OT Bogen 542 ART tripod?? head?

vicmilt wrote on 10/12/2006, 2:59 PM
Hey all -

I'm looking for a new tripod (you can't get away with those "baby shakes" in HDV, heh heh...

I'm loving the Manfrotto 542 ART "one click to set legs" tripod.
Anyone have any experience with them?

And how about a matching head? Now that I don't live near B&H, where you could just run in and try everything out, it'd be great to have some "realtime" experience.

I'll be shooting with a Sony Z1 (what a great camera), so the head doesn't have to carry a lot of weight, but I like a smooth move.

Thoughts?

v

Comments

farss wrote on 10/12/2006, 3:11 PM
Victor,
forget Manfrotto, get yourself a Miller Solo, trust me once you get it in the field you'll LOVE it. Get Miller to put a DS10 head on it, avoid the DS5 head. Get yourself a 75 to 100mm adaptor, that way you can use the head on jibs and dollies as well. A lot of the Manfrottos heads don't work well with the industry's other bits and pieces even though the bowl sizes are the same.

The Solo is the only set of sticks we've not had corrosion problems with too. That'll help down in Florida.

PS The Solo is 'one click to set', I'm pretty certain Manfrotto have copied the Miller design.

Bob.
rextilleon wrote on 10/12/2006, 3:53 PM
You might also want to take a look at the Vintens.
Grazie wrote on 10/12/2006, 11:33 PM
About 2 years back I got the Miller SOLO 10 JUST because of Bob's recommendation pointed me towards their stand at an EXPO. Landed a 33% discount and shelled out.

For me: "One Click To Save Them". Rock solid. I can get and DO get into some weird situs. As the legs are independently adjustable away from each, I've created secure, level shooting platforms in some very tight corners. 2 legs on floor and one at almost right-angles on a corridor wall. I should have taken a photo!

Hire one for a day and see what you think?

richard-courtney wrote on 10/13/2006, 6:59 AM
I am with Bob with the Miller DS10 fluid head very smooth.
I didn't think the skinny pole legs of the Solo would be sturdy so I went with single
stage legs. I have a PD170 and with the wide angle lens adapter very front heavy.
The DS10 handles it very well with drag and the slider plate.

The only thing I regret is the single stage spreader is NOT adjustable and when
used with a dolly makes the base width a hazard with my clumsy feet.

The bubble is not illuminated as on some of the newer models.
A tripod that can carry a jib might save you time and money if you plan ahead
now.

Miller also is coming out with a redesigned tripod. Sprinter 2 series which
might be worth holding your purchase for a little while.
farss wrote on 10/13/2006, 8:52 AM
If you think the Solo legs aren't that strong, well you haven't seen Mr Miller stand on that tripod with the legs out full width!
Realistically if you want sticks to hold a jib you need the Miller VJ20/25 to get the 100mm bowl. They're way heavier, even in carbon fibre. And they have spreaders, my pet hate in tripods.

Bob.
Jay-Hancock wrote on 10/13/2006, 9:08 AM
How heavy (i.e. pounds or kilos) is this tripod w/ head?
baysidebas wrote on 10/13/2006, 9:10 AM
The specs can be found here:

http://www.miller.com.au/products.cfm?sectID=20&subsec=2010
vicmilt wrote on 10/13/2006, 5:39 PM
Grazie -
does your solo have a "one click to set all legs"?
How does it work?

v
farss wrote on 10/13/2006, 5:56 PM
The Solo is one click PER leg.
You can set each leg to I think 4 different angles.
To set the angle you swing the leg in to take the load off the latch, lift the latch then swing the leg back out, the latch will pop back down to hold the leg at the desired angle. You can get a leg out to about 80deg from verticle. With all legs out at 80deg and the legs fully retracted you can get VERY close to the ground.
Also the Solo goes quite a bit higher than most tripods.

Bob.

PS, if anyone needs any Miller bits feel free to email me, I'm only a very short trip from their HQ and factory. And no they don't give me any kickbacks, damn.
I did notice last time I was around there, March of the Penguins was shot on Miller sticks.
Grazie wrote on 10/14/2006, 12:09 AM


Vic, sorry I went to bed! But, as per Bob. Miller has independent "leg-click" locks. It is a very simple design, has to be, I'm using it!

Seriously? For what I do it is great. Typically, I've schlept it all over London. Videoed in building sites, NOT known for a level area and pretty dusty too. Used it when I get shallow DoF and need a stable platform with my Matte box and bellows.

This week I was videoing in the very English October pre-Fall/Autumn countryside and was able to capture some wild Muntjac deer and pheasant. For this I needed to be up and active quickly, "down-wind" and on a stable platform. I also wanted some stable at distance w-i-d-e shots of blue skies, puffy clouds and that quintessential English newly-ploughed farmland. The Miller? Out the back of the Ford. Click, click, click! Plop! One twist on each of the leg-locks for approximate level. Fine "Level-up" ball - lock-off. Snap on the camera. Ready to shoot.

If I want to re-adjust one leg angle? I can now do this within 6 seconds. Similar 3 Steps as set-up:

#1 - Pull up leg-hinge lock, elevate outwards & push downwards to "click" to pre-set angle.

#2 - If necessary, re-adjust leg length.

#3 - Re-adjust ball level.

Done!

farss wrote on 10/14/2006, 2:43 AM
Grazie,
you might find #1 a bit easier if you fold the leg slightly inwards before lifting the leg-hing lock. This takes the load off the lock.

If you're taking ANY tripod out in the mud / swamp / salty anything make a set of wellies for it.

Get three lengths of PVC pipe that'll fit over the bottom leg section. Glue a push on cap onto one end of each piece of pipe using solvent cement. Now your sticks can stand in whatever nasties come your way without causing corrosion problems, locked nuts and corroded out rivets. Pipe can be any length, so long as it's longer than whatever your sticks will sink into.

Bob.
Grazie wrote on 10/14/2006, 4:35 AM
Yup! I'm lifting my leg in your honour, as I speak! - Lol!!

Great "tip" on the wellies - ahhhh... Now, what slips on quickly? Is prevention against "rotting"? Hmmm.. now what could that be? .. . hmmm...

farss wrote on 10/14/2006, 4:49 AM
The pointy thing will puncture them!
vicmilt wrote on 10/14/2006, 5:04 AM
Farss - GREAT IDEA - may I use it in an upcoming production of mine??? If so, whut's yer "real name" fer credit?

and my English ain't so good - what's a "wellie"?

v
Grazie wrote on 10/14/2006, 6:24 AM


"Wellie" nickname for the "Wellington Boot". This in turn brought into "fashion" by the Duke of Wellington, the much celebrated and successful Napoleonic war British commander who wore calf high "Hessian" boots. Latterly these were made waterproof and were "vulcanised". Now made from rubber or some such man-made compound. In some parts of the World they are also called "Gumboots".


Serena wrote on 10/14/2006, 10:56 PM
Bob should be getting commission from Miller. I bought (his advice of course) a 1511 Solo with DS10 head for my FX1. Purchased extra quick release plate assemblies for use on shoulder brace and steadicam. Kept the old Miller (wooden sticks for 35mm) for a camera crane. Weight of Solo+head is 4Kg. Comes with a nice attached carry strap as well as separate sturdy carry bag.
farss wrote on 10/15/2006, 12:17 AM
Victor, it's Robert Grant.

I'm kind of humbled by the thought of a credit but what the heck....


I was just thinking about my idea and one thing you might want to watch out for is the risk of the thing floating away if you're in deep enough water, that Solo + Z1 combo will be pretty light.
Suggestion. Pour some lead / coated steel shot into the wellies mixed with epoxy or whatever, just to add a bit of weight.