Having finally tried my first video with anything other than a stationary camera, I see that my second-hand store tripod is not up to the task.

Some of it is practice and technique I'm sure, but a 'pod that is steadier and pans more smoothly would help a lot too.

Suggestions?

Has Bogen disappeared?

I've got a nice Bogen downstairs... had it for quite a while and it's nice and stable. But a quick search this evening makes it look like Bogen is no more.

Manfrotto comes up in the search, but -- WOW! -- is it expensive!

Slik is a name I see on tripods often.

Like most things in life, tripods get better the more money you spend. That being said, todays offerings are pretty good from the lower end to the upper end.
For video, you need a good fluid head that makes your panning movements smooth(ER).
If you head over to B&H Photo-Video’s website, you can shop and compare tripods to your hearts content. Just make sure to look at video-specific tripods. Manfrotto, Benro, and E-Image are all good names in the video tripod world.

I've got a Sirui that I love.

Sirui

You want a video tripod with fluid head. You can spend thousands, but you don’t need to.

Fluid head dampens motion and that is why it is smooth.

A $500 camera tripod will do a worse job than a $200 dollar video tripod.

Here is the video tripod I use and am quite happy with at reasonable price. Currently about $170 at Amazon


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T96WX8H

^^^THIS - As 911Boss indicates, a Video Tripod w/ a Fluid Head is what you want.

I can't make a current recommendation re: your quest, so the following is of NO help but...

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Has Bogen disappeared?

I've got a nice Bogen downstairs... had it for quite a while and it's nice and stable. But a quick search this evening makes it look like Bogen is no more.

Manfrotto comes up in the search, but -- WOW! -- is it expensive!

Manfrotto tripods were marketed as Bogen tripods in North America by Bogen Imaging until early 2010. I have a Bogen Professional Series 3223 (which is a 3221 Tripod with 3047 Head) that I purchased 30 years ago! It says 'Made in Italy for Bogen by Manfrotto' in a couple of places on it. They don't make 'em like that anymore!

quote:

(which is a 3221 Tripod with 3047 Head)

If thats' the trigger grip 360 ball head,
IIRC thats the model #s I have tucked away from years of heavy use. They run my field telescope needs now (Swarovksi AT80), and are still flawless just as when new about late 80s.

Don't be afraid to spend a few $ to get waht fits your needs well. Lever rather than screw cap leg tighteners, for instance.

Manfrotto, as mentioned, is good. I’ve used a bunch over the last few decades.

At work now we have several E-Image units and I really like them. Very stable, fairly light (this is very relative) for a quality unit, and the heads are smooth and easy to operate. I think these are what we have…

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...am_vid_photo.html#mo

they are tall enough for me to not wish they were taller, light enough to be portable (again: subjective) and come with a nice bag. Or at least ours did. My only wish is that they had a geared center column. That is a very useful feature when filming interviews with multiple people. It’s much easier to adjust height with a geared column as opposed to the legs only once the system is leveled.

If I was buying one for home I’d probably go with an E-Image based on my experience.

Manfrotto offers great options for video folks. My video tripod setup is a trusty Manfrotto 190 series with aluminum legs
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...aluminum_tripod.html



and the MVH500 fluid head
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c..._pro_fluid_head.html

Now for photography, my choices are astronomically more expensive. Here, I prefer Really Right Stuff equipment, because the legs and ballheads are incredibly light but rock solid, which is perfect for landscape photography.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...es_2_mk2.html?sts=pi

This message has been edited. Last edited by: teombe,

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod w/ ball head up for grabs. It's nearly identical to this one - same tripod but slightly different ball head.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...Carbon.html/overview

Thanks all.

Seeing as my videos will be taken with a cheapo Nikon P510 digital camera that weighs maybe a pound and it's just for amateur shots like the farm video, I think one of the $200-ish lighter 'pods would be a good compromise.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Thanks all.

Seeing as my videos will be taken with a cheapo Nikon P510 digital camera that weighs maybe a pound and it's just for amateur shots like the farm video, I think one of the $200-ish lighter 'pods would be a good compromise.

You might also consider a handheld gimbal? Not sure what kind of videos you want to do but it might be an appropriate choice.

Back in the day, if going on location, a Gitzo would get the nod.
With a sand bag hanging from a leg it would be very stable even with a 8x10 view camera mounted.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Back in the day, if going on location, a Gitzo would get the nod.
With a sand bag hanging from a leg it would be very stable even with a 8x10 view camera mounted.

Gitzo is probably still the gold standard of tripods, but they are priced that way.

quote:

Camera/Video people - Tripods?

What type of camera are you using?

As others have alluded, there are two pieces to your question. First is the tripod itself. Second is the head. Don't scrimp on either.

A while back I read an article about why you should buy a $700 tripod as your first tripod. The gist of it is that you're going to spend that anyway over the course of time trying to find what works for you.

A couple of quick things to consider. Will you travel with the tripod? If so, you'll need it light and short when collapsed, probably 4 sections per leg. Carbon fiber is light, also easier on the hands when cold.

Fluid head is the way to go if you're doing video (which I don't).

Also, the mounting plate is an option Arca Swiss and compatible is the way to go in my opinion.

No specific recommendations but check out KEH. They sell used camera gear. I've bought lenses, flashes, and a tripod from them over the years. They are good to go and their rating system is legit. If anything items have been better then expected with their rating system.

https://www.keh.com/shop/tripods-monopods.html