[cross-posted to rec.video & rec.video.production]

Hello!  I've been taking some videography-related college courses, and
I purchased a Sony DCR-PC350E camcorder earlier this year.  I like it a
great deal, but my results have been hampered by the low quality of my
tripod; it's very cheap, because I blew most of my available money (at
the time) on the camera.

Obviously, I'm interested in purchasing a better tripod.  I haven't
decided how much to spend (largely because I don't know what would
amount to overkill), and I would sincerely appreciate some suggestions
in various price ranges (within reason for a young novice).

My camcorder is extremely small and lightweight, so the tripod needn't
be capable of supporting anything large or heavy.  (In other words, I
would prefer a lightweight tripod.)  I don't need a LANC-enhanced
model, because I already own a LANC remote control that attaches to any
tripod grip.

I live in the United States.  (Yes, I purchased a PAL camcorder for use
in the US.)

Thanks in advance!

Well, my personal philosophy is that there's no such thing as overkill
when it comes to tripods (in many instances a good & well-maintained
tripod will easily last you through 3 or 4 camera purchases.)
Personally, I'm a big fan of Bogen/Manfrottos.  Some people don't like
them because they used to be quite heavy (especially in comparison to
Sachtlers and others), but have since come out with much lighter-weight
models.  At our station we use a fleet of different Bogens for
everything from our little Panasonic DVC60s up to our bigger JVC 5000 &
550s and Sony 250.

However, I see the PC350 weighs less than a pound, which means, yeah,
it could be a bit of overkill.

Check out the weight rating for the tripods you are looking at.  Price
will end up being anything from a cheapo $30 or under tripod up to a
couple hundred bucks for a really solid one.  As with just about
everything else in video, you will usually get what you pay for.

Also, you have to decide what kind of head you want for it.  What is it
that you're having problems with on your current triopod: stability,
smoothness of panning and tilting, etc.

If you give us an idea of the types of conditions you are shooting in
(and those with which you are having the most problems), maybe those in
this group can give you a better answer.

Good luck

Ryan

Ryan Boni
Public Access Director
Peters Township Community Television

In article <1129695211.602714.173***@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
impli***@hotmail.com says...
Show quoteHide quoteRyan,

I agree completely with your reply. One thought, as to the "sturdiness" of the
tripod, regarding the light weight of the camera: in many cases, a heavier
camera will apply more "downward" force, actually helping to stabilize a
lighter tripod. With a light-weight camera, a heavier tripod will apply its
own downward force. The only problem with tripod weight is when one is forced
to carry it.

I, too, like the Manfroto (most of mine were under the old Bogen name) legs,
and also have several of their heads. I just retired a Leitz-Tiltall that was
35 years old (used for still only), in favor of a newer Manfroto.

Fluid-heads for light-weight cameras have tumbled in price over the last few
years, and some seem very good. Might be a consideration, if pan/tilt of
camera, while filming (guess that this should actually be "taping" nowadays)
is important.

Hunt

Show quote Hide quote I strongly agree that buying an expensive tripod is an overkill, and IMHO
don't buy from ebay no matter anyone says, buy from the local store you
trust and will stand for you in any case.I bought the cheapest one the local
photo/video store had, as I need it only to video my sister's concert (she
is a percussionist) and my godmother's son concerts (he is a barytone).Mine
says only VF -W311 aluminium tripod and costed, like, 15 euros, complete
with bag...Ah, look if the tripod has the special prong along the screw that
camcorders have.

Tripods are one of those items which last & last & last - I have one
which I bought more than 40 years ago, and it is still quite useable.
So, I would suggest that you get a used one off of Ebay. I just did a
scan there and got over 5,000 matches on the word "tripod", and the
prices seem to be very low.

John Cowart

Unfortunately, good "fluid heads" that can cost up to $5000 don't usually
last that long and will require servicing at some point, be it preventive
maintenance or repairs. This is especially true when the equipment has been
in the possession of more than one user.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people will pan or tilt a head with one
or more axis locked or partially locked off.

If you camera is very light, I would recommend a head and tripod system that
has a bit of weight to it. (Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 to eight
pounds) This can help keep everything on the ground when making fast pans.

The Bogan Manfrotto stuff is a pretty good way to go.

Bill F.
www.billfarnsworthvideo.com

A very expensive fluid head is not necessary, although it is really,
really nice. Actually, even better than a fluid head is a geared head
(Mitchell) that allows extremely smooth movements (and takes at least 2
people to set up). On a smaller budget, a few things can help:
- Get a real fluid head with fluid action, not a head that only relies
on friction, unless you are really on a tight budget and the friction
is very very smooth with no "catching" spots.
- Make a handle extension. You can strap it on the existing handle or
stem with hose clips, to get a very rigid assembly. If the handle is 2
feet long, you have very good control of the camera movements, because
it take a large movement of the handle for a small movement of the
camera. It is impossible to get smooth action with a short handle and a
friction head. With a long handle you can make even a cheap friction
head move like a much better head.
- Your tripod does not have to be heavy to carry, but it cannot twist
when you pan, and it must be heavy when you use it. Just try it in the
store: Extend the tripod all the way, lock down the pan, and try to
pan. If the tripod twists, pass it up. If it "untwists" when you let
go, pass it up. One common trick to make a lightweight tripod into a
more stable tripod is to hang a weight at the bottom. A gallon plastic
milk botte filled with water is great for that job--you can just empty
it before moving on. A bucket of dirt works also--you can literally
leave the weight behind. Just about anything as long as you can hang it
without bumping into it. Of course the tripod has to be robust enough
to carry that weight.
- Use a spreader to keep the legs from bowing out, especially on a
slick surface with the weight hanging from the tripod. Pro spreaders
are very expensive. You can make a cheap spreader with 4 large split
keyrings and 3 lengths of chain from any hardware store.
- If you can afford it at all, try to get a Miller tripod with a ball
head receptacle, and a half-ball fluid head base to go on that. It
makes the leveling of the camera so much faster that it is like a
dream. Get a Miller head while you're at it. See for example
http://www.dvestore.com/products/tripod.html (I have nothing to do with
that company, just googled it a minute ago).

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