Miller DV20 + Sachtler DV6 handling tips

R

ROne

Well-known member
After much reading on here, I've paired up this combo for our HVX. The spec and feature-set are great. It's light, stiff and well made.

The trouble is after 15 years of regular tripod useage I'm struggling using the miller legs in an intuitive way.

For instance, when you open up the legs to the first click (for height) which keeps the legs fairly tight there appears to be a degree of flex in the shoulders of the legs (not terrible).

But when you then move the legs to the medium stage, which makes it very stable - you then have a huge spread of legs that makes working in tight space awkward.

Does anybody have any general tips on what set-up they tend to go for, and any combinations they like?

I often find myself in the wrong setting and because you have to drag the legs all the way out to unclick them and sometimes find you don't have enough room.

Also with regard to the head, the HVX is on the 0 plate setting setting and I reckon it's still back heavy. Have people managed with the standard plate or do you need to change the plate?

Thanks.
 
I had to upgrade to another plate to keep the camera balanced. cost was about $200 if I remember.
 
Miller leg locks

Miller leg locks

I've never used a Miller tripod, but am considering getting one myself. My only issue might be the leg locks, which look a lot like Gitzo's system.

Is this right? Are the Miller legs easy to adjust, or a pain like the Gitzo collar locks?
 
naveenmedia said:
I've never used a Miller tripod, but am considering getting one myself. My only issue might be the leg locks, which look a lot like Gitzo's system.

Is this right? Are the Miller legs easy to adjust, or a pain like the Gitzo collar locks?
Click to expand...


Being from a still photography background, I've used lots of different Gitzos over the years with all kinds of cameras, my ultimate choice was Miller, I think the action on the miller is much nicer than Gitzo, but I'm from still phhotography where spreaderless tripods dominate the market. The Miller just seemed to be well thought out, and a better made thing, I would have gone for a Sachtler before the gitzo.
 
I actually think the locking rings are fine. Very chunky and fast in operation.

It's just a question of which stage/angle to use in which scenerio, I'm not quite at that level of doing it automatically yet and spend time thinking about it.
 
How's the DV6 as a head? Are you using a 35mm adapter? I'm looking at the same combo of legs/head that you have, but I want enough support for a camera, rails, adapter, etc.
 
I use the DV-6SB with my Letus package. With the monitor, the package is almost at 20lbs, the heads limit. Works great, it's really smooth even though the rig is probably a bit top-heavy. I use the drags near their max and all is well.

Dan
 
I reckon it will be better suited to having more kit on it than just a bare HVX, as mine is slightly back-heavy with the standard plate.
 
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