Tripod - Help

[AdamJ]

Unlike the experience extremeinstability had with Giottos, I use their MT 9271 and I love it, especially as it's tall enough for my 6' 3" without needing to extend the centre column. It is, however, pretty heavy. If you want something lighter, and if you can stretch your budget, Feisol makes some very highly-regarded carbon fibre tripods.

One suggestion from the left field is a carbon tripod from Triopo, either the GT-3228 (4 section) or GT-3232 (5 section). They are widely thought to be made in the same Chinese factory as Benro, differing only in labelling. They would be well within your budget but since they are only sold online from Poland (check Ebay), after-sales support would have some challenges.

[awinphoto]

A $300 budget is definately doable... For one of my contract companies, we got a great strong and durable leg/head set up although it is a ball head and you may want to look into fluid heads for video...  What we looked at was Slik legs 700dx... They are light weight, but holds a load of 15 pounds and can go up to 74" legs and column extended alone without head!  The legs are heavy duty, easy to operate, and still light enough to carry around...  Head we went with manfrotto 494RC2 AND the 3265 for when we need the grip action... the grip does lose load strength, but will carry most everything you would need.  For video you will want to opt for a fluid head rather than a ball head, although ball heads can still do video, just not as well or as smooth.  Smith and victor and vanguard heads can be picked up for $40-60 at adorama... Manfrotto Fluid heads start at $72 and on up...  Obviously, the more $$ you pay for the head, the better, but legs, the Slik legs are nice and the best bang for your buck.

[extremeinstability]

When I was looking into a new tripod, there was a tripod thread on a storm chaser forum I'd visit.  I noted a lot in there were recommending those same Slik legs.  FWIW.  I should have went that route. 

[DB]

After some research I'm thinking in Manfrotto 055XPROB for Tripod. Still I have no clue what head to choose. Does someone recommend a good for less than 100 euros one?

Thanks

I have the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod + the rubber/spikes optional feet + 701HDV fluid video head and they work great with my gripped 7D, plus I shoot mostly video too. I paid roughly $150 for the tripod legs + $30 for the Spikes + $120 for the fluid head, so approx $300 in total (except I purchased in the UK for < £200).

I'd highly recommend the fluid video head for 2 reasons: (1) great for panning up/down or left/right really slowly and smoothly for HD video work (and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y), plus (2) the video head is great for still photography too (if you want to shoot portrait - then use the 90-degree shift in the 055XPROB stem instead) - just as good as a ball-head.

Also with the video head you get a really nice plate (501PL) to attach to your 7D - it is really flat and large so you can keep it on your camera body when off-tripod, and works really well with larger lenses (e.g. I mainly use the 24-70 f/2.8L mk 1 which is really heavy, but the plate moves forwards/backwards by a couple of inches in the video head - so easy to correct centre of gravity).

The 701HDV head retails for about 100 euros (available in UK on Amazon for < £74, I'm euro-based too but I find it is cheaper to buy off Amazon in UK + they do returns)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-701HDV-Professional-Fluid-Video/dp/B001D2LJ3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351122563&sr=8-1

[paul13walnut5]

Video tripod needs counterbalance, bowl and fluid movements.

Sachtler Ace.

Right tool for job.

The price is comparable to competitors products, but ace is better thought out, only proper counterbalance for money.

A video head without a bowl is going to be exceptionally frustrating to use.  Most video heads can only tilt on one axis, which means a lit of fiddling with tripod legs, or a lot of squint shots.

[vuilang]

Smooth??

Do you mean $300 is includes the Fluid head & tripod for video? if that's the case, i doubt you'll find 1 that's smooth for $300.

favorable mention for tripod&fluid head for video:

Satchler Ace (strictly Video only) ~$550..
or get 1 of the tripod mentioned earlier and get
video head: manfrotto 501hdv or 502hd ~$180-$200

[FunkyJam]

I'm not looking for a professional Tripod. I'm looking for something that allows me to do panand tilt shots without shaking.

[jthomson]

I bought a Flashpoint aluminum 3 section tripod from Adorama for less than $100 .
I leave  it in the car with a cheap ball head so that I have it available even when I don't expect to be using a tripod.  It's a stable but heavy tripod compared to some of the others that have been mentioned. 

I can't recommend a video head as i don't use one, but this tripod would allow you to spend more on the head than most of the othes mentioned.

[brad-man]

After some research I'm thinking in Manfrotto 055XPROB for Tripod. Still I have no clue what head to choose. Does someone recommend a good for less than 100 euros one?

Thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Benro-B-1-Ball-Head-PU-60-QR-Plate-Registered-Mail-Shipment-/310420276033?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48467d8341

[Jon Gilchrist]

I have the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod + the rubber/spikes optional feet + 701HDV fluid video head and they work great with my gripped 7D, plus I shoot mostly video too. I paid roughly $150 for the tripod legs + $30 for the Spikes + $120 for the fluid head, so approx $300 in total (except I purchased in the UK for < £200).

I'd highly recommend the fluid video head for 2 reasons: (1) great for panning up/down or left/right really slowly and smoothly for HD video work (and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y), plus (2) the video head is great for still photography too (if you want to shoot portrait - then use the 90-degree shift in the 055XPROB stem instead) - just as good as a ball-head.

Ditto this.  If you're doing video, you absolutely DO NOT want a ball head.  Ball heads are great for photography, but for video they're useless unless you never want the camera to move.  Get a decent fluid head like the 701HDV and you'll never be sorry.