Sachtler recently launched a new range of fluid heads designed for cinematographers. We caught up with Sachtler at NAB 2024 to have a look at them. The Cine fluid head series comprises three models, the Cine 20, Cine 30, and Cine 50.
For those who may be wanting to know, the Cine 20 is essentially a rebadged Cine 7+7.
Sachtler claims that each Cine Series model are the smallest and lightest in their class. They combine innovative features, reliability, as well as offering controlled and smooth camera movement through variable drag settings and fine counterbalance.
Cine 20
The Cine 20 was designed for lighter setups, and it offers a payload range of 2-22 kg / 4-48 lbs. It features 16 steps of SpeedBalance technology counterbalance, and seven steps of pan and tilt drag. With a 100 mm bowl, the Cine 20 can be combined with a wide array of tripods including the Sachtler flowtech100.
Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head 
Sachtler Video 18 S2 Fluid Head 
Sachtler 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head
This is the fluid head that is likely to be the most interesting to our readers. It essentially replaces the old Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head and the discontinued Sachtler Video 20 SB Fluid Head. You could also make good argument that the Cine 20 is also a replacement for the popular, but now fairly old, 18 S2 Fluid Head, and the 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head.
| PAYLOAD CAPACITY | |
| Sachtler Cine 20 | 2-22 kg / 4-48 lbs |
| Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head | 2-25 kg / 4-55 lbs |
| Sachtler Video 18 S2 Fluid Head | 2-22 kg / 4-48 lbs |
| Sachtler 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head | 2-22 kg / 4-48 lbs |
What is interesting is that the new Cine 20 has a slightly lower payload capacity than the Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head, but it is also slightly heavier at 9 lb / 4.1 kg.
| WEIGHT | |
| Sachtler Cine 20 | 9 lb / 4.1 kg |
| Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head | 7.5 lb / 3.4 kg |
| Sachtler Video 18 S2 Fluid Head | 9 lb / 4.1 kg |
| Sachtler 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head | 7.3 lb / 3.3 kg |
Above you can see a weight comparison between the new Cine 20, Video 20 S1, Video 18 S2 Fluid Head, and 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head.
- 100 mm bowl
- Payload: 2–22 kg (4–48 lb)
- SpeedBalance: 16 steps
- Pan and Tilt Drag: 7 steps
- Sideload platform
- Front pan bar rosette
Cine 30
The Cine 30 caters to daily cine use with a payload range of 3-32 kg / 7 – 71 lbs. It incorporates 18 steps of SpeedBalance, seven steps of pan and tilt drag, a 150 mm bowl. It has an ARRI compatible camera plate and front box mounting points.
- 150 mm bowl
- Payload: 3–32 kg (7–71 lb)
- SpeedBalance: 18 steps
- Pan and Tilt Drag: 7 steps
- Sideload platform
- Front pan bar rosette
Cine 50
The Cine 50 is the largest in the series and it supports payloads from 10-50 kg / 22 – 110 lbs. It has 18 steps of counterbalance, nine steps of pan and tilt drag, a 150 mm bowl, and it features an ARRI compatible camera plate and front box mounting points.
- 150 mm bowl
- Payload: 10–50 kg (22–110 lb)
- Counterbalance: 18 steps
- Pan and Tilt Drag: 9 steps
- Sideload platform
- Front pan bar rosette
Shared Features
Shared features across the series include a secure sideload mechanism, simplifying the mounting and balancing of highly accessorised cameras to quickly adapt to dynamic shooting challenges. A rosette allows for the use of a front pan bar, providing extra control.
Sachtler’s cinematic legacy dates back to 1958 when Wendelin Sachtler, a Cameraman, and actor, introduced the first gyro-system-dampened head.
Price & Availability
The Sachtler Cine fluid head range is available now as a head only or as part of a complete system including tripod and spreader.
Here are the prices for the fluid heads:
The Cine 20 is essentially very similar in price to the Sachtler Video 18 S2 Fluid Head $6,175 USD, and it is more affordable than the Sachtler 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head $8,160.50 USD, and Sachtler Video 20 S1 Fluid Head $9,167.50 USD.
Here are the prices for some of the kits:
- Sachtler flowtech 100 MS Carbon Fiber Tripod System with Cine 20 Fluid Head $10,830 USD
- Sachtler flowtech 100 GS Carbon Fiber Tripod System with Cine 20 Fluid Head $10,450 USD
- Sachtler Cine 150 Ground-Level Tripod System with Cine 30 Fluid Head $15,675 USD
- Sachtler Cine 150 Ground-Level Tripod System with Cine 50 Fluid Head $18,145 USD.
The Cine series doesn’t look to be that different from other fluid heads that Sachtler has made for years. It is probably best to look at the Cine 20 as a hybrid between the Sachtler Video 18 S2 Fluid Head and the Sachtler 1910 Cine 7+7 HD Fluid Head. Yes, that maybe over simplifying things, but the Cine 20 has the same number of counterbalance steps, same number of pan and tilt drag settings, and the same exact payload capacity.
You may be wondering why Sachtler didn’t just make a heavier payload version of the activ fluid heads as they feature a lot of innovation. Well, I believe it’s because of the way that the activ heads are designed. With the active heads the leveling device is built into the head itself. You use a large integrated lever to quickly mount, level, and lock the head on your tripod or other base. This design limits the payload capacity. The activ series can only handle payloads up to 16 kg / 35.3 lbs and that is why the activ14 is the top of the range option in that series.
