liquid ball head tripod recommendation

[kj1983]

Any recommendation on a tripod w/ liquid ball head for decent price? I have cheap tripod for $30.

I'm just shooting basic video but sometimes I have to move the camcorder as the person walks around. I want to have that smooth follow.

Thanks.

[joy]

Try this Sony VCT-R640 Lightweight Tripod. Cheap but panning is really smooth.

[pippas]

I find my Slik Q504 to be a well built tripod with a smooth fluid head action.

And if your budget is a bit tight, then you can buy the fluid head on its own, to fit on your existing tripod legs See HERE

[newpball]

For video you should get a fluid head with a ball to level it.
Anything else is simply not going to work.

[julitomg]

Anything else is simply not going to work.

As usual, you are exaggerating, a center column also can be leveled (you just use it´s legs), I used to have a manfrotto tripod simmilar to pippas´Slik and never had any problems, now I have one with half ball & bowl design I´m very happy with, both designs have cons and pros.

@kj1983
One consideration is the size and/or weight of your camera. The Slik and Sony already suggested are fine for palm-sized camcorders or DSLR type cameras without too many accesories or big lenses, if your caera is bigger/heavier (or a DSLR fitted with matte box, follow focus, monitor, etc) I´d recomend something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842086-REG/Magnus_VT_4000_VT_4000_Tripod_System.html

[newpball]

Anything else is simply not going to work.

As usual, you are exaggerating, a center column also can be leveled (you just use it´s legs).

You are going to level your tripod by adjusting the legs? Right.......

I am sure you panning shots will look wonderful.....

It is very simple really: there are tripods made for photography and then there are those made for video, do not mix them up!

[smrpix]

You are going to level your tripod by adjusting the legs? Right.......

As long as the head itself is level the pans will be even. That said, there's no question a ball head makes this task simpler.

[newpball]

I´d recomend something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842086-REG/Magnus_VT_4000_VT_4000_Tripod_System.html

That will work, here is an alternative in the same price category:

Davis & Sanford Provista 7518 Tripod with FM18 Head - $160



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243272-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA7518B_Provista_...od_w_FM18.html

[pippas]

One consideration is the size and/or weight of your camera. The Slik and Sony already suggested are fine for palm-sized camcorders or DSLR type cameras without too many accesories or big lenses, if your caera is bigger/heavier (or a DSLR fitted with matte box, follow focus, monitor, etc) I´d recomend something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842086-REG/Magnus_VT_4000_VT_4000_Tripod_System.html

The Magnus model you link to supports 8.8lbs. The spec for the Slik Q504 comes in at 11lb, so it's should be OK unless you using a really big lens!

It doesn't have a ball leveler, but the spirit bubble works well, and it usually only take a few seconds to adjust the required leg(s)..... so quite usable, despite newqball's observations.....

[julitomg]

Sorry pippas...you´re right about the weight, I must have assumed your tripod was smaller than it actually is because I just looked at the photo, didn´t check the specs. My suggestion still is to get the sturdiest tripod (for your cam). The extra weight (the tripod´s) even helps to make more even pans and tilts.

[kj1983]

I have Sony HDR-CX440 Handycam Camcorder. So the weight will be light.

Total (with NP-BX1): Approx. 7.6oz (Approx. 215g)

My friend let me borrow "Manfrotto Bogen 055XPROB Tripod Legs w/ Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head".

I think this one is overkill it. It was very smooth to follow a person in the video.

[smrpix]

I think this one is overkill it. It was very smooth to follow a person in the video.

One advantage of an "overkill" tripod, as julitomg alluded to, is that it can improve your production value -- giving the motion and feel of a heavier, more professional camera. Don't discount that. The disadvantage of course is that it's more weight to lug around if you're working on-the-fly.