My studio camera stand wasn't a tripod, it was a 12' stand on wheels. Cost was about $7000.
There were times when I hand held my camera, though, and it required some effort to keep it steady. For some running shots for Buell motorcycles, we rigged a 4" x 8" board to the bottom of a truck about 6" off the pavement for a low angle. My assistants tied me to the board, and then held my legs while we went down the highway at 40-65 mph with me snapping photos of the rider and motorcycle. That was a real adrenaline rush.