[abe]

I was watching these videos, or should I say TRYING to watch them and the camera work of the individuals is just God **** AWFUL.

Partially due to lack of technique. And partially because it looks like they are using a tripod (in the top video) made for still photography.

G2 Solutions Analyst Notes, Aerospace News Review & Market Commentary

What is your choice of the CHEAPEST best fluid head tripod (head & sticks) combo for commercial video use?

I know you will ask me for what application and I will just say, like for weddings.

Mobility, not too heavy but carbon fiber is NOT necessary. 5 lb camera.

Need to be able to make long slow smooth pans, mostly, and multi directional follow or tilts, occasionally.

$300 or less.

Other features are nice but the ability to produce smooth, steady images is the #1 priority and the #2 priority is the lowest price. Everything else is gravy or unimportant.

Used is ok. Links are appreciated. Time frame for acquisition is not urgent.

[Buckaroo]

I use to have one. You can get them fairly resaonable from ebay.

One thing I looked for in a replacement tripod was weight. It's no fun carrying a heavy tripod. Look for something made of carbon fiber for strength and low weight. You can hang your camera bag on the tripod center hook for stability.

[GSixZero]

I think reason the panning on that video sucks is because it's not a human panning the camera, it's a machine. No human would do such a poor job keeping the object of interest in frame.

[CIA]

Manfrotto 503, Under $300, very good.
Dunno about sticks....