Help me choose cheap tripod PLEASE :)

The test will be putting on the longest focal length lens you are planning on using onto the 5D MKII and try to do some precise moves. You'll know right away if the Libec is going to cut it for your needs.

Dan

The thinking is simple, I literally can't afford a 2k to 3k tripod and right now this is the best I can do. If I could afford something better obviously I wouldn't be considering these it will only be till I can afford a better one but right now this is all I'm gonna be able to afford. The weight limit on these tripod seem to be able to hold up well to these light cams, the reviews are good, This isn't a typical heavy ENG camera like I use at work. It's a light DSLR cam, gotta do what u can with what you have that's what I'm trying anyone else???

It's not a matter of the head/tripod being able to support the weight of the camera. Its a matter of the head being so cheap and terrible that the tilts and pans will look like you hit the crack pipe and downed a case of redbull. Locked off shots become your only option.

The LS38 is the best cheap tripod on the market. Much better than the Bogens. I have two Bogens and was forced to use them for years at a prodco I worked at, they are just cheap, basic support. They kind of fall apart under heavy usage, they have backlash, and it is impossible to do a smooth simultaneous pan and tilt. I have two Bogens because I refust to let the airlines get their hands on my $3,000.00 Sachtler and damage or lose it so when I travel, I take a Bogen. That way if it is lost or damaged, I am only out $400.00-$500.00 instead of thousands of dollars.

Realistically, it is nice to have two tripods, a good one and a small, cheap and light one. You use the pro one when it counts and use the cheap, light one when traveling. So just make this first one your "cheap" one and save for a real tripod. There are some good used deals out there. Sachtlers in particular, hold up very well as long as they aren't abused although they also hold their value pretty well too.

Good luck,

Dan

I too have the LS38 and while the head is very good for the price the legs are of poor build quality and broke after about a years worth of use. I have since upgraded to a Sachtler DV8.

I nearly collapsed when I looked up the price of a Sachtler DV8.

Stills photography equipment prices are bad enough, but I had no idea that cinematography equipment was so expensive.

I've got a Manfrotto 055XPROB and 804RC2 head (also a 438 levelling head with a 410 Junior Geared Head), but I don't think these are going to be much use for cinematography.

Column tripods where only the legs are adjustable are horrible. You need one where the head rests on a ball (ball level head). That way you can level perfectly and in mere seconds. Adjusting the legs will just drive you nuts.
For those who have good older Bogen column tripods there's a $75 solution: The Bogen Compact leveling head that screws on top of the column under the head and gives you a few degrees of play: Manfrotto (Distributed by Bogen) Compact Leveling Head (#3502)
There are two consumer tripods available for around $150, one from Libec and one rebranded as a Sunpak that feature a ball level head. They are okay but don't extend much. Not a bad purchase.

Yes, that's the one I've got. I think #3502 is the old number for it and it's now called the Manfrotto 438 'Ball Camera Leveller' - or at least that's its name over here in the UK.

It works very well now, but when it arrived it wouldn't work properly and jammed up as soon as any weight was put on it. This was due to the bottom casting not being machined properly and was actually slightly oval by a few thousandths. I had to grind it in with some cutting paste (which effectively ground a crescent shape out of one side of the bottom casting) to get it to operate smoothly, which took me about two hours.

I was speaking to another photographer who had the same problem with his one, and it turned out he also used the same method to get his to work properly!

On one thread recently a guy proposed the following which I have looked into and is what I have decided to order. I think value for your buck he is spot on. Sachtler 8 FSB T fluid head and Miller 2 Stage Carbon Fibre legs. For just under a £1000.00 it has to be the best buy. Not by any means cheap (nor expensive given what you could spend) but I would agree with the guy who posted this that he is spot on in his choice for under a grand.

Also try Secced Ares 1. I got one last week. True fluid head. Very inexpensive, great quality build.