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 is the Really Right Stuff 5" BENG-5 universal mounting plate with 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 camera mounting screws. This ENG plate features spring-loaded safety stops that allow you to set the camera down without it tipping over, and it has laser-engraved pan and tilt markings that help with setting up repeating movements. An Allen key comes inserted on the back of the plate for installing the plate.
- 13-240 in-lb of continuously adjustable sinusoidal restoring torque at +/-90° tilt, with 1.5-27 lb capacity at 6" above the platform
- 240-315 in-lb of infinitely adjustable sinusoidal restoring torque at +/-90° down to approximately +/-78° (auto-limiting), supporting 27-37 lb at 6" above the platform
- 7 + 0 damping settings for pan and tilt
- 100mm ball with +/-15° of articulation
- Pinch-to-unlock disk brakes
- Fold-out crank arm counter-torque adjustment
- Illuminated bubble level with 15-second auto time-out
- User-replaceable ARRI-compatible rosettes
- Telescoping carbon fiber pan bar with a rubber foam grip that can be mounted on the left or right side
- CNC-machined from billet 6061-T6 aluminum with matte anodized finish
- Integrated RRS dovetail clamp with auto-close and a safety latch
- Spare screw storage for two 1/4"-20 and two 3/8"-16 screws
- Magnetic 5/32" hex key storage
- 0-122°F operating temperature range (not recommended for use in moist conditions below freezing; extreme cold and heat may adversely affect damping performance)
- Made in the USA