Only for the next FEW HOURS - Save -$100 OFF the Davis & Sanford Provista 7518 Tripod with FM18 Head [Now just $99 bucks]. This tripod mainly receives excellent reviews from users for it's price and performance. Of course you can always replace the head with another 75mm bowl mount Fluid Head, so that makes the legs pretty worth it too.
I myself have experience with this tripod and although it's not the 'smoothest' fluid head, it's solid platform to carry Video Jibs and Video Sliders. It's also great as a workhorse if you do mainly slow pans and static camera angles carrying Rigs up to 18lbs. Currently available on the Deal Zone for next few hours (or until sold out).
Davis & Sanford Provista 7518 Tripod with FM18 Head
Apostolos
Thanks guys. My understanding is that the S6 doesn't have pan adjustability.
Rob S.
@Apostolos I have the Benro S6 that I use for slider work and locked off for b-cam. It's a very good tripod head with decent counter balance adjustability. You can't beat it for the price.
Emm
Post author@Apostolos - I have tried it at the shows, yes very nice head for the price, and still Manfrotto plate compatible.
Apostolos
Thanks for the tip, Emm. I picked up a couple of those while the sale was on. They usually sell for about $149, btw. The FM18 head is pretty decent, and you can't do much better for a fluid head and sticks for $100 shippped. How do you feel about the Benro S8 head Emm, any experience with it? I've been reading good reviews about it and it seems to be about $100 cheaper than the Manfrotto 504.
Rob S.
That was my first video tripod head that I bought when I started out. Pretty decent for the price. I prefer Manfrotto legs, though.
Emm
Post author@Apostolos - If you buy the correct 502 head you don't need the 75mm bowl Adapter. I just made that suggestion earlier because someone else had purchased the flat base head and wanted to adapt it to this D&S tripod.
Apostolos
So, if you wanted to swap the FM18 head with the Manfrotto 502, you'd be looking at about $165 currently, as the 502 is about $125 (after the rebate) and the adapter is about $40. Does it
moe
And... the sale is over... =(
Herman
Very interesting and I certainly would (that 502HD head I definitely want to replace my 717AH).. but the tripod is not very travel friendly 🙁
Emm
Post author@Von - Yes, but you'd now have to buy another adapter. You will need something like this that allows you to add a flat head to a 75mm bowl: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008041-REG/benro_bl75_75hb_75mm_half_ball.html
75mm Bowl Mount Adapter for Standard Flat Base Fluid Head
Von
I just bought that head! But it's the flat version. Is there any way to make it fit?
Emm
Post author@gabe - Some people may not be fond of the ergonomics on this head, but it's very smooth. Right now there's an MIR discount on this Manfrotto 502HD. This is a 75mm head that would go right on top of that tripod so you can swap that other head for this one. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827209-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502A_75Mm_Half_Ball_Head.html
Manfrotto 502HD Fluid Head 75mm Bowl Mount
gabe
I have this tripod and I know what you mean bout it not being the smoothest. I'm looking to upgrade. WHat wood yu say is 1-2 steps ahead of to the D&S?
Emm
Post author@Daniel - Yeah the QR is not the same, but as a workaround if you want this to fit with your workflow, you can always add a Manfrotto QR base on the top. I have done this before.
Daniel
I have this tripod and like it a lot – it's sturdy and solid. My one gripe is that the QR plate is almost-but-not-quite Manfrotto 501 compatible.
Robert
That's a great deal!
I've had my D&S for about 7 or 8 years now, and while, yes, it's not the smoothest of tripod heads, it's an amazing workhorse that won't let you down.