Miller Sharpshooters

Equipment used for the various shoots ranges from the Miller Compass 15 Fluid Head tripod , the camblock 3-axis motion control system, complete Canon 1D Mark IV DSLR camera package including 6 Canon EF lenses, accessories such as an intervalometer and a Macbook Pro which processed over three terra-bytes of data to achieve less than four minutes of time lapse imagery!
 

Time lapse photography has progressed significantly over the last twelve to eighteen months with the introduction of 3-axis motion control systems.The Camblock 3-axis motion control rig was used in capturing these sequences - the rig being the first in NSW and one of only a handful in Australia at the time of writing. Capturing time lapse sequences with 3 axis’ available completely transforms traditional time lapse photography - allowing the cinematographer to accentuate the action in a frame with greater scope of movement, timing and execution. Put simply your no longer just pointing the camera in a locked off position (using my Miller Compass 15 tripod of course) at a subject and recording what happens within that frame - you can select at what time, what angle and what speed the camera arrives at set keyframes throughout the movement of the entire shot capturing multiple actions within the one shot! Often capturing breathtaking results.
 

Throughout shooting in a variety of environments both during the day and at night the challenges of attaining the absolute best position for the camera every time were repeatedly overcome by the durability and versatility of the Miller Compass 15 Fluid Head tripod. Low shots from between rocks - no problem. High shots over fences with limited room either side - no problem.Two kilometers from shore on a small rock in the middle of Lake Eyre - no problem - also easy to carry out that distance as the light weight legs are carbon fibre - yet another advantage Miller tripods have over the competition.
 

Time and time again the best pan and tilt fluid drag range in its class combined with a selectable counter

balance system on my light weight, robust and quality designed Compass 15 Miller tripod handing me shooting freedom whilst in the field on assignment - something I value immensely.
 

Something most HDSLR shooters are not aware of, YET, is Miller’s fantastic new Compass Mounting Accessory Bracket. As soon as Daniel showed this product to me on the MILLER sales floor in Artarmon I bought one and immediately mounted it to my Compass 15.
 

Brilliantly simple in design, brilliantly effective in it’s application. HDMI / HD/SDI Field monitors (up to 3KG) such as Marshall 5’ or 7’ can now be mounted independently of the tilt axis of the tripod allowing greater flexibility when shooting with field monitors traditionally mounted on the hot shoe bracket on top of the camera. Every operator that spots this neat

petite accessory always ask where to get one.
 

At the moment I’m juggling three projects across the TV, doco and short film spectrum in addition to shooting corporate and one off projects in Australia and abroad which keeps things busy and challenging. I try to shoot something everyday - even on days off.The more you shoot the more you learn and with such a beautiful city to roam around there really is always something special to capture.Watch out for new 3-axis motion control time lapse sequences featuring iconic Sydney events in the near future and if any industry colleagues have questions about DSLR or 3-axis motion control equipment please feel free to get in contact via marcus@indigozoom.com
 

All the best and thank you to the entire Miller team in Artarmon. Lightweight, reliable, Australian owned and made - that’s Miller Camera Support Systems. Cinematographers in all corners of the world know it too.