Just wanted to say that Paul is right to a much greater extent that one might think, IMO...

Piotr, if it's not too much trouble, would you post a pix from the other side of the camera so we can see how you've got the monitor attached. thanks.

Here you go, Mike.

As you can see, the Manfrotto articulated arm is fixed to the tripod handle with a Manfrotto clamp. I have yet to experiment with the best position; the way 2 segments of the arm are positioned now prevents the monitor from wiggling; should it stay this way I'd probably shorten the upper segment so it doesn't stick backwards like this...

I know. An EX3 is NOT and EX1...
 

My turn.

It's not an EX1, but I'm pretty proud of my rig...

LOL -- Good one, Ted.

At least you have studio space.

Sorry, no studio space, that was photoshopped as well.

love the light,
sound is very good too :)
but the tripod is just amazing!

Can you explain why you chose to go with the halogen bulb? Who's car did you lift that battery from? I bet they are upset.

Also are you having luck plugging your mic directly into the USB port, or are you using so sort of adapters? I've had good luck with [usb][gum][trs][rca][xlr]

Lastly, on your tripod, is that white pine?

The halogen bulb was chosen because it is a watt-miser bulb and I'm concerned about global warming and it doesn't get hot.

The mic cable is actually a 1/8" plug. Since I can no longer afford adapters, I just ripped the end off and jammed the wires into the XLR jacks. As you recommended, I did use gum to hold it there.

And, sorry, it's yellow pine. This makes it a huge upgrade to my particle board model.

That's quality stuff Ted. After spending hours reading through other tech heavy stuff here in the forum, that was a much needed break of laughter. Thanks.

how is the pan and tilt on that tri-pod? Also do they make a quad-pod? I was thinking of upgrading to four.

OK, so I start to feel like upgrading my tripod/head... if I wanted to upgrade not just the head, but the whole system - from Manfrotto to Miller DS20 for instance...

Well, for this rig, consisting (at its max, ca. 10kg) of:

- EX1 camera
- Letus Extreme + lens
- microMatteBox etc
- extra batteries, Nano Flash, light etc.
- Manhattan HD monitor

Which Miller DS20 system would you recommend? The 850 or the 1514?

Basically, I'd like to know to pros and cons of the carbon-without-spreader legs DS20 (1514), and the alloy-with-spreader, Miller DS20 (850) systems. Both basing on the renowned DS20 head, of course.

I somehow got used to having a spreader, but opinions welcome :)

Or pehaps the Libec LS-70?

I use the DS20 1514 with my EX-1 / EX-3 setup and it is pretty damn good. The legs are fantastic. I don' t miss the spreader.

However with what you are running you may want to wait a little for the new heads coming early next year, not much info yet but I saw one and they are the biz.

Dan

I've been told by my miller dealers that the new low end miller heads wont be available for a while.. definitely not early next year..

What have you heard Dan? im really keen for one, i have a DS10 right now.. and need a second tripod for my new Ex1. Im almost tempted to get an arrow 25 with springer legs for some major future proofing. The 25 is an amazing head, with the tension turned all the way down to 1 or 0 (cant remember how far it goes) its got less resistance than the DS20 head.

Oh and Piotr, if you need to buy now, definitely go with the 1514. I own the carbon fibre legs and have used the Alloy 2 stage legs.. they are abit cheap for my liking and dont offer anything over the Solo legs..

Thanks guys for your input - the Miller DS20 Solo really looks sexy.

I have perhaps a provocative question: there seems to be a consensus that Manfrotto products are not good enough for rigs like that. But has anyone tried their top-of-the line kits, like the 526 head on the 528, or 350 legs?