Spotlight on tripods
Posted on Apr 16, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
Hold it right there!
Choose the right video tripod that will hold its ground for all types of projects
Using a genuine video tripod and head set-up just once shows how it can transform your work and improve your shots. While tripods made for stills or hybrid shooters can work decently enough – especially for a locked-down shot – a fluid-damped video tripod is an investment all serious filmmakers should buy.
Capturing motion often involves panning or tilting the camera, requiring a head with smooth, adjustable fluid damping for full control. For heavier payloads, adjustable counterbalance makes sense, allowing you to release the camera without it tipping forward, backward or trapping your fingers.
Unless you’re a fan of shooting the tilted, Dutch-angle look, it’s important to keep the horizon straight. You can do this by fiddling around to adjust the leg length on a stills tripod, but it’s far better to use a real video set-up that has a quick-adjust head with a spirit level. To speed things up, a spreader fits between the legs on some tripods, which lets you instantly open up them up and start filming without much faff.
Although many tripods are sold as a kit with a head, many high-end brands do sell the legs and head separately, allowing a full custom rig to be built. Check out our guide on the best tripods for different users at various price points and target users.
The everyman choice
More professional filmmakers use Manfrotto tripod systems than any other brand, and it’s easy to see why. The Italian brand makes some of the best-performing tripod kits in a range of sizes and price points to suit all users.
Its 645 Fast Twin aluminium tripod – costing £743/$800 – features a traditional double tube leg system. It also has the latest Fast Lever Lock technology for super-quick set-up.
On the top is one of Manfrotto’s high-end Nitrotech heads that uses a unique pressurised cartridge damping system.
The tripod comes with a two-in-one half ball. There is a 100mm bowl along with a 75mm adapter, enabling the use of various heads. It also features a mid-level spreader, but you can remove it and use the three-angle selectors if you wish.
The closure mechanism is between the upper and lower locks, which allow you to control the entire leg with a single lock and get the tripod set up quickly.
The aluminium tripod is a great performer, but if you’re in need of a lighter option, a carbon-fibre version is available at a higher price point.
For a much more affordable alternative, take a look at the Manfrotto 190X Aluminium with 500 head at just £359/$319. The 190 series is a legendary tripod used for decades. The latest X version features various revisions and is teamed up with the 500 Fluid Head and a self-levelling kit to make this a decent, basic system that also performs well.
The head boasts a side lock mounting system, so the camera plate clicks in from above, which is much faster than lining it up to slide it in from one end.
Fluid cartridges on the pan and tilt movements offer resistance for smooth, controlled motion. The spring-loaded counterbalance is not adjustable, though.
For the style-conscious
Funky British tripod brand 3 Legged Thing is known for its stylish kit with unique flair and rock ’n’ roll-inspired names. Coming from a stills background, the brand now provides serious filmmaking options, including the Jay kit for £470/$500.
It’s ideal for smaller cameras, such as mirrorless, rather than a fully kitted-out Arri. The tripod has five-section carbon-fibre legs, folds down to just 50.1cm/19.72in, weighs 2.16kg/4.76lb, reaches 1.21m/46.6in in height and supports a decent payload of 14kg/30lb.
It features a levelling base and comes with the Airhed Cine fluid head for smooth pans and tilts. The legs can be detached for use as a monopod or boom. The brand also offers interchangeable footwear that screws into the base, transforming it into a tabletop tripod.
3 Legged Thing has also expanded its range to include a brand-new Levelling Base. Read more about it here.
When only the best will do
If you finally get that call to produce a Hollywood blockbuster and have a budget that allows you to afford the best, then OConnor is the brand you need in your life.
The OConnor Flowtech 100 with the Ultimate 1040 head is priced at £10,379/$13,300. It borrows Flowtech technology from sister brand Sachtler but is not identical. Both are quick and easy to set up, lightweight and have flat legs for comfortable shoulder carrying. The OConnor model uses a 100mm bowl to accommodate the Ultimate 1040 fluid head, which has a huge range of adjustments suitable for everything from lightweight to super-heavy cinema cameras.
It features stepless, ultra-smooth pan and tilt fluid drag, along with the OConnor sinusoidal counterbalance system for accurate balance at any tilt angle. The Ultimate 1040 supports payloads reaching up to 20kg/45lb at a 15cm/5in centre of gravity, with a +/-90° tilt range.
But for something even more special, take a look at the 2575E Platinum Edition head, which marks 75 years since the first-ever OConnor tripod was sold to Walt Disney.
This also uses the sinusoidal counterbalance system and supports up to 47.6kg/105lb. It boasts a solid, robust stainless steel centre lock and a lightweight carbon-fibre cover with a new platform release mechanism. The price? A snip at £21,600/$20,805.
A professional pick
When it comes to the tripod used by most well-heeled production companies and lusted after by pretty much all filmmakers, the Sachtler Flowtech is it.
Available in a range of sizes, a popular option is the Sachtler Flowtech 75 MS with Aktiv8T head, which costs £2909/$3250 and is the most award-winning tripod of recent years.
The lightweight, carbon-fibre Flowtech 75 MS legs and Aktiv8T head are quick to set up, yet the legs fold flat, making it ideal to carry on the shoulder.
The head mounts to the legs using a single lever lock, rather than needing to be screwed on and locked down with a safety screw. The camera goes on a quick-release plate that clicks into place. There are 15 steps of counterbalance and seven steps of pan and tilt drag adjustment. The Sachtler Flowtech 75 MS with Aktiv8T head kit weighs 6.7kg/14.11lb and has a payload of 12kg/26.5lb.
For a different option of head to fit either the Flowtech 75 or any 75mm bowl, the Ace M Mark II and Ace XL Mark II feature smooth drag and multi-step counterbalance for larger cameras.
The Ace M Mark II is only available as part of a system and offers broadcast-quality camera support in a lightweight and simple system. With a Sachtler 75/2 Mark II tripod, the kit costs £746/$820. Weighing 4.4kg/9.7lb and able to support payloads of 4kg/8.8lb with smooth drag adjustments and five-steps of fast counterbalance, the Mark II systems include an aluminium tripod with carry handle and choice of spreader.
The £574/$655 Ace XL Mark II is for heavier digital cine cameras. It supports payloads up to 8kg/17.6lb with an extra four steps of counterbalance for larger rigs. The Ace XL features an illuminated level bubble plus a removable threaded stud to easily swap from a tripod to a slider.
For the all-rounder
Kenro’s Karoo 3-in-1 Photo & Video Tripod is the most affordable option here at just £80. It’s lightweight, useful for both stills and video and can convert into a monopod. The video-style head offers fluid panning and tilting, with a quick-release plate and a platform that adjusts vertically up to 90°.
It features flip-lock legs for quick set-up, and the removable centre column transforms into a four-section monopod, extending to 137cm/54in. The centre column can also be fastened horizontally for overhead shots, with a hook underneath to attach weights for improved balance. Made from aluminium and some plastic parts, it extends to 185cm/72.8in, folds down to 64cm/25.2in and weighs 1.88kg/4.1lb. The tripod kit also includes a travel bag.
For Japanese quality
Japanese brand Libec uses high-end design and engineering to build some incredible tripods that work well and can take the rough handling doled out by many working professionals.
The brand’s £1272/$921 NX-300MC is a lightweight tripod system with a fluid video head and carbon legs to reduce weight. The NH30 head supports 10kg/22lb, with a multi-step counterbalance for different camera set-ups. Its advanced drag system ensures smooth starts, improved backlash control and increased rigidity.
On the side of the head are 1/4in and 3/8in screw holes to allow attachment of an accessory arm with a monitor or light. This means the total payload capacity, centre of gravity and front-rear balance are not affected.
When attached to the carbon legs, this makes the total weight just under 4kg/1.8kg. Libec has paid attention to the details and shaved the weight down wherever possible to ensure it remains lightweight and reliable, without risking its usability and durability.
The affordable option
Acebil’s P-25GX Professional is a traditional, twin-leg tripod that features a 75mm ball fluid head, aluminium legs, ground-level spreader and comes in its own case. Costing £677/$546 for the complete kit, you sure get a lot for your money.
The head supports loads up to 6.98kg/15.4lb, with a fixed counterbalance and fixed pan and tilt drag. Though a shame, it’s a necessary compromise to keep the price low.
There’s a sliding quick-release plate that attaches to the camera via a 1/4in-20 screw as well as an illuminated bubble level built into the head. The included pan handle can be attached on either the left or right side of the head.
The 75mm bowl T752 tripod features a two-stage leg design and aluminium build to make it sturdy yet not too heavy. It has a height range of 45cm/17.7in to 153cm/60.2in, so it’s tall enough for most uses. Weighing 6.1kg/13.4lb, isn’t too heavy either. It’s a great all-round choice that offers real value.
Get serious about Sirui
Famed for its affordable anamorphic lenses and some of the most innovative tripods like the R-3213X, Sirui is finally making a big push into the UK market with a new distributor.
The brand offers a huge range of video tripods – from mini traveller types to large units with dual handles suitable for mega payloads – all at affordable prices.
The waterproof, carbon-fibre ST-124 tripod with the VA-5X head is a light and sturdy set of sticks, costing just $289. No UK prices have yet been revealed.
A unique triangle-shaped centre column allows for a more compact design and a sturdier build. To make sure it is waterproof, the locking mechanism can seal the legs completely to prevent water, dust and debris getting inside.
Its compact fluid head is Arca-Swiss-compatible and a double locking system stops the camera plate from coming loose. It has two bubble levels though only basic friction control to adjust movement – that’s what makes it so affordable.
The emerging brand
Benro is fast becoming a standout in the video tripod market, offering a growing range of options at very reasonable prices. The latest Benro tripod duo is both portable and ultra-stable, with a 6.8kg/15lb payload capacity, making them ideal for rigged mirrorless or compact cinema cameras.
These tripods feature classic twist locks, with the £180/$160 KH25PC offering a height range of 75cm/29.5in to 156cm/61.6in, while the £200/$200 KH26PC extends from 87.5cm/34.5in to 184.5cm/72.6in.
They have updated quick-release plates featuring strong spring-loaded locator pins to secure the camera, while a traditional VHS pin, along with a sliding main camera thread, allows camera balance adjustments. The new Benro QR15C plate fits both KH25PC and KH26PC video tripod heads, as well as Benro S and S Pro series heads.
The smaller tripod has retractable spiked feet, while the larger sticks have removable, non-slip rubber feet.
This article was first published in the March/April 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
