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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Anybody use Miller tripods and heads?

Daniel Christensen

Daniel Christensen

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I've been looking at tripods for a Scarlet system. In theory I'd have a smaller cine zoom, I'm considering the smaller Canon cine zooms. I want a tripod that's smaller and lighter because I'll be doing a lot of field stuff, outdoors where I'm gonna need to take a camera system to some pretty remote places, possibly on foot. I don't want something really cheap that I would have to replace in a couple years if I decide to use a heavier system. I've looked at Sachtler, O'Connor, Manfrotto, and Miller. Sachtler has a ton of options. O'Connor basically has the 1030 that's in my price range. A lot of people really love it, but it's hard to justify the price. Manfrotto has the 509 head, which is the only one from them I would trust to hold a Red rig. Miller has the Compass 25 system with the 3-stage carbon fiber legs which seems really good. My question is, has anyone used that particular Miller system with a Red? Is it good for traveling? Is it any good in general?

Thanks in advance for any info!
 
Google Steve Gibby and Miller tripod on Reduser - he loves Miller stuff for lightweight portable but high performance Epic support.
 
I use an Miller Arrow 55 with HD legs. Great head. I prefer carbon fiber sticks when needing to be run and gun but the HD legs are very solid when I don't want any shake.
 
I have 2 Millers...an Arrow 55 with 2-stage carbon fiber legs that I use for the RED One, and a DS-25 (predecessor of the Compass 25) with 2-stage CF legs that I use for the Scarlet. Absolutely love them both...awesome heads and tripods!
 
I have been using Miller Tripods for about 25 years now, as well as other brands. I have always found Miller to be great tripods and have never had any issues with them. They have travelled with me on documentaries all over the Aussie outback in harsh conditions and have always been solid and smooth. They are a great Australian product.
 
Not using the Legs, as I am way too attached to my Gitzo Carbon Sticks from my Photgraphy days, but after using Steve Gibby's Miller head, I bought the newer one, and now use it with a 100mm Bawl adapter and the Miller Compass 25 have now traveled the world around for the past 3 years, and have seen all kind of use in all kind of terrains, with as little as 10lb Red Epic set up, up to about 40lb set up, love this little Fluid Head!!

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I love my Arrow 50—strong enough for my Epic and still light enough for my EX3. If you watch eBay and don't need one right away, you can sometimes get a great deal on a used Miller. I think people tend to search for OConnor and Sachtler a lot more than Miller, so there's less competition when a Miller is up for sale.
 
We're also looking for a light weight yet pro head / sticks and have heard great things about the Sachtler Video 20s as it can balance as little as 4 pounds but as much as 44 I believe.

I'll look at Miller thought with all of the recommendations.

Please update with your choice...anyone up for a group buy?


PCG
 
The Sachtler Video 20s are really great - I have an old 20 Mk2 with Heavy Duty Speedlock carbon fibre legs and I love it. The only thing I don't like is the quick release snap plate is so small that on some Arri-style sliding bridgeplates the mounting holes are too far apart to line up two holes with the small snap plate - so can end up with a single bolt. I would be wary of mounting certain heavy rigs or Arri-style plates for that reason. I really wish the snap plate was either big like an O'Connor, or a full length dovetail quick release like a Vinten. I keep an old modified Red One Shoulder mount for this reason as it has small enough spaced holes to fit the snap plate!

Actually really like the professional level Vintens a bit more than the Sachtlers even. Continuous counterbalance adjustment. Lots of fore-aft slider adjustment. Really good drag control. Smooth action. Just wish they weren't all beige coloured in the used market (although you can buy them new in black now)!
 
I still prefer the *feel* of my O'Connor 515 for lighter setups - *nothing* beats O'Connor feel.

But for heavier rigs, I love my Miller Arrow 50. Highly recommended.

Mike
 
I shoot with Miller tripods for seven years now and I love them.
For now, I have a 55 Arrow and a Compass 25 (3 stage carbon legs).
I use the Compass 25 when shooting with lighter set-up, mostly when using Canon lenses.
I travel a lot with it and I can't complain about its size or weight... It's also really robust.
 
Compass 25 (thanks BH for the sweet deal) and Solo CF (Jeremy Torrie rocks!!) will save your back from the long walks :)
 
I'm looking at buying a either a Miller Compass 25 or a Cartoni Gamma. Has anybody got experience of both care to comment on the differences.
 
My primary tripod setup is a Miller Arrow 55 w/ 950-HD carbon sticks. If I want to go more compact, I use the Miller Compass 25 w/ their Solo Carbon legs.

I also like the Cartoni and O'Connor heads. The continuous drag system on the O'Connor heads is superb, but the larger size and price of most of their heads while not carrying any more weight can be a compromise at times.
 
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