items - The Tallest, Strongest Tripod for Under $100
The industry's tallest, strongest tripods are usually made of carbon fiber, assembled in Europe, and cost tons of money. Buyers are typically well-funded professionals or hobbyists with a lot of disposable income. While a pro set of $900+ sticks might not be in the cards for everyone, serious photographers and video makers would do well to consider the budget-friendly Slik Pro 700DX.
The tripod is available in black or silver and has many of the features of the big brand, high-priced models. It's tall: maximum height is just over 70" (55" without the center column extended). It's strong: Slik rates the sticks for up to 22lbs. With the right head, this set up can comfotably support up to an 800mm lens with a pro body. All 3 legs are padded at the top for easy carrying, and the center column even seperates for convenient low angle shooting.
Instead of carbon fiber, the legs employ A.M.T. -- a lightweight alloy made up of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. A friend put me on to the 700DX a few years back. I've used it for a variety of photo and video jobs. Whether you need a good primary or secondary tripod, the Slik Pro 700DX delivers a level of stability and quality well above its price tag. I recommend the black sticks -- they won't reflect stray light on your subjects. Product pics below.
Comments
03/11/2010 - 14:30.
I hope to be able to buy my very first DSLR in 2010, and I'll strongly consider picking up this tripod too. I look forward to a "Best $100 Tripod Head for Shooting Video with a DSLR" post. Or better yet, how about a "Best Tripod Head for Under $500 for Shooting Video with a DSLR if You Only Want to Buy a Tripod Head Once in Your Life" post? :)
03/16/2010 - 11:16.
D-Flo,
Can this be raised and/or collapsed with one hand? Say you managed to sneak it onto the floor of a certain garden, and needed to quickly assemble?
@shmullylitvin
03/17/2010 - 11:27.
I hope to be able to buy my very first DSLR in 2010, and I'll strongly consider picking up this tripod too. I look forward to a "Best $100 Tripod Head for Shooting Video with a DSLR" post. Or better yet, how about a "Best Tripod Head for Under $500 for Shooting Video with a DSLR if You Only Want to Buy a Tripod Head Once in Your Life" post? :)
The Manfrotto 501HDV Fluid Head is probably the best full-featured option for DSLR video. It can handle around 13 lbs and features independent drag control for pan/tilt. A spring-loaded counter balance keeps long glass from tipping the rig. Price is just under $200, but you’re getting a TON of features for your money.
Closer to the $100 mark is the 701HDV Mini Fluid Head. This is a relatively new offering from Manfrotto. Pan/tilt has fixed drag -- no customization options. This is fine for light payloads but when you add heavy glass, a follow focus, or a mini monitor balance gets a little if-y.
-DFlo.
03/17/2010 - 11:41.
The 700DX’s legs use flip-style levers. One-handed operation is possible, but a little tricky. If you need to do some down-dirty-shooting, a monopod might be a better option. The Manfrotto NeoTec goes from high to low with a SWEET push/pull mechanism. One-handed operation is cake. If you absolutely need three legs, they make a tripod version, too.
-DFlo.
03/18/2010 - 16:19.
The 700DX’s legs use flip-style levers. One-handed operation is possible, but a little tricky. If you need to do some down-dirty-shooting, a monopod might be a better option. The Manfrotto NeoTec goes from high to low with a SWEET push/pull mechanism. One-handed operation is cake. If you absolutely need three legs, they make a tripod version, too.
I was at a wedding this week, where the photographer had a light on a little stand, and whenever he lifted it, the legs would lift, and come back down when he put it back on the ground. Anything like that for cameras? (that you would trust?
@shmullylitvin
03/22/2010 - 11:20.
The 700DX’s legs use flip-style levers. One-handed operation is possible, but a little tricky. If you need to do some down-dirty-shooting, a monopod might be a better option. The Manfrotto NeoTec goes from high to low with a SWEET push/pull mechanism. One-handed operation is cake. If you absolutely need three legs, they make a tripod version, too.
I was at a wedding this week, where the photographer had a light on a little stand, and whenever he lifted it, the legs would lift, and come back down when he put it back on the ground. Anything like that for cameras? (that you would trust?
Nothing that I'd trust with a camera. Sadly, there are photographers that use lightstands as tripods. I wouldn't call this a 'best practice' -- too many compromises with support and stability.
-DFlo.
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