The Frugal Networker

3Pod V3AH Video Tripod
Adorama Camera, Inc.
$99.95 (Free shipping)

In photography, there’s nothing quite like stability. And if you’re using a tripod, you need stability because even the slightest movements during an exposure can have disastrous results. These days that’s not as expensive as it used to be because of our digital cameras and instant picture view, but film aficionados understand what I’m talking about. Often, you couldn’t tell that your trusty tripod had failed you until you developed your film, enlarged the negatives onto print paper, and discovered that indeed there was movement from a breeze, an overzealous shutter snap, or a slight bump as you released the tilt bar. But for the sake of stability, many a photographer lugged a 50-pound tripod around the countryside to grab that perfect image.

Videographers have the same problem. Camera shake makes people dizzy or uneasy when watching a film. You don’t want to purposely induce vertigo in your audience, so you resort to a tripod for stability. Hopefully one you can lift, move, balance, and position many, many times over the course of a long day’s shoot.

The 3Pod V3AH is such a tripod. It has almost every feature of a tripod costing hundreds of dollars. For the videographer on a budget, the guerrilla videographer, the YouTuber, or the professional who needs to travel light, the V3AH might be your perfect choice. At a nickel under $100, it’s really easy on your wallet.

Included in the box:

• V3AH Video Tripod
• Fluid Panhead with Sliding Quick-release plate
• Padded Carrying Case
• Manual

From the Adorama V3AH page:

The V3AH is the 3Pod video tripod of brute strength and stability with an impressive supported payload of 14.5lbs. The 3-tiered extendable leg system lets the V3AH reach heights of 61″, and features sturdy rubber feet, large, easy to grasp locking knobs, and a torsion resistant aluminum center brace for added strength.

The professional 2-Way fluid metal panhead attaches to the body with a half-bowladaptor mounting system. It is manipulated by a fully adjustable textured handle, and provides a 360 degree range of silent, jitter-free motion with state-of-the-art dampening, counterbalance and drag functions, a built-in bubblelevel, and individual directional locking. An included sliding quick-release plate detaches from the panhead with a safe-spring release pin.

There’s nothing that I can tell you about this tripod that you can’t read for yourself. The real proof of how great it is has to be seen.

The V3AH in action.

Why it’s Frugal: For $100, the V3AH is the best of class tripod that I’ve seen. Its list of features, plus 3Pod’s quality craftsmanship, and its three-year warranty just can’t be beat. Adorama is the photographer’s standard for amateurs to professionals and they’re products are designed with the working photographer in mind.

The V3AH comes in a sturdy, black nylon case with reinforced stitching on stress prone areas, such as the handles and zippers. The case is tough and solid without adding a lot of extra weight to the tripod. Who needs to lug around extra pounds on any shoot? I want my gear protected, but not at the cost of needing to rent a pack mule for the hike.

Rating: 9/10

Recommendation: If you can buy or only want one tripod and don’t want to spend more than $100, this should be it.