Best tripod and head for video and photography

[Latham]

Hey, in the market for a new tripod that will do both video and photography. Budget would be around $400 for both but if you have a recommendation that is above this price, go for it and post it anyway. I would like it to last and be able to hold a decent amount of weight. What would be the specs I would look for so I can research myself? Should I get two seperate specialised heads e.g one for stills one for video? Also, can you combine gear from different brands e.g. manfrotto legs with gitzo head? If necessary to know I own a 550d with canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 and sigma 50mm f1.4

Cheers

[in2fx]

The Manfrotto 055XPROB is a very solid and versatile tripod which can do almost anything that you would ever require, and then decide what sort of head you want to mount on it.

Most people prefer the Fluid Heads for video, but the Grip Ball Heads are also popular, and either could also be used for a DSLR if you only wanted the one head.

I have a 498RC2 Ball Head on a 055XPROB for my DSLR which allows me to keep the horizon level as I turn it unlike most Ball Heads.

[Latham]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=352929469

Any good? heavy but could be cheap. What are your ideas on this tripod and head?

[smurff]

it dosnt really show you if the legs are any good or if the locking things are any good, may be a good tripod may not, myself unless i got to see it and decided before hand i wouldnt get it.

the seller says its manfrotto, which is a good brand, but cant tell for sure its a real one from the pics

-smurff

[Latham]

Just started looking into tripods and heads again. The 055xprob seems like the tripod for me! but now it is choosing a head that suits my needs. I would like it to be fluid as I will be filming with it. I am looking at the manfrotto 701HDV or the 501HDV. I read that the 501HDV needs at least 1.3kg of weight to work properly and since I don't have very heavy gear I thought that the 701HDV would be the better choice. What is everyone's thoughts?

[sonicfantom]

If it means anything to you, I'd like to get a 055XPROB and a grip ball head.

Realistically you'll never need the 6kg capacity of the 501HDV with a DSLR, unless you happen to buy something along the lines of an EF 400/2.8L supertele.