dregenthal
Veteran
Miller SOLO DV20 Carbon Fiber Tripod System . . . I've got one of these. I know it would be pushing it . . . but wondered, has anyone tried one with the HPX500? Thanks.
Miller SOLO DV20 Carbon Fiber Tripod System
- Thread starter dregenthal
- Start date
cheezweezl
Veteran
i haven't used this miller but i did put my hpx500 on my cartoni focus which is about the same weight capacity as your miller.
verdict: hpx with a normal eng lens, batt, and evf was ok. once i added rods, mattebox, and follow focus it was a little too much. i was still under the max of 22lbs on the focus but the counterweight spring was tightened all the way and wouldn't hold it in a tilt.
solution: sachtler video 20 III. 55lbs max. i'm good.
verdict: hpx with a normal eng lens, batt, and evf was ok. once i added rods, mattebox, and follow focus it was a little too much. i was still under the max of 22lbs on the focus but the counterweight spring was tightened all the way and wouldn't hold it in a tilt.
solution: sachtler video 20 III. 55lbs max. i'm good.
Ducatimark
Well-known member
I got the Solo DV CF sticks (75mm ball) with a Manfrotto 516 head for my HVX. I put the strap on the HPX on one shoulder and the strap from the Miller on the other and it becomes my portable rig for getting field shots. The combination is okay with just the camera, lens, and AB brick; but Cheezweezl is right, much more and shes a litttle shakey. I also have a set of Manfrotto 526XB sticks for studio and when I need rock steady. They weigh a ton but do the job. I also use them for my Camera Turret jib (with up to 9' extension) so they can handle quite a load. The 516 will mount on it, too, even though it uses a 100 mm bowl. The Bogens have just a threaded post to screw the smaller heads to. I even have a 501HDV that will go on there.
Think I just got a little off topic. Yes, the Miller's will work, but you'll be shakey with a load.
I just posted my first HPX500 shots on my home page (using the Miller, BTW). The link is right under my home page video where is says "Flowers after Five." A lot of compression and shot with an SD Fujinon lens. Only one shot was with my old HVX; the one inside a gift shop taken last year. WWW.Newmediadevcorp.com for those that don't know to click the image below.
Think I just got a little off topic. Yes, the Miller's will work, but you'll be shakey with a load.
I just posted my first HPX500 shots on my home page (using the Miller, BTW). The link is right under my home page video where is says "Flowers after Five." A lot of compression and shot with an SD Fujinon lens. Only one shot was with my old HVX; the one inside a gift shop taken last year. WWW.Newmediadevcorp.com for those that don't know to click the image below.
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N. Adam Smith
New member
Man I love the versatility (no baby-legs needed) and size/portability of our Vinten Vision 10 + Miller Solo DV tripod... but I'm not real happy with how bouncy it is at extreme focal length.
I only notice it when shooting zoomed-out, but having to wait 5-8 seconds for the camera to settle down after hitting REC, or doing pans over and over trying to get non-bouncy starts and stops... well it gets old fast.
I had planned on buying the Solo 3-stage legs soon, but at this point I may try to cough up some additional cash and go with the Cartoni Focus F104. We have the F103 at work and I think it's a great package for the price. I'd prefer an O'Connor... but it seems my checking account has other plans.
I only notice it when shooting zoomed-out, but having to wait 5-8 seconds for the camera to settle down after hitting REC, or doing pans over and over trying to get non-bouncy starts and stops... well it gets old fast.
I had planned on buying the Solo 3-stage legs soon, but at this point I may try to cough up some additional cash and go with the Cartoni Focus F104. We have the F103 at work and I think it's a great package for the price. I'd prefer an O'Connor... but it seems my checking account has other plans.
cheezweezl
Veteran
the focus is bouncy at telephoto too. i had mine on really heavy duty bogen 3193 sticks and still bouncy. the focus is great but just not at the top of it's weight range on a long lens...
Ducatimark
Well-known member
In the video that I mentioned in my post above, there was a shot taken at full zoom with the 2x extender. It was moving around some (plus me trying to get the shot I wanted from the bad angle I had - it's the one where you can see a woman raising her arm up at a large glass building) but I was able to save it and use it after applying motion stabilizer from Boris Red. I was even suprised at how it eliminated the shake.
N. Adam Smith
New member
Honestly I figured most of the bounce was attributed to the Miller legs with the single tubes and no spreader. I plan to switch my 500 over to the Cartoni setup and test it for a few shoots... I use it (Cartoni Focus) all the time with our JVC DY-90's which are about the same size/weight and I've been about as happy as I can be for the price, but this is MY money I'll be spending so gotta be sure! =)
-Adam