come from the Camera.. The tripod is what makes money shots..

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-s...do-i-need.html

Steve..

Ben Lynn · September 11th, 2012, 07:19 AM

I agree with the people who's said that you get what you pay for and that the additional cost is worth the money. Spending a lot of a tripod to get the right shots is worth every dollar you spend.

Something else to think about is the re-sale value. If you buy a Miller or Vinten then you could use it for a while and sell it for 70-80% of what you paid for it (although after using one of the better units I doubt you'd want to let it go). If you buy a low-budget rig you'll be stuck with eating the cost.

Another option is to buy a quality used tripod from someone here on the forums, use it, and then re-sell it. It's possible you could do that and not even take a loss on the transaction because tripods hold their value much better than cameras.

Just some stuff to consider as you plan your productions.

July 30th, 2012, 11:15 AM	#1
Dale Simmons New Boot Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 12	Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod I have been searching for a crutch style tripod w/fluid head with 2 expandable panning arms. Everything I see is $1500 and up and I do mean UP!. What s out there that will support the hm750, Red Style large matte box and focus and zoom controls? Suggestions?

July 30th, 2012, 01:07 PM	#3
Mike Kujbida Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Windsor, ON Canada Posts: 2,770	Re: Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod Dale, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but with tripods you do get what you pay for. My department has a Manfrotto tripod and so-called fluid head that ran around $1,000 and it isn't close to being as good as our 30 yr. old Miler that was around $8,000 originally. Play with a cheap one and then a good one and you'll see what I mean as there's a world of difference in the feel. You don't need to spend that much money as prices have come down over the years. Total up the weight of everything you want to put on it, add at least a 10% safety margin and start looking at tripods that will handle the load. The Miller DS-20 is a really nice 2-stage system that will support up to 20 lb. and, with proper care, will last you a very long time. It's $1,50.00 at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/178845-REG/Miller_848_DS_20_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html Sachtler also make some very good tripods.

July 30th, 2012, 11:24 PM	#4
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod Dale - my Ravelli AVT Professional holds up to 27 lbs, has a 75mm bowl, two handles and crutch-style legs - and you could buy 10 if them for the price of the Miller. This is one case where you get a whole lot more than you pay for. $120 at Amazon $120 at Amazon . Good luck with your decision, Bill Hybrid Camera Revolution

July 31st, 2012, 12:42 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,154	Re: Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod It really depends on how demanding you are about smoothness and a lack of sticking. Glancing through the Ravelli AVT reviews, this head does seem to suffer from an element of the latter. You really need to test them yourself to see if a tripod and head meet your needs. I suspect the Millar could still be working in 10 years time.

July 31st, 2012, 10:40 AM	#6
Steve J. Nordahl Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nazareth, Pennsylvania Posts: 96	Re: Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod Hate to be another bearer of bad news but I've been there and done that.. Peruse this link.. you will see what I went through.. I loaded mine down and had a cheapy Manfrotto system.. I went to a Vinten 8AS CF system.. Your money shots won't come from the Camera.. The tripod is what makes money shots.. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-s...do-i-need.html Steve..

September 11th, 2012, 07:19 AM	#7
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	Re: Non Bankruptable Crutch Tripod I agree with the people who's said that you get what you pay for and that the additional cost is worth the money. Spending a lot of a tripod to get the right shots is worth every dollar you spend. Something else to think about is the re-sale value. If you buy a Miller or Vinten then you could use it for a while and sell it for 70-80% of what you paid for it (although after using one of the better units I doubt you'd want to let it go). If you buy a low-budget rig you'll be stuck with eating the cost. Another option is to buy a quality used tripod from someone here on the forums, use it, and then re-sell it. It's possible you could do that and not even take a loss on the transaction because tripods hold their value much better than cameras. Just some stuff to consider as you plan your productions.