Looking at Carbon Fiber Tripod around $1650?

swaneon

swaneon

Well-known member
The one that comes to mind is the Miller Compass DS20 kit for $1500 or so
I prefer it be on amazon but any is fine

I'll be using it for wedding videos and would prefer something fairly light but the key thing is that it's easy to operate and can handle a load around 12-15lbs
Any suggestions?
 
I heartily recommend that kit. Is this the one with the DV20 tripod? If so, then that is a great lightweight system with a great fluid head. I have that system and it has proven to be very reliable in the 6 years I have owned it.

Another system that I have used is the Miller DV-2 system. It uses the same sticks but a slightly more robust head (Compass 12).

Best,
-Greg
 
I would be a little concerned that the Miller head in the DS20 set has only a fixed counterbalance spring, rather than a stepped or continuous adjustment, and therefore is really only optimally set up for a camera rig of one particular (though unspecified) weight. The Manfrotto 516 I owned had that same limitation and was difficult to use with lighter cameras. I soon upgraded to a Sachtler specifically because of that issue.

Unfortunately, finding something in your price range with all the desired features may not be possible. The Vinten Vision Blue and Vision 3 heads have all the right features but a smaller weight capacity; same with the Sachtler FSB-4. If you want to get the variable counterbalance and a 15 pound capacity, you need to move up to models that are a little past your budget, like the Miller Compass 15, the Sachtler FSB-8 or the Vinten Vision Blue 5.

The Miller Solo legs that come with that kit, though, are first rate, and I recommend them highly, no matter which head you choose. The DS20 kit may end up being just fine for you, but I did want to mention that one potential issue in case it is a problem for you.

- Greg
 
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