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Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism

BH #SAS20690001 • MFR #S2069-0001
9 reviews
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Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism
Key Features
  • 26.4 lb Load Capacity
  • 75mm Ball for Quick Leveling
  • 15-Step + 0 Counterbalance Adjustment
  • Discrete Pan/Tilt Adjustment 7-Step + 0
Fast to work with and lightweight at only 5.72 lb, the Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism supports up to 26.4 lb of camera and accessories, and with its 15-steps of counterbalance adjustment, you can tune the head to work with the lightest of cameras. The head features a 75mm ball for quick leveling, and the independent drag adjustment and tilt locks permit you to adjust and move the head with precision to tune it to match the needs of your shot.
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Sachtler FSB MKII Series Video Head Overview

Fast to work with and lightweight at only 5.72 lb, the Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism supports up to 26.4 lb of camera and accessories, and with its 15-steps of counterbalance adjustment, you can tune the head to work with the lightest of cameras. The head features a 75mm ball for quick leveling, and the independent drag adjustment and tilt locks permit you to adjust and move the head with precision to tune it to match the needs of your shot.

The head allows you to tilt forward so you can tilt straight down and tilt almost straight up as well. Pan and tilt have seven independent drag settings, plus a zero setting for no drag at all. Borrowing from the aktiv system, the bubble level has been improved, not only is it illuminated, but now you can see the bubble level from the side, as well as when looking down on the head, for intuitive leveling from almost any position.

15-Step Counterbalance
The 15-step counterbalance settings let you adjust the head to neutralize the weight of cameras up to 26.4 lb, so the head remains in the position you set it and does not tilt forward of back because of the weight of your camera. This allows you to tune the head to match the weight of your cameras, allowing you to work equally well with extremely lightweight cameras as well as cameras weighing up to 26.4 lb. The zero setting provides you a completely free movement if you want.
Frictionless Leak-Proof Fluid Damping
Frictionless leak-proof fluid damping with 7 x levels of drag, for smooth pictures while panning, without jerks and vibrations. Identical across both horizontal and vertical planes, and allows complete disengagement of drag for fast panning
Quick Release
The FSB 8 MK II features Sachtler's Sideload mechanism, which allows you to pop the plate in above instead of trying to slide it in from the edge, and it boasts an exceptionally large sliding range of 4.7"

Sachtler FSB MKII Series Video Head Specs

Key Specs
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw with Locating Pin (Sideload Quick Release w/ Sliding Balance Plate: Sideload Plate S)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Drag Control
Yes
Load Capacity
26.4 lb / 12 kg
Weight
5.72 lb / 2.59 kg
Head
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw with Locating Pin (Sideload Quick Release w/ Sliding Balance Plate: Sideload Plate S)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Base Mount
75 mm Half Ball
Counter Balance
Incremental 15-Step
Pan & Tilt
Drag Control
Yes
Independent Pan Lock
Yes
Independent Tilt Lock
Yes
Vertical Tilt
+90° to -70°
General
Load Capacity
26.4 lb / 12 kg
Accessory Mounting
2x Pan Handle Fitting
Bubble Level
Yes (Illuminated)
Weight
5.72 lb / 2.59 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
8.13 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
19.4 x 9.6 x 8.1"

Sachtler FSB MKII Series Video Head Reviews

great so far for recording bird video

By Derek
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-03-19

Full disclosure: I'm new to videography. My application is bird photography & video. I wanted something super stable and smooth so I can track motion cleanly. So far this unit is doing the job well. Bought an adapter so I can use my Peak Designs plate on the foot of the lens straight onto the head, making it super fast to switch from handheld pics to tripod video.

So far, so good.

By John
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-01-28

The head seems sturdy and smooth as most would describe but I do see some potential issues, mostly revolving around the knobs. I wouldn’t say they are the cheapest of plastic or loosely fitting but I do find myself telling 1AC’s not to ratchet them down as I’ve heard cases of them breaking from just “snugging” it down, of course this is minimized by proper balancing and counterbalancing. I’m currently running a pretty hefty rig around 23# on it and have the tilt maxed out with the counter to around 13 and I feel like it handles it very well. It’s smooth and doesn’t give you those start and stop jitters that you’ll find on cheaper fluid heads. Over all I’m impressed but I’ve only been using it for a month.

See any errors on this page?

Is the 75mm ball able to come off the head?

Is the 75mm ball able to come off the head?
Asked by: Juan
No, you can't remove the 75mm ball on the Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism.
Answered by: Jonathan S
Date published: 2024-03-31

What’s the difference between the original Mark I ...

What’s the difference between the original Mark I version and this Mark II version?
Asked by: Steve
Sachtler says that the FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head has been redesigned with features from the revolutionary Sachtler aktiv fluid head range. Also, it is a more compact head than the pervious model.
Answered by: Chris H
Date published: 2023-12-30

Difference between this and the Activ8?

Difference between this and the Activ8?
Asked by: Nate
A detailed comparison of both the Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism and the Sachtler aktiv8 Sideload Fluid Head with SpeedLevel & 7-Step Drag for Sachtler Tripods (75mm) can be view at the link below: https://bhpho.to/4aIDdzW
Answered by: Jonathan S
Date published: 2024-05-31

please suggest some arca swiss plate that can be ...

please suggest some arca swiss plate that can be used directly with sachtler plate from RRS , Kirk , promediagear ?
Asked by: Rahul
An Arca-style baseplate could be used with a Sachtler tripod to adapt an Arca-plate to it. One such option is the ProMediaGear C40 Arca-Type Quick Release Clamp (40mm). https://bhpho.to/36SNa2X
Answered by: ericsc
Date published: 2022-04-03

Compared to the original FSB 8, does the MKII ...

Compared to the original FSB 8, does the MKII have more drag at its maximum setting, or does it have the same drag with more steps in between. In other words, is step 5 on the FSB 8 equal to step 7 on the FSB 8 MKII?
Asked by: Roberto
The FSB 8 Mark II has more drag at it's maximum setting compared to the original.
Answered by: Stephen M
Date published: 2022-04-26

Is there a bundle with the Flowtech 75 legs?

Is there a bundle with the Flowtech 75 legs?
Asked by: Joel
At the moment, no we do not have a kit that would include the Sachtler Flowtech 75 legs with the FSB 8 MKII Fluid Head. However, we do have a kit that includes those legs with the Aktiv 8 Fluid Head.
Answered by: Peterm
Date published: 2022-01-31

Does this fit on the large gitzo tripod legs?

Does this fit on the large gitzo tripod legs?
Asked by: Jason
for Gitzo with 100 mm bowl you will need to get adaptor kit S2080-0008 75/100 and the longer bowl stud S2350-2035
Answered by: Barbara
Date published: 2022-07-15

will this head work with Cartoni Two-Stage Tripod ...

will this head work with Cartoni Two-Stage Tripod SDS System?
Asked by: Hayk
The 75mm ball on the Sachtler FSB 8 MK II Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism can mount onto the 75mm bowl on the Cartoni Two-Stage Tripod SDS System.
Answered by: Richard
Date published: 2022-03-04
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