Fluid Heads & Tripods: Everything You Should Know

[@GaricsPeter]

I thought this video will have like a million views. How does it have only 5k? This is the most exhaustive, straight to the point, professional video on this topic. I'm amazed that this can be viewed online for free.

[@vistek]

Thanks Garics! I really appreciate the comment. I made it because I couldn't find any of this information on KZbin and thought it would be good to have out there. Glad that you got something from this! Hopefully more people will see it... -D

[@2danshepherd]

Well said Garics. I couldn't agree more. It was very well done and informative.

[@michael_r]

Completely agree. This is fantastic.

[@thekaiser4333]

@@vistek - Good video.

[@krollpeter]

Still applies. By far the most pro-video about the subject.

[@geraldundone]

This style of video is right up my alley. Great job! Learned some stuff. 👍🙏👌

[@vistek]

Thanks G! I tried my hand at some graphics... and I discovered that I don't have nearly the same skill level as you do. So I hope people find the campiness of my graphics charming if they can't be ... well..... good? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Ha! Also, think anyone would watch a 30 minute video on fluid heads? My guess is probably not, but this will be a handsomely fine experiment. :)

[@_rhapsodist]

@@vistek it was totally worth to watch!

[@vistek]

Thank you rhapsodist!

[@garygordon2530]

I wondered if I could really find a technical description of how fluid heads worked, and you delivered! Big thanks.

[@vistek]

Thanks Gary!

[@prabhakarrao4922]

An extremely professional and to-the-point rundown of Fluid heads and tripods. Thanks

[@vistek]

Thank you!!

[@ЭтоДрючинский]

Wow, that's one of the best tripod videos out there! It deserves much more views. I've been searching for something like this for a long time. But you forgot to mention Arca Swiss and some other plate standards. But I bet nobody could do that, too many of them out there :D

[@vistek]

Thank you so much for the great comment! Yeah, this video was a sleeper for many years but I'm happy it's getting some attention finally. Like all my videos, I had to triage what to discuss, and what to leave out. I really wanted to focus on fluid heads and just balance/usage. Many new operators, filmmakers, videographers don't understand how a fluidhead works and I wanted to create something that got them on the same knowledge level as union camera operators or camera assistants.

[@frankfeng2701]

Such a underrated tutorial. Having searched for half an hour this one is by far the most comprehensive.

[@vistek]

Thanks so much for your comment Frank! Super appreciate you taking the time to say as much. That was my goal - to be as comprehensive as possible. It's amazing how many people I see use fluid heads with no idea that they need to be balanced or chosen by weight. What a difference a properly balanced fluid head makes! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MakiPavlidis]

Outstanding video. Clear and to the point. So helpful in my search. Thanks man.

[@vistek]

Thank you for the lovely comment!

[@rickymcc9072]

Thanks for this. I learnt stuff I didn't know and found it a useful aid to better understanding the differences between alternate approaches to designing heads and sticks.

[@vistek]

Thanks for the wonderful comment rickymcc9072!

[@petermclennan6781]

I owned a Sachtler Studio 7 back in the 80's Fabulous piece of gear, even though it cost me ten large. This video is the best I've seen on how fluid heads work and how to set them up. Congrats!

[@vistek]

Thanks Peter! I super appreciate the comment!

[@HowardPhillips]

Oustanding, thanks for creating and posting this tutorial.

[@vistek]

Thanks for the great comment Howard! Appreciate it!

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Excellent, info-packed presentation. Thanks.

[@vistek]

Thanks Raymond!

[@michaelh3090]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@vistek]

Thank you for the comment Michael!

[@danieltang2488]

The best video of introductions of tripod systems. Thanks for sharing.

[@vistek]

Thanks so much Daniel!

[@mierimageaerials]

This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear! Thank you!!!!

[@vistek]

Thank you Mierlmage! Happy to hear it was helpful!

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

My man searched the patent records to ensure he was dropping accurate information.. Nice!

[@vistek]

Thank you!

[@carlouser]

Great video, like many others commented already, congrats and thanks.

[@vistek]

Thank you so much! Still receiving love on a video from a long time ago brings me joy. Appreciate the comment!!

[@ViewfinderMastery]

extremely helpful! thank you!

[@vistek]

Thank you for the comment! 🙏🙏

[@ungavaproductions]

Excellent presentation ! Very useful !

[@EVRevolution]

Great video, lots of great advise much thanks. I learned a lot as I was unsure of the differences and use cases for the various styles. You provided a robust and clear explanation! I am going to be upgrading to a better video tripod, from my $199 Benro ProFusion Special. Just rigged out my Sony PXW-Z90 with rails, monitor and v-mount batteries so I have a bit more weight now to handle. I need to weigh the rig to understand the payload limits. However, I do want to get a tripod that has selectable pan/tilt and counterbalance settings. Looked at the Camgear recently at one of the local Vistek stores and it seems like a well built and quality product. Just have to save up some dollars first!

[@vistek]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@alexanderdavidyuk5027]

Amazing video! btw i prefer to don't lock pan when i leave camera, so if someone from crew suddenly hit the cam, it makes turnaround and compensate that hit

[@vistek]

Thanks for the great comment and tip!

[@rockazar5436]

This was very good. This was great information that was well presented, especially with the high-end heads! Thank you! And the handle should in the most comfortable position for the operator to “dance” with the camera. User’s choice.

[@vistek]

Thank you very much Rockazar!

[@RaduGheorghe23]

Amazing material. Thank you very much.

[@sutv6754]

Very Good. I like your teaching style. Subscribed.

[@vistek]

Thank you!! Super appreciate the support!

[@SanketPatil001]

Great amount of information about fluid heads, tripods packed in these 28 min, nicely edited too ! Thank mate for making this video.

[@vistek]

Thank you Sanket. I really appreciate the comment and the support! Glad this video is getting some traction.

[@GiancarloBiondi]

really a lot of useful information here. Seen it all and it's worth it!

[@vistek]

Thank you Giancarlo! Super appreciate the comment!

[@charlesteton]

FYI: With the Mitchell system you level with a levelling plate not the legs, the package is usually way to heavy to do that. Manfrotto also make a levelling adapter, like a 1/8 ball, which you can fit between a flat base head and flat base tripod system. They also do 1/2 balls in 75mm and 100mm for flat head systems. Manfrotto’s older PT 117 legs are interesting, as they have a geared centre column, which you use a handle to wind up or down over 12”, actually its faster than messing around with the legs, even on a flow tech system, when you want to make minor adjustments in height. Good video. Thanks, C

[@vistek]

Thanks for the comment, Charles. Perhaps I should have qualified that. I use Mitchell often, Mostly the 2575 head - so I know what you mean here. The levelling plate is still really for those final micro adjustments. I consider Mitchell a sort of two step system. Even with really heavy builds, I find that if you can get the sticks a bit higher than you need, you can play the creep-it-down game to get in the wheelhouse. Or worse case have the ACs help. In any case, you make great points and I appreciate the comment!

[@papajoe7]

What video fluid tripod head do you recommend a handles 50 to 100 lb camera that's very affordable and reasonable price

[@HardFirmSoft]

Thanks for the great package of information! Really nice to see this kind of all-in-one type of video to learn more about video tripods and heads.

[@avalonvideo327]

Very informative video with helpful tips One tip I have is to add painters tape for each setup I have on the camera. Sometimes I have a heavy battery. Gets position 1. Light battery position 2 on the tape. It is not 100% but close enough when in a hurry Another tips is to try and balance the camera with all equipment on top of a pencil or pen. Mark your spot on your painters tape. Just an idea. Thanks again for the great video

[@vistek]

Fantastic tip AV. Thank you!

[@uploadsnstuff8902]

Such an underrated channel...

[@vistek]

Thank you!

[@AlexFBuchholzPhoto]

Thanks a lot. Has been very informative and helpful.

[@vistek]

Thank you Alex!

[@TommyDrone]

Excellent explanations and advice. Thanks so much :)

[@vistek]

Thanks a ton Tommy! Really appreciate the comment. - D

[@vhpmultimedia6384]

Best video ever !✨ As a professional photographer slowly getting into film making, this video has definitely answered my questions regarding choosing the right tripod for my future shoots. Keep it up.

[@vistek]

Thank you VHP. Very much appreciate the comment!

[@AlexKeller1]

Next video, self-balancing monopods! Thanks for an informative video.

[@EdwardKilner]

I liked this video, although most of it won’t apply to my needs, which consist of a Z6ii and eventually a max 600mm lens. Yesterday I bought a Manfrotto 502AH (from Vistek) for my 055 tripod. Small stuff. I have the control arm on the left because the camera controls are mostly for the right hand. Very little video but more in the future and I wanted smoother movements than a ball head offers. Also, I wanted an alternative to a Wemberly-type gimbal for wildlife. Still, not having access to real filmmaking, I found your description of your real life usage fascinating. So, thank you!

[@lindaitken3321]

Do the disks also apply resistance to the tilt motion or are they strictly for the pan motion? If they also apply to the tilt, how do the springs affect the "feel" of the tilt motion?

[@vistek]

It depends on how each model is constructed.

[@rainesonfilm]

I appreciate this. I learned a great deal!

[@denieces214]

Which is best to hold the glide gear tmp 750 teleprompter

[@Grasseatereu]

Thank you - i have learned so much ... - But perhaps i should have seen this before i ordered my Carbon 536 Manfrotto even though it says it is made for video it does only have 1 bar for each leg, not 2/3 or the big wide ones you got on the satchler . The fluidhead i got was the nitrotech N12 .. as it is a bit more than my wholke shoulderrig. Do you think i should return it and get some completely different legs?

[@Grasseatereu]

PS. Subscribed this was a nice Video man!

[@vistek]

Hi Oussama. Thanks for your comment! It would be difficult to advise you to keep or return your fluid-head and tripod. I think that would warrant a longer discussion about your needs and budget. If you have a lighter camera, there is no, or very little need for a big legs. Simple photo telescoping legs are fine. It all comes down to the load you place on the tripod and on the fluid head. You simply have to know the weight range of each of those - and then you will know whether your camera system is the right one. Good luck!

[@Grasseatereu]

thanks - It was mostly that mine is for video but has none of the spreaders or dobbel barrel but its fine on specs for my needs in weight @@vistek

[@u2vahid]

Thank you for this awesome video!

[@matthewbushey9455]

Super informative, way to go on the exhaustive info dump! :-D . . . I mean, looking up patents? You outdid yourself! I only want to mention this from a personal perspective, but I'm moving away from VCT for now; I have a "well known" brand of VCT that I've used on a Miller Compass set up for the past 6 years -- and most recently, when sliding my FS7 rig into the VCT baseplate, the locking mechanism will "click" just as it always does - but not actually catch the nose of the plate. Thus, my camera fell once and I lost a lens; subsequent "double checking" revealed a number of occasions where the nose didn't catch, but the pin latched. I cleaned it, checked for calibration, and it's still proven untrustworthy. I know that plenty have success with this mounting system, but I've heard similar stories of the latching system on VCT's acting similarly after some use. Just my PSA.

[@vistek]

Thanks for the great comment Matthew. Yeah, VCT has always been reliable for me (knock on wood), save for the back latch refusing to catch/lock in without strong arming it. I can't speak to the mechanics of it, but I feel like it's often just a wear & tear thing. Typically I have issues with older plates. But still good to know what your experience is and for us all to look out of it. No one wants a dropped camera.

[@Gregg0Palmer]

Great Information!

[@vistek]

Thanks Gregg!

[@LouisePlusOne]

So is using a zoom lens with a dovetail system going to be a problem due to the weight moving forward as you zoo in and therefore unbalancing the camera?

[@vistek]

Hi Louis, no - or at least not in a significant way. The only time it would is if you were on a very tiny camera and using a big telescopic zoom. And even then the difference may not be great. For most camera systems it would create a percentage change great enough to significantly alter the balance.

[@LouisePlusOne]

@@vistek Thats very helpful. Thanks. :)

[@TheGeoDaddy]

So IF you’ve invested in the Rhino ARC II what can’t you do with that ($$$) Slider that you can do with these Fluid Heads??? (In my case, I have a Z6 tethered to the Ninja V (ProRes Raw) attached on top of a Zoom F4 caged. I use manual focus legacy fixed Nikon lenses using Rhino for Focus Pulling... still less the 15lbs as 90% of my shots will studio with actors with specific lighting and sets and blocking... so setting up the Slider would only require a little effort than a fluid head tripod.

[@Debtfreehomesteaders]

Very thoroughly explained. I learned a lot here. Thank you. -Will

[@vistek]

Thank you Will!

[@PavlaVankova]

Is there sth like flowtech (1 section for the whole tripod), but more lightweight for traveling and using dslr?

[@emreparin]

SUPER COOL JEST (AT INTRO)

[@alexandrkabir]

Thanks a lot!) Great tutorial!)

[@vistek]

Thanks Alexandr!

[@nicholassmith7723]

I recognized the FX9, but what was that Panasonic camera you were holding about half way through the video? It looked like an interesting run and gun setup

[@vistek]

Hi Nicholas, actually this video was made well before the FX9 was launched. What you're seeing is the FS7. The mirrorless camera shown in the middle of the video is the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. Cheers!

[@nicholassmith7723]

@@vistek Yeah I saw the date on the video after I commented 😅. But I was asking about the Panasonic at 18:42 not the Black Magic

[@vistek]

Hi Nicolas - that was the DVX200. Great camcorder!

[@joshuasmith1215]

Awesome video! Very informative. Ended up here because I'm researching to figure out what fluid head (and tripod) to buy. I would appreciate if you could take a minute to give me some advice or suggestions. I would like to film birds and other wildlife out in the prairie and woodlands...on my days off...as a hobby...I have a Canon 70D and the biggest lens I have that I would use is the 400 5.6. I have a Zoom H4N and a small shotgun mic I would somehow rig up for audio. I'm thinking I really need a bowl/ball mount to make leveling out on the uneven terrain much easier. Also thinking I definitely need fluid as opposed to a friction head for obvious reasons. I know I'm going to have to fork out some money but don't have a fortune to spend. I'd appreciate any help you could give me in making my decision. Thanks!

[@vistek]

Hi Joshua, thanks for the great comment! Really appreciate it. I think if you're filming (vs photographing) wildlife, then there are no real short-cuts you can make due to how accurate you have to be, and how long your focal length is. With a value fluid head, I have a hard enough time keeping my wide shots stable, let along anything past 80mm. My only real advice is to rent or borrow a few different ones first to see how they perform in the field. Good luck!

[@penfex]

Excellent run through - much appreciated :)

[@jeffsaffron5647]

Even perfectly balanced camera will tilt over when you tilt up or down, because the center of mass is above the axis of rotation (which is inside the head). The reason cameras stay in place is because of the counter balance system, head tugs in the opposite direction to compensate.

[@vistek]

Thanks for the comment!

[@benikochuveetil5517]

I have a 600mm still lens attached to a bmpcc 6k, mounted on a Sachtler fsb8 + Speedlock CF legs, that i use for filming nature. Although the fsb 8 balances this setting well, and provides smooth pans, the videos are quite shaky because there's a lot of vibrations from my hand, holding the pan bar. By how much would you think i could reduce these vibrations by moving to Sachtler 100mm fluid heads like the DV 12 SB, Video 15 SB or the Video 18 S2? Which one would you recommend?

[@vistek]

Hi Beni - I think there are way too many factors there for me to make a recommendation. My only recommendation is to take your camera/lens set up to a store and try all the options. Perhaps asking the question on the CML forums could get you a response from a seasoned wildlife DOP (cinematography.net). Best of luck!

[@mattbass3033]

Any recommendations how to balance my camera when I'm shooting with a dslr and a 150-600 lens that extends externally? Shooting video of surfing where I don't always keep the same focal length

[@vistek]

Hi Matt. Longer lenses should have a 1/4 20 mounting point for your tripod. This is often because the lenses out-weigh the camera. Using the counterbalance function and any extra balancing (for/aft) that your QR plate allows - should get you pretty close to perfectly balanced rig. If you can’t fit it perfectly balanced, then you should look into something like a SmallRig cheese plate that can help to offset the weight.

[@4CardsMan]

When making any kind of back and forth adjustment such as balancing the camera, make the first adjustment or two a little too far from where you think it should go. This will allow you to quickly home in on the correct spot.

[@SewTubular]

Some of the better dovetail systems have a side-load feature where you can attach and detach the mounting plate without having to move it forwards or backwards. It's quick way to mount or unmount your camera.

[@vistek]

Thanks SewTubular - great way to describe it. That is what I meant by a hybrid system while showing the Tilta dovetail plate. You however, said it much more clearly than I did! Thanks!

[@bashmedia]

thanks

[@vistek]

Thank YOU for the comment!

[@bcnewsvideo]

Very informative video.

[@vistek]

Thank you BCNEWSVIDEO! Very much appreciate the comment!

[@jcinewilliams8819]

Great. Super great Video and information for me. I'm in the Market for a decent tripod and fluid head. My Camera Rig is about 23lbs. Tricked out. Is there a head and tripod I could get that's not a gazillion $$$.

[@grad-dd9zj]

great work. all i need to know in one vid.

[@vistek]

Thanks 360 grad! Really appreciate it!

[@dvamateur]

VCT = Video Camera Tripod, VCL = Video Camera Lens, QRP = Quick Release Plate. That's just basic nomenclatures if someone needed to know. The VCT-14 style tripod plate is Sony industry standard, and ARRI QRP-1 is compatible with it, as well as the hight-end Arri QR-HD1. $1,580 for a tripod plate. But hey, it's made in Germany.

[@StudioBonn]

Well...I have build my own aluminium tripod using a Vinten head... The head was absolute broken and I repaired it within 3 month just looking what I found inside... later I could buy the same head from an old stock sale...

[@supercooled]

*I was almost fooled by that background. ***

[@Indpendent01]

I WAS FOOLED!!! lol damn got me

[@Majestic1987]

Watched this, thought „that Sachtler head is neat“, then looked up the price and decided it would be a bit overkill for my C100 😅

[@tootsrr1]

Yeah it comes down like EVERYTHING in Life the $$$$ talk

[@anthonypeirce5875]

hi im a semi pro that videos aircraft ETC airshows i use panasonic HCX1 camcorder my video head is manfrotto MVH 502 and tripod is manfrotto 055 these are not expensive items im just woundering to get a real smooth pan and tilt shell i go to something more expensive

[@hobie1dog]

fantastic, well done. but, 10K for the tripod? Who can afford that?

[@thekaiser4333]

@Vistek - Don't swivel it around. Take it apart.

[@MrDoboz]

One thing I learned today I'm poor AF. (wondering why I can't take a single reasonable pan with my AF2100)

[@rayc4050]

COMPREHENSIVE

[@vistek]

Thank you!

[@JavierGarroJMPCreations]

👏👏👏👏👏👍🎥

[@vistek]

Thank you!

[@tonyamartin1425]

its no information on using the activ 8 head they do a terrible job

[@vistek]

Hello Tonyamartin1425. Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry to learn that we didn't have the information you were looking for in this video. This video was not intended to be a review for any one product but instead to be primer on the mechanics and overall usage of fluid heads, which at the time I made this video, i felt that this information wasn't all in one place on the internet.

[@tonyamartin1425]

I meant Sachtler does a terrible job not you guys One guy did a random video showing the first time set up and small quirks you need to know@@vistek

[@acousticguitarcanada]

I'm selling a used Sachtler Video 18.

[@cjonwickham1933]

Handle does not matter...head goes up or down and 360 only... there's no tilt to angle to side. The ones who argue are just dumb.. just to argue. Only time valid better grip control or pan ..and that's it.

[@a.z.c.681]

For someone who never seen Sachtler, O'Connor or in fact any fluid head apart your lengthy speech on mechanics did not help much to understand. Old English adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" would be a moto for your next and better Fluid head video. But it's better than nothing I have to admit since there is virtually nada on the Internet to get into mechanics of Fluid heads.

[@vistek]

Hi AZC, thanks for your honest opinion. I'm still struggling a little to understand it, however. Perhaps you can tell me what information I failed to present or omitted. I think highlighting these questions could be insightful for other viewers. I make all attempts to be as inclusive and thorough as possible. Thank you. -D

[@ianjohnson1846]

Hi A.Z.C. We are authorized service partners for Sachtler, OConnor, Vinten, Miller and Cartoni here in Canada, if you have any specific questions you'd like to have answered regarding the internal working of a fluid head we'll be happy to help you as we service them all. www.ijes.ca

[@ungavaproductions]

This video is definately not for every body.