[sws_grey_box box_size=”621″] Disclaimer: I was given this item for free in exchange for a review. But like all my reviews I am being as objective as possible. [/sws_grey_box]
B&H Photo Video sent me a couple of tripods for review right before heading out of state for a large shoot. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to shoot a video review so this article will have to suffice. I was, however, able to used both of these tripods for a large gig this past weekend.
The two tripods are the Pearstone VT-2100 and the Pearstone VT2500B. Both are at different price points and for different shooters. Lets start with the VT-2100.
Pearstone VT-2100 $80
The Pearstone VT-2100 is made of aluminum and plastic, has a telescoping head giving you over a foot of extra height (max height of 64.3 inches), and can hold up to 15 lbs although I would not recommend much more then 10.
(VT-2100 on left)
All the knobs are plastic and aren’t the most robust. So don’t go over tightening them.
The quick release plate works great. I have an older tripod with pretty much the exact same plate design and it has worked great for 3 years. Even though it is plastic.
Actual operation of the VT-2100 is very smooth. There is no speed adjustments so no whip pans.
I think this tripod is a great solution to 3 types of shooters.
- New DSLR Video Shooters – Anyone getting started with their first camera looking for an affordable tripod should find this helpful. Its very smooth and its fast and easy to setup.
- Traveling Shooters – The VT-2100 packs down to 25 inches and is under 5 lbs. Which would make it a decent option for a travel tripod.
- Affordable Second Tripod – Its always handy to have a 2nd tripod. You never know when one might break or if you will need to lend one to your second shooter.
Pearstone VT-2500B $150
All in all the VT-2500B is a decent tripod. But I don’t know if the price to quality ratio is a desirable one. Lets start with the pros.
I like the operation of the tripod with a lightweight rig/camera package.
I really like the bowl and level setup. This makes getting level shots on any terrain fast and easy.
The leg clamps and center mount make closing up the legs very fast and efficient.
Things were looking good for this mid-grade tripod until I tried mounting my Cinevate slider… Now the Cinevate Atlas 10 FLT is a man’s slider. All metal and pretty heavy. I mounted my slider to the VT-2500B and locked the head down and performed a couple slide shots and to my disappointment the whole head rocked back and forth… I isolated the wiggle down to the base of the tripod bowl. It seems that there is a gap that was created to get smoother pans but when weight is applied to an extreme left or right, the tripod rocks to that side. (see gap in image below).
This is kind of lame.
So if you use a slider on one tripod you might consider the D&S Provista tripod for $15 more than the $150 VT-2500B.
Other than that I think for the price this is a decent tripod.