Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum Sticks?

dustino

dustino

Well-known member
I'm wondering what advantages carbon fiber offers over aluminum for tripod legs. Obviously weight - they are lighter. I know they are also probably stronger, but I'm not overly concerned about that either given the durability of a well made set of aluminum legs.

I'm thinking about getting the Miller DS10 with SOLO legs and the difference in weight between CF and aluminum is not enough to sway me to spend more out of my already stretched budget unless CF has benefits I don't realize. Thanks for any knowledge/advice.
 
Hi Dustino, I have a Miller Solo carbon fibre with a DS10 head. I love it.

I would recommend this to you if you are needing to move around a lot. THe carbon fibre is the way to go. Its very strong and light and quite sturdy. I'd also look at getting the spreader and the dolly wheels for it. (I have not purchased these yet) but will do when the need comes. I think there are often packages for these... maybe wrong. Check at IBC. Miller are usually there.

the tripod legs snap out very quickly to many differnet settings.

I guess it really depends what you are doing with the tripod, but as a run and gun its great.

The aluminium legs are version is cheaper and heavier of course but most of the weight seems to be in the head (DSx0)

For additional cameras also by additional camera/headed mounts.

I use this for my HVX-200. Is ok for lens adapter systems too. I've not tried it with those Anton Bauer power packs that mount under the camera. Maybe someone has.

DS10 head: Oh , only nasty is that there is a small yellow release/lock plastic thumb lock on the DS10 that CAN sheer off when in transit (say an aeroplane luggage hold). THis has happened to me but is easily replaced. So I'd suggest you make sure you get the official miller SOL travel bag and some sponge of a pare of old 'socks' t pad the head when travelling.

highly recommended by me :)
w
HK
 
Bump. I'm ordering a Miller SOLO system this week. Still waffling between CF and aluminum. Anybody out there care to weigh in who has used either. Thanks.
 
dustino said:
Bump. I'm ordering a Miller SOLO system this week. Still waffling between CF and aluminum. Anybody out there care to weigh in who has used either. Thanks.
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I have both. Miller sprinter two stages. As for build they are both great and operationally they are the same. Tripods last a very long time so I would get whatever you think you will be happy with. your right about the weight. No big difference. If you live or work in a freezing cold area and shoot outside aluminum will feel colder to the touch.
CF wont dent.
I used to shoot run and gun/ENG and every ounce I could trim off made a difference. Now I shoot commercial production only and use a Nalpak cart for ALL my gear so tripod weight makes no difference to me anymore. So with that said is carrying the sticks an issue? If not then save some cash or upgrade the head.

Erik
 
I just heard the best reason to choose carbon over aluminum today. I was speaking with someone at ENGgadgets.com (who I had never heard of until I found them on google today.) I couldn't find any DS-10 SOLO kits with carbon legs in stock from the usual retailers (the superstores - Adorama and B&H were out and everyone else was a hundred bucks or so more expensive). So, I called this ENG Gadgets place and they were out, too. The lady was nice and said they probably wouldn't get their orders until the 20th. She said, "of course, we'd love for you to wait, but if you need them before then my Miller rep told me that SAMY'S might have them in stock and B&H should get them soon."

I decided that maybe this was a sign from the heavens that I was spending too much money and maybe I should save a few bucks and go aluminum. Since I was so happy to speak with a polite human being, I called the ENG Gadgets place back and asked if they had any aluminum kits in stock. The woman told me yes, they were in stock, but asked if I really wanted aluminum. She said the aluminum legs were really nice, too, but she did have a few customers who had had problems, especially tv stations that abuse their equipment (and she said they would probably be fine for someone who takes better care of their equipment). The problem she saw was that a couple of times the aluminum legs got a slight dent from having a car's trunk door or something else close on them. Due to even a mild dent, the legs would have trouble telescoping into place. So, anyway, she said, "If you really want the carbon fiber, I would stick with them. They're more durable and hold their resale value better. I know that means you might have to purchase them elsewhere, but that's just my honest opinion." Wow! How nice to see a business try to help you instead of take your money at all costs. Bottom line, I'm going to try to wait and buy them from her. (And I got an email from B&H later today saying they were in stock now!)
 
I got the carbon fiber legs with a D10 head can't complain always tighten and telescope in and out smoothly with out fail. Yes Aluminum may dent but if your planning on not necessarily taking care of your gear may be worth while spending less on it... To that matter aluminum may dent but carbon fiber shatters into splinters, rare but I have seen this happen to others. Dented legs may not telescope back in smoothly but they are usable where as splintered carbon fiber needs to be replaced to work.
I have been in some pretty stressful run and gun situations and have yet to close a car boot door on my tripod or any other form of abuse. Either way I recommend get what ever is in your budget and take care of it. If you can afford to spend an additional 100 bucks on carbon fiber then do so if you plan to take care of it...
 
Thanks for the input, Coldpizza. I would like to think I take exceptional care of my equipment (as someone always mindful of a limited budget.) I just thought this was a good point made by the Enggadgets.com rep. Accidents happen even for those very mindful and responsible for their equipment. The bottom line for me is that CF seems more durable; I think that splintering of CF would be less likely than denting aluminum. Knowing that I'd like to keep a set of great legs like the SOLO line for as long as ten years, it makes sense to consider that an accident might happen during that time. By the way, what kind of shooting do you do? Documentary, news...? Again, thanks for the input. I'm looking forward to the DS-10, CF Solo combo.

On a side note, I spoke with a Miller rep recently who told me they are about to put a line of fluid heads into production that have a greater range of weight counterbalance than the DS line. They're going to call it the "Compass" line. He told me the Compass 15 would cover cameras 4-18 lbs. and the Compass 20 would cover 4-26 lbs. He also said they would have variable drag setting (0-5) but didn't specify whether they would be friciton based (like the DS series) or "real" drag settings (I'm hoping for the latter). Said they would premiere at NAB next April. I wish they were out now! He said the prices might be in the range of $1500-$2400, but asked not to be quoted. I think that includes sticks, too, because he said "packages" should start at $1500. I look forward to seeing them next year. I also tried to worm a production model for review out of him and he seemed receptive. I'll definitely post here if that happens.
 
I would say aluminum legs are a little bit more stable when you do fast pans. Carbon fiber legs tend to flex a little bit so it can be harder to get a nice fast pan with a long lens... (when you stop panning, you might get a little counter movement).
 
Hi Dustino
I have done many ENG shoots, doco work and stock footage collection. As of lately have been shooting more commercials and music video clips, though I have been directing more than camera operating lately. So much of my camera gear is collecting more dust than I'd like to admit.
About 3 years ago I met the head of Miller manufacturing he took me on a tour of the factory here in Artarmon Australia it was very interesting. Hard working bunch of people there now with a new line of fluid heads they must have their hands full.
Not necessarily relevant but thought I'd share that.
 
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