Sachtler has announced a major upgrade to its popular Video 18 fluid head. The new model – the Video 18 S2 – has a load bearing capacity of up to 20 kg, and can operate at -40 to +60 degrees centigrade.
National Geographic filmmaker Bertie Gregory said of the original V18: “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, I never have to worry about doing that.”
The company says the new model features ‘Speedbalance’ technology, allowing swift weight compensation for the demands of both light and heavy rigs. Whilst still maintaining classic V18 features, such as temperature resistance, the Touch & Go plate, the parking position for spare camera screws, the illuminated spirit level, and the SpeedLevel Clamp’s push & release mechanism (replacing traditional tripod tie-downs).
“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, Sachtler’s senior product marketing manager.
Cinematographer, producer, and sound engineer Clinton Harn, has spent time testing the new model and had this to say:
“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.
“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.”
For those heading to Vegas for NAB 2016, you can see the Video 18 S2 fluid head system and its SpeedLevel Clamp in action, at Vitec Videocom’s booth #C6025.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Video 18 S2 has a recommended retail price of US$5500 and is available at Sachtler dealers worldwide.
For more info, check: video18s2.sachtler.com
Watch Clinton Harn testing the V18 S2 in the Australian Outback.
Excerpts from Press Release.
