If you are into videography and you feel the tripod is not a tool to just hold your camera in place, you are not alone. Getting a tripod that is sturdy enough, smooth enough, and easy to work with enough is a worthwhile investment.
When I started with video, everything seemed very, very expensive. Several years after that, it still seems expensive, but on another level. In the beginning, I thought tripods that cost about $200-300 too expensive and high end. The tripod serves you well until you reach its limitations or you try a more expensive one that feels much better and probably costs at least $1,000. That's the moment when you reset your level of understanding of what "expensive" means. If you are on the journey of upgrading tripods, you know what I mean. In the video above, you will see a similar experience. While you can make a great video with an even basic tripod, it's not about being a better filmmaker. It's a tool that makes your work easier and more comfortable when you upgrade to a better model.
If you haven't put your hands on a fluid head tripod yet, you better try it. If you have one and wonder how much "more fluid" a tripod can get, well, it can. It gets sturdier and safer for your gear the higher the price tag gets. The more expensive ones are often a lot easier to work with. Buying a tripod is like buying a vehicle. It gets you somewhere, but depending on your direction, you might need a better one.
The are few item where you should spend a lot of money. Tripod is THE one you should care for video work.
Camera and lens get updated every years. Tripod will be on your back for 20 years+. Choose wisely once. It will hurt your bank, but any shot after that will be a bliss.
(I have Vinten 5AS and 3AS Carbon system)
Great info Lee. Thanks. I'm glad you shared all that.
Yes, quality really costs. What I didn't understand from your comment was the "infinitely variable" counterbalance. I'm asking, because I'm planning to get a Sachtler as an upgrade to my current humble $1K tripod.
Thanks for the clarification. That was helpful.
Hmmm so another person connected to PM and MH getting posts every week. So this is a paid ad for the Youtuber to get on Fstoppers?
There is a pattern of promotion connected to those guys.
I don't have an idea. I found the video interesting to me personally and decided to post it as an article.
So that is no?
Whether or not the youtuber is sponsored, that doesn't have any relation to the current article. We don't have any relation to the youtuber either or any sponsoring or commissions they might have for that particular video.
I don't know many people who are buying $10K tripods. An ad for a $10K tripod "on sale" won't capture the eye of the audience that much :)