Tripod for smooth video

[mdanie]

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 )

[jdjonny]

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

[mdanie]

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

[Optrex]

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]

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.

[Optrex]

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*

[mdanie]

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

[Optrex]

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.

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