FS: Miller DS-20 Tripod head + Legs (Carbon?) like Philip Bloom's

M

meauounji

Well-known member
TRIPOD HAS BEEN SOLD

Okay, not actually Philip Bloom's tripod, but it's the same head that he uses for his 5DmkII and 7D work (though I'm sure he uses it for other cameras too)

In good cosmetic and working condition with light to moderate wear. Pans/tilts smoothly. Locks engage securely. Supports up to 22lbs.

Legs are single stage with mid-level spreader and rubber feet. I think they're carbon fiber since they're light, don't feel cold to the touch like metal and there's no such thing as a plastic tripod by Miller. They are NOT Solo legs (okay, so I guess it's technically not just like Bloom's)

I am the second owner. I got it in pretty much the same condition it's in now. I have never personally taken it to a shoot, already have a Libec.

Retails for around $1400. Just the head retails for around $1150. Your price is $1049 for both the legs and the head, shipped and insured to anywhere in the continental USA. If you're outside the lower 48, please contact me first as there will be additional shipping charges. Paypal only, please.

If you are looking to buy just the head, it is $850 shipped.
If you are looking to buy just the legs, it is $350 shipped.

Link: Various DS-20 SKU's at B&H

Questions? PM, email, call, or text me at 804-892-0432.

Pics:
IMG_3327.jpg

IMG_3329.jpg


-Art
 
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I've looked at the legs and I see no other label outside of the "Miller, Made in Australia" label. Sorry I can't confirm it. All I can say is that it is lighter weight compared to aluminum legs that I've handled. That and it feels barely room temperature when you touch it, not cold like aluminum usually does. I can't make any guarantees other than what I can verify, which is not very much without some kind of label involved.

There is no case, but a new Miller case starts only at 59.99
 
Yeah that's anodized aluminum. Carbon is pretty obvious. You would be able to see the fibers through the clear coat and it would be black.
 
Sheldon Charron said:
Yeah that's anodized aluminum. Carbon is pretty obvious. You would be able to see the fibers through the clear coat and it would be black.
Click to expand...

That's not always true. Carbon fiber doesn't have to have visible weave with a clear coat. Take a look at this picture of Redrock Micro's carbon fiber rods, for example:




Or these Cinevate rods, for another example:



Neither have a visible weave with a clear coat. I also have plenty of anodized aluminum parts that are heavier and colder to the touch than these legs. Therefore, I maintain my previous position of "I think" since I don't own other carbon tripods for comparison.

Also, the DS-20's pan bar is definitely anodized aluminum and it's a completely different materials from the legs.
 
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meauounji said:
That's not always true. Carbon fiber doesn't have to have visible weave with a clear coat. Take a look at this picture of Redrock Micro's carbon fiber rods, for example:

Neither have a visible weave with a clear coat. I also have plenty of anodized aluminum parts that are heavier and colder to the touch than these legs. Therefore, I maintain my previous position of "I think" since I don't own other carbon tripods for comparison.

Also, the DS-20's pan bar is definitely anodized aluminum and it's a completely different materials from the legs.
Click to expand...

That very informative, however as it relates to the subject of the question, you indeed would see the weave in the legs (as the poster stated).

Best.
 
why is the head so damn expensive?

jeez im getting a hvx200 soon an would this be best idea for tripod?

thanks
 
dregenthal said:
That very informative, however as it relates to the subject of the question, you indeed would see the weave in the legs (as the poster stated).

Best.
Click to expand...

Unless you're able to say conclusively that all Miller carbon legs have visible weaves (which you might, as I certainly don't have complete knowledge about miller's full tripod line) I don't see how you can rule out mine as not being one.

Having said that, I've never said that they were carbon for sure, only that I think they are based on physically handling them. What I can say definitively is this; Miller states very clearly that the DS-20 pan-arm is anodized aluminum, and the legs are not made of the same material as the arm. So if it's not carbon then it's probably some kind of aluminum alloy. I already said it before, but the material feels like it's just barely below room temperature when you grab it with your hands, and it also feels too light to be aluminum. How you choose to interpret this is going to be up to you.

Lindquist said:
why is the head so damn expensive?

jeez im getting a hvx200 soon an would this be best idea for tripod?

thanks
Click to expand...

Fluid heads are pricey in general. I felt the same sticker shock when I first started shopping for one, too.

If you're using just the bare HVX200, it may be a bit light for the tripod (official bare HVX200 weight is 5.7lbs, I think) but if you're adding a mattebox, rails, monitor, external mic or any combination of these or other accessories, it'll probably be just right. I encourage you to check with other HVX200 shooters around the forum, however.
 
Judging from the pictures, I would say the legs are carbon fiber. Can you take them to a local photo shop and compare them with photo tripod legs? And maybe get a professional opinion. The reason I say this is there is a big difference in costs - and people know for sure what they are buying. My 2 cents, Matt.
 
Take off the pan tilt arm, and tap it on the legs. If it goes "thud" it's probably carbon. If it makes any kind of metallic sound, it's anodized aluminum. You could also weigh the tripod and compare it against the aluminum vs carbon specs. I'm not sure about warranty on a used head and if it's an aluminum tripod, for that kind of money, I'd rather buy new and get CF, or buy the aluminum version and at least get warranty. I'm not trying to be difficult. Like I said, I'm interested, I'd just like to know what I would be buying. :)
 
Try tapping something metal on the legs like a screwdriver shank. Carbon fiber will sound dull like plastic. Aluminum will be obvious by a sharp metallic "clink" sound.
 
Since it's a single stage tripod, It's probably this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/179042-REG/Miller_842_DS_20_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html

That's $1594 brand new with warranty but includes a case. Note they have these kits listed used with a case for $1099:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/179042/Miller_842_DS_20_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html

The softcase for this tripod/head is $244 alone.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/180404-REG/Miller_874_874_Soft_Tripod_Case.html

I'm interested but If I can get this for $1099 including a case from BH, shipped for $25, it doesn't make sense to buy yours and then have to buy a case separately, unless it's really CF. Even then, without a case??
 
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