Miller DS20 or Libec RS450

anatusa

anatusa

Veteran
Hello everyone

i still in consideration about the tripods to order, in fact i almost ordered Libec RS 450, but today i found new Miller 1643 DS20 for the exact same price as libec rs 450

what would you choose guys and why? maybe some one had an experience with both ? as i understood most of the forum user do prefer miller, vinten, sacher, - my self i have not even seen any of them in real life and will not see until i buy it, as equipment like that never for sale here...

so your experience with any of these 2 guys is very welcome!

regards
 
I've got a Miller DS25, and it's quite rugged. Got a heck of deal on one used, but in totally new condition. I'd say the head isn't quite on par with a Sachtler. I'm not sure what the DS20 is rated for (load), but the 25 is a bit much for the AF100 by itself. With full rails, FF, MB, etc etc, it'd be fine. I use it mostly with my HPX500.

I'd consider the Vinten line. I've got a Vinten (forget model) that uses counterbalance springs that can be changed out for different payloads. Can use it with the 500 & a prompter, then change springs, and use with the AF100 solo. Really really flexible.

I'd also see what options there are for wheels. Wheels can be sooooo nice sometimes (not for shots, simply to move).

Also, consider your uses, and what kind of spreader is best suited. EG; I had to shoot some sports, and both of my sticks have ground spreaders, not mid spreaders. Really difficult to set up in stands w/o mid spreaders.
 
Vision Blue

Vision Blue

Hi, I had the RS450 for a trial, and before that the Manfrotto 504HD( I believe those are the right numbers). And then finally the Vision Blue. I chose the VB for many reasons, including more features, better build quality, and better performance, to name just a few. The VB is slightly more expensive, but worth every dime. I think the Libec gave me a little rebound at the end of each pan, or tilt. The VB is rock solid. With my LUmix 14-140 mm lens, battery, handle, grip, it just makes the lower rate range, maybe even slightly under, but the counterbalancing still works very well. Don't quible for the extra dollars get the VB.
 
i am not considering Vision blue , because its more expansive, but also because it takes just 5 kg, i think its not anough for af100 with canon lens, monitor and rig............. the model i could use goes from 2500usd i belive and its just out of my budget
 
Go with the Miller. In my opinion their fluid heads are superb, and I'm a career long Sachtler user.
 
I looked at them all at a trade show, I bought a miller compass 15 with carbon legs, IMHO streets ahead of the competition but a little more expensive AF100 with rails etc sits quite nicely on it, not an expert but I believe its important to get a good match between camera weight and tripod load it effects how the tripod balances i.e. too light a load for a tripod is not ideal
 
When I get my tripod, it was between VB ,Miller and Libec RS350. After I went to B&H and played with both in person, I ended up getting RS-350. The RS-350 is good enough for my AF-100 work.
And if I am going to bigger camera in the future, I will invest in O'Connor.
The Libec, over all is great. Good for the bucks. I can go naked on my camera or load with rail, ff, monitor, mattbox and v-mount battery still act great.
 
Tvdie23 said:
When I get my tripod, it was between VB ,Miller and Libec RS350. After I went to B&H and played with both in person, I ended up getting RS-350. The RS-350 is good enough for my AF-100 work.
And if I am going to bigger camera in the future, I will invest in O'Connor.
The Libec, over all is great. Good for the bucks. I can go naked on my camera or load with rail, ff, monitor, mattbox and v-mount battery still act great.
Click to expand...

great thanks for the comment!, after u balanced your af100, if u let go the handle will it stays at the place u left it? or it will bounce back? how are the fluid motions of that libec head?
 
Vultch said:
I looked at them all at a trade show, I bought a miller compass 15 with carbon legs, IMHO streets ahead of the competition but a little more expensive AF100 with rails etc sits quite nicely on it, not an expert but I believe its important to get a good match between camera weight and tripod load it effects how the tripod balances i.e. too light a load for a tripod is not ideal
Click to expand...

Yep I've got the Miller 15 + their CF SOLO legs, very happy.

The Panasonic AF100 demo crew had the same rig for their Sydney demos and I was interested to see their rented 15 with more use, had more fluid drag controls. Important to reset the 15s drag controls to 0 before you store it away in its bag.

Cheers.
 
If you can wait the new Miller 12 it might be more suitable, same features same payload etc but with 3 not 5 drag control settings.

My guess is, Miller figures 3 is enough and they can bring down the price for prosumers.

Cheers.
 
I picked up a libec rs-350 and I love it! It's so much better than the HDV503 I had been using. It's not really a complaint but a naked af100 is just slightly to light to use with the counter balance system. Which isn't really that big of a deal since I shoot mainly on rails with a monitor with a FF and matte box coming soon. But if you primarily use your camera without accessories, you might want the rs-250 instead.
 
ericksonpost said:
I picked up a libec rs-350 and I love it! It's so much better than the HDV503 I had been using. It's not really a complaint but a naked af100 is just slightly to light to use with the counter balance system. Which isn't really that big of a deal since I shoot mainly on rails with a monitor with a FF and matte box coming soon. But if you primarily use your camera without accessories, you might want the rs-250 instead.
Click to expand...

I use the RS-250 with a naked AF-100 and it's a pretty nice system that counterbalances well with everything from a 7-14 to a 35-100 on it. Even does well with a Tokina 300mm 2.8 which weighs about 5 lbs.

But also have the Sachtler CineDSLR on a set of Miller Solo dv20 sticks and will always grab that system over the Libec. I mean, the Libec is perfectly okay - but the Sachtler and Miller are definitely in another league in terms of build quality and performance, imo.
 
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