On Wed, 09 May 2001 15:25:22 GMT, service@digitalwinona.com wrote:

>I am fairly certain that I am going to purchase the JVC 500
>Professional camcorder. Now it would be nice to find out the favorite
>tripod and heads used by the group. I think I will need a fluid head
>of course and a quick release. I also remember hearing something
>about one quick release that had dropped cameras. If you would just
>send in your fav tripod and head I will check out the prices at B&H
>and decide. This info will help me a lot and probably others too.
>Remember the camera is over 11 pounds. Thanks.

There is the plethora of light-weight amateur tripods
(essentially useless for pan/tilt with video, but often
good enough to hold the camera up in a fixed position ;-);
then there is the medium-weight Bogen stuff (acceptable
in a pinch); and the "good" stuff, like medium/heavy-weight
Sachtler/Cartoni/Vinton/etc. - once you try the last,
even though the price can easily exceed the price of
the camera, it is hard to go back... Best bet: buy
a used "good" tripod with a "good" fluid head - they
are out there in aluminum as people convert to composite
"sticks", and can sometimes be found for under $1000...