Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head

  • Price: $71.95
  • B&H # DAV12
  • Mfr# V12

Product Highlights

  • Supports 12 lbs (5.4 kg)

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The Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head is a full-featured, lightweight video head with quick-release and counterbalance for fast setup and smooth shooting. For complete operator confidence, it includes a 10-year manufacturer's warranty.

Two-way fluid panhead with ultra-smooth movements
Discreet lock mechanisms with tension control for pan and tilt
Quick-release plate has lock assist and a video pin
Load Capacity 12 lb (5.4 kg)
Diameter/Thread 3/8" Female Thread
Counter Balance System Fixed spring
Quick Release/Wedge Plate Yes, with video pin
Balance Plate No
Tilt Drag Fixed
Tilt Range +90/-90°
Tilt Lock Yes
Spring Loaded Counter Bal Fixed
Pan Range 360°
Pan Lock Yes
Leveling Bubble/Illuminated No
Temperature Range Not Specified by Manufacturer
Height 4" (1.81 cm)
Weight 1.95 lbs (0.86 kg)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head
 
4.6

(based on 11 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (8)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

90%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Attaches firmly (10)
  • Large range of motion (10)
  • Stable (9)
  • Strong clamp (7)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Video (7)
    • Weddings (4)
    • Wildlife (4)
    • Sports/action (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Pro photographer (4), Semi-pro photographer (4)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (7)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Professionalism At An Economical Price!

    This our third D&S V12 Fluid Head purchase, which ought to tell you something: they are reasonably priced and they work extremely well! Our camera ops are pleased with the ease of...Read complete review

    This our third D&S V12 Fluid Head purchase, which ought to tell you something: they are reasonably priced and they work extremely well! Our camera ops are pleased with the ease of use, smooth handling, and readily adjustable features. As long as those responsible for the transport and storage of the head are not rough in their handling of it, these babies are the BEST you can do for the money!

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Great for basic Camera work, UNSTABLE

    So this head is GREAT for [$]Glad I bought it. It's great for placing small HDSLR's on it, but once you start going heavier, it's gets unstable. The QR plate does not...Read complete review

    So this head is GREAT for [$]Glad I bought it. It's great for placing small HDSLR's on it, but once you start going heavier, it's gets unstable. The QR plate does not sit firmly in place as I'd like it to, and there's no real way to make it tighter. The plate is on, or it's off. No adjustable tightness.The situation I used it in: The V12 mounted on Manfrotto 055PROB sticks. I placed a Kessler Pocket Dolly on it, and without having the camera on it, the plate is 1) wobbly, and 2) once I start doing slides, it's not stable enough to really use the slider.So, If you're looking to do slider work, stay away from this. If you're looking to do basic camera movement, this is a great product.

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 11 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-11

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    3.0

    Great for basic Camera work, UNSTABLE

    By Nathanielks

    from Nashville, TN

    About Me Pro Photographer

    Verified Reviewer

    Pros

    • Attaches Firmly
    • Large Range of Motion

    Cons

    • Unstable
    • Weak Clamp

    Best Uses

    • Sports/Action
    • Travel
    • Video
    • Weddings/Events
    • Wildlife

    Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

    So this head is GREAT for [$]Glad I bought it. It's great for placing small HDSLR's on it, but once you start going heavier, it's gets unstable. The QR plate does not sit firmly in place as I'd like it to, and there's no real way to make it tighter. The plate is on, or it's off. No adjustable tightness.The situation I used it in: The V12 mounted on Manfrotto 055PROB sticks. I placed a Kessler Pocket Dolly on it, and without having the camera on it, the plate is 1) wobbly, and 2) once I start doing slides, it's not stable enough to really use the slider.So, If you're looking to do slider work, stay away from this. If you're looking to do basic camera movement, this is a great product.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Works great for I need

    By Bots

    from Coleman, Michigan

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attaches Firmly
    • Good Stability
    • Large Range of Motion
    • Strong Clamp

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

        The product for the price was exactly what I needed. I film outdoor T.V and was tired of changing camera bases for a tripod then to tree arm. So I bought 2 of them the price was spot on for the head ans works great. It is smooth and steady. Would recommend and buy again.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        Pretty Great For the Price

        By NatVid

        from Bloomington, IN

        About Me Pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Attaches Firmly
        • Good price value
        • Good Stability

        Cons

        • Clamp is tricky

        Best Uses

        • Video

        Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

        I was a little skeptical about this head, but knowing that it was not going to be the best of the best, I love this. It's a steal for the price. Fluid movement is not Manfrotto-good, but it's not much behind. I got this for my Canon T3i and it works great for it's size. Not too heavy either. The only thing that I dislike about it is that the clip on the mount is a bit difficult to lock in place. It just takes some getting used to and then it locks down very firmly (I used it upside down with no problems!)

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        Great Head, Very Smooth

        By Cgrovebc

        from Bluff City, TN

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Attaches Firmly
        • Good Stability
        • Large Range of Motion
        • Strong Clamp

        Cons

          Best Uses

            Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

            No problems at all. This is great improvement from what we had. We mounted this on a static display and it is very tight and smooth.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Excellent Video Head

            By Emergency Doc

            from Atlanta, GA

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Large Range of Motion
            • Strong Clamp

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Sports/Action
              • Video

              Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

              I am using an HD Digital video camera. The regular tripod head was not fluid enough for smooth tracking of sports events. This head needed a bushing to attach to my tripod. Well worth the money. I did have to permanently bond the bushing to the head to avoid it from becoming loose when rotating counter-clockwise.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review

               
              4.0

              Works great

              By k

              from Kansas

              About Me Semi-pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Attaches Firmly
              • Good Stability
              • Large Range of Motion
              • Strong Clamp

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Video

                Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                My first fluid video head and now I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to buy this one. It works extremely well for the price. If I wanted to nitpick, I could say that it sticks a bit, but only if I'm turning it farther than 180 degrees. That could be because it's new and not 'broke in' yet. A level would be nice, but there again, that's being picky. If that feature were hugely important to me, I could have spent tons more for a head that has a level.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Comment on this review

                (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                Smooth motion and easy control

                By bowhunter

                from Texas

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Attaches Firmly
                • Good Stability
                • Large Range of Motion
                • Strong Clamp

                Cons

                • Somewhat heavy

                Best Uses

                • Home
                • Landscape/Scenery
                • Night Shots
                • Portraits
                • Sports/Action
                • Video
                • Weddings/Events
                • Wildlife

                Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                I am using this to video my hunts and it is very SMOOTH and EASY to control my camera. I set it up this weekend and did some preliminary video from my ladder stand. I have it mounted on a window mount that easily attaches to my ladder stand. B&H Photo had it sent to me on time and I am very pleased with it.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Comment on this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                Perfect for the job, worth every penny.

                By Tom

                from Middletown CT

                About Me Pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Attaches Firmly
                • Good Stability
                • Large Range of Motion
                • Strong Clamp

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Video
                  • Weddings/Events
                  • Wildlife

                  Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                  I purchased this Fluid Head for my Canon XH A1 video camera. I use it on a small set of Bogan Legs and it is stable and very light. Great for gun and run type of situations where you have to be hand held and mobile but want more stability. I added a Libec Lanc zoom control to the handle of the Head and it really gives me control, mobility and stability, it can function as a mono pod also. The panning of the head is comparable to that of much more expensive fluid heads. I would buy another one of these.

                  Comment on this review

                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Good stuff

                  By Clumsydrummer

                  from Snoho. Washington

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Attaches Firmly
                  • Good Stability
                  • Large Range of Motion

                  Cons

                  • Jiggling quickrelease

                  Best Uses

                  • Home
                  • Landscape/Scenery
                  • Portraits
                  • Video
                  • Weddings/Events
                  • Wildlife

                  Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                  Great motion,easy quick release,sturdy Would buy again if needed

                  Comment on this review

                  (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  4.0

                  Professionalism At An Economical Price!

                  By Skeeb Wilcox

                  from Morgantown, WV

                  About Me Pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Attaches Firmly
                  • Good Stability
                  • Large Range of Motion
                  • Smooth Operation

                  Cons

                  • Easily Damaged

                  Best Uses

                  • TV Camera Operation

                  Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                  This our third D&S V12 Fluid Head purchase, which ought to tell you something: they are reasonably priced and they work extremely well! Our camera ops are pleased with the ease of use, smooth handling, and readily adjustable features. As long as those responsible for the transport and storage of the head are not rough in their handling of it, these babies are the BEST you can do for the money!

                  Comment on this review

                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Excellent Value!

                  By huntress

                  from michigan

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Attaches Firmly
                  • Good Stability
                  • Large Range of Motion
                  • Strong Clamp

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Long Exposures
                    • Stabilization
                    • Videography

                    Comments about Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head:

                    I've owned this product for a month, used it probably 10 hours so far. I use this product for a video camera. I mount this product to a camera arm which is attached to a tree, for outdoor filming. It has very easy and smooth operation. So far it appears to be durable and high quality, making it an excellent value. The only thing I don't care for, but is not a big problem, is that the pan arm is rather long and cumbersome.

                    Comment on this review

                    Displaying reviews 1-11

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                    What's in the Box

                    Davis & Sanford V12 Fluid Head
                    • 10 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
                     
                     
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