The Sachtler aktiv10 Sideload Fluid Head is on sale for $1,999.75 USD which is a saving of $798 USD. This is a limited-time deal and only lasts for another 20 or so hours.
I have previously reviewed the aktiv 8 and aktiv 14 heads on the website before.
The aktiv10 Sideload Fluid Head uses Sachtler’s innovative SpeedLevel technology to provide almost instant mounting and leveling of your camera rig on Sachtler 100mm tripod legs. The clamp and stud SpeedLevel system saves precious time leveling your camera rig by eliminating the need to screw on a tie-down knob. Designed for documentary, news, and corporate production, the aktiv10 supports camera rigs weighing up to 26.5 pounds. This 100mm ball fluid head also features 15 steps of counterbalance, seven steps of pan and tilt drag, and zero settings for both balance and drag.
The proprietary Sachtler SpeedLevel technology replaces the traditional head screw and tie-down design with a strong clamp built into the head bowl and a stud component that clamps onto your tripod bowl or other mounting platform, such as a slider. Simply grasp the large lever on the head and pull it up to release the clamp, then press it down to lock your head in place. Partially lifting the lever allows you to quickly and easily level the head.
When used with a separately available flowtech tripod, the aktiv10 enables you to spread the legs flat for extremely low shots without a tie-down knob getting in the way. You can also mount your head directly onto a slider using a separately available aktiv system stud that screws onto support systems with a 3/8″-16 threaded stud.
The active 10’s PrismBubble is a built-in prism level with two viewing windows that enable you to more easily level the head when the legs are at set at maximum height or at an awkward angle. The bubble level also has two levels of illumination—press once to light up the bubble level or hold longer to illuminate both the bubble level and the counterbalance and drag settings, a boon when working in darker environments.
Mount your camera using the included Sideload Plate S that has both a 1/4-20 camera screw and a locating pin to prevent twisting. With a sliding range of 4.7″, this head balances quickly to accommodate variously configured rigs. The Sachtler aktiv10 head also features a detachable pan bar that can be mounted onto the rosettes on either the right or left side of the head.
aktiv Fluid Head Compatibility The aktiv10 is compatible with Sachtler 100mm tripods (flowtech 100, ENG 2 CF, ENG 2D, ENG 2 CF HD, SpeedLock, and SpeedLock CF HD)
Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.
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