Atomic Systems

Hi,
Which tripod(s) would people recommend for non-pro digital video work to give smooth pans but that doesn't weigh too much (easy to lug 'cross hill & dale) and doesn't cost too much?

Local camera shop suggest Manfrotto 190Pro with 128RC micro video head - rather pricey (£155) and perhaps a little on the heavy side (2.9kg).

Thanks in advance for your views (no pun )

Jessops have some decent £11 and £20 ones which will get you started nicely

My personal one is getting old, but is firmly built and pretty much indestuctable. Made almost totally of metal, so quite heavy

JDJonny

Thanks, JDJonny - I've looked at Jessop's stuff and although seemingly smoother in panning than my current tripod, I worry that they're really for still-camera work. You can't really try them "in the field" before buying

I got a Velbon tripod from Jessops a few years back (quite a few, actually). It cost about £120, has square-section legs and a rather spiffy fluid head.

Have a gander at http://www.jessops.com, product VELDV7000 (approx £80) to get an idea... Not pocket money, but well worth it IMHO - the cheaper models seem to be really for stills cameras. Would £20 get you a good fluid head thingy?

The tripod I used is a monster that pops up to around 7' tall, quick release mouting plate to quickly dismantle the thing without faffing around, and rock solid, with built-in spirit-levels. I think they've changed the model number since the I bought mine, and there's no doubt other brands which would do, but if you want stability you have to pay a bit more.

I wouldn't describe it as small, light and compact at 3kg-ish, but I managed to lug it up a few steep hills without a hernia. A good carry-case with a shoulder strap helps too. The improvement in quality could be worth a little sweat.

Alternatively, if you don't really need 100% stable shots, a monopod might help. Always thought they looked a bit daft though!

Mike

mdanie wrote: You can't really try them "in the field" before buying

I've managed to borrow a Jessops TP120 so will try it out this w/e. I do realise that quality comes at a price and if I get more serious about it I intend to invest in a fluid head etc. 3 kg seems to be the starting weight for those, Mike! Thanks for your input.

No worries. I come from the era where the bigger the better. It just wasn't the done thing to come back without a bruised shoulder and severe fatigue.

I've fallen out of the video hobby, but am making admiring noises at some of the decidedly not cheap Canon DV cameras... *dribble*

A quick follow-up to my own thread

Tried the TP120 at the NYMR Steam Gala. Good test tramping around Goathland's hills on a hot Saturday.

Results OK if I concentrate hard on smooth panning, but a noticeable "settling" at the end of the pan. Not very good at simultaneous pan and tilt. Adequate for static-position shots (some excellent results of the P3 on freight up the bank ), light - but rather short. I think the Manfrotto beckons.

One tip I'll pass on to anyone who's interested - take a beanbag with you. Invaluable for resting on walls or fenceposts where a tripod won't fit easily.

Just need to get rid of windnoise and overbright skies now

mdanie wrote:A quick follow-up to my own thread
Results OK if I concentrate hard on smooth panning, but a noticeable "settling" at the end of the pan. Not very good at simultaneous pan and tilt. Adequate for static-position shots (some excellent results of the P3 on freight up the bank ), light - but rather short. I think the Manfrotto beckons.

The fluid head will make short work of that - once you try a good tripod you'll never look back. Well worth the fatigue from carrying it around.

mdanie wrote:Just need to get rid of windnoise and overbright skies now

If you've got a built-in mic on a small camera, you'll need to get an external microphone with a furry thing over it.

As for bright skies, try bringing me with you. I seem to recall that every time I got the camera set up the rain came on.

Mike