Official Tripod F.A.Q's

I just realized two people above me have the same setup! I spent so long reading through this thread I negleted the last page LOL.

Thanks gco. It sounded good in my head, but sometimes what sounds good up there aint always the case. ;)

I think I'll go with that combo then. The Libec head seems to have gotton pretty positive reviews for the price range and I know the Miller sticks are top notch. The last thing I'll have to consider is whether or not I really need the CF Millers. The same legs in alluminum are $200 cheaper. That extra money could stay in the bank and get me 15% of the way toward that Sachtler head...
 
Went through the thread. WOW..
Is a final list of tripods or legs that have a leveling head. Ended up buying the Slik 504QF-II. Not bad but I am missing the leveling head.
So far, I have the Libec TH-M20, Matthews M25 and Alzo Clawball in the cheapo pseudo-fluid tripod category, that is the min and an adjustable leg is included..
 
I'm interested also if anyone has feed back on the Miller setups.
Ds10 or Ds20, they seem to be the best for quality price ratio here in canada. Is the the DS-10 enough for a bare HVX?
 
FWIW, i recently bought the Miller DS10 Solo CF as others had suggested and was pleasantly surprised by the fluid motion. Don't like the tiny cam plate lock lever and find that the CF legs are awkward for fast set up BUT the head is fantastic.

To answer your question, Yes, you can get a much better deal.
Contact Guy Cochran at DveStore---Miller DS10 Aluminum legs $949. That rocks--just saw it in another thread.
 
Last edited:
Where can I get Miller legs by themselves?

Where can I get Miller legs by themselves?

It looks like the Miller Solo(carbon) legs get good reviews; however, I cannot seem to find them by themselves, just as a package with the Miller fluid head.

I think I'd like to go with a Sachtler head (which I have found separately) but need to know what the legs sell for.

Can someone point me to a retailer selling just the legs, please?

Also, can anyone explain the payload difference between the legs alone and the legs with the head:

http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=178# 44 lb capacity

http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=15 22 lbs

Are they counting the head as part of capacity or are they trying to say the legs are good for 44lbs but the head only for 22?
 
B&H sells the Miller Solo legs by themselves. I have the Sachtler DV-6SB with my Miller Solo DV CF legs and love it. It has been great for me for the past two years and I have dragged this setup all over the world.

Dan
 
Thanks, Dan. Found them (my original search was not broad enough).

My goodness the Sachtler head is more than the Miller legs + head package.

Do you have any experience with the Miller DS 20 head that comes with the package?

Thanks again,
Bob
 
Hi Bob:

No, have never used a Miller head although I have messed with them at trade shows. They seem pretty good but not sure about their little cheap heads. Tim Naylor who posts here swears by the Miller Arrow 25 but that is a whole other ball game from the small cheap Millers.

I am a Sachtler person, have been for decades. I had a Video 18III when I owned a pretty heavy Betacam and I loved that head. Ever since then, I have not seen a reason to try others when I like the Sachtler feel and operation so much. I also like O'Connor, used them in film school but they don't make anything small and light anymore, their heads are geared for bigger, heavier cameras.

Dan
 
I got an older Miller (70s or 80s) head and it´s build like a tank. It carrys my 30 lbs. rig with ease, got it used.

I always advise to buy good used pro equipment when budget ist tight - better than spending the $$ on new semipro gear.

Frank
 
That's some good advice. I have seen some good deals of used Sachtlers and O'Connors here in the past year. The great thing about tripods is that if you buy a good one used, you can often take it back to a repair facility (the Vitec Group that is the repair depot for Sachtler, Vinten and a few others is in the same building as Bexel in Burbank) and for a few hundred dollars, they will re-condition it to be as good as new. So if you get a killer cheap price on it used, sink a couple of hundred into it for repair/reconditioning, you have a functionally new head that might be worth $4,000.00 to $8,000.00 that you bought for as little as a $1,000.00.

I now that some DVXers did that with the O'Connor 50s which they bought for the RED packages.

Dan
 
Last edited:
For Sale: I have a terrific tripod for dvx, hvx or similar cameras. The Sachtler DV 4 II MCF Carbon Fiber Tripod System, with DV4 II Fluid Head, 2-Stage Tripod, Mid-Level Spreader, & Padded Bag, Supports 13.2 lbs. Comes with the DV 4 II Fluid Head, Carbon Fiber Tripod legs, Mid-Level Spreader, Single Section Pan Bar, Quick release wedge plate,Quick release legs and Padded Bag. Also comes with accessory rubber feet for each leg footer.

I would like to get $1000 or best offer. I originally paid $1250 plus shipping. Ground shipping to the 48 states is included. For more info on the tripod system: http://store.vsastore.com/sadv4iislmcf.html

email me directly at: paul@goodnightnaturals.com

The tripod has been lightly used and is in excellent condition. It has a couple of minor scratches. This tripod is etremely versitile, lightweight, quick to set up and quick to move. After much reseach, I purchased this tripod about 2 years ago and have used it several times with excellent results.

The DV-4II SL MCF System includes the 4V2 II Fluid Head, featuring 2-step damping and 2-step balancing, the fluid head DV 4 II is the ideal choice for use with first-class MiniDV camcorders (e.g. Canon, Sony and Panasonic) for stable movements, delivering the best images possible. An extensive range of accessories are now available for these camcorders, including lens hoods, lens adapters etc.

Compact, lightweight digital camcorders are a competitive alternative to their "big brothers" in the broadcast world. Their use as second units, in crisis regions and for quality lower-budget productions continues to increase. With the new fluid head DV 4 II and Speed Lock 75 CF tripod system made to match, Sachtler offers the ideal equipment for the MiniDV generation.

The DV 4 II fluid head incorporates an automatic locking System, for quick setup without having to bother screwing and unscrewing the camera to head, as well as a safety lock lever that prevents inadvertent disengagement of the camera latch. With the Touch and Go system invented by Sachtler, the camera plate is secured to the camera, while the mating balance plate is mounted on the fluid head. Simply slip the camera into position, just engage the mechanism, and the camera will lock firmly in place. After shooting just disengage the latch. On your next shooting setup you will still maintain all your original settings.

The DV 4 II fluid head has two torsion counterbalance springs, which can perfectly balance lightweight DV cameras. Its 2-step dynamic counterbalancing system compensates for torques as the camera tilts, which will prevent the camera from inadvertently tipping, as well as ensuring a secure positioning at any tilt angle. Its springs activate and deactivate independently from the damping system, and they work silently without need for any maintenance.

The DV 4 II is equipped with a single damping level horizontally and vertically and a zero setting. It features a frictionless leak-proof fluid damping with one level of drag, allowing for perfect pictures while panning, without jerks or vibrations. It allows complete disengagement of drag for fast panning, and is identical across both horizontal and vertical planes. With Sachtlers patented system the modules are frictionless, containing no hydraulic oil. This assures you that they are permanently leak proof.

The fluid head DV 4 II comes with the DV 2 camera plate (code no. 0264 ). It comes with a ¼" screw and pin preventing twisting of the camera. With a 2.4-inch sliding range it makes a fast balancing system for the camera and ensures perfect balance across the horizontal plane. The settings cannot be lost once it is adjusted. Also included is a single pan bar DV 75.

The Speed Lock 75CF Double Extension Dural Carbon Fiber Constructed Tripod features the Sachtler quick clamping system, ideally suited for one-handed operation, allowing creativity without any restrictions.

Tripod / Head Maximum Height: 62.6"
Tripod / Head Minimum Height: 29.9"
Leg Sections: 2 Stages / 3 Sections
Tripod Legs: Load Capacity: 13.2lbs
Pan/Tilt Range: 360 degree Pan / Tilt angle: +/- 60 degree
Leveling Bubble: Yes
 
goodnightpaul said:
For Sale: I have a terrific tripod for dvx, hvx or similar cameras. The Sachtler DV 4 II MCF Carbon Fiber Tripod System, with DV4 II Fluid Head, 2-Stage Tripod, Mid-Level Spreader, & Padded Bag, Supports 13.2 lbs. Comes with the DV 4 II Fluid Head, Carbon Fiber Tripod legs, Mid-Level Spreader, Single Section Pan Bar, Quick release wedge plate,Quick release legs and Padded Bag. Also comes with accessory rubber feet for each leg footer.

I would like to get $1000 or best offer. I originally paid $1250 plus shipping. Ground shipping to the 48 states is included. For more info on the tripod system: http://store.vsastore.com/sadv4iislmcf.html

email me directly at: paul@goodnightnaturals.com

The tripod has been lightly used and is in excellent condition. It has a couple of minor scratches. This tripod is etremely versitile, lightweight, quick to set up and quick to move. After much reseach, I purchased this tripod about 2 years ago and have used it several times with excellent results.

The DV-4II SL MCF System includes the 4V2 II Fluid Head, featuring 2-step damping and 2-step balancing, the fluid head DV 4 II is the ideal choice for use with first-class MiniDV camcorders (e.g. Canon, Sony and Panasonic) for stable movements, delivering the best images possible. An extensive range of accessories are now available for these camcorders, including lens hoods, lens adapters etc.

Compact, lightweight digital camcorders are a competitive alternative to their "big brothers" in the broadcast world. Their use as second units, in crisis regions and for quality lower-budget productions continues to increase. With the new fluid head DV 4 II and Speed Lock 75 CF tripod system made to match, Sachtler offers the ideal equipment for the MiniDV generation.

The DV 4 II fluid head incorporates an automatic locking System, for quick setup without having to bother screwing and unscrewing the camera to head, as well as a safety lock lever that prevents inadvertent disengagement of the camera latch. With the Touch and Go system invented by Sachtler, the camera plate is secured to the camera, while the mating balance plate is mounted on the fluid head. Simply slip the camera into position, just engage the mechanism, and the camera will lock firmly in place. After shooting just disengage the latch. On your next shooting setup you will still maintain all your original settings.

The DV 4 II fluid head has two torsion counterbalance springs, which can perfectly balance lightweight DV cameras. Its 2-step dynamic counterbalancing system compensates for torques as the camera tilts, which will prevent the camera from inadvertently tipping, as well as ensuring a secure positioning at any tilt angle. Its springs activate and deactivate independently from the damping system, and they work silently without need for any maintenance.

The DV 4 II is equipped with a single damping level horizontally and vertically and a zero setting. It features a frictionless leak-proof fluid damping with one level of drag, allowing for perfect pictures while panning, without jerks or vibrations. It allows complete disengagement of drag for fast panning, and is identical across both horizontal and vertical planes. With Sachtlers patented system the modules are frictionless, containing no hydraulic oil. This assures you that they are permanently leak proof.

The fluid head DV 4 II comes with the DV 2 camera plate (code no. 0264 ). It comes with a ¼" screw and pin preventing twisting of the camera. With a 2.4-inch sliding range it makes a fast balancing system for the camera and ensures perfect balance across the horizontal plane. The settings cannot be lost once it is adjusted. Also included is a single pan bar DV 75.

The Speed Lock 75CF Double Extension Dural Carbon Fiber Constructed Tripod features the Sachtler quick clamping system, ideally suited for one-handed operation, allowing creativity without any restrictions.

Tripod / Head Maximum Height: 62.6"
Tripod / Head Minimum Height: 29.9"
Leg Sections: 2 Stages / 3 Sections
Tripod Legs: Load Capacity: 13.2lbs
Pan/Tilt Range: 360 degree Pan / Tilt angle: +/- 60 degree
Leveling Bubble: Yes
Click to expand...

Hi Paul:

You really should post this in the Marketplace, it is not allowed in the regular threads.

Dan
 
Redrock Mattebox

Redrock Mattebox

I'm considering getting Redrock Mattebox. However, as I'm new to matteboxes I have couple of questions:

1. Is there any point in using 4x5.65 filters? I will use the mattebox with 35mm adapter and small diameter SLR lenses. The widest lens I have at the moment is 20mm. I might get a 16mm in the future, though.

2. I find graduated ND filters very useful. I definitely want to use them with my mattebox. To what extent can I adjust the vertical position of the filter in this mattebox? I read the review of the Redrock mattebox by Tim on the forum and he said that 4x5.65 grads gave him much more flexibility. Why is that? Don't 4x4 filter offer the same range of vertical adjustment? Did he mean the vertical 4x5.65 ND grads ('portrait', as opposed to more common 'landscape' orientation)? Will such vertical grad allow for wider range of vertical positioning of the transition region?

Your help will be greatly appreciated. I've been googling for two days and couldn't find the answers.
 
Trez:

This is the Tripod FAQ thread. You should post this elsewhere in the hardware forum or even start a new thread.

Dan
 
oops. sorry. I was sure I was posting on Mattebox FAQ thread (had both open in my browser tabs). If anyone can move my post or delete it to not cause confusion I will appreciate.
 
I got a sachtler video 14 ii with legs. The spreaders were lost with the legs. Anyone know if i can use speaders from a different brand? The sachtler speaders are insanely expensive. In otherwords, I'm looking for a cheap replaceement
 
astigmatic said:
I got a sachtler video 14 ii with legs. The spreaders were lost with the legs. Anyone know if i can use speaders from a different brand? The sachtler speaders are insanely expensive. In otherwords, I'm looking for a cheap replaceement
Click to expand...

Mid leg or floor?

Dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top