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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 :)

Cheapest tripod for RED Epic

I asked Steve Gibby about the differences between the Arrow and Compass and here is his response: (Thanks Steve!)

Both the Arrow 25 and Compass 25 are excellent. Both have great performance to price ratios. On B&H the Arrow 25 is $2,691, and the Compass 25 is $2,666.

Of the two I prefer the Compass 25, and here's why:

The Compass 25 looks better (updated design and cosmetics), weighs a bit less, has big wrap-around adjustment wheels for pan/tilt/counter balance. (Arrow 25 has knobs on the back of the head), and the plate has 3 different mount options (1/4" & pin, 1/4". and 3/8").

The Arrow 25 does have a slightly wider load range of 7-30.9 pounds. The Compass 25 load range is 8.8 to 30.9 pounds.

Its really hard to go wrong with either of those heads!

I personally use the following Miller heads with Epic and the others camera systems I use (5D, Sony F55, Canon C300):

Compass 15, Compass 25, Arrow 55, Skyline 70

For legs with the Compass 15 (75mm bowl) I use Miller Solo CF spreader-less legs. For legs with the Compass 25 and Arrow 55 (both 100mm bowl) I alternate between Solo CF 3-stage spreader-less and Sprinter II CF 2-stage, mid-spreader. With the Skyline 70 I use the Heavy Duty CF mid-spreader legs.

Hope the above info helps you!

Cheers,

Steve
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Cheapest? Be careful what you ask for... I used three scrap 2x4's and some bailing wire once. Um... Not with an EPIC though.


I have to throw in another vote for the Miller tripods though. They haven't let me down yet.
 
Bob Gundu said:
I asked Steve Gibby about the differences between the Arrow and Compass and here is his response: (Thanks Steve!)
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob and of course Steve :)
 
Steve Gibby said:
Happy to help ;)
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Do you have any tips for feet pads and bag.

I have the Miller Solo 100mm with Compass 25.

Thanks!

Edit: oops didnt read the manual on rubber feet part :)
I was so excited.
 
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Arrow 25 on Gitzo GT3542XLS... very happy.

Make sure to get the 100mm bowl adapter (GS3321V100) which was sold out everywhere in the US... I had to order from overseas...

- M
 
Just to echo a couple other users, you can buy cheap a bunch of times or you can buy good once and it will last.

The E-image stuff looks like Sachter but it is 100% total junk.

Just a suggestion, the one head I've been really amazed with is the Sachtler Video 20 S1. My day-to-day work is usually on my 2575D but I traded in my trusty 15 year old O'Conner 1030 for this Video20 last year primarily for work with lighter cameras since the counter balance can be taken right out (1030 always has a bit of spring left in it).

The Video20 is overkill for cameras like the C300 but it easily pulls double duty when I'm working with a smaller crew on smaller jobs with my Epic. The Video20 S1 has a hi/low payload switch that essentially doubles up the strength of the counterbalance. It's really amazing. I've had my Epic with my 45-250 Arri Alura, motors, Anton Hytron 140 battery, microforce, MB20 on it and it's as stable and smooth as it is with my C300 and a EF prime. Pan handle is the same size as the 2575 so an Oppenheimer handle can slide right onto it. No slop or backlash in it. Nice smooth moves ever single time I touch it.

It's definitely not the cheapest but if you're looking for something that will last you a very very long time and is versatile enough to handle any camera you put on it as you grow and technology changes but still be able to throw it over your shoulder...well it's worth taking a look at. In the end you will likely find good is cheaper in the long run than cheap.
 
The Compass 25 head is rated for a maximum of 30.9 pounds. Last year when we were doing some field testing with our Red Epic/Genus Hurricane 3D rig, the total rig weight using Canon primes was around 42 pounds. Just to see how much I could load up the Compass 25 head we shot some 3D sequences with the 42 pound Hurricane/Epic 3D on the Compass 25/Miller Solo 1505 CF 3-stage spreader-less legs setup. That's 11 pounds over the max rated load for the head. How did the Compass 25 perform under that overload? Flawlessly - both pans and tilts smooth as glass. Plus we were able to get the Solo legs all the way down to 8' height above the ground for some low angle creative shots.

On our Golden Gate 3D web site, on the news page, you'll find some info about that day's testing. I wrote an article about it for Focus magazine - there's a link to that article. The same article ended up running in the Sharpshooters section of the Miller web site.

GG3D web site link:
http://www.gg3d.com/news.html

Miller Sharpshooters link to my Compass 25 Epic 3D article:
http://www.millertripods.com/sharpshooters_details.html?type=story&id=196

I'm sure the Arrow 25 would have performed just as good as the Compass 25 under those conditions - but as mentioned in my previous post I personally like the adjustment wheel layout and other small nuances of the Compass 25 a bit better.

BTW - for several months now our Epic 3D rig of choice is the Screen Plane - we bought one. With small Canon or Zeiss primes we can get the total rig weight all the way down to 32 pounds - a cakewalk for the Compass 25. But when we use bigger and heavier primes, and the rig weight is a lot more, we use the rig with our Miller Arrow 55 head on Miller Sprinter II CF 2-stage mid-spreader legs, or for even more heavy loads and we use the rig on our Miller Skyline 70 head/Miller Heavy Duty CF 2-stage, mid-spreader legs. All our tripod legs are either spreader-less or mid-spreader because the bulk of our work is outdoors, real mobile, and in various environments (mountains, seashore, desert).
 
My main thing is I just dropped 48k on RED gear so I have no more money left to buy an expensive tripod. I'm using my Manfrotto 503HDV atm and honestly it's working fine. But I do want to buy something more heavy duty that can take a whole rig with matte-box and all, but I cannot spend a lot on it :S
 
BTW, those that are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Compass 25, should check out the Compass 23. Here is some info from Miller Canada:


The Compass 23 head is a variant of the Compass 25 & has the exact same weight capacity. The difference between the (2) models is that the Compass 25 has (5 + 0) drag settings on the pan & tilt, while the Compass 23 has (3 +0) drag settings on the pan & tilt. The other difference is the Compass 25 uses a sliding platform & the Euro camera plate, while the Compass 23 just uses a sliding camera plate. By making these small changes in the head it allows Miller to create a significantly lower priced system.

Initially the Compass 23 will only be available as a system with the Solo Alloy (2-stage) tripod & will be selling @ $2995.00. We are expecting our first delivery from the factory in approximately mid June.
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Okay so I ended up selling my current Manfrotto 503 kit and some other gear and have enough money now to buy a proper Miller Tripod System. I have decided on buying the Compass25 Head, but now do not know which legs to buy. I like the Sprinter II carbon fibre legs, but they are a bit out of my cost range. Any good suggestions for good pair of legs for Compass 25?
 
Hello Steve Gibby,

I followed your advise and got the compas solo 3 for a shoot I'm prepping in the Amazon. I've recieved the legs and am very happy with the build.

I must say that you are an inspiration and one of the few courageous that dare to pionneer new ways for cinematography, your Number 008 is just the proof of a lot of other visionnary steps you make. I must thank you to be present on this forum and for giving us so kindly your precious experiences.

Have a nice shooting Steve.

Patrick
 
Hey all, I wanted to let you know about the sirui stuff I really dig.

I didn't buy the fluid head yet, because it wasn't out at the time I was shopping for one, but the quality of their ballheads is definitely pro.
these are sturdy, extremely precise, incredibly cheap for the quality, and always full featured or feature clever add ons - for their quick release plate e.g. They have little stoppers that pop out to keep the camera from moving when it's tilted to the side or downwards

I expect the same pro quality from their fluid head.
Would love to see it up close before, but haven't had the chance to find someone who sells these in a store. I ordered my stuff online.

The "video" series is rated to carry 25kg, 75mm bowl, double spreaders, double spikes + rubber feet to use without the bottom spreader

the aluminium legs are 270€
the carbon 400€
the fluid head 600€ (looks scaringly similar to the miller compass, but hey don't they all somewhat?)
prices from amazon.de

the german site seems to be the most updated of all these:
http://www.sirui.de/en/home/

here's two international links
http://www.siruicanada.com
http://www.sirui.com.sg

they also have quick release plates, gimbal heads, etc do check them out. (not affiliated with them at all, just happen to like their quality a lot)
 
I got the CF Solo ENG with my Compass 25.
Love em but at times struggle to get them going in a pinch.
Could be lack of experience.
 
Kyle Ehrenreich said:
You may want to check this one, Miller Carbon Fiber, out. It's in your price range and will accommodate up to 22lbs.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/785054-REG/Miller_1870_Solo_DV_2_Stage_Carbon.html
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I've got this tripod... the sticks seem like a decent weight/payload compromise, head seems to work well all the way up to my 70-200 Nikon ED-VR mounted on the Epic (Heaviest non-custom lens I have). With this camera config I have the spring on 3 (out of 4) for a neutral tilt setup, so you might not want to put much more weight on the tripod.
 
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Joshua Hoareau said:
Just incase anyone was wondering, ended up buying a Miller 925 HD Carbon Fibre sticks from a REDuser member. And buying a new compass 25 head.
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Well I guess I was late to the party... I'll leave my response for anyone else searching. Nice tripod Joshua! (especially assuming you got them for the price you were looking to pay)
 
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