arrow Fx fluid heads and real-time
graphics engines, such as Vizrt and
Orad, among others. This provides
“accurate” real-time pan, tilt, zoom
and focus data, as well as lens
geometry information to create
life-like precision augmented
productions.
The arrow Fx 3 is designed
for lighter cameras used in
electronic newsgathering (ENG),
documentaries and electronic field
production (EFP) applications.
It features a payload support
range of 1kg-19kg (2.2 lb-41.8 lb),
16 positions of counterbalance,
as well as 5+0 pan-and-tilt drag
positions.
In addition, the arrow Fx 5 is
equipped with a wider payload
range from 2kg-21kg (4.4 lb-46.2
lb), 16 positions of counterbalance,
and 7+0 pan-and-tilt drag
positions. It is designed for larger
ENG and EFP applications,
including documentaries, drama
and TV commercials.
Finally, the arrow Fx 7 is
applicable for heavier rigs,
including in-studio and OB
applications. It supports a payload
range from 6kg-25kg (13.2 lb-55.1
lb), 16 positions of counterbalance,
and 7+0 pan-and-tilt drag
positions.
Additional features of the
arrow Fx series include the ability to
remove the clamp stud to easily
mount the head on flat-based
surfaces, such as sliders. With ball
bearings that allow for precision
pan-tilt movements, the arrowF X
delivers “smooth starts and fluid,
soft-stop actions”, says Miller.
Precise floating pan-tilt calliper
locks ensure “bounce-free” on-off
locking. When extra tripod rigidity
is required, a Mitchell Base adaptor
can be fitted.
Each arrow Fx model comes
with a 120mm sliding travel plate
for quick rebalancing of changing
camera payloads. Furthermore,
it is designed with illuminated
controls that allow users to work
in all lighting or environmental
conditions they are in.
Gavin Rawlings goes off-road
with Compass 25 tripod system
Gavin Rawlings, director of photography
(DoP) and co-owner of Sydney-based
Venture Films, uses Miller Camera
Support’s solutions to produce off-road
travel programmes, most recently in
the second season of LowRange, an
Australia-based reality programme that
follows a team of adventurers as they
explore the nearly two-and-a-half-million
acres of the Australian Outback.
In filming his outback adventures,
Rawlings relies on the Miller Compass 25
Solo 100 three-stage carbon fibre system
to support his Sony PMWF55 CineAlta
4K PMW Series HD camcorder and a
Sony PXWX70 XDCAM XAVC HD422
hand-held camcorder.
LowRange, which was previously
aired on Australia’s Seven Network for
season one, is shot in some extreme
conditions including rugged mountain
ranges, arid deserts, tempered plains,
Gavin Rawlings, DoP and co-owner of
Venture Films, says of Compass 25: “They’re
sometimes submerged in water, set up in mud,
blasted by dust, so being able to maintain
them in the field is important.”
vast gorges, and the tropical and
monsoonal climates of the northern
outback territory. In total, the outback
provides an ecologically-rich abundance
of environments featuring wildlife for
each host to explore.
“The Compass 25 head, in my
opinion, is the perfect companion for this
environment and for my Sony PMWF55,”
says Rawlings. “Complementing the
Sony F55 with all the various drag
settings and counterbalancing options of
the Compass 25 head, I’m able to get the
smooth and seamless shots I need. The
fluid head helps me with panning shots
zoomed right in. I’m able to track the
vehicles very smoothly by adjusting the
drag speeds in the fluid head.”
Rawlings has been a Miller tripod user
since 2008, and he is especially fond of
the Solo legs that support the Compass
25. He adds: “A lot of my work takes
me through so many different types of
terrain: deserts, snow, mountains, tropics
and many more. The fact that I can snap
and lock the Solo legs at different types
of angles so easily is extremely helpful. It
allows me to achieve the shot that I want
no matter where I am positioned.”
Overall, Rawlings is satisfied with
the reliability of Miller equipment,
which continuously keeps up with
him. “I’m pretty tough on my tripods,”
confesses Rawlings. “They’re sometimes
submerged in water, set up in mud,
blasted by dust, so being able to
maintain them in the field is important.
For instance, when the Solo legs start
getting a bit jammed up from all the
The Compass 25 Solo is a three-stage
carbon fibre tripod system that weighs 6.6kg,
and supports a payload range of 4kg-14kg.
mud and dust, I can easily take the legs
apart to clean them. This is very helpful
for remote area filming.”
The Compass 25 Solo 100 three-
stage carbon fibre system features a
payload range of 4kg-14kg (8.8 lb-30.9
lb) and weighs 6.6kg (14.7 lb), allowing
for run-and-gun operation under
any conditions. It has 5+0 selectable
positions of drag, a quick-release 70mm
sliding Euro plate, a height range of
383mm-2033mm, and spiked rubber
feet for stabilisation. The Compass 25
also features four selectable positions
of counterbalance, a calliper disc brake
system and illuminated bubble level.
Rawlings has worked on similar
off-road shows such as The Offroad
Adventure Show, Pat Callinan’s 4x4
and 4WD Action. To learn more about
Rawlings and his latest adventures with
Venture Films, visit www.venturefilms.
com.au.
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