Tim Naylor
Veteran
I had to take the plunge and get me a better tripod head. After about a week of testing several heads (sachtler 8, 12, Vinten Vision 3,6,8 and Cartoni Gamma) for my HVX, Zacuto Rods/Rails, SG Pro, Vocas Matte Box and Marshall/Noga Arm Set up (Total of 12-14lbs, guess), I've settled on the Miller Arrow 25.
It just arrived today and I'm ecstatic. It runs 2500.00 and blows away any competition at that price point. It has five levels of drag and counterbalance. The drag levels are well thought out in terms of steps of resistance. The Vinten 8 was a big disappointment. Despite being "infinitely variable" they never mentioned it becomes infinitely harder to set your drag as it's akin to tightening down a lock nut. I believe it just increases the pressure of two plates. And it feels that way. The Miller just uses two easy to turn drag knobs (tilt/pan) and it engages different fluid modules. In fact they use the same modules as they do in their heavier Arrow 40 line (different counterbalance).
Put my whole rig on the Miller and it's dream in terms of smooth moves. No backlash whatsoever. On a long lens it doesn't settle to a slighly different position. The fluid mechanizm is worked out in a way that I felt the action was better than Sachtlers price equivalents as well as the Cartoni Gamma (at 600 more). The Sachtler only began to compete once I tried the 15 and 18 (both way out of my sub 3200.00 price range). Vinten 8's action was downright primitive. Build was excellent though.
The Miller fliud has a nice head of resistance at the begining of the move that tapers once you get speed. It's resistance curve is a thing of beauty. I'll have no hesitation working out multiple qued moves on long lenses. Last of all it has enough resistance on the tilt, something severely lacking in the sub 30lb tripods. Previously, I found myself renting much heavier tripods than I should, just to get enough tilt resistance (yes, I've put an HVX on a Sachtler 9x9). Aside from the Miller, none of the above offer the resistance I need. This is especially crucial with long lens work. This is perhaps one of the fringe benefits of using the modules for the 40 which may explain as well that the Arrow 25 is larger than much of it's comp.
I don't work for Miller. Didn't get a break. Bought from ENG Gadgets. Great people. But I truly believe Miller raised the bar with this one.
It just arrived today and I'm ecstatic. It runs 2500.00 and blows away any competition at that price point. It has five levels of drag and counterbalance. The drag levels are well thought out in terms of steps of resistance. The Vinten 8 was a big disappointment. Despite being "infinitely variable" they never mentioned it becomes infinitely harder to set your drag as it's akin to tightening down a lock nut. I believe it just increases the pressure of two plates. And it feels that way. The Miller just uses two easy to turn drag knobs (tilt/pan) and it engages different fluid modules. In fact they use the same modules as they do in their heavier Arrow 40 line (different counterbalance).
Put my whole rig on the Miller and it's dream in terms of smooth moves. No backlash whatsoever. On a long lens it doesn't settle to a slighly different position. The fluid mechanizm is worked out in a way that I felt the action was better than Sachtlers price equivalents as well as the Cartoni Gamma (at 600 more). The Sachtler only began to compete once I tried the 15 and 18 (both way out of my sub 3200.00 price range). Vinten 8's action was downright primitive. Build was excellent though.
The Miller fliud has a nice head of resistance at the begining of the move that tapers once you get speed. It's resistance curve is a thing of beauty. I'll have no hesitation working out multiple qued moves on long lenses. Last of all it has enough resistance on the tilt, something severely lacking in the sub 30lb tripods. Previously, I found myself renting much heavier tripods than I should, just to get enough tilt resistance (yes, I've put an HVX on a Sachtler 9x9). Aside from the Miller, none of the above offer the resistance I need. This is especially crucial with long lens work. This is perhaps one of the fringe benefits of using the modules for the 40 which may explain as well that the Arrow 25 is larger than much of it's comp.
I don't work for Miller. Didn't get a break. Bought from ENG Gadgets. Great people. But I truly believe Miller raised the bar with this one.
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