I just bought my first camcorder ever (Canon HF S100) and I bought this tripod:

Velbon - El Carmagne 3-Section Tripod

It was $179 (10% coupon i used)+ tax at BestBuy. I read good reviews and people paid $300-$500 for it a few years ago. I read that a tripod will outlast many camcorders and figured I should get a decent starter one. However the thing did not come with any instructions. I was disappointed with the lack of instructions. While it looks pretty straightforward, I am not quite sure of all the knobs that turn and what it is controlling. It also does not have a bubble to help the leveling. Anyone have a good link on tripod tutorials?

(I tried googling)

And if anyone thinks there is a better tripod at this price range $150-$200, let me know.

... I am not quite sure of all the knobs that turn and what it is controlling...

What is it exactly that you cannot figure out? The best tutorial is "turn the knob and see what it does", but if you have specific question -- please post them

Cheers,
Zevi

I guess I was just venting b/c of the lack of any instruction period. Its not rocket science but its nice to have everything pointed out.

I think the only not-so-obvious feature of this tripod is the ability to spread the legs really wide (also independent of each other, by lifting the stops near the hinges) so you can get the camera much closer to the ground. (hope I'm not confusing this with another tripod).

Zevi