Miller CX2 Fluid Head

Been using Manfrotto heads for far too long. I have always known that I needed to upgrade from my reliance on Manfrotto. I am glad did! This head from Miller is a night and day difference for me. So much better in every way. Lighted bubble head, counter balance, and extremely smooth drag and pan. It's so good!

This head is fantastic! It is replacing a 25 year old Vinten Vision 5. While I have loved the Vinten, the infinite adjustable friction has worn out. I love the gears in this one and the 16 step counter balance. Also the Vinten heads only have a range for which they can be counter balanced, like 7 pounds to 14 pounds. This guy can go all the way from zero to 26.4 pounds. That means I can use a heavy camera or a DSLR and still balance the weight. Excellent design!

As my cameras got bigger, I had to upgrade my fluid head from really old Manfrotto. I first tried the Miller Air fluid head, but found it did not have the range or resolution for counterbalance adjustment I was looking for. The CX10 is substantially more expensive, but the 16-steps of counterbalance and 5 steps of drag adjustment are just perfect for me. The counterbalance setup is simple: set drag to zero, slide the camera-plate forward/backward to locate the center of mass, then increase the counterbalance to get the best balance over the range planned for the shot. Finally bring-up the drag to get the feel you want. Some reviews of the CX series complain they can not get perfect balance, and experience kick-back and drift at the tails of tilts or pans (especially when using long lenses where the effect is amplified). But I have found that a combination of proper balance setting, higher drag, and user technique can give me perfect starts and stops with zero kick-back. One of the keys is to use a high drag setting and a firm had to initiate the tilt/pan. Then ease-up to the stopping point, and just hold briefly for a second before releasing the handle. This works perfectly for me every time. And by the way, poor tripod torsional stiffness can make even a perfect fluid head appear to have pan-axis kickback, but in reality it is the tripod legs kicking-back, not the head (mount this on the 26 pound Kessler K-pod tripod, and you will see how perfectly it works with an infinitely-stiff tripod). For typical shooting situations, I mount this on a Manfrotto 536 and it is a great combination. This head is tremendously sturdy and solid - really well-made with silky-smooth bearings and absolutely zero play in any axis. I also love the size, grip and feel of the pan bar (handle) - it is big and beefy, feels great in the hand. Now that I have it, I wish I had bought a nice fluid head years ago! Miller has done a great job on this one!

Buttery smooth pan and tilt and the ability to precisely dial in the counterbalance makes this a unique and excellent head. I have had mine for about 2 years and love it.

I ordered this head to use on my Gitzo series 5 tripod along with the gitzo 100mm half bowl. Quality is fantastic, motion is smooth and fluid and is extremely durable. Only issue, the stud that mounts to the ball clamp is too short and needed to be longer to use on the Gitzo tripod. Called Miller US and had them send me a longer one, without issue.

I purchased the Miller CX10 Fluid Head specifically for use with a Sony A7iii and Sony 200-600 G zoom lens in a rig weighing about 13 pounds. I use this setup as a moving camera for closeups in concerts. It's important to have smooth action with (near) perfect balance. The CX10 meets all of my need and expectations. It is also compact, rugged, and very easy to adjust. It is a true fluid head, so adjusting the drag is easy, since you aren't working against spring tension found in friction heads. The counterbalance is also easy to adjust, without undue resistance. I can point it to any position and let go of the handle without sag and very little springback. Hold for just a second or two, and the springback disappears.

This replaced a well know brand fluid head and the difference was night and day. The counter balance is smooth, super easy to use, and convenient top plate loading. I have no disappointment and am considering the accessory plate.