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Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75mm Bowl)

BH #SAS21700001 • MFR #S2170-0001
10 reviews
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Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75mm Bowl)
Key Features
  • 17.6 lb Load Capacity
  • 4.1" Sliding Plate Range
  • 9-Step + 0 Counterbalance
  • 3-Step + 0 Pan/Tilt Drag
The Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head is designed to facilitate smooth pan and tilt movements with your cine-style camera configurations thanks to its 17.6 lb load capacity. The fluid head can be secured to 75mm bowl mount tripods. It has 9 + 0 steps of counterbalance and 3 + 0 steps of pan/tilt drag adjustment. A total tilt range of +90° to -75° allows for intuitive framing of your shots.
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Sachtler Ace XL MKII Overview

The Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head is designed to facilitate smooth pan and tilt movements with your cine-style camera configurations thanks to its 17.6 lb load capacity. The fluid head can be secured to 75mm bowl mount tripods. It has 9 + 0 steps of counterbalance and 3 + 0 steps of pan/tilt drag adjustment. A total tilt range of +90° to -75° allows for intuitive framing of your shots.

Mount your camera using the slide-in balancing plate with a 1/4"-20 screw and locating pin. With a sliding range of 4.1", this head can adapt to any rig configuration. Additional features include a detachable pan bar and an illuminated bubble level. An integrated flat head base allows the Ace XL Mark II to be mounted onto a slider.

Sachtler Ace XL MKII Specs

Key Specs
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw (Quick Release w/ Sliding Balance Plate)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Drag Control
Yes
Load Capacity
17.6 lb / 8 kg
Weight
3.7 lb / 1.7 kg
Head
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw (Quick Release w/ Sliding Balance Plate)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Base Mount
Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Female (75 mm Half Ball via Included Adapter)
Counter Balance
Incremental 9-Step Plus 0
Dimensions
Camera Plate: 5.5 x 2" / 140.00 x 50.00 mm
Pan & Tilt
Drag Control
Yes
Vertical Tilt
+90° to -75°
General
Load Capacity
17.6 lb / 8 kg
Bubble Level
Yes (Illuminated)
Weight
3.7 lb / 1.7 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
6.895 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
17.8 x 10.3 x 7.5"

Sachtler Ace XL MKII Reviews

The Ultimate Fluid Head for 600mm f/4 Wildlife Videography

By Andrew
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-06-17

The Sachtler Ace XL Mark II is an outstanding fluid head for wildlife and sports videography. Its advanced counterbalance system easily handles heavy setups like a Sony 600mm f/4 + Teleconverter and Sony A7R VI, delivering smooth pans, precise tilts, excellent stability, and fatigue-free operation during long shooting sessions. The lens stays securely in position at any tilt angle, preventing it from suddenly dropping forward and striking the tripod legs, while providing smooth and controlled camera movements.

Fluid Head or Gimbal?

By Roland
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-03-18

Top choice for heavy Video Cameras and will do same job as Gimbals. I'm not a Videographer! But 1st things need to know: (1) Need a very good 75mm Bowl Tripod because the Ace XL II is a 75mm Leveling 17.6lbs max load weighting only 3.75lbs. (2) Video heads and Gimbals are all about balance, Prime Lenses are fine, but Zooms that "Extend" you'll have to choose. My 100-400mm stays @ 400mm for shooting Birds. Follow the excellent instructions for setting Camera/Lens/Plate Balance, Drags, and Counterbalance, then Mark, and Note Settings for each Rig setups. (3) Sachtler use 50mm Camera Mounting Plates (>4 in travel), not Arca Swiss 39mm. Lock the Head, slide Rig & Plate in from Rear, Lock. Loosen plate lock slightly, slide out rearward while Pressing Red Button. Plates have Stops to prevent accidental Drops. DO NOT use the Side Mount, Unmounting method, Anti-Drop Stops work. The Good: Once Balance is set, this thing is Smooth, up or down. Release the handle and it stays on Target. I tested if it could be use for shooting Moon, Planets, or following Birds high up? Yes, measured 70 degrees Up with Pan bar adjusted to go between Tripod Legs. The Leveling handle has a nice grip, and I measure 6 - 8.5 degrees. Even can be leveled at night with a battery (CR1225) operated Bubble Level. The Ace XL II cost less than my Wimberley WH-200 VII Gimbal Head, which is also excellent, just not for Heavy Video Gear. My FLM CP34-L4 II 75mm Bowl Tripod Carbon Fiber @ 3.99lbs is a perfect match with a 68.5 in max ht. My Camera choice is Canon R5 Mark II.

See any errors on this page?

Does this head come with a mounting plate?

Does this head come with a mounting plate?
Asked by: Cullen
Yes, the Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head comes with one quick-release plate (mounting plate).
Answered by: Michael S
Date published: 2024-09-03

Could you please tell me if the resistance levels ...

Could you please tell me if the resistance levels for pan and tilt are the same as on the Sachtler XL, or are they stronger?
Asked by: Alexandra
The Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head's (75mm Bowl) drag resistance levels are the same strength as they were on the Sachtler Ace XL Fluid Head (75mm Bowl), BH #SAS21500004.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2025-09-25

If you remove the locating pin from the plate, is ...

If you remove the locating pin from the plate, is there a way to stop the screw from falling out when you take the plate off?
Asked by: Sarah
The screw on the plate of the Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75mm Bowl) will not fall out with the locating pin removed as the threads of the screw are wider than the screw slot, except at the back of the plate screw slot.
Answered by: Tim Z
Date published: 2024-11-18

What are the key differences between the original ...

What are the key differences between the original and this Mark II?
Asked by: Hayden
The Sachtler ACE XL is considered a more modern refresh and the specs are very similar to the Ace XL, Both the ACE XL and the ACE XL MK II have an illuminated level bubble. The Ace XL has 8 steps of counterbalance and the ACE XL Mk II offers 9 steps. 17.6 lb Load Capacity 4.1″ Sliding Plate Range 9-Step + 0 Counterbalance 3-Step + 0 Pan/Tilt Drag +90° to -75° Tilt Range 75mm Bowl Diameter
Answered by: Chris H
Date published: 2024-04-08

can you snap in the plate?

can you snap in the plate?
Asked by: Nicholas
No, the Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75mm Bowl) uses a slide in camera plate, it will not be able to snap into the mount.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2024-04-16

Can I attach a second pan bar?

Can I attach a second pan bar?
Asked by: Michael
No, the Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75 mm Bowl) does not allow you to attach a second pan bar to the head. It will only work with a single pan bar.
Answered by: Elliot A
Date published: 2025-11-12

Can you side load the plate into the tripod head?

Can you side load the plate into the tripod head?
Asked by: Derek
No, the Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head (75mm Bowl) has a slide in plate and cannot be sideloaded.
Answered by: John W
Date published: 2026-01-02

Is a manfrotto plate compatible with this head?

Is a manfrotto plate compatible with this head?
Asked by: Matt
Yes, Manfrotto 501 or 504 tripod plates are compatible with Sachtler Ace XL Mark II Fluid Head.
Answered by: Nick Y
Date published: 2026-01-25
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