Call Me Ignorant at DVinfo.net

Barry Rivadue · April 16th, 2003, 08:56 PM

Decided to take a deep breath and get a Miller DS-10 from B & H Photo. It's a lovely tripod alright, but I naively thought it would at least come with a user manual. I visited the Miller website and printed out their brochures, but still...do any tripod manufacturers include a user manual, or do they assume anyone ordering their upscale stuff should already know every little operating feature (and how best to use it)? I can figure out a tripod alright, but given the various specifications, etc., it wouldn't hurt to have some sort of simple guide for the occasionally ignorant such as myself to help maximize usage.

Frank Granovski · April 16th, 2003, 09:10 PM

Don't know, but I'm curious about how much you paid for it (US Dollars).

Jeff Donald · April 16th, 2003, 09:28 PM

I have owned and purchased new Sachtlers, Vintens, O'Connors, Bogens and Gitzos. None came with a manual or guide. Trial and error and a lot of patience is required. Each camera and operator is different and there is no right or wrong to setting a system up.

Balance is the key. Try to get the camera to balance on the tripod front to back. Then start adjusting the drag to provide some resistance to your movements. Rebalance. Try to get the camera to stay put when you let go (camera should not move when you let go the pan handle). Rebalance. Try again. Rebalance.

Barry Rivadue · April 16th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Thanks...it's all beginning to make more sense now.

As for what I paid, it was....(mumble mumble mumble). A bargain (cough). ;)

Ken Tanaka · April 16th, 2003, 09:55 PM

Barry,
I own a DS-10 -- a fine set of legs and head -- but, indeed, they give you nothing but a receipt.

Interestingly, I recently bought a Sachtler DV-6 and was a bit surprised to see that Sachtler did supply a small manual with it. There are more adjustments on the Sachtler and the instructions were a welcome sight.

Barry Rivadue · April 17th, 2003, 06:36 AM

Well, I've been toying around with the tripod's features and much of it seems new to me (it took me a minute to even find the bubble leveler--don't laugh!). Mind you, I have graduated from a 20-year old Bogen tripod that was probably more suited for photo cameras (that one didn't have a manual either, haha). One would think, especially among more precisely engineered models, that a tripod manufacturer would include a "Getting the most out of your tripod" kind of booklet, though if one has patience there's a surfeit of info to be found among these forums. Such places have made all the difference. :)

April 16th, 2003, 08:56 PM	#1
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Call Me Ignorant Decided to take a deep breath and get a Miller DS-10 from B & H Photo. It's a lovely tripod alright, but I naively thought it would at least come with a user manual. I visited the Miller website and printed out their brochures, but still...do any tripod manufacturers include a user manual, or do they assume anyone ordering their upscale stuff should already know every little operating feature (and how best to use it)? I can figure out a tripod alright, but given the various specifications, etc., it wouldn't hurt to have some sort of simple guide for the occasionally ignorant such as myself to help maximize usage.

April 16th, 2003, 09:28 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I have owned and purchased new Sachtlers, Vintens, O'Connors, Bogens and Gitzos. None came with a manual or guide. Trial and error and a lot of patience is required. Each camera and operator is different and there is no right or wrong to setting a system up. Balance is the key. Try to get the camera to balance on the tripod front to back. Then start adjusting the drag to provide some resistance to your movements. Rebalance. Try to get the camera to stay put when you let go (camera should not move when you let go the pan handle). Rebalance. Try again. Rebalance. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 16th, 2003, 09:55 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Barry, I own a DS-10 -- a fine set of legs and head -- but, indeed, they give you nothing but a receipt. Interestingly, I recently bought a Sachtler DV-6 and was a bit surprised to see that Sachtler did supply a small manual with it. There are more adjustments on the Sachtler and the instructions were a welcome sight. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 16th, 2003, 09:10 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Don't know, but I'm curious about how much you paid for it (US Dollars).

April 16th, 2003, 09:48 PM	#4
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Thanks...it's all beginning to make more sense now. As for what I paid, it was....(mumble mumble mumble). A bargain (cough). ;)

April 17th, 2003, 06:36 AM	#6
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Well, I've been toying around with the tripod's features and much of it seems new to me (it took me a minute to even find the bubble leveler--don't laugh!). Mind you, I have graduated from a 20-year old Bogen tripod that was probably more suited for photo cameras (that one didn't have a manual either, haha). One would think, especially among more precisely engineered models, that a tripod manufacturer would include a "Getting the most out of your tripod" kind of booklet, though if one has patience there's a surfeit of info to be found among these forums. Such places have made all the difference. :)