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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?

Wow, all this feedback is really selling me on the Miller system...
 
I have the carbon fibre legs I don't like them, having to unscrew the locknuts is a pain I use the arrow head which is good except for the poor release lever , it's to fiddlly for me especially in cold weather. But the head is great. I use Vinson legs so much easier to unlock and lock.
 
I suppose it depends on which Miller legs you're looking at. The HD CF legs I'm using don't have lock nuts to screw with. Simple release levers on the clamps to extend/retract.
 
Jack Shanahan said:
Would be great to get a group buy on Miller Tripod system. Im interested in a Miller 20 or 25 setup
Click to expand...

+1

Compass 25 system would be adequate for almost anybody. Even saw an article about somebody using it with a 3D beamsplitter system.
 
Miller is greatly under-rated and overlooked in the US. So one more thumbs up. Cost to size/weight carry ratio can't be beat! Never had one go down. (Love and own Oconnor too, but pricey and frankly I've had to spend more money to fix them than Millers over the years.)
 
You can find good deals on used Millers too...just takes a little patience. I bought both of mine used...including one from Rod...thanks, Rod, it's awesome!
 
Through my career I've used lots of head/leg combinations of O'Connor, Sachtler, and Vinten, with good results. But for the past six years that I've been shooting with my Red cameras (Red One from 2007 to 2011, and Epic from early 2011 to the present), I've used Miller heads and legs exclusively.

With Red One in 2007 I was using a Miller HD (predecessor of the Arrow 55) head, with Miller alloy and CF legs - and the results were excellent. In 2008 for Red One I moved up to the Miller Arrow 55 head, and used it with Sprinter II CF , mid-spreader legs, and Miller Solo 1505 CF spreader-less legs, with great results in all configurations and head loads.

My head/legs kits include:

For gigantic head loads and non-mobile or semi-mobile production with Epic I use a Miller Skyline 70 head (supports up to 82.5 pounds) with Miller Heavy Duty CF legs

For mid-range head loads and mobile production with Epic I use a Miller Arrow 55 head (supports 22 to 55 pounds) with, depending on degree of mobility needed, Miller 925 Heavy Duty CF mid-spreader legs, Miller Sprinter II CF mid-spreader legs, or Miller Solo 1505 CF spreader-less legs.

For light to mid-range head loads mobile production with Epic using Canon or Nikon lenses, I use a Miller Compass 25 head (supports 8.8 to 30.9 pounds) with either the Sprinter II CF mid-spreader legs, or the Solo 1505 CF spreader-less legs.

For super-mobile production with Epic, small unibody EFP cameras, and my Canon 5D I use a Miller Compass 15 head (supports 4.4 to 22 pounds) with Miller Solo 75 3-stage CF spreader-less legs.

All of the above head/legs combos perform extremely well...

If someone is using Epic (or Scarlet) with Canon, Nikon, or small cine primes, and is doing a lot of indie, small crew, mobile work, and can only afford one head/leg combo, then a great setup would be the Compass 25 with either the Sprinter II CF legs or the Solo CF legs (or interchange both). If someone is using Epic (or Scarlet) with heavy cine or EFP setups, is doing a lot of mobile, indie work, and can only afford one head/leg combo, then a great setup would be the Arrow 55 head with either the Sprinter II CF or Solo 1505 CF legs (or interchange both). The Compass 25 and Arrow 55 heads are both 100mm bowl, so a more comprehensive kit would be to have both those heads, and both the Sprinter II and Solo CF legs, and then just mix-match the heads and legs for the day's shooting needs. If you also did more heavy head load, less mobile work with the Arrow 55, then adding in the Heavy Duty CF legs would be a good choice too.

So why do I use Miller? To me Miller offers the best performance to price ration available. Also, I do a lot of mobile, independent, non-union work, so I don't have to deal with the O'Connor and Sachtler favoritism and bias widespread in some corners of the motion media industry.

Miller invented the fluid head in 1948, so they've had fluid head manufacture well figured out for a long time now. Plus, as an independent producer/director/DP/cinematographer I'm free to pick the most cost effective, best price to performance head/leg combinations available for me and my crews to use - and to me that's Miller.
 
Hey Daniel,

Best thing to do is get a hands on demo, Abel Cine in Burbank has the sytem on the showroom floor.

Gus
 
I have a used Miller DS10 head and alloy single stage miller tripod for an EX1. I have had for a long-long time a set of Miller wooden sticks with an older style black Miller head for heavier cameras like the CP16R and SI2K. It depends on what task you have for the heads. The newer counterbalanced heads have their advantages. The older heads without counterbalance I find easier to use for dynamic follows like aircraft in flight.
 
I use an older Miller 30 (100 mm) for my Epic and love it. While not the best or top of the line head it has never failed me. I also own a Vinten (75 mm) and some smaller manfrottos but Miller has always been my fav!
 
Any dealer showrooms in Chicago?

Thanks!

millertripods said:
Hey Daniel,

Best thing to do is get a hands on demo, Abel Cine in Burbank has the sytem on the showroom floor.

Gus
Click to expand...
 
On Steve's terrific advice, I purchased a Miller Arrow 55 fluid head with CF sticks last year. It's been an awesome tripod and I loved every minute with it. Great set up.

Just a few weeks ago, we happily traded up for the new Skyline 70 fluid head. Already put it to work shooting a ton of high-speed and macro work and it's been awesome.

All around, I have to say Miller makes great products and Steve Gibby gives great recommendations!
 
I have to say that Sachtler's speed lock legs are *very* fast and convenient.
 
Thanks for the very kind words Rob...I'm happy my tripod head/legs recommendations have worked out well for you!

Others have helped me with advice many times over the years, so when I get the chance I'm always glad to give advice.
 
i have a miller compass . i would not recommend it.
regret getting it . Sachtler is better
 
I have a miller 55 and a miller compass 25, both great tripods. The 25 with the vj solo carbon fibre legs is great for run and gun and the legs are extremely versatile in height, going from 9" to 73". Their service department is very efficient, turning any repairs around in a matter of days for a very reasonable price.
 
+1 on the kudos due to Steve Gibby! I bought my Arrow 55 for our R1MX three years ago on Steve's suggestion and have been delighted with it's performance ever since. When it came time to get a lighter weight setup for my Scarlet, I didn't even think about another brand...went straight for the Miller. Thanks, Steve!
 
Thank you kindly Tom! Glad that worked out for you...
 
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