Production Kit Advice

[Ralph Keyser]

I’ve used the Miller DS10 in production for about 5 years with very good results. The ball is small (at 75mm), but it’s a true ball mounted head. Shooting here in the desert, things get exposed to a hellish environment, but the Miller has held up very well.

One thing to consider would be the counter-balance on the head. The DS10 is perfect with something the weight of an XL1, but an HVX might be a bit light. The DS20, IIRC, has a selectable counter-balance, but it’s only a few positions, so look into what those positions are set for. Another option might be something with interchangable springs (I think some of the Vintens do that).

This is one of those sore points for me. Finding a really good fluid head for a very light camera is a tough challenge.

Ralph