comments:
Go to r/videography and search for "fluid head", that's the biggest issue. For a smooth pan you need a good head with very little friction and you need to be able to adjust it to your camera's weight. For that there are real fluid heads with discs that are separated by layers of oil-y stuff, sealed and manufactured to tight standards. The good ones last about forever. And then there are cheap "fluid" heads that are just plastic grinding on plastic, with maybe a drop of oil in there, somewhere. Very light, but not worth it IMO. Read the discussions, I'd say most people agree on that. The ACE M is the smallest and cheapest Sachtler tripod+head, and the head isn't sold separately. I'd recommend it, but the bad news is you're talking 700€ already, and it weighs about 5kg. The head alone is perhaps half of that. If you can find one used (or perhaps an older model) I'd go for it. https://www.sachtler.com/en/product/system-ace-m-ms-mk-ii/ For lightweight legs I have an iFootage Gazelle K7. It has a 75mm leveling bowl, which is what you need for a real video head, sturdy legs, good height, flip locks and I expect it to last a long time. But it's another 300€. Then again, this might be an option for traveling light: https://www.amazon.com/IFOOTAGE-Professional-Telescopic-Compatible-Camcorders/dp/B07GQYQ5G4/?th=1 Definitely not meant to be left alone without a hand on it, but it doesn't get lighter than that.