Many loved the Really Right Stuff FH-350 head for compact DSLR and mirrorless camera setups, but they asked for a higher payload for cinema cameras. After three years of design, the FH-7240 Cinema Fluid Head was released in response, made entirely in the USA—even the Allen key that comes with it.

The FH-7240 features a 100mm ball and supports up to 27 lb loads at 6" distance above the platform and +/-90° tilt. A higher load of 37 lb is supported with reduced accuracy at 6" above the platform and +/-78° tilt. This head features a continuous sinusoidal counterbalance system that provides for complete balance throughout the tilt range. The counterbalance is dialed in using a fold-out crank that allows for fine-tuning and has a locking lever. The head also has large knobs for other controls, with soft stops at the end. An illuminated bubble level with a 15-second time-out is built in for balancing the camera in dark environments.

The head offers 7 + 0 damping settings and 240 inch-pounds of restoring torque at full +/-90° of tilt with less than 4% restoring torque error through the full range of motion. The fluid used in the head allows for more consistent performance throughout the operating temperature range of 0 to 122°F. It's classified as a sheer-thinning fluid, which allows for whip-pans at high damping settings without transferring excessive torque to the tripod.

Included with the head are the Really Right Stuff 5" BENG-5 and 8" BENG-8 universal mounting plates with 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 camera mounting screws for varying applications. These ENG plates feature spring-loaded safety stops that allow you to set the camera down without it tipping over, and they have laser-engraved pan and tilt markings that help with setting up repeating movements. An included Allen key can be kept inserted on the back of either plate for easy access when you need to install the plate.