Sachtler FSB/DV Head

F

Fader8

Well-known member
Hi,

I'm currently looking for a new tripod system as my Manfrotto 701HD is way
overloaded.

My favorite so far is the Sachtler FSB 8.

Someone offered me a DV 8 System:

what is the difference between the DV 8 (older) and FSB 8 (newer) system?
Any big, game changin advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks's for your help!

Cheers

PS: would 1'200 $ be overprices for an elder DV 8 Fluid Head with Legs?
 
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STAY AWAY from Satchtler in mid price range !!! I have FSB8 and had so many issues with it that are related to poor design rather than anything else.
1. FSB8's 75mm ball is a joke - with heavier cameras you NEED 100mm ball except... Sachtler doesn't make it for this head (!). They recommend using an adapter except then the bolt is too short to attach the head to tripod (!!) and the extra bolt they sell (at exorbitant price) is only a few mm longer than original bolt (!!!). If i didn't know better i would think the head was designed in some sweatshop in 3 rd world country.

2. The FSB8 isn't as sturdy as you would want. It claims to be rated at up to 20lb but i'm certain noone even close to that weight has used that head successfully. I'm pretty sure they realized that they can scam extra $$ from customers by using FSB6 housing and simply adding a stronger spring (without other considerations). FSB6 is a decent head because it's rated at up to 13lb so you don't try heavier cameras with it, with FSB8 because of higher rating you try something heavier (in my case c300 with cine lens - really "heavy" indeed...) and design flows become painfully apparent.

3. The head might be designed in Germany (even though the 1st point might prove something else) but certainly isn't built there.

I'm glad you asked the question so I could vent.
 
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I have to disagree with Patryk. I can only assume he overloaded his FSB8 or it was the wrong choice for his set-up.

I own an FSB-8. I've used it with lots of different cameras all over the world in as wide a range of environments as is possible. It's always performed brilliantly and never let me down.

The trick with all tripods is to only load the head to half the weight it is rated for, so in the case of the FSB-8 that would be 9KG. Anything heavier, then a 100mm head is the way to go.
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
STAY AWAY from Satchtler in mid price range !!! I have FSB8 and had so many issues with it that are related to poor design rather than anything else.
1. FSB8's 75mm ball is a joke - with heavier cameras you NEED 100mm ball except... Sachtler doesn't make it for this head (!). They recommend using an adapter except then the bolt is too short to attach the head to tripod (!!) and the extra bolt they sell (at exorbitant price) is only a few mm longer than original bolt (!!!). If i didn't know better i would think the head was designed in some sweatshop in 3 rd world country.

2. The FSB8 isn't as sturdy as you would want. It claims to be rated at up to 20lb but i'm certain noone even close to that weight has used that head successfully. I'm pretty sure they realized that they can scam extra $$ from customers by using FSB6 housing and simply adding a stronger spring (without other considerations). FSB6 is a decent head because it's rated at up to 13lb so you don't try heavier cameras with it, with FSB8 because of higher rating you try something heavier (in my case c300 with cine lens - really "heavy" indeed...) and design flows become painfully apparent.

3. The head might be designed in Germany (even though the 1st point might prove something else) but certainly isn't built there.

I'm glad you asked the question so I could vent.
Click to expand...

Which Tripod would you suggest then? Sachtler has a pretty good reputation...
Vinten? Cartoni?
 
I also have to disagree with Patryk. I own three Sachtler systems. All older the oldest of which is a Video 14 75mm ball head. It just went in for routine service after more than 20 years, didn't need it but I thought why not. It is rated for 35 pounds. I have also dragged an old DV4 head and legs around the world with me for the past ten or so years. It has and still does work very well, handles my fs100 fully loaded on rails with Small Hd monitor and ninja 2 etc with no problem, smooth and balanced when you set it up properly.
I have had nothing but excellent experiences with my two 75mm Sachtlers my third is a ped. But don't EVER buy a Sachtler knock off. I work for a station locally now and then. They bought Seceed sticks and heads. Only one word describes them. Garbage.
Just my experience.......
 
Thanks for sharing your experience with Sachtler.

What exactly do you mean by sayin' “don't ever buy a Sachtler knock off“ (sorry I'm not native speaking)?

Thanks.
 
adapter_finished_s.jpg

Here is an adapter i designed (and had a fellow DVXuser build for me) to adapt this head to 100mm ball. One shouldn't really have to go to such lengths to make the head usable when working with a bit beefier cameras.
 
There are tripods made by a couple of companies in Asia that look very much like Sachtler, but are not . Google search for more info.
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
View attachment 82472

Here is an adapter i designed (and had a fellow DVXuser build for me) to adapt this head to 100mm ball. One shouldn't really have to go to such lengths to make the head usable when working with a bit beefier cameras.
Click to expand...


The FSB-8 is designed for lightweight cameras and 75mm bases. If you need something "beefier" you should have used something "beefier." Putting a 100mm base on 75mm head won't increase stability. It will just create trouble. You've cut a corner you should not have cut IMHO.
 
Liam, please read my original response. I specifically talk about FSB8 being some franken monster using FSB6 casing. FSB6 is designed for lightweight cameras while FSB8 with its significantly increased payload was designed (you would hope) for mid range cameras (20lb is no joke). But, as mention in my original post, it is NOT the case. The head is under-designed. FSB6 is great head but FSB8 is not - lots of thought had to be put on my part to up it so it can reliably work with mid range cameras (and yes, contrary to your claims, adding an adapter does increase its stability). So even though i CAN recommend FSB6 but can NOT FSB8.
 
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Fader8 said:
So would you sell your FSB 8 then?:) I'm intrested.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I figured out all the kinks (elongated the bolt; added custom-built adapter) so now it's a fine head. I'm sharing my experience so you don't presume that when you buy it it will be all down the hill from there.
 
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