Sachtler Upgrades Fluid Head System

Sachtler has upgraded its popular Video 18 fluid head ahead of NAB 2016. The Video 18 S2 enables users to handle a greater load bearing capacity of up to 20kg – 4kg more payload than the Video 18 S1. The improvement means that the fluid head can operatre at -40 to +60 degrees centigrade without impacting its operation.

"The more you can carry on the tripod, the easier it is to function with both the heaviest and the lightest payload. With certain competitors, their tripods can carry a heavier payload, but then the minute you try to adjust your parameters to accommodate a lighter one it feels incredibly stiff and cocky," commented cinematographer Clinton Harn.

As a cinematographer, filmmaker, producer, and audio recording engineer, Clinton Harn has shot for two-time Academy Award winner and director Malcolm Clark, but has also worked as an AC and camera operator for Rodney Charters, ASC who is known for shows like 24, Dallas, and Shameless.

"This new head just has more control, so while it can accommodate a heavier payload of 20 kg, you can still go down to the minimum drag setting of 2 kg and put a small DSLR camera on there with no issues. And that's the big difference between Sachtler and a lot of other competitors," explained Harn.

The Video 18 fluid head has remained a key staple in camera kits of EFP and EB cameramen worldwide for years. During his three-month stay on a remote island, National Geographic filmmaker and photographer Bertie Gregory said of the Video 18 S1: "I've taken it in little boats and big boats, put it in salt water and sand to get water level shots, had it in rivers and carried it 30 kilometers a day for ten days. In the past, I've had tripods where you take it on a windy beach, the whole thing just fills up with sand, and then I have to take it apart to clean it. I don't know what Sachtler's done with their gear, but whatever it is, it's genius because I never have to worry about doing that."

The Video 18 S2 retains the Sachtler features like temperature resistance, the Touch & Go plate, the parking position for spare camera screws, the illuminated spirit level, and the SpeedLevel Clamp that replaces the traditional tie down on a tripod with a push and release mechanism.

"The Video 18 S2 is the best of both worlds for news and documentary film crews. Every microscopic feature has been heightened for their tough, day-to-day challenges, so it doesn't matter if it's thrown into the back of a news truck every day or burrowed into the mud. We understand that our users work on a range of projects with different equipment, so this upgrade is meant to acclimate to light and heavy rigs without compromising the integrity and quality of the gear," said Tobias Keuthen, senior product marketing manager at Sachtler.

The Video 18 S2 fluid head system with the SpeedLevel Clamp will be on display at Vitec Videocom's booth #C6025, alongside Sachtler's range of Ace Accessories, Ace M tripod system and Sachtler Bags.

www.sachtler.com

www.vitecvideocom.com

(JP/LM)