I'm looking to upgrade my current basic Canon tripod for my 30D (I'm keeping this tripod for backpack trips due to it's size/weight). I'm looking to get a decent tripod (looking mostly at Manfrotto) with a fluid head that won't break the bank. I know my 30D doesn't do video, but I would prefer to have a fluid head for the possibility of using this with a video setup in the future. As an amateur, the Manfrotto 700RC2 looks appealing, and paired with the 190XB at BH, it's $230 for the kit. I know that head isn't a $300+ professional unit, but it gets solid reviews. I don't really want to skimp here if it's not worth it, so I'm open to some suggestions here.
I use the 190XB and the 701 Manfrotto...you shouldn't ever need anything more than that, I really like it and it works very well.
I had the 700RC2 my first year filming and it really kinda sucks. If you don't have the tension set tight enough it falls forward and if you do set it tight enough, you can't move the tilt fluidly. I would get a 701 long before the 700RC2.
The 700RC2 really isn't the best fluid head, but if money is an issue it can serve the purpose. But if you could afford it, I would look into the 701, or even better, the 501.
I have this one http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190...8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306265571&sr=1-8 .........and LOVE it. It's not the best, but I don't need the best. I have a 701 on top of it, which is very nice as well.
