Sachtler's new "Revolutionary" tripod

Worked all day with the Flowtech today and it is a very good tripod. Robust and the increased weight feels more like a 100mm bowl tripod than a 75mm one. Very easy to raise or lower each leg and enjoyable to use. The locks located on top feels great but I had one of the feet coming off so these might be the weakest spot on this tripod.
 
thanks for the feedback. I've had one on backorder for I don't know how long. has there been any indication for when these will be released?
 
agreed - thanks for the feedback. I'm just gonna have to try one out for myself once these become available. Feet coming off sounds like a PIA... but I'd like a lightweight r&g tripod for quick set up's etc. Have a feeling it will pair well with Zak's EVA-1
 
Osslund said:
Worked all day with the Flowtech today and it is a very good tripod. Robust and the increased weight feels more like a 100mm bowl tripod than a 75mm one.
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That is because the legs are actually designed for a 100mm bowl. The guys at Sachtler told me that when the 100mm version is released it will use the exact same legs as the 75mm version. Only the bowl itself will change. I hope that info wasn't under NDA! :-)
 
markfpv said:
Feet coming off sounds like a PIA... but I'd like a lightweight r&g tripod for quick set up's etc.
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That is a non-issue.
I put a lot of miles on my Flowtech last month shooting with a demo of Sony's new Z90 camera and the feet never came off then, or at any other time I've been using it over the summer.
 
I can see the Flowtech 75 legs working great as a 100mm version but I would like to see a better spreader and feet. Comparing the feet on the SL75 and FT75 the SL75 does not wiggle as they do on the FT75. But I'm nitpicking here.
 
Couldn't you just take the feet off and use the built-in spikes? Are feet really even necessary? My primary tripod is an O'Connor 35L and it has never had any feet in the 18 years that I've owned it. That is literally thousands of setups in all kinds locations with nothing but spikes. As long as you don't go dragging the legs across a wooden floor there is no problem.
 
Doug, after reading all these posts it seems you representing the Vintec group, I think you should mention that in your signature too.

I think your solution for this problem with the Flowtech feet is brilliant, 'just don't use them'. :-) Though I hope wedding videographers keep using them when they move around in other man's properties or that they have good insurance.

Do you have any idea when this tripod is available? And can I order it without the feet?
 
I am not representing Vitec or Sachtler so there is nothing to disclose, let alone put into my signature. The moment they put me on the payroll I'll be sure to let you know.
If you go back to my post #59 I explain quite clearly how I came to get my hands on the tripod at NAB. Is there anything else you'd like to know? It is often called "beta testing" and customer feedback. Something I am often asked to do for other companies as well.


http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...tripod&p=1986721551&viewfull=1#post1986721551

Quite often we see people bitching and moaning on forums about gear they don't like or changes they would like to see. But if you really want to have an impact, you need to contact the manufacturer in a constructive and professional way and you might just make a difference or be asked for your opinions and ideas. Maybe even beta test somehing. All the manufacturers I have personal relationships with really do listen and care what the customer thinks. But they aren't usually reading posts here. It was great when Steve Turner jumped in a few pages ago on this thread, they should do that more often, and we should appreciate it when they do.

Do I like the Flowtech75? Yes. Will I continue to share my thoughts about it? Yes. Does that mean that my comments are tainted? That is for the reader to decide.
 
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I don't know how often my tripod gets pushed by people and even myself in tight spaces so feet are a must if I'm to avoid damage to floors.

Maybe I'm more difficult to please than you Doug. Frankly I'm hardly ever 100% satisfied with anything as there's always flaws.
 
Aha, thank you Doug,
I re-read post 59: "I've had a Flowtech since NAB and have been using it all summer with my FSB6" it must be my non native English background that I didn't get the beta testing part. After reading your reactions I thought your opinion was biased, but you cleared that now.

But be careful with your manufacturer input, before you know Sachtler skips the $149,00 rubber feet from this tripod. :-)
 
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If the legs were designed to handle a 100mm ball head, and the probably heavier payload associated with, I wonder why they didn't release it first or at least at the same time?
 
I learned about this tripod even before NAB, and then again at NAB. I wanted a lightweight, packable, quick to deploy tripod that still could take some decent weight. Something that can be taken into the mountains by pack, or by pack horse, or on horseback, etc. I know everyone is hoping for the 100mm version, but I wish they made a much lighter more compact 75mm version. A Manfrotto 535, Sachtler with no spreader, or miller solo does that duty now, and in extreme cases, even gitzo tripods...at least for me. I was really disappointed when the Vitec finally came out and I saw how bulky and heavy it was. Pound for pound the design takes up more space than other design IMO.
 
hmmm - another interesting perspective - thanks for chiming in Sheldon. My current lightweight legs are the carbon fiber Manfrotto 351's. And they have served me well ( I know M-frotto's get quite the bad rap on this forum - but that's not been my experience with these sticks.) There is nothing wrong with them - and the only reason for my interest in the Flowtech was possibly lighter to carry & faster to deploy.
 
+1 interesting, Sheldon, didn't notice that before too, (good, or bad marketing?) but the Flowtech is almost 1 kilo 2,2lb heavier as the speedlock 75.

For me that is NoGo, thought it was a light travel tripod. And as an owner of the speedlock 100 CF I know this system is fast and light.

The facts:
speed Lock 75 CF Tripod w/ 75mm Bowl
Load Capacity 44.1 lb (20kg)
Maximum Height 57.9" (147cm)
Minimum Height 13.4" (34cm)
Folded Length 25.6" (65cm)
Weight 4.4 lb (2kg)

Sachtler Flowtech 75 Specs
Height Range 24.8 - 61.81" / 63 - 157 cm Without Mid-Level Spreader: 10.24 - 60.24" / 26 - 153 cm
Collapsed Height 26.8" / 68 cm
Load Capacity 44 lb / 20 kg
Weight 6.4 lb / 2.9 kg

BUT:
The Manfrotto 535 is 5lb
 
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To me the added weight makes the FT75 standing more solid on ground. I sat two cameras one on each FT75 and SL75 (with FSB6 heads)and panned aggressively and the one that stood still was the FT75.

I had a Manfrotto 535 years ago but I just hated it because each leg couldn't be locked into position. I always had to make sure it was spread on each leg which was a pita.

Now I really like Sachtler SL legs so if it's really worth it to go for the FT I'm not so sure. But if they make a FT100 with just a tiny bit higher price than the FT75 it's a bargain.
 
Osslund said:
Maybe I'm more difficult to please than you Doug. Frankly I'm hardly ever 100% satisfied with anything as there's always flaws.
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Yes, there are always flaws in everything. Nothing is the way I would want it to be. But rather than complaing about stuff I have no power to change, I either buy something else with fewer flaws or just accept the flaws and move on.
 
Osslund said:
Now I really like Sachtler SL legs so if it's really worth it to go for the FT I'm not so sure. But if they make a FT100 with just a tiny bit higher price than the FT75 it's a bargain.
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So far the FT75 isn't available here, and I would not expect a tiny bit higher price for a FT100mm , my guess is 1500 dollar for a FT100 with the tiny bigger bowl.
 
Doug Jensen said:
Yes, there are always flaws in everything. Nothing is the way I would want it to be. But rather than complaing about stuff I have no power to change, I either buy something else with fewer flaws or just accept the flaws and move on.
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One can just accept things for what they are or ***** about them sure. But I hope that insight from users is of help to others who are planning to make a purchase.
 
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