Tripod selection Criteria for Camcorder use

[Topefisher]

What are the main considerations when selecting a tripod specific to camcorder use.

There appears to be 2 x main common price bracket ranges i.e. those around the £30-£40 mark and those at the £75-£100 mark.

At the moment I am looking at the lighter models of around the 1.3kg mark where I know that I will have to loose some stability for the lightness.

What should I be looking for up at the business end?

[redsox_mark]

There is a huge range of prices of tripods... you can get ones for several hundreds of pounds (or even thousands...)

You want a smooth, fluid head. Better tripods will have a fluid head, where the tension is caused by fluid (oil). Cheaper ones have plates and use friction.

You want to be able to pan smoothly.

For budget tripods I like Velbon, DV7000 is heavy but good. There are cheaper lighter models which are also decent.
Manfrotto makes good heads, but you are talking £200 including a decent set of legs.