New Really Right Stuff FH-55 Fluid Video Head.

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
http://eriknaso.com/2013/04/15/new-really-right-stuff-fh-55-fluid-video-head-nab-2013/

Really Right Stuff makes solid products like quick release systems, ball heads and also carbon fiber tripods. They're mainly for still cameras but now have introduced a new fluid head for video. The head is desihned for the DSLR to C100 type of shooter looking for support up to 80-10 pounds. Its very smooth and balanced.
A true Sinusoidal Counter Balance Mechanism is added to the head. This mechanism is found in heads costing over $6K. The new FH-55 will be available in July and priced around $1500 to $2000.

 
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Really love my RRS stills head and plate for my D800.

I guess my only question is that if I wanted to use it WITH my D800 is that the plate on the d800 is turned 90 degrees of axis from the direction of the plate on the video head.

2012-0607-ReallyRightStuff-BD800L-rear.jpg
 
I had a chance to try it out at NAB and it is truly a amazing head, I own 2 Sachtler Heads and my son has a miller Compass 20, I can say that I have never seen a small light weight head as nice as this one. I have been using RRS gear for over 15 years and they do know how to make wonderful gear. Their Carbon-Fiber legs are great, I wanted to check out what Gitzo had at the show but was told by the Vinten Group that Gitzo is now only for stills (bummer). So in my opinion the Really Right Stuff is now the way to go for Tripod and Head for cameras up to 8lb. [h=1][/h]
 
RRS has a history of setting fair, ethical prices for extremely high quality products (and Joe is one of the nicest guys in the business). Their carbon fiber tripods cost the same as Gitzo's but are produced in smaller quantities (entirely in the US, btw) and use machined instead of cast aluminum for hinges and platforms (meaning they cost significantly more to produce). I'm hopeful that this product will similarly embarrass some fluid head manufacturers (especially certain ones I won't name who have moved production to [the same factory in] Costa Rica but are still priced like products of Germany/USA).
 
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It does., its just a shame to have to do that when all of their photo plates are designed one way and their new video heads another.
 
That is exactly what I have to use RRS with my current video heads, a MPR-CLII. It works great and lets you move the camera fore and aft which helps with balance. I am very excited to be able to buy this new video head when available.
 
I don't own anything in their system, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how thoughtfully everything is designed.
The new fluid head looks like an older style O'Connor and if it performs anywhere close then it is really worth every penny.
However, the one thing I want to know is what is it's minimum weight capacity, this is the real issue with most DSLR's, not the maximum payload. Obtaining a properly balanced camera with something as small and light as a GH2 or now the new Pocket BM camera and a pancake lens is a real challenge for most video heads.
 
Can anyone tell me what "sinusoidal counter balance" is?

yoclay said:
Obtaining a properly balanced camera with something as small and light as a GH2 or now the new Pocket BM camera and a pancake lens is a real challenge for most video heads.
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I agree, but with an extremely light camera, you can probably do without a counter balance depending on the tilt friction. The Sachtler FSB-4 has a "0" setting on the counter balance which disengages the counter balance spring. The 1, 2, 3 & 4 setting are stepped up to 8.8lbs.

Though if you have Sachtler's FSB-6 or 8 heads, you have no "0" setting & the #1 spring is going to be too strong for a super light camera, & I think this is what you're talking about.

The other difficult thing with really light cameras & good counter balance, is your pan bar. The camera & pan bar might weigh the same, but the pan bar is sticking 18" off the back of the head, so no matter what you'll always be back heavy unless you stick your camera 18" off the front. (Approximate numbers here of course.)
 
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I did have the pleasure of playing with this head on a monopod at the nab and it's truly a pleasure, after finding the balance point of the camera you can tilt and pan this thing any direction you want and leave it right there. Too bad at this price point is not something that i will buy to be use exclusively on my monopod.
 
yoclay said:
I don't own anything in their system, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how thoughtfully everything is designed.
The new fluid head looks like an older style O'Connor and if it performs anywhere close then it is really worth every penny.
However, the one thing I want to know is what is it's minimum weight capacity, this is the real issue with most DSLR's, not the maximum payload. Obtaining a properly balanced camera with something as small and light as a GH2 or now the new Pocket BM camera and a pancake lens is a real challenge for most video heads.
Click to expand...

The head is designed for any DSLR including a GH2 & GH3. That was the reason they made the head. For smaller light weight cameras and cameras up to 10 lbs.
 
Lee Saxon said:
It'd be easier, albiet more expensive, to use this or this.

Also, their MH-02 monopod head has an "indexing" (rotateable in 90 degree increments) AS clamp, maybe the FH-55 will too.
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Nope, that would not work. It takes the opposite part to attach into the receiver on the head. I have a bunch of RRS and the MPR-CL II as is recommended is the only solution currently. The parts you suggest do make a 90 degree turn, but they will not fit directly into the head.
 
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