Miller ArtX 3 User manual

Naked Fluid Head
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
1114 ArtX 3 Naked Fluid Head
1116 ArtX 5 Naked Fluid Head
1118 ArtX 7 Naked Fluid Head

2
Features
Positive pan-tilt locks
calliper brake system
Tilt drag
selector
ring
Side-loading quick
release platform
Pan drag
selector
ring
Accessory mounting adaptor
points both sides
Counterbalance
selector ring
Illuminated
bubble level
Spare
camera
screws
Replaceable
serrated washer

3
Introduction
Congratulations, you are actually reading the operations manual!
So many people dismissed user guides these days, but a product
with any degree of complexity and sophistication, one with
robust and exible features such as the one you just bought, is
going to take a little bit of guring out. That’s what this manual
is for.
Register your warranty
Product Overview
You are now the proud owner of a Miller Fluid Head known as
a “Naked Head” designed for maximum versatility for creative
artists. ArtX is a new concept that provides choices to enable
users to customise a uid head to t their exact purpose.
The key features of ArtX are:
• Customisable uid head
• Flat base (tripod mounting attachments optional)
• The Right Feel, smooth start, soft stop, uid drag
technology.
• Balanced diagonal transitions
• 15+0 CB PlusTM selectable counterbalance positions
• Ergonomically located CB Plus switch
• Positive selection radial drag ring controls
• Illuminated bubble level
• Precise oating pan-tilt calliper locks ensure bounce
free on-off performance
• Robust construction for rugged outdoor shooting
conditions
• Two side mounting points for viewnders and
accessories
• Wear-resistant serrated rosette washer
• Three years full warranty
• Designed and manufactured in Australia
To ready the uid head for use the following are required
a) uid head
b) sliding platform
c) pan handle
d) tripod attachment ( unless used as athead)
Please refer to g 1.
Before we go any further is
very important that you go to
millertripods.com/en/warranty
and register your warranty to
claim your three full factory
warranty. Please read the
warranty information on the same
registration page on the website.
If it is not done now probably it
never will.

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Naked Fluid Head Options
CAT. # 1276
MILLER BASE PLATE &
CAMERA PLATE
CAT. # 679
STANDARD PAN
HANDLE
CAT. # 694
TELESCOPIC PAN
HANDLE CAT. # 1116
ARTx 5 FLUID HEAD NAKED
CAT. # 1118
ARTx 7 FLUID HEAD NAKED
CAT. # 1288
DIA. 75mm CLAW
BALL
CAT. # 1290
DIA. 100mm CLAW
BALL
CAT. # 1225
MITCHELL BASE
OR
OR
OROR
OR OR
CAT. # 1278
VERSA BASE PLATE &
CAMERA PLATE
CAT. # 1114
ARTx 3 FLUID HEAD NAKED
Fig. 1

5
Use this manual to familiarise yourself with the operation of
the ArtX Fluid Head and observe these instructions to prevent
any damage to your equipment. Ensure that all equipment is
operating correctly and free from defects and damage, also
ensure that the tripod is steady, secure and that the bowl is
approximately horizontal when attaching the camera. The
operator is responsible for the safe operation of this piece of
equipment.
Safety Instructions
Slide Lock Lever
Pan Lock
Tilt Lock
Platform
Safety Release Lever
Cat# 1278
• Do not exceed the maximum payload capacity of the
Fluid Head
• Do not leave the camera unattended on the Fluid Head
• Do not release the SLIDE LOCK LEVER whilst the
camera is at an angle.
• Do not adjust the tripod whilst the camera is attached
to the Fluid Head.
• Ensure PAN HANDLE CLAMP and CLAMP NUT is
securely tightened.
• Apply TILT LOCK when adding/removing equipment
from the camera or when attaching/removing the
camera from the Fluid Head.
• Hold camera securely whilst changing Counterbalance,
Pan Drag or Tilt Drag settings.
• Hold the camera securely whilst releasing the SAFETY
RELEASE LEVER.
• Hold camera securely whilst adjusting the CLAMP NUT
to level the Fluid Head.

6
Assembly
Fig. 3
2 x 1/4” Thread
50.0
3 x M5 Thread
3/8” Thread
Baseplate
Attach the Base Plate Assembly (Cat #1278 or #1276) using the
supplied M5 x 16 Socket Cap Screws (4) and a 4mm Hex key.
Lightly tighten the rst screw and then the remaining 3 screws
by working in a cross pattern. Re-tighten rmly all screws.
After tightening all screws, assemble the camera plate and check
that the camera plate is securely captured and slides smoothly,
then apply SLIDE LOCK LEVER and check holding force. Release
the SLIDE LOCK SCREW and the SAFETY RELEASE LEVER and
remove the camera plate.
Fig. 2
Flat Base Adaptors
All adaptors must be assembled using the supplied M5 x 12
Socket Cap Screws and a 4 mm Hex key.
Tighten securely and do not use alternative length screws.

7
Fig. 4
Assembly
To Suit
75mm Bowl
To Suit
100mm Bowl
Fig. 5

8
2.Mounting Your Camera
2.1 Remove the CAMERA PLATE by lifting the SAFETY
RELEASE LEVER on the PLATFORM (SLIDE LOCK LEVER
must be unwound (clockwise)) (Fig. 6a).
2.2 Attach the CAMERA PLATE to the camera
1
such that
the Centre of Gravity (C of G)
2
mark on the camera is
approximately in the middle of the camera plate.
2.3 Tighten PAN/TILT LOCKS, mount the CAMERA PLATE
to the PLATFORM non-locking side rst. The side load
lock mechanism will capture camera plate (distinct click
sound will be made when CAMERA PLATE is retained).
CAMERA PLATE will be able to slide freely until SLIDE
LOCK LEVER is tightened.
2.4 Release TILT LOCK, slide the CAMERA PLATE such that
the camera’s C of G is directly above the centre axis of
the Fluid Head (g. 6b), camera should be balanced (if
not slide camera backward or forward). Once balanced
tighten the SLIDE LOCK LEVER (anti-clockwise)
3
and
tighten TILT LOCK.
If this cannot be achieved then reposition the CAMERA
PLATE on the Camera – step 2.2.
NOTES:
1
Refer to the camera’s owners manual for correct method of
attachment to the CAMERA PLATE. Remove the 1/4” screw
or 3/8” screw or 1/4” Pin (#1201 Camera Plate only) as
required.
2
The camera’s C of G can be estimated by placing the
camera on to a round rod and then shifting it backwards
or forwards until a balance point – C of G - is achieved. It is
recommended to identify this point on the camera as it will
be useful in step 2.2.
3
Ensure SLIDE LOCK LEVER is tightened at all times when
you are not nding C of G or mounting/dismounting camera.
Operating Instructions
Fig. 6b
Fig. 6a
Centre Axis
Slide Lock Lever
Pan Lock
Tilt Lock
Platform
Safety Release Lever
C of G
Cat# 1278

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Fig. 6a
Pan Lock
Tilt Lock
Platform 3.Counterbalance Control
The counterbalance system was designed to neutralise the
effect of the camera weight when it is tilted. The ArtX Fluid
Head offers a 15 position counterbalance system which is
operated with the CB SELECTOR RING and the CB PLUS
SELECTOR (Fig. 7). With ArtX it is also possible to disengage
counterbalance (position zero),
NOTE:
Be careful when disengaging counterbalance as you could
damage your equipment with an unwanted tilt drop.
The CB SELECTOR RING and the CB PLUS SELECTOR must
be operated when the BASE PLATE is in a horizontal position.
After changing the counterbalance setting it may be
necessary to tilt the camera back and forth to ensure that the
CB spring has engaged.
3.1 For safety it is generally better to start at a higher
counterbalance position (e.g. position 14) and work your
way to the correct setting, this is to reduce any chance of
unwanted tilt drops (Fig. 7).
3.2 Hold the camera and release the TILT LOCK, then gently
tilt the camera from the horizontal position forward
then backward and observe its response. If the camera
‘springs back’ to the horizontal position then a lower
counterbalance setting is required, use the CB SELECTOR
RING to cycle through all even number positions (eight
positions including zero).
3.3 Finer adjustments can be made by engaging the CB PLUS
SELECTOR (upward direction).
3.4 Correct counterbalance setting has been achieved when
the camera does not spring back or drop when pan
handle is released.
Operating Instructions
Fig. 7
CB PLUS on
CB PLUS off
CB PLUS Selector
CB Selector Ring
Cat# 1278

10
Operating Instructions
4.Pan/Tilt Drag Control
The ArtX Fluid Head offers selectable positions of uid drag
in the Pan and Tilt (including zero positions). The settings are
equally stepped from lighter drag in position 1 up to heavier
drag in position 3 on ArtX 3 and ArtX 5 models and position
5 on ArtX 7, the drag plates are completely disengaged in
position zero.
• Do not pan or tilt the Fluid Head whilst adjusting PAN or
TILT DRAG CONTROL or whilst the PAN and TILT DRAG
CONTROL is between settings.
• The drag setting can be changed at any tilt or pan angle.
5.Pan/Tilt Lock Control
The ArtX Fluid Head offers high capacity caliper disc brake
system to hold the Fluid Head in a xed pan and/or tilt
position. Camera position will not change when applying or
releasing the Pan-tilt locks.
• Do not pan or tilt the Fluid Head whilst the PAN or the TILT
LOCK is partially applied.
6.Illumination
The ArtX Fluid Head offers illumination of the BUBBLE LEVEL
when the low ambient light conditions exist. Illumination
can be achieved by pressing the LED BUTTON once. The
light will switch off after 10 seconds.
Fig. 8