Miller Solo DV at DVinfo.net

Victor Nguyen · August 13th, 2013, 08:12 PM

I'm thinking of getting the Miller Solo DV leg. They come in Carbon Fiber and Aluminum. I heard that CF is suppose to be much lighter but when I look on B&H, there is only 1 pound of difference in weight.

I'm leaning toward Aluminum because it cost $250 less than CF. What do you guys think?

Phill Pendleton · August 14th, 2013, 12:11 AM

Go the carbon fibre if you can stretch the budget. Used both, prefer the carbon fibre, especially lifting the gear 20 times a day (I am an old shooter though, looking for the easiest way).

Victor Nguyen · August 14th, 2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phill Pendleton

Go the carbon fibre if you can stretch the budget. Used both, prefer the carbon fibre, especially lifting the gear 20 times a day (I am an old shooter though, looking for the easiest way).

But 5.5 pounds vs 6.6 pounds is not a huge difference in weight. Is it really worth $250 for 1 pound?

Phill Pendleton · August 14th, 2013, 06:28 PM

Yes, I think so. Lifting tripod 20 times a day times 1 pound equals 20 pounds extra work in a day.
I guess it really depends on what you shoot. Run & Gun, weddings, News, Wildlife etc the less weight the better. If you need to carry the gear up a mountain or run for that next shot weight matters.
If you are stationery for much of a shoot (OB / locked off shot etc) it wouldn't really matter.
I also like the feel of carbon fibre, I've had my hand slip when re-po'ing for a shot on aluminium due to sweat. The carbon fibre is easier to grip.
If your budget won't stretch, the Aluminium will be fine. But I think its worth going that bit further to buy a better product that you will have for years.
I still have a set of miller wooden legs I used in the 80's in use on some shoots!

Bo Sundvall · August 15th, 2013, 11:17 AM

Hi

Carbon fibre is lighter than aluminium, around 40% lighter. This makes it possible to use more material in a carbon fiber tripod. More material means, probably, more stability. I have not used any carbon fibre tripods myself but have been to photo shops and got my hands on some of them. The feeling is that carbon fibre is much more unsensitive to bending than aluminium which makes a carbon fiber tripod much more stable than an aluminium tripod, given the same weight.

I guess that a carbon fiber triod weighing 1 pound less than an aluminium dito, is more stable as it can have more material in the pipes.

Regards,

/Bo

James Kuhn · August 15th, 2013, 11:48 AM

Mr. Sundvall...'you hit the nail on the head'! Aluminum is an excellent material and if you can't swing C-F, it's the way to go. However, Carbon-Fiber is structurally stronger and weighs less than Aluminum or steel of the same size, weight and thickness. Carbon-Fiber is electrically non-conductive and in cold environments (Arctic/Antarctic) the material will not conduct cold or heat. What's not to like? : ) But, these positive features come at a price ($$$).

I hate buying twice and it's been my experience if I 'purchase' my second choice, I always end up buying again. JMHO, YMMV.

Best regards,

J.

Bryce Comer · August 15th, 2013, 03:43 PM

Actually James, carbon fibre is very conductive electrically. To tell a little story, I was once walking with my camera & tripod over my shoulder when I came across a clearing where the high voltage overhead wires ran. As I started to walk underneath the wires the tripod started to literally buzz in my hands! It was very unnerving, so much so, that I turned around & left the area! It was a dry day, & not a lot of humidity either, & when you consider how high the wires are from the ground, I was very surprised at what happened. As far as the cold goes though, I have to agree, it is far superior than the aluminum.
Victor, i have the tripod you are looking at, & love it. If you can get the carbon fibre one, go for it. It is a very nice tripod.
Regards,
Bryce

Victor Nguyen · August 15th, 2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce Comer

Victor, i have the tripod you are looking at, & love it. If you can get the carbon fibre one, go for it. It is a very nice tripod.
Regards,
Bryce

You have the Aluminum version? How long you had it for?

Bryce Comer · August 15th, 2013, 10:12 PM

Hi Victor,
I have the carbon fibre version. I have had it for about 7 years now & it has been worth every cent!
Regards,
Bryce

August 13th, 2013, 08:12 PM	#1
Victor Nguyen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 289	Miller Solo DV I'm thinking of getting the Miller Solo DV leg. They come in Carbon Fiber and Aluminum. I heard that CF is suppose to be much lighter but when I look on B&H, there is only 1 pound of difference in weight. I'm leaning toward Aluminum because it cost $250 less than CF. What do you guys think?

August 14th, 2013, 12:11 AM	#2
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Re: Miller Solo DV Go the carbon fibre if you can stretch the budget. Used both, prefer the carbon fibre, especially lifting the gear 20 times a day (I am an old shooter though, looking for the easiest way).

August 14th, 2013, 06:28 PM	#4
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Re: Miller Solo DV Yes, I think so. Lifting tripod 20 times a day times 1 pound equals 20 pounds extra work in a day. I guess it really depends on what you shoot. Run & Gun, weddings, News, Wildlife etc the less weight the better. If you need to carry the gear up a mountain or run for that next shot weight matters. If you are stationery for much of a shoot (OB / locked off shot etc) it wouldn't really matter. I also like the feel of carbon fibre, I've had my hand slip when re-po'ing for a shot on aluminium due to sweat. The carbon fibre is easier to grip. If your budget won't stretch, the Aluminium will be fine. But I think its worth going that bit further to buy a better product that you will have for years. I still have a set of miller wooden legs I used in the 80's in use on some shoots!

August 15th, 2013, 11:17 AM	#5
Bo Sundvall Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 244	Re: Miller Solo DV Hi Carbon fibre is lighter than aluminium, around 40% lighter. This makes it possible to use more material in a carbon fiber tripod. More material means, probably, more stability. I have not used any carbon fibre tripods myself but have been to photo shops and got my hands on some of them. The feeling is that carbon fibre is much more unsensitive to bending than aluminium which makes a carbon fiber tripod much more stable than an aluminium tripod, given the same weight. I guess that a carbon fiber triod weighing 1 pound less than an aluminium dito, is more stable as it can have more material in the pipes. Regards, /Bo

August 15th, 2013, 11:48 AM	#6
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Miller Solo DV Mr. Sundvall...'you hit the nail on the head'! Aluminum is an excellent material and if you can't swing C-F, it's the way to go. However, Carbon-Fiber is structurally stronger and weighs less than Aluminum or steel of the same size, weight and thickness. Carbon-Fiber is electrically non-conductive and in cold environments (Arctic/Antarctic) the material will not conduct cold or heat. What's not to like? : ) But, these positive features come at a price ($$$). I hate buying twice and it's been my experience if I 'purchase' my second choice, I always end up buying again. JMHO, YMMV. Best regards, J.

August 15th, 2013, 03:43 PM	#7
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: Miller Solo DV Actually James, carbon fibre is very conductive electrically. To tell a little story, I was once walking with my camera & tripod over my shoulder when I came across a clearing where the high voltage overhead wires ran. As I started to walk underneath the wires the tripod started to literally buzz in my hands! It was very unnerving, so much so, that I turned around & left the area! It was a dry day, & not a lot of humidity either, & when you consider how high the wires are from the ground, I was very surprised at what happened. As far as the cold goes though, I have to agree, it is far superior than the aluminum. Victor, i have the tripod you are looking at, & love it. If you can get the carbon fibre one, go for it. It is a very nice tripod. Regards, Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

August 15th, 2013, 10:12 PM	#9
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: Miller Solo DV Hi Victor, I have the carbon fibre version. I have had it for about 7 years now & it has been worth every cent! Regards, Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!