Miller DS5

[Ken Tanaka]

Nick,
I've never used the DS-5. The DS-10 also does not have a counterbalance adjustment, per se. It just has drag adjustments for pan and tilt. The tilt drag is the main mechanism for simultaneously adjusting balance.

FWIW my DS-10 seems very well matched for my GL2, which is approximately the same physical configuration and weight as your VX2100. I think that the DS-5 head may designed for smaller, more compact cameras (such as Boyd's PDX10). You should consider exchanging the DS-5 for the 10 if the budget can bear it.

But, again, I am admittedly inexperienced with the DS-5.

[Nick Reed]

Ken,

Ok, I am glad to hear that you have no problems with balancing for tilts on the DS10.

Do you have any problems with backlash (or rebound) or whatever it is called, either on tilts or pans?

I blew the budget a long time ago, if the DS10 works, I will get it. However, if it suffers the same problems as the DS5, I have to explore other options.

BTW, just for everyone's general information, the Miller website recommends the DS5 for a GL2 and either the DS5 or DS10, for a PD150. They do no list the VX2100 for some reason.

For balancing, the DS5 has a sliding QR plate with approx. one inch of travel. It does not have any springs or drag.

[Ken Tanaka]

The DS-10, like all pro heads, also features a sliding plate to adjust the moment arm of the camera's mass on the head.

Pans are, of course, completely free of any rebound and are silky smooth.

The DS-10's counterbalance spring can, indeed, handle a heavier load than the GL2. So if the tilt drag is set to zero the head will level the camera (i.e. rebound). However, this is a trivial matter to eliminate. You simply adjust the tilt drag a bit to compensate for the lighter load and, voila, you'll get rebound-free, ice-smooth tilts. The camera will travel like it was on air and will stay where you put it.

Sorry about that budget, Nick. But i doubt that you'll even remember what the budget was after you work with the DS-10 for a day or two with your GL2.

[Jacques Mersereau]

A new report on Miller DS-5 tripod.

One of my colleagues purchased a Miller DS-5 about a year and
a half ago. He came into our gear check out facility yesterday and asked
about a tripod. I asked why he wasn't using his Miller as it is a much
better unit than our bogans.

The leg set knobs have ALL cracked and are now broken off rendering the
tripod useless. He has to send it back and wait for repair . . . ugh.

My guess is that Miller used crummy plastic.

A bummer considering he paid close to a grand for it.

[Boyd Ostroff]

Bummer. I bought a DS-5 a year ago and it's holding up great with no signs of this problem, in fact I've been very happy all around with it. I wonder if his was exposed to some environmental extremes, like freezing or hot sun? Or maybe in 6 months mine will also fall apart?!! :-0

[Jacques Mersereau]

He used the tripod indoor only as far as I know.
Who knows, maybe the tripod he bought was part of
a bad run.

You might want to check on replacement parts/time so
if those knobs shatter on you you can take immediate action.

[Christopher C. Murphy]

That's making me nervous. I've already had to use a rubber band to keep one of the cheap plastic feet on. It kept falling off during shoots!!

Anyon else have that problem?

Murph

[Dan Lahav]

used 1 year never had any problems... i love my DS5!!

[Jacques Mersereau]

You got six months left ;)

I'll do some more digging on this issue. See if he'll show me what exactly
happened.