Entry Level Tripod - for video and still camerasThe new Pearstone VT-2100 Video Tripod by Mark Shapiro If you have no budget, this is the tripod you need to get! If you are just starting out in video or even digital still photography, you need to take a look at the tripod. It is very lightweight and portable, excellent for travel and student use. It includes its own custom carrying case. This is NOT a pro tripod - it only works for lightweight cameras. (Up to 15 pounds max) What separates the VT-2100 from the cheapie tripods you buy at a discount store? Smoother pan and tilt, internal bubble level for setting up on bumpy ground or hills, mid level spreader to provide extra support, and quick release plate. It includes hand crank for raising and lowering the camera column. It is a bit jerky so you would not want to use this while doing a live shot. With legs fully extended and the column full up, you can get the camera a bit over 5 feet high. Great features: The Pearstone VT-2100 Fluid Head Video Tripod is a portable, lightweight video tripod that can support cameras weighing up to 15 lbs. Its two-way pan head features separate pan and tilt locks for stable, locked-down shots, or you can pan a full 360° and tilt up and down for smooth tracking of action. An internal bubble level helps you keep the tripod level on uneven ground, while the built-in mid-level spreader holds the legs secure during readjustment.
Another great feature is the geared center column, which uses a hand crank to easily raise or lower the camera to find that perfect height (as high as 64.3"). Whether you're shooting with a DSLR, small camcorder, or even a digital point-and-shoot, the VT-2100 will give you the stability your videos need. The tripod's quick-release plate lets you easily snap the camera loose and shoot handheld. =================================================== Why Every Video Maker Needs to Use a Tripodby 4Video Does your video make your viewers sea-sick? As basic as it may be to pros. Novice videographers tend to take the easy route and free hand everything. No matter how steady your hand, or how super duper your image stabilization feature. A good quality tripod is the anchor of a smooth video shoot. A tripod is not "training wheels" for your camcorder, but rather an essential extension of it. A good tripod is equally as important as your video light or external microphone. Video shot for the Internet will gain huge advantages when using a tripod. This is because all compression and encoding software uses "sampling" . Even if the human eye can't detect it, software can. The smoother the movement the better. This will result in a crisp and cleaner export to the video codec of your choice. Not only will it stream better and avoid buffer hang-ups. The file size will be smaller as less information needs to be saved. This is not a comparison or best tripod article. Instead I hope to enlighten you on what to look for and what not to buy. Following is a list of tripod manufactures so that you may shop and compare what will best serve your needs and budget. 1st - what not to buy. The $19.95 tripod sold by a major discount retailer is absolute junk. When the only thing important is low price - corners are cut in an effort to undercut any pricing competition. Since you will be replacing it in a few months and therefore spending at least another $19.95, just go ahead and spend at least $40.00 the first time. There is a huge difference in quality between a $20.00 tripod and a $40.00 one. For the video hobbyist, this may be all you need or want to invest. The rule here, as with most things in life, is you get what you pay for. From $40.00 to $100.00 you will find a wide variety of features and options. Here is what to look for and consider. Quick Release: Look for a head mount that has a quick release lever. Also a flip -out turner versus just a plain flat head screw that detaches your cam from the mounting plate. Bubble Level: Just because your tripods legs can be set exactly at the same height, does not mean the ground is level. This will help you avoid uneven horizons and crooked rooms. Feet: Avoid plastic cap feet found on cheap tripods. Rubber is much better, preferably with metal spikes. Especially on a light weight tripod. Plastic cap feet will slide all over tile floors. Leg locks: Quick release levers are more convenient than turn and tighten systems. None of your family or friends wants to wait for you to collapse your tri pod. Quick release levers - and a spreader are ideal. Unless you want to keep chasing after everyone on your next visit to the amusement park. Weight: Heavier is better because they are more stable. But light weight ones are easier to carry. Decide which is more important. I keep both an inexpensive lightweight tripod and a rock solid pro one. Height: Check to see how high and how low the tripod adjusts. Storage and portability need to be considered. Generally tripods go up in price as height increases. Personally, I like to shoot at a variety of heights for different effects. Try shooting the kids at 1/2 the average tripods height on their level. You will see the difference in perspective. Another trick is to grab the tripod at the bottom of the legs and hold it up over your head. This will give you about 12 feet instantly to shoot for example a crowd of people. Use the cams playback screen as your view finder. Mount: There are basically two types. Flat or bowl mount. Flat is all you will get under $100.00. But some pro tripods have a bowl mount which allows you to level the head without adjusting the legs. Head type: A true fluid head provides for incredibly smooth pans and tilts. This is a strong indicator of a quality tripod. Expect to pay over $75.00 to gain this feature. Be aware of the deceptive marketing used by some companies who use descriptions such as "fluid like" or "fluid action" on their packaging. This does not mean it is a true fluid head. TIP* If you find your non fluid head sticky, grease it with a dab of petroleum jelly. Other Considerations for the pros: Adaptability for tripod attachments such as auto zoom or pan remote controllers. Sony sells a nice line of these tripods equipped with these features at some savings over buying them separately. As do other companies. The price on remote control tripods have dropped considerably in the last 5 years. Can dolly legs / wheels be attached? While it is possible to spend as much as a $1,000.00 for a pro tripod. $300.00 is all 95% of pro videographers ever need to spend. Unless your situation demands a very specialized tripod above $300.00 --$400.00 you are either wasting your money or paying for features you will rarely use, or simply don't need. Occasionally I am asked what is the secret to good video. My standard answer is good equipment and experience. While experience only comes in time. Good equipment includes the best tripod your budget will afford, and you can get one today. My personal preference for budget priced light weight tripods is SILK. Then Bogen for a pro tripod. However, to be fair because my Bogen has endured many years of abuse and service, I have limited use of other manufactures products. Bogen is well deserving of their reputation for quality and I see more Bogen tripods in the field than any other pro tripod. I hope this article has helped to enlighten you on what to look for and the importance of a good tripod. If you do not have one and are ready to vastly improve your videos click on the B&H banner above and help support Internet Video Magazine with your purchase. They carry many brands at all price points. Just as a foot note, I have always had a pleasant buying experience whenever I have ordered through B&H. Here are some of our favorites with direct links for more info and to buy them 
Bogen / Manfrotto BO3021P3433 - 3021 Pro Tripod Legs (Chrome) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Fluid Head (Quick Release) - Supports 13.20 lb $260
SLIK Pro 330DX Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release) - Supports 6.63 lb (3.01 kg) $90 
This is a incredible value buy. Normal retail $47.95 - Discounted to $18.95 !! Titanium finish, quick release legs, spreader & rubber tip feet. Sunpak SU2001UT - 2001UT Tripod - Supports 4.40 lb (2.00 kg)
If you have the budget for the best - get a Gitzo. The Gitzo G1257LVL Leveling Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod uses advanced "Carbon 6X" carbon fiber material for its leg construction. This Leveling tripod has a ball joint-mounted center column designed to let you get your camera perfectly level simply by adjusting the column inclination instead of having to set each leg individually. Related Articles: How to Build Your Own Steadycam - How to Keep Your Camcorder Steady and Smooth when Shooting Internet Video DV Caddie Review - When you need to be mobile How to Shoot Video What Video Accessories do you really need? Are you a master of your zoom? Do you find yourself watching back your videos and thinking - huh, what was I thinking? That easy to use zoom control button is the most commonly abused control on your camcorder. 35x zoom can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Here is a fun little tutorial about how to take control of your zoom more
Creating good audio is often the most difficult challenge when creating videos and home movies – especially for those who use consumer grade camcorders. It is easy to fool the eye but very difficult to fool the ear. Tips on How to Get Sound for Your Home and Family Video Movies | 
