What tripod and fluid head do you like for video?

I need a tripod with leveling base and head for video. What do you like or recommend, hopefully at a reasonable cost.
Here's my expected use and requirements.

Currently have a 7Dii with 100-400 lens. Hope to one day add a small screen, possibly sound mixer, and mic. Might one day also use a longer lens, 500 or 600. I want to keep the rig light, as I might be hiking with it.

The tripod needs a leveling base, will likely be in salty or brackish water from time to time, and needs to spread wide for low shooting. I expect to be sitting on the ground or a stool during most of my filming. Would also like to have ability to switch out the head with a gimbal head for photography shooting.

I currently have a bogen 3021 that was purchased new in the 80s. I find it heavy and hate the thumb locking mechanism, which break too often. I rarely used it for photography. Also don't like the shiney legs.

Thanks.

I don't know of a tripod ideal for your use - the real kicker is frequently running in the mud and water. So, I don't have a definite recommendation, but do consider:

To break things down a bit:
The Benbo Trekker is great for the muck. The leg joints are at the top instead of the bottom of the legs. Incredibly versatile, low, low, low. It's really for a ball head, though.

Manfrotto has leveling columns available for several of their "still" tripods. Compact, leave a video head on the leveling column, put a ball head on the original column. A nice solution for dSLR or smaller camcorders.

If you go this route you'll be shopping separately for a video head. Most have fixed counterbalance springs, which are a hassle for light gear, until you put your big lens on, then, if properly matched, they're great.

One of the best newer tripods/heads in a classic video style is the Sachtler Ace series. Sachtler is one of the few companies to really respond to the small/light trend in video cams or dSLR for video, and their products are highly respected. They've had a few missteps in the Ace line too, but kudos anyway, and supposedly the problems are fixed. If I recall these have adjustable counterbalance.

With a classically styled video tripod you might also invest in a hi-hat, ground pod, or short sticks...

As for leveling tripods, the Induro "Grande" series uses the same industry standard 75mm or 100mm bowl adapters as Gitzo and other brands do.

I have a 2 series and 4 series Induro grand and rate them up with Gitzo for over all toughness.

The 3 series is the sweet spot for most heavy photo shooting, for Video depending on the set up, you might want to go up to the 4.

The older version of the 404 (the one I have) is still available in some places at considerable discount vs. the newest version;

https://www.amazon.com …mbc?ie=UTF8&con​dition=new

Add these two parts for leveling bowl set up;
https://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1476216​148&sr=1-6

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=91T6NG56XB​Q2DZ03V7EW

or;

https://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1476216​148&sr=1-1

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll look into them all.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18154302
Add these two parts for leveling bowl set up;
https://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1476216​148&sr=1-6

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=91T6NG56XB​Q2DZ03V7EW

would the above two items fit a bogen 3021 to create a leveling base.

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18154570
would the above two items fit a bogen 3021 to create a leveling base.

I do not think so. The Bowl adapter fits the opening in a Gitzo "Systematic" tripod that is left when the top flat plate is removed. I do not believe Manfrotto makes a tripod that will fit this kind of bowl.
They do however make ones with the bowl built in.

Also, Larry, be aware that this part;
https://www.amazon.com …fRID=91T6NG56XB​Q2DZ03V7EW

Is only required for "normal" style heads. Many Video specific heads already have the male side of the 100mm/75mm bowl/ball built in.

Example: (pricey one though)
https://www.amazon.com …fRID=0JY7J01V0H​EAD28H9XFB


Alternatively for smaller more affordable heads/Video rigs, the 100mm bowl parts can be replaced with 75mm parts.

Here's a reasonably priced 75mm ball equipped video head;
https://www.amazon.com …video+head+with​+75mm+ball

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18154570
would the above two items fit a bogen 3021 to create a leveling base.

Larry, I found this;
http://www.adorama.com …PaajdKY1M8CFUpN​fgodQ7IJxA

to convert a normal tripod to fit the bowl system.

I'd call Adorama to confirm it will work with your tripod.

I ended up buying the manfrotto 502AH video head (with flat base) and will mount on top of an E-image leveling base. Gonna work with my ancient Bogen 3021 tripod for now until I get some experience under my belt. The leveing base came with a 1/4" male thread on top, so I had to put a 3/8" adapter on it. Also, there's no way to lock down the video head to the leveling base. It just screws on and if I'm not careful, it could begin to unscrew if I put lots of drag on my panning to the left. Hope to test it out soon.

https://www.manfrotto.​us …deo-head-flat-base-m-size

http://www.adorama.com​/iaeia29.html

Just an update for anyone thinking of buying an Ikan leveling base for their tripod for use with video head. Mine broke after a few months of use. The manufacturer is sending out a replacement today. I suspect these things were meant for use with a video head where there is more side-to-side pressure placed on them versus use with a stills camera. At some point I'll be buying a real video tripod with leveling base.

https://www.adorama.co​m/images/Large/iaeia29​.jpg