$2,500 Tripod vs $75 Tripod // 10 Things to Look for in Tripods 

You know you’re a pro level film maker when you can grip a viewer throughout an entire video about tripods. This is virtually the only channel that absolutely retains my attention from start to finish

I could listen to Parker explain stuff for hours.

After years of filmmaking, I bought myself a sachtler. Wont ever go back. Having a good tripod makes all the difference and is, in my opinion, one of the first investments one should make. Especially the sachtler ones will last you for a very long time. A colleague of mine has had his since forever and already took it into the desert and also to very icy places and it still works perfect.

@9:12 on the monfrotto 502 head, you can pull the knob back readjust the position and then tighten it.

That tripod just changed my outlook. I want that eventually. Looks awesome.

9:10 you can pull out on the tightening knob wich enables you to turn the tightening lever without tightening, then tighten the screw all the way more easily. this feature is very usefull and can be found in many quick release systems, but not all users know about this so i wasn't surprised it was raised in as a flaw.

Hey Parker, Regarding the tightening knob at 9:10, you might be able to pull the knob AWAY from the screw it's tightening and get it to rotate freely so you can move it to a better position to continue to allow you to tighten the screw even with the camera already in position. Meant to be used kind of like a socket wrench. Worked on my Benro and that knob looks exactly the same, so probably worth a look!

I love how you’re selling high quality gear without overhyping them. The FTF Gear microphones are amazing and so is this tripod.

Great video! Only thing I might add is that I'm pretty sure that ftf tripod can actually be inverted to get even lower shots literally getting it to the ground. It looks like a rebrand of an old tripod I have. It also uses the Arca Swiss plate which is easy to find adaptors for. Also, the manfrotto plate screw is ratcheting, pull it out to readjust so you're not hitting the camera.

I can watching you all day and no problem 👌 thanks for all this information ❤🙏

Superb and just what I needed. Great video. Thank you Parker!

always excited about your future videos, very informative

The Neewer N55CL is very similar to the Manfrotto, but only a fraction of the price. Plus, it has the ability to flip upside down to get MUCH lower than any of the tripods shown in this video. I've been thoroughly impressed with the one I've been using! I did have a part that broke on the mount, seemingly randomly, but through this I discovered that Neewer's customer service was actually super fast and easy to deal with. I got mine on Amazon, under $200!

FTF Gear quick release plate perfect compatible with Ron SC. This is a great choice for a lightweight camera. Ronin SC for dynamics, tripod for statics

Sachler's legs quick release adjustment is the best one on the market, so convenient for solo operator

The ultra soft sell of your new tripod in this comparison video was pure genius! Hats off to you Parker.

I'm just getting addict to these videos! Awesome content Parker!! ♥

Sachtler is the gold standard, but if you want a tripod like the flowtech legs but cheaper, there's the Manfrotto ones that are great. We ended up getting the Manfrotto FAST legs and they perform just about on par with the Sachtler FlowTech I've used before for $600-$800 less. Still has a great ballhead on it and the legs are fantastic.

Thanks so much for these videos, Parker. I recently caught the film making bug and all this info is amazing as I build up a kit.

Great video, thank you! Answered a ton of questions I didn't even knew I had.

You can get lower with some of the manfrottos in the price range you discussed. Can reverse the bar, camera will be upside down but you can get as close to the ground as you need really. Ive been using both the fluid and ball heads you talked about with the manfrotto, both are really great for people with a mid range budget. Weight is such a big thing, and knowing its not going to fall over is huge. My biggest regret was my 1st tripod, similar to your FTF tripod. The twisty knobs all got sand and dirt in them after a few weeks of use, and when i tried cleaning it i did a horrible job and ended up making it unuseable. So after that I bought the Manfrotto 502, the only thing I ever bought brand new and its made my life so much easier.

Great video. Cool to see the ftf logo on some new gear. Cant wait to see what comes next.

No one comes close to your reviews! you're a master at it! Thank you.

this video definitely helped me to sort out what tripod+head to buy. Thank you

Amazing review! 🙌🏽

glad to see u again boss 🔥

Awesome and honest. Love it! Getting one for sure!

all of my tripods ive been given for free, either someone had one and doesn't want it, hand me downs or gifts. i had a really nice one from the earlier 90's that started to break because of how old it was. from dealing with all the different types of tripods it really makes a difference.

the ftf gear uses the arca swiss quick release system, which is the second most common system to the manfrotto QR. It's just as quick and is perfect for photography as it has a small footprint, and is used on every camera L bracket (what i use for video), as well as some mirrorless half frames. It's also really easy and cheap to pick up an arca swiss to manfrotto plate adapter so you have the best of both worlds

Thanks Parker, ive learned so much from full time filmmaker

Going from Manfrotto 506 to Sachler DV6 was like going to another world. The main difference was the smoth pan och tilt of the Sachler. Worth every penny.

that "spring" is not meant to bring back ur cam into position ... its a counter balance meant to keep your cam at said position with 0 intervention .

Nice video. The counterbalance on the Sachtler is not to return the head to any position. It is intended to allow you to tilt the camera up or down and have the head retain that position without creep or "counterbalance" breathing".

The video ended and somehow I still want more - This guy gets it

Was helping out a production company and got to work with the FX6 on the Sachtler tripod. Definitely feels like a 2k tripod 😅 I think I’ll stick to my trusty $40 3Pod for the time being

I love every video you do! I've been saving for joining the FTF team and I almost do it! I am so excited for learning a lot! Thank you Parker for everything you teach us! Saludos de México! 😊

Love the non bias review

Parker finally here....love u

Great comparison. I have a manfrotto one, which I love, but having that sachtler is the dream.

Great comparison. There is a version of the Manfrotto 502 head that has a horizon adjustment though.

The Manfrotto head also has a bowl variant for that quick levelling option

Perfectly done video. I don't often comment but your b roll was perfect and kept me engaged. keep up the great work!

Finally a proper video that compares a sub-$100 tripod to pro video tripods. I hate hearing most others keep telling us to invest in an expensive tripod which indeed lasts long but wouldn't necessarily fit most people's needs and budget.

Great video bro

Amazing Parker thanks! Just got a second hand Sachtler Ace 1001 M and looking forward to be using it with the teleprompter :))

Love the 055, it serves me well

Thank you Parker I need a new tripod, this will help

7:50 made my morning

Thank you for the informative video, I was having trouble finding the best tripod to fit my BMPCC 6k rig - for a RU-vid desk setup. Your video helped me make a decision, than you again!

Thank you.. !

Great video 👍👍

This is perfect timing! Was just looking to upgrade my tripods!

I got the manfroto with out the included head and got a small rig head with leveling base I tend to use arca swiss mount with everything so small rig is my go to brand for price to quality ratio

Very informative

Real talk I'm looking for one and I haven't found anything in my price category 🤷🏼‍♂️ you made my day🔥

I am still learning because of you Parker

Serious review in a funnier way..❤️

Yaaahhhh, parker comeback

I like the marketing strategy in this video, very very smart Parker 😏 nice tripod btw, was looking for a budget one for my small travel camera, I'll keep this one in the top 3 options.

Another great video guys! One thing I noticed: @5:23 you explain that the spring loading adjustment is to make the camera come back level instead of tipping. My understanding (and how I’ve always used that adjustment on my fsb6) is that the counterbalance is to make the weight as “neutral” as possible. That way if you’re tilted on a shot, the camera won’t drift up or down, even if you have the fluid drag set quite light. If set correctly, you can even let go of the handle and the camera should stay tilted at the same angle. You don’t have to rely on a tighter drag then desired or using the lock to keep the camera from vertical drift. If you’ve never used it this way, I suggest setting the drag to the lowest setting, getting the camera perfectly balanced, then adjusting the counterbalance until you can leave the camera at any angle and it will stay steady, the adjust the drag back to the desired stiffness. It’s super useful, especially when filming something such as a sports event from a raised platform or a theatrical performance from a raised position in the back room or a music concert, pointed up at a performer etc where having the camera constantly trying to drift back to level would be highly undesirable.

Nice video and good information about these tripods. I have a Sirui tripod but i don't have a fluid head, and that is something i should need for making video's.

Great video brother. Helped a lot for me. Lots of love from Nepal 🇳🇵❤️🔥

Cool, great tripods

Video background looks nice🤩

9:08 cant you pull out the lever and adjust its position, without tightening it? As you can on e.g. on most glidecams?

Parker is making an FTF pack! The mic, now the tripod. I wouldn't mind if he made a Drone haha! That would be awesome!

I'm interested in leg spread, and the tightness of the head grip. I use a heavy 3-axis slider setup (Dynamic Perception) and I've yet to find a pair of tripods that can cope with the weight and stability required. Affordable tripods seem to have a very narrow locking leg spread which is unstable with that much weight. Also it's difficult to balance the weight on top of the tripod so it doesn't flop over during the slide. I've experimented with angle steel from Bunnings but that's not really practical for backpacks, I'd need to hire a sherpa!

I purchased a ZOMEi tripod about a year ago that is exactly the same as the FTF gear. I think I spent about $70.00 which is comparable. Great vid comparison as always though Parker.

This comparison helps for my video. I have a tripod for photographing, it's small and light weight, but it's shaken when take a video.

Manfrotto does have a 503 head with a half ball to actually let you get that fin tuning for leveling

Benro A2573F is my affordable tripod with the S6 head. Made of Aluminum Magnesium, has fluid head and all the goodies and still transportable on the side my camera bag. Sad they don't make them anymore.

I really wish someone would make a knock-off of those Sachtler latches (something in the $300-$900 range).

respectfully, while I haven't used too many tripods over the $100 price point, I shoot with a dslr, (often with a tripod attached, sometimes with a battery grip attached, often with a large usb battery attached (as i've taken to powering over usb for the past year or so), sometimes with some longer lenses depending on what i'm trying to capture (I've got a 45-200 and a 200-400mm zoom that i break out occasionally), and I've been able to use all that easily on a $40 tripod I found on sale at amazon some 10 years ago. it's a metal design with levers that have never let me down, a fluid head (and yeah, i've used better fluid heads, but this one is just fine for my purposes, and it's extremely light too - i've gone backpacking with it before. If you find the right deal, you can reasonably easily find good tripods under $50 that can be real workhorses. - especially for people starting out or are doing non-professional work, it may not make sense to budget $100+ for a tripod.

Nice video! ONe question: Do you think the Sony A1 is the money worth? If I could also go with a red komodo instead?

Best channel.

Great videos, What’s a reliable tripod leg repair service ? I have both Miller & Sachtler with leg latches that keep slipping when fully Locked. Thank You

I HATE doing research when I need to buy gear. I just want to shoot. Thanks for making things less painful - great video.

Wow I did not know that you worked for Devinsupertramp. Makes sense how nice content you make. Good job and good review, very honest. I prefer Lever adjustments on tripods tho, Neewer and Manfrotto Befree Lines are the ones I would go.

I'm kinda weirded out by how much I lucked out with my Andoer tripod that has most of the Sachtler features from top loading manfrotto quick release to fluid head with adjustments and balancing. And I got it for £47, though if I remember it was reduced from about £120 at the time.

Newer tripod is just like the ftf tripod. Works great for me and can take 20lbs, but allows for 90 degree side mount. I think it cost like 45$

Hey! I dont want to sound presumptuous but when you speak about the springs in the sachler you are missleading. High end tripod have springs yes, but their job is not keeping the head in a neutral position, instead they have springs to balance the tripod so that you can stop your tilt in witch position you want and the camera doesn't tilt forward or backward. If the camera return to a neutral position is actually a problem because you are overloading the springs and there is a chance of breaking the head!

@9:10 you know pull that lever to reposition it to fit under the cam .

I have a secced tripod, chinese sachtler kind of tripod. Like it even more than all the expensive sachtler tripods I've used.

Do for photography tripods as well

Thoughts on the Peak Design compact tripod?

lovely

I am actually using tripod similar to the 75 dollar tripod that you have. It is really convenient and a lot cheaper compared to the others. Just one concern, would you recommend a certain ballhead that can be used to teh 75 dollar thing so that the panning of videos will be better? Thanks a lot in advance!

can u tell me of what us that quick release plate made of and also the holder holding it? will the camera stay on the tripod in vertical mounting ?

Do a video about bags with wheels please?

Love the review. Fuck...you even made me order your tripod. It was the most unbiased advertisement I have ever seen. Well done Parker!

Sachtler handsdown best tripod i ever used, the price never lied, so luck my stasion buy for us can used it

i could have ignored all the talking and still enjoyed just the clips of parker breaking tripods!

I will buy the ftf tripod because it awesome and it's enough to me

The Manfrotto reaches floor level. It is very versatile.

Hello @Parker Thanks for producing this content I have been inspired so much...Well I have a question. I am currently in a non profit organisation that does outreach (Media need: Photos and On Site Videos for documentaries | Audio) , 2. Music Videos (Media Need: Video Stationery and Movable) and Lastly Live Streaming (Live streaming duration is normally 1 hour but during programs can go to 3 hours Max). Among these things our main focus is live streaming and Music Video. I am looking for gear from Camera & Lens to switcher for live to lighting...Keeping the Budget Under $7000 what would you suggest we start with to cover our main categories? Brand we want is Canon....As I ve learnt on this channel the color composition of Canon is better than Sony.

we miss you Parker ❤️

Good video

Will all FTF Gear expand worldwide or to canada? a also opening a independent shop would be amazing

The Sachtler weight compensation is not explained correctly. It is not there to return the camera to a neutral position. Correctly adjusted, the counterbalance holds the camera in any position, without locking. Try it - its great!

Can the FTF tripod be inverted to get the camera lower to the ground?