Miller DS10 v Sachtler FSB4

T

taras4444

Well-known member
Hi guys,

I've decided to take the plunge and upgrade my tripod and could do with your opinions (my head is still spinning from all the research and reviews). I use a Panasonic AF100 with Samurai/Small HD so my set up is around 7 pounds and I use to have a manfrotto 503hdv tripod which was ok but I was never that pleased with the pan smoothness plus it was a clunky.

I've narrowed my selection down to the Miller DS10 and Sachtler FSB 4 (was considering the ACE but have heard bad things about the legs).

I know the Sachtler head is supposed to be silky smooth and I have no doubt it will be miles better then my manfrotto was. Plus the kits I'm looking at comes with some nice outdoor feet too. But I really love how low the miller can go and the ease of setting up and putting away for travel. (I will be going to Canada next year so if I can sneak it in my suitcase that's great). I guess it's whether the DS10 head is still buttery smooth?

Here are some links below to the two I'm looking at. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/miller_1640

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sachtler_0372
 
The Miller legs are definitely better than the Sachtlers, at least for the kind of highly mobile work I usually do. They are more rigid, a little lighter to carry, have a narrower footprint on the floor in the default configuration, and most important, are faster to set up and take down in the field. The absence of a spreader makes them simpler, with fewer fiddly adjustments. The Solo legs can also go much lower when you spread them out all the way.

On the other hand, I love my Sachtler head. (Mine's from the previous generation, a DV-6SB, roughly equivalent to the current FSB 8). But I haven't worked with the Miller head and can't comment on it. I am a little concerned from reading the specifications that the FSB 4 may be only barely adequate to support the AF100, and will be overloaded if you add anything like a baseplate and rods, matte box or heavy lens. I think you'd be happier in the long run with a slightly higher capacity head (and the Miller has the lead here, at least on paper).

How much more costly would it be for you to mix and match the pieces? If I were putting together a system today (and I do have an AF100 as well as a couple of other cameras in the same weight class), my ideal choice would be the Sachtler FSB 6 or FSB 8 head with the carbon fiber version of the Miller Solo DV legs. My DV-6SB/Solo carbon combo is superb, super-smooth and easy to set up and balance in the field.

If I had to choose one bundle from between the two you named, I'd probably go with the Miller.

- Greg
 
Last edited:
The Miller legs are definitely better than the Sachtlers, at least for the kind of highly mobile work I usually do. They are more rigid, a little lighter to carry, have a narrower footprint on the floor in the default configuration, and most important, are faster to set up and take down in the field. The absence of a spreader makes them simpler, with fewer fiddly adjustments. The Solo legs can also go much lower when you spread them out all the way.

On the other hand, I love my Sachtler head. (Mine's from the previous generation, a DV-6SB, roughly equivalent to the current FSB 8). But I haven't worked with the Miller head and can't comment on it. I am a little concerned from reading the specifications that the FSB 4 may be only barely adequate to support the AF100, and will be overloaded if you add anything like a baseplate and rods, matte box or a heavy lens. I think you'd be happier in the long run with a slightly higher capacity head (and the Miller has the lead here, at least on paper).

How much more costly would it be for you to mix and match the pieces? If I were putting together a system today (and I do have an AF100 as well as a couple of other cameras in the same weight class), my ideal choice would be the Sachtler FSB 6 or FSB 8 head with the carbon fiber version of the Miller Solo DV legs. That is close to what I'm actually using and I have no complaints about it at all.

Another option is the Vinten Vision Blue head with the Miller legs. I have that combo as well. It is just as smooth as the Sachtler in pans and tilts, but the controls are a little stiffer and less positive in their operation. I prefer the Sachtler, but regularly use both and have no reservations about either one.

If I had to choose one bundle from between the two you named, I'd probably go with the Miller.

- Greg
 
Hey Greg,

First off thank you for the in depth and balanced response, very informative and helpful! It's good to hear more positive feedback on the Sachtler heads (and good to know about the DV line as I did wonder if they were similar but older to the FSBs). And you're right about the Fsb4, I did wonder if it would be enough. I've heard people putting light camera on tripods for heavier loads don't get the best counter balancing? So that's why i thought about the Fsb4 but maybe I'll consider the 6.

And you're right again, ideally I would get the miller legs and have the sachtler head, good again to hear you do something similar as I was going to ask in a follow up whether anyone has tried this, as they are both 75mm bowls, and whether its ok so good to know. I think it is a few hundred quid more expensive for that option so maybe I'll try and hold out.

It would be good to hear news on the miller head from someone, as If I knew it was better then the old manfrotto 503 and very decent, I could opt for the Miller ds10 now and upgrade the head to the FSB6 in the future. I thought I'd ask as you're here what slider you use? (If any?) I was considering initially the philip bloom pocket dolly but it seems discontinued so was opting for the Kessler stealth. Use to have a glide track as my entry to the slider world but quickly became fed up of the awful shuddering and flimsy design.

Thanks again for all the help, much appreciated!
 
I have heard stories about different manufacturers' ball mounts being slightly incompatible, but I had no problem combining my Sachtler and Vinten heads with the Miller Solo sticks (all 75mm gear). Obviously, of course, the Sachtler head fit their own legs just fine as well. What *didn't* work was trying to mount the Vinten Vision Blue head on the Sachtler legs; the ball itself fit fine, but the clearances in the locking system underneath were such that you couldn't actually tilt the head more than a degree or so, rendering the whole ball mount idea useless. So I gave up on that combination and bought a second Miller tripod -- expensive, but no regrets. (Anybody want to buy a set of Sachtler sticks?)

I'd like to see a review of the Miller head, as well. I haven't used any of their heads for over 30 years now. They were very popular under 16mm news cameras when I was just getting involved in film back in the late '70s, and I even owned one for awhile. But today's heads are much more sophisticated (no useful balance springs or adjustable drag settings back then), so I'm not sure how they've evolved. They have a good reputation online, though. Actually, I'm pretty sure that any of these more expensive name-brand heads will be a big improvement over your Manfrotto 503 -- not that it's a bad product for the price, and the era when it was designed.

- Greg
 
Hey Greg thanks again for the in depth response and help I really truly appreciate! I am about to buy a second hand miller tripod ds10 (alloy legs unfortunately) but for half the price they're going for in online stores. Then when I get enough I'll buy the sachtler fsb 4 head! Can't wait to try it all out! Thanks again!
 
I don't think an FSB4, which I own, would cut it with a completed kitted out AF100. I used it with various Manfrotto carbon sticks. They work really nice with the 635 Carbon sticks (big stable sticks) and adequate with 755 type of carbon sticks (I have an older set. I owned a Manfrotto 504HD head. I find the FSB4 far superior, it was pushing it a bit with my Canon gear but with the mirrorless stuff I use now it's excellent.
 
The Manfrotto 535 tripod (I think that's the number you meant; 635 is a type of grip clamp) looks very, very similar to the Miller Solo sticks we've been talking about. The main difference seems to be that the Manfrotto has lever locks on the legs, and the Miller uses traditional twist-style collet locks (although very big and smooth ones). I think either one would probably work about equally well.

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
The Manfrotto 535 tripod (I think that's the number you meant; 635 is a type of grip clamp) looks very, very similar to the Miller Solo sticks we've been talking about. The main difference seems to be that the Manfrotto has lever locks on the legs, and the Miller uses traditional twist-style collet locks (although very big and smooth ones). I think either one would probably work about equally well.

- Greg
Click to expand...

Tripod's stability isn't dependent at all on its' looks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top