Sachtler DV vs Video? SB vs non SB?

B

borax

Active member
Hi,

I am really into the Sachtler tripods but can't figure out what the difference is between the DV and Video series?

Also are the SB models that much better than non SB?

I am thinking about getting a used Sachtler and want to make sure if I get a non SB version I won't be dissapointed.

There have also been some relatively cheap Video series models around like the video 14 II. Is that model better than a DV 8?

Thanks
 
cant go wrong with any of the Sachtlers, I would go with a beefer tripod, never know what camera you will have in the future.
 
I've been shooting on a Sachtler Video20 for 15 years and will probably continue for another 15. I use the heavy duty carbon sticks with the BVW-D600 and the lighter two-stage carbon legs with the HVX and Z1U.

I remember when I bought it that my dealer said, "that's the last tripod you'll ever have to buy".

He was right. Buy the best you can afford and don't look back.
 
I got the Sachtler 6SB with Sachtler aluminium legs (I think they might be a little bit more stable over the carbon legs when you do a quick pan) about a half year ago. They are just perfect... There was only one thing, a screw got lose somewhere inside and I felt some little vibration when paning. I called Sachtler and they aranged an apointment the very same day to get the problem fixed. Conclusion: If you have a problem --> The service is good too.
 
Best head I've seen in this range is the new Sachtler F-6, which should ship this summer. It's baby sibling the F2 would possibly handle HVX alone, but I think it is safer to go with the new F-6. No price yet, but our magazine editorial reviewers were so impressed we gave it an award. Watch for that one when it appears.

Ned Soltz
 
Like snp, I have had the pleasure of working with a Sachtler 20 with carbon fiber legs for about the last 25 years. It is certainly a workhorse, but there are always trade-offs when making a purchase like a good tripod.

If I were shooting sports - and that could be either for the NBA or the local after-school kids basketball programme - I would want something that could take a lot of fast panning and remain stable, in other words a very smooth pan function. If I were shooting wildlife birds, and using long lens wide open all the time, I would want something rather heavy that will not shake when a little breeze starts up. Now having said that, if I were more into documentaries, weight and size becomes more of an issue - I would probably want something considerably smaller. I have lugged that 20 around for a lot of different kinds of shooting, and wondered - as I'm dragging myself and the tripod up some steep hill - why don't I get something lighter? Well, once I get set-up and the camera is mounted and I start to frame the shot, I'm thankful I took the trouble.

I don't know if there is one idea tripod for all of us. I think there are many different fine models out there to suit all the different jobs we run into. I will say one thing - a repeat of snp - buy a good one. I have yet to curse any piece of equipment because it is too good, but I've had words when I have bought junk.

And cordvision makes an excellent point regarding service. If you purchase from a good dealer, you just may find a new partner for you work. For example, last week I stopped by one of the dealers I buy from because a bracket I had sent back to the manufacturer had not returned. This dealer took the bracket off the display model and loaned that to me. As much as I like these guys, I doubt if they would have loaned this out to me if I were a total stranger. I would suggest going to a dealer and see if you could try a few different models over a weekend to see what you like. That was how I purchased that 20 years ago.

And there is one last point I would like to make. As much as possible, I buy from local dealers and I try to purchase "local" goods. I have light fixtures from a variety of different manufactures, but given a choice between Mole-Richardson or a Chinese knock-off, I go with the USA model. I like to think that I'm supporting my neighbours who work at Mole - both in R&D, manufacturing and service.

I know that Sachtler is German, and my cameras and lenses are made in Japan but they also have a rather large network of services and people in Canada (my backyard) and the US. Yes, I have no doubt I pay more for some products. No, I am not rich. I just think that for me, anyway, it's the right thing to do. I'm putting a little back into the business that has been good to me.

Anyway, that my two cents.

Michael
 
Unfortunately no one's really answering the specifics of your' question, but I guess all are saying Sachtler's sre pretty good. I bought the Dv 6 SB also, and I guess that was the fluid head people here averaged out for the hvx weight (in sachtlers) and for the price. It's harder to get these heads cheaper on ebay like the older models. I didn't help much, but good luck on the purchace.
 
Thanks for the responses, but no one has really explained the difference between the VIDEO series and the DV series.

I have noticed that on ebay the video series usually goes for much less, but the DV series maintains its high retail price.

Since I am a bit strapped right now would it make sense to get something like the Sachtler Video 15?

What features am I losing out on compaired to the DV6 or DV8?

Thanks
 
Hey borax, i know what's it's like to be a shopper for tripods. A lot of research here will get you pretty close to what you need to know. I'm not going to pretend I know, but i'll try to help out. I think the Sachtler video series has been around for a while and that's why they are common on the used market. The dv series is younger, so there are much less used ones kicking around. As far as loosing something if you went with the video series, I don't think so as far as features or quality. In fact some people here say the video series are superior to the dv series. Maybe even far superior? The problem with the video series is they are made for larger cameras. The video 15 goes up 35 pounds i think, the dv8 goes up to 16, and the dv6 up to 13. So when people here have said that it could be overkill to buy such a head, they are refering to the weight of the camera and accesories (matbox, rails, adapters, moniters etc..) . Bigger heads for bigger cameras. A bigger head will be a heavier set up, so if you plan to move around a lot it's something to consider. That's why people buy the dv6 and dv8. I think if you find something well priced in sachtler, it's going to be a pretty good experience regardless. I don't know if it's any smoother to have a head that is not oversized for your camera set up. Hopefully someone else will chime in, or you'll have to research it a bit more. But from the sounds of what people here allready said, they seem pretty satisfied with their tripods. After all the video 15 is around 5 grand new, so....
 
I am not totally sure about the difference but from my research and experience I think dogcat is on the right track. It seems the video series is more suited to larger heavier cameras such as beta sp and digibeta or any of the 2/3" HD cameras. Although they will hold the HVX and do a good job one thing I have found when using a head with a lot heavier rating than the camera is that the springs are too heavy and it is hard to get the blalnce set so if you say tilt the camera down from level, it wont just stay there. No matter how much friction you dial in, it will always spring back unless you lock it off.
 
Hey Borax;
I've got the DV-6SB, carbon 2-stage, and I've been very happy. I don't know what they're calling the Video Series, unless it's the big 100mm ball heads for Beta, etc. When I was shopping, I knew I had to have 2 things.

1) 7-levels of friction, for really dependable tension control. I like different levels of pressure depending on the kind of shooting I'm doing... including going down to 'Free-spinning' and up to 'Wicked Heavy' .. some of the Sachtlers that look like a good 'middle ground' had only 1 and 0, or maybe 3 drag settings. I wouldn't do it. Having the option to tweak such things is a constant benefit to shooting well.

2) A releasable Balance Spring. I like their multi-step spring, and often use it at maybe 1 or 2 for the HVX, but I also have times where it definitely has to be off. Too many heads are preset, which generally means 'oversprung' to me. I think that is the 'Speed Balance' or SB. But I don't know if it means the Slider-plate, instead.

PS, I built 2 very useful add-ons to my Sachtler system (So Far).. One is an offset plate that lets the HVX mount farther forward. I like to have 2 Handles in a Studio- Mode, and try to have the camera balanced so well that I can just let go without any Drift UP or DOWN. The other accessory is the 2nd Handle, which has an articulated joint on it (the kind made for wall-mounting speakers.. VERY tough/agile little joint!) and this custom-mounts the Foxi Focus-Iris control, a fabulous tool, by the way! The mounting screws are Metric (8mm? 10mm?), and I cast my own Position-rosette by using MetalEpoxy and a plastic bag, right against the sachtler's mounting point. It's the Foxi that really made me have to offset the Cam Weight forward, actually.. but now I have a little more room to adjust things.

bob fiske
 
Hey Bob I have the dv-6 sb too, and it only has 5 levels of drag. Hpw did you come up with 7?
 
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