THE BLOG - all things digital filmmaking with HUGH BROWNSTONE
For those of you who remember the review of the Cartoni SDS 8, it currently holds the blog's record for fastest set-up and take down times. However, Sachtler released the Flowtech tripod series, which also promises light-weight and fast operating speed.
So, if both tripods are in the same price range, and they both promise a light-weight tripod with a quick operating speed, how do they actually compare? It's time to strap in for a battle of the Tripods.
Read moreAlong with its wider brother (MK 18-55 T2.9), Fujinon's 50-135 T2.9 cine zoom has just gorgeous image quality -- especially when paired with Sony's little a6300. The key is to truly lock the lens down on such a small body, and for that Zacuto's Scissors is fantastic: it locks the lens in place on your rail system by literally screwing into the lens itself, so you don't get flexing in either direction. If you have a Sony e-mount camera, you'll want to take a look at this pair. You may also want to look at the rig I used to hold it all together, the Sachtler Ace Baseplate; SmallRig 15 carbon fiber rods; Really Right Stuff L-bracket; and the edelkrone FocusOne.
Read moreThe Reach Plus 1 is a Sachtler-inspired tripod kit from Chinese manufacturer Secced. It also competes against my own Cartoni Focus HD -- even though the Cartoni has much higher payload maximums -- because it demands to be taken seriously and my A-cam is the light weight Sony a6300. How well does it succeed (geddit)? Read on.
Read moreIn this penultimate episode of our series on Sachtler gear -- our first exposure to this legendary German company's products -- we take a peek at their follow focus unit, available separately or as part of the complete and beautifully integrated Ace accessories kit (which also includes their matte box and base plate). At $630 for the follow focus alone, it's just over three times the price of my edelkrone FOCUS ONE, but spoiler alert: if it fits with the rest of your gear, I think it's worth it.
Read moreThis is why it makes sense to find the optimal compromise between price and performance for the core components of your gear (camera and lenses): you're going to need a pile more dough for everything else. But "pile" is a relative term. Welcome to episode 2 of what I'm now calling our Goldilocks series, where this time we look at baseplates - a category I used to think was beyond mundane. I was wrong.
Read moreVegas + NAB = one of the largest gear porn fests on the planet, but it's ultimately about the people. Meet Bertie Gregory, a 22-year-old wildlife photographer and videographer phenom working with National Geographic and Sachtler in pursuit of his dream job. And while you're at it, meet Sachtler's just-announced 18 S2, an update to their highly regarded 18 S1 fluid head.
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