Continuous Counterbalance Fluid Head :: Video Only :: 200-600 Lens :: Vehicle based shooting

[LandyShooter]

Hi all,

As bit of context, I've spent 7 years travelling around Africa, and when I got locked down in Namibia for the first year of covid I took up filming my adventures, which turned into being mostly wildlife based, so often filmed from my Land Rover in National Parks.

I invested in the permanent door mounting system pictured below, and film with smaller systems I guess you would say - heaviest is Sony A1 with 200-600 lens, lightest would be a Sony A6600 with the 18-135 lens. Not much else apart from SmallRig cages and a Mic.
So a max of 3.5kg.

I'd now like to buy a quality fluid video head with the following considerations:
- flat based bottom, not bowl
- continuous counter balance
- small (and not too tall) so it fits inside the vehicle on my swing arm
- closed mechanism so its more dust/weather proofed
- super easy to mount/unmount different cameras

The Manfrotto Nitrotech series is not suitable - it's completely open to the elements, a terrible design for my needs.

Can anybody suggest anything please?
Most options seems to have a bowel base...

Kind regards,
Darrin
https://www.youtube.com/@roamingyak

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro Max back triple camera 5.7mm f/1.5
• 5.7 mm
• ƒ/1.5
• 1/2841 sec
• ISO 50

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro Max back triple camera 5.7mm f/1.5
• 5.7 mm
• ƒ/1.5
• 1/1575 sec
• ISO 50

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro Max back triple camera 5.7mm f/1.5
• 5.7 mm
• ƒ/1.5
• 1/4115 sec
• ISO 50

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

I know nothing about this topic so can't add anything of value, but I do use that Vanguard head in the photo though. I'm sure someone will shed some light on this for you Darrin, I like your story mate. I wish you well.

 

[pmenear]

The Manfrotto Nitrotech N8 or N12 would be my choice as I use the N8 and it is a flat head. The head does need to be leveled, a bowl or gear head will work and switching rigs of different balance will need resetting each time but I can't think of a way around this.

 

[LandyShooter]

Thanks mate, but as I mentioned above, the Manfrotto Nitrotech series seems open to the elements, as in it is not going to last in the dusty/muddy/windy conditions I often film in...?