RoRo74 Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Howdy folks... Hows things? Trust your well. This may have been covered before but I couldnt find any previous posts? I am a novice video maker (for school & work projects) who regularly goes on 2 week wilderness expeditions. I am on the look out for the lightest (?) tripod setup that has good levelling (ball head?) fluid head set up for my DSLR to take out bush. Any recommendations? I like the Miller DS5 solo.....but I know there should be lighter & cheaper out there?! eg. benro tripods? http://www.millertripods.com/product_details.html?id=200 Would like the tripod to be a solid ~170cm, rubber spiked feet with screw clamps & no spreader. budget is up to $1000 but would like to spend less.....but happy to buy quality.... Cheers for any thoughts Ro :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Wall Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 I have a miller vj carbon with a cartoni head. I love the legs but hate the weight of the head. I too am interested in finding something lighter - I think I was looking at a mefoto then putting a manfroto leveling base on it, and then an inexpensive fluid head like a fancier 717 (which performs better than the light manfrottos). To be sure, my miller has a 100mm ball and so the heads aren't going to be too light - I do have a 75mm adapter ring. I wonder what the very lightest *good* 75mm (or 100mm) ball fluid head is. The miller legs are very very good and I imagine my legs (which can support a huge amount of weight and are very versatile) are about the same weight as a lightweight setup - it's just the head that drags me down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoRo74 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Yeah - its so confusing isnt it? hhhmmmm.....i like your idea of the mefoto/ manfrotto level head/ fancier. how do the levelling bases really compare to built in ball levelling? Looks fidgetier? I am in some weird & wonderful spots in the outdoors & so a quick setup on uneven/ rough ground is important. I see alot of people have gone for the manfrotto below (has levellling head & reasoanbly light ~ 3.3kg?) Manfrotto Q5 Photo/Video Tripod Head with 755CX3 TripodRead more at http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/01/16/review-manfrotto-q5-photovideo-tripod-head-with-755cx3-tripod/#AgFOIWKebvVb6GVd.99 Heard mixed reports about the head though. maybe get the legs (they have great reviews - especially with self levelling head) & then a better head? Have Miller got legs like these? Cheers Ro :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Wall Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Dunno about the head - it would be cool to have an ultralightweight leveling head though...nobody really makes one that I can find. The miller legs are waaaay better than that - they are well suited to war zones. But they are a touch heavier, and look silly with a small head on them (I have a 100mm flat adapter bowl, you can get a 75mm one too). I need to keep looking - obviously I'm still in love with the miller legs - there's nothing on the market that's quite as good in my opinion - go from 6 in to more than 6 ft, light, strong, and you can even take them apart to fit into a carry on. But sometimes I don't even bother with the tripod just because I can't be bothered with the weight. Which ain't good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnymossville Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 I've been looking for something similar as well. I'd really like a tripod small/light that's easy to set up and tear down, to match the stealth factor of my GH4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorthairs Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 This is what I have been using. It works well but could be lighter. Tripod: Sirui N-1204 (surprisingly sturdy for it's weight) http://www.adorama.com/SIBSRET1204.html?gclid=CjkKEQjw5qmdBRCn--70gPSo074BEiQAJCe7zVPK6zYbcr6ciWEpS2PRxsual3Hj-CRjMsWnofHp01Dw_wcB Leveler: Acratech (Dont't skimp on lesser models) http://www.adorama.com/ACRLBQ20.html Head: Manfrotto 701HD No longer available Cheers Kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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