Sachtler FSB 10: entry-level fluid head

The new  Sachtler FSB 10 builds upon the legacy of the lightweight yet robust FSB Series to offer a premium solution for on-the-go camera operators working in news, documentaries, wildlife, and more. The new tripod will debut at IBC 2016.

The short video with sports photographer and cinematographer Tom Day gives you an idea of how well the new tripod works in real world conditions. Tom Day, one of the most renowned filmmakers in the skiing world, famously snapped a picture of his FSB 8 system frozen while on location in the Alps yet still fully operational. Day, the principle cinematographer for Warren Miller Entertainment since 2000 and an avid user of the Sachtler brand, was one of the first to experience the FSB 10 and tested it in extreme, on-location environments.

“If the FSB system can perform in these extreme locations, then it won’t let you down on your day to day shoot,” explained Day. “The 100 mm version of the FSB 10 allows you to level the tripod so much quicker than a 75 mm. This allows you to set-up fast, shoot on the fly or uneven ground, and ultimately get your shot. He added, “it’s surprisingly lightweight, which is great for someone like me who is always on-location and needs to be mobile. With a bigger head and stick socket, the FSB 10’s legs can be planted even wider. The stability allows me avoid any unnecessary movement and get great shots. Ultimately, it comes down to smooth, reliable movement and Sachtler makes the best fluid heads in the industry.”

Sachtler’s FSB line of fluid heads has a reputation for being resilient and long-lasting.  Director of Photography Alessandro Beltrame used his FSB 6 system for The Antarctica Project in the South Pole, where temperatures often dipped below -40 degrees Celsius. “Transport over icy, snowy, and rocky terrain is very difficult; that’s why the equipment has to be extremely robust yet very lightweight at the same time. The less weight, the better,” said Beltrame when explaining the challenges of filming at the South Pole. “On top of that, the quality of pan and tilt movements is a basic requirement. It doesn’t matter how well you prepare; you never know how much leeway you’ll actually have in those extreme conditions. That’s exactly why you need the best possible camera support.”

The FSB 10 expands on this tradition. It is everything camera operators have come to expect from the Sachtler brand including rugged durability, a camera support that will last over a decade and buttery smooth panning and tilting movements for consistently high-quality content. With a higher payload than the 75 mm FSB 8, the FSB 10 can handle up to 12 kg (26.5 lbs) and allows users to employ a wider range of system configurations. The head comes in two versions with different camera platforms including the FSB 10 with convenient sideload mechanism with long sliding range for front/back adjustment of the camera or  FSB 10 T with Touch & Go plate for very fast camera attachment.

Debuting this year at IBC, booth 12.E65, the FSB 10 boasts five positions + 0 for pan and tilt drag, giving operators better flexibility and speed no matter their project or location. For even more convenience, it also offers ten steps of counterbalance, compared to other products in the same market that only provide four.

“The FSB 10 is the perfect accessory for today’s modern camera operator on the go. It is ergonomically designed with our customers in mind and perfectly supports today’s digital cinema-style cameras, including the Sony FS7 and Canon C300. We are very proud to offer solid German engineering at a very affordable price,” commented Tobias Keuthen, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Sachtler.