miller DS5 or DS10 head?

B

Bunyip

Active member
Hi there,
I am looking to get the Miller Solo Tripod and their website states that either head would be OK for the DVX100. My one concern about the DS10 head is that the camera might be a little too light for it. I won't be putting too many accessories on the camera - maybe a shotty and a vidLED. Just wondering if this concern is unfounded.
I'd be happy to settle for the DS5 if you think it will be fine - The DS10 costs several hundred bucks more, which I would like to save, however it seem sit does offer more control, such as adjustable drag etc. So if it's going to perform better I would pony up the difference and get it.

Thanks in advance for any insight.
 
I have the ds10 solo. I would say if you have the $ always get the fluid head that can support more weight. This will give you flexability in the future when you upgrade to a heavier camera. If the camera is too light for any head it's really ez to add more weight, but if the camera is too heavy you cannot diassemble the camera..your basically screwed. The ds10 also has a tension spring that will make the tilts faster on level 1 or slower on level 2. The ds10 also has a drag option for slower panning. If I were you I would also look at the Cartoni Focus. The one thing I wish I had was a 100mm head.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=366495&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
-Kevin
 
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thanks kevin.
so, forgetting for a moment about possible future camera upgrades, are you happy with the way your DVX [assuming you have one] sits and works on the DS10?
 
Well you posted in the HVX board so I hope you mean the DVX not the HVX. I do not have the HVX. I do have the DVX and I have been very pleased with how it works with the DS10 and carbon fiber sticks. Note: I got the light sticks for easy transport and since they go down to 14.5". If I make really quick pans the tripod wants to move on me so I have to hang a sand bag from it to keep it locked down. I was initially pretty hesitant at spending $1300 on a tripod and fluid head, but I say you get what you pay for in most cases.

I was on a time crunch though and I needed a good tripod asap. If I were you I would be patient and check ebay every day, and maybe get an older used model on the cheap. Another option is you could buy the DS10 or Cartoni head and get any old tripod with the 75mm or 100mm bowl. My next purchase is going to be a 100-150mm tripod for supporting a jib/crane.

A couple things I don't like about the DS10 is the tiny little parts that come with the mounting plate that I'm sure will eventually get lost. I also wish Miller made the mounting plate base as a separate part that way I could switch the camera from tripod to glidecam without having to take off the mounting plate.

I think I read somewhere that the Cartoni Focus does not have a safety lock once the camera has been put on the tripod(the ds10 does have this). So if you slide the camera onto the base and you forget to lock it down and the head is tilted or get bumped into a steep angle the camera can potentially slide off and fall to the ground. The ds10 has a secondary safety lock so once you slide the camera on the base it can slide back and forth, but requires you to push a second release button to take it off the tripod.

-Kevin
 
doh - i didn't realise I posted in the wrong board. I do indeed have a DVX.
Like you I'm looking for light sticks for easy transport. I have had other tripods or even other heads, such as Cartoni etc recommended to me, however as I am in Australia we don't have as much choice, ebay Australia rarely has any decent gear on it, and relatively speaking, as the Miller is an Aussie brand it compares well to Manfrotto etc. as far as bang for the buck.
I agree about being hesitant spending the money, but with tripods in particular, I do believe you get what you pay for. I am currently making do with an old sony tripod I got with a little miniDV cam a few years ago - it is horrific!! And really seals the deal that I need a smooth head.

Thanks for your response and tips.


[I also really like the Peter Jackson quote - a simple, yet so often forgotten piece of advice]
 
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