Sachtler tripods are a standby for professional sets and high-end content creation, and the brand is iterating on their most popular products with new FSB Mk II and aktiv Mk II fluid heads, both available in 16T and 18T configurations. The 16T has a payload capacity of 35.3 lb, while the 18T has a payload capacity of 39.7 lb.
For mirrorless camera kits and smaller cinema rigs, the FSB Mk II head should help with buttery smooth pans and tilts, utilizing a tunable counterbalance and a traditional tie-down system. The aktiv Mk II heads feature the brand’s unique single-lock SpeedLevel and SweedSwap systems for faster adjustments and quicker swaps between legs, sliders, jibs, and other components.
The FSB Mk II heads are the more traditional of the bunch, but still ergonomic and dependably built. They have illuminated PrismBubbles for fast leveling, Touch & Go quick-release plates, a 100mm ball, seven drag settings, fifteen steps of counterbalance, and work with traditional tripod legs, pedestals, and the Sachtler Hot Pods. If you want classic rock-solid levers, knobs, and connections, the FSB Mk II fits the bill.
The aktiv Mk II heads have the same payload, QR plate, and general design, but swap the tie-down for a unique bowl connecter with an extremely low profile, allowing the head to get much closer to the ground, as well as quickly swap between leg configurations. Leveling is also done with only one lever that locks and unlocks the head’s full range of movement. If speed is the priority and you’re open to learning a new way of adjusting a tripod, the aktiv Mk II is a great option.
No matter which head you chose, there are a ton of different kits and configurations that pair them with compatible tripod legs and spreaders. For more information about these new Sachtler fluid heads, including features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages.
