How is the Miller Solo DV20 in windy conditions? at DVinfo.net

John Novotny · June 17th, 2009, 12:04 PM

Interested in this tripod for outdoor work, it can be quite windy our here. How does this tripod do outside?

Chris Soucy · June 17th, 2009, 03:49 PM

This is getting very monotonous....................

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-st...r-solo-vj.html

CS

Marcus Rieger · June 17th, 2009, 05:40 PM

I also try to find out more about it.

Some people like it very much:

Philip Bloom Blog Archive Miller DS20 Tripod Review

Official Tripod F.A.Q's - Page 4 - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Some like Chris from above don´t :)

I guess i will have to try it out for myself.

Ben Longden · June 18th, 2009, 01:19 AM

The DS10 is brilliant. Ive done work in 60kt wind and its been fine. But then, I never let go of the thing anyway.

Mind you, I did get blown over once. tripod, camera and me, the wind was that strong.

Ben

Oh, and I would'nt say this is monotonous, as these questions do pop up from time to time and its quicker to ask than do a search.
(My 2.2c worth, including tax)

John Novotny · June 25th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Longden

The DS10 is brilliant. Ive done work in 60kt wind and its been fine. But then, I never let go of the thing anyway.

Mind you, I did get blown over once. tripod, camera and me, the wind was that strong.

Ben

Oh, and I would'nt say this is monotonous, as these questions do pop up from time to time and its quicker to ask than do a search.
(My 2.2c worth, including tax)

Thanks Ben, a lot depends on the weight of the camera. I don't expect the DS - 20 to preform as well as a heavier tripod under certain circumstances. It just needs to be reasonably good under field conditions.

In our area we have several wind energy farms, so we get pretty consistent wind and sometimes high wind.

John Novotny · June 25th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Soucy

This is getting very monotonous....................

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-st...r-solo-vj.html

CS

LOL! I did do a search on the forums but so much depends on the terms used.

Also I found a lot of the links were to discontinued products.

John Novotny · June 25th, 2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Rieger

I also try to find out more about it.

Some people like it very much:

Philip Bloom Blog Archive Miller DS20 Tripod Review

Official Tripod F.A.Q's - Page 4 - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Some like Chris from above don´t :)

I guess i will have to try it out for myself.

I've checked out Mr Blooms review, looks good. He took it with him to Vegas which similar to our climate, we're just colder. Thanks for the links.

Les Nagy · June 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM

I have used the Solo 20 setup for a while now and can say it is not up to the task of good HD video for many purposes. It is good for certain shots and low level shots due to its leg design.

The legs do wind up a bit and it really shows near long end of the zoom range of the stock lens. Anything longer focal length and it is not really usable for anything other than lock down shots in still or light air movement. Even with the stock lens it needs this care to some extent depending on the focal length in use.

The head is balanced just right for the EX3 on the low spring setting. The fluid motion is OK for very carefully manipulated moves, but it has to be treated with such care it gets in the way of efficient work. It needs higher drag for smoother moves but the drag is not adjustable. There is added friction that can be added but it adds mechanical friction and not additional fluid resistance so the added drag adds all the bad things one wants to avoid by buying a proper fluid head.

The pan and tilt locks are advertised as movement free because they are claimed to be disc brakes. They are in a fashion in that the locking screw jams against a disc but the rotation of the locking screw still causes motion on lock and unlock. Perhaps a small slug placed in front of the locking screw face could make this problem go away.

The DV20 Solo setup is not suited to everyday use. It has it's place in being compact and light when that is the most important criteria for a shoot such as minimal airline carry or getting a tripod into a place on a long hike or climb. Used with kid gloves, it can be forced into service but it sure is frustrating when you need to get the shot done now.

June 17th, 2009, 12:04 PM	#1
John Novotny Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Magrath, AB Canada Posts: 35	How is the Miller Solo DV20 in windy conditions? Interested in this tripod for outdoor work, it can be quite windy our here. How does this tripod do outside? Last edited by John Novotny; June 17th, 2009 at 12:04 PM. Reason: mistake

June 17th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Hi John................ This is getting very monotonous.................... http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-st...r-solo-vj.html CS

June 17th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#3
Marcus Rieger New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austria Vienna Posts: 23	I also try to find out more about it. Some people like it very much: Philip Bloom Blog Archive Miller DS20 Tripod Review Official Tripod F.A.Q's - Page 4 - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking Some like Chris from above don´t :) I guess i will have to try it out for myself.

June 18th, 2009, 01:19 AM	#4
Ben Longden Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Echuca, Victoria, Australiamate Posts: 179	The DS10 is brilliant. Ive done work in 60kt wind and its been fine. But then, I never let go of the thing anyway. Mind you, I did get blown over once. tripod, camera and me, the wind was that strong. Ben Oh, and I would'nt say this is monotonous, as these questions do pop up from time to time and its quicker to ask than do a search. (My 2.2c worth, including tax)

June 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM	#8
Les Nagy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: A Canadian in Canada, and sometimes Chile Posts: 265	I have used the Solo 20 setup for a while now and can say it is not up to the task of good HD video for many purposes. It is good for certain shots and low level shots due to its leg design. The legs do wind up a bit and it really shows near long end of the zoom range of the stock lens. Anything longer focal length and it is not really usable for anything other than lock down shots in still or light air movement. Even with the stock lens it needs this care to some extent depending on the focal length in use. The head is balanced just right for the EX3 on the low spring setting. The fluid motion is OK for very carefully manipulated moves, but it has to be treated with such care it gets in the way of efficient work. It needs higher drag for smoother moves but the drag is not adjustable. There is added friction that can be added but it adds mechanical friction and not additional fluid resistance so the added drag adds all the bad things one wants to avoid by buying a proper fluid head. The pan and tilt locks are advertised as movement free because they are claimed to be disc brakes. They are in a fashion in that the locking screw jams against a disc but the rotation of the locking screw still causes motion on lock and unlock. Perhaps a small slug placed in front of the locking screw face could make this problem go away. The DV20 Solo setup is not suited to everyday use. It has it's place in being compact and light when that is the most important criteria for a shoot such as minimal airline carry or getting a tripod into a place on a long hike or climb. Used with kid gloves, it can be forced into service but it sure is frustrating when you need to get the shot done now.