sachtler FSB 6 Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism User Manual
- June 7, 2024
- sachtler
Table of Contents
sachtler FSB 6 Fluid Head with Sideload Mechanism User Manual
1. Safety instructions / General Information
- Before using the fluid head read the manual.
- Before mounting the fluidhead on the tripod, check if the tripod has a safe standing and if the tripod leg extensions are clamped.
- Before releasing the clamping screw on the fluid head (with a mounted camera), the tripod must be secured against fall over.
- Before releasing the vertical brake (at a non balanced camera set up) or the clamping of the camera-/balance plate the camera must be secured against sudden movement, otherwise there may be a danger of finger trapping.
- During camera tilt movements with extreme tilt angles there may be a danger of finger trapping between top-/balance plate and housing for users and third persons.
2. Operating elements
A. FSB 6 with sideload-plate
B. FSB 6 T – FSB 6 with Touch & Go plate
3. Operation
3.1 Intended Use
This fluidhead was developed to enable pan- and tilt movements of cameras. The
maximum payload is specified in chapter 4.
3.2 Moving of the pan bar
Open the clamping screw (black wing screw) of the pan bar and move the pan bar
into the desired position. Close the clamping screw of the pan bar. During
transportation the pan bar can be moved next to the tripod legs.
Caution: Open the clamping screw of the pan bar far enough. The teeth of the pan bar clamp should not clatter while moving the pan bar. However, a plastic protector prevents against wear of the metal toothed ring. Make sure that the teeth interleave with each other when closing the clamping lever of the pan bar.
Use of the enclosed pan bar on the left side of the fluid head is also possible. The pan bar has to be removed from the head and the black plastic cap on its top should be opened and removed with a coin or screw driver. The toothed clamp should be removed and relocated. The plastic cap needs to be tightened again.
3.3 Levelling of the fluid head
Apply the vertical brake and hold the camera with one hand. Open the clamping
screw of the fluid head and move the head in such a way, that the bubble moves
into the level´s black circle. Tighten the clamping screw firmly.
Touch Bubble
The FSB 6 has a self illuminating Touch Bubble which allows easy levelling
even under unfavourable lighting conditions. The illumination is activated by
strong tapping on the bubble. The bubble will glow up to 20 seconds.
3.4 Mounting of the camera and / or plate
A. FSB 6 with side load clamping mechanism
- Apply the horizontal and vertical brake.
- Hold the camera and / or plate with one hand.
- Release the clamping screw of camera plate.
- Shift the red Camera Release Safety Lock forward.
- The camera(plate) is now unlocked and can be removed from the fluidhead.
- Attach the camera plate to the camera. Please pay attention to the arrow below the scala resp. on the bottom of the camera plate.This arrow is indicating the direction of the lens. (Also see paragraph 5.1 “camera plates”).
- For mounting the camera(plate) onto the fluidhead place the camera plate´s dovetail in the dovetail´s guiding on the head (see picture below, arrow A).
- Lower the camera(plate) until the snap lock catches the camera plate. This is detected by an audible clicking (arrow B).
- The camera(plate) is now mounted securely.
- Lock the clamping screw of the camera plate after counterbalancing the camera (see also paragraph 3.4 “counterbalancing the camera”).
B. FSB 6 with Touch & Go camera quick locking system
- Apply the horizontal and vertical brake.
- Hold the camera and/or plate with one hand.
- Grasp the locking lever with your thumb and index finger and pull down the red safety button.
- Move the locking lever as far as possible to the left and take out the camera and/or plate.
- Attach the camera plate to the camera.
- By mounting the camera and/or plate again it will lock automatically and the locking lever will snap back audibly into its initial position.
3.5 Counterbalancing of the camera
- Before adjusting the counterbalance of the camera, the center of gravity of the camera must be centered precisely over the axis of the fluid head.
- Lock the vertical brake, adjust the vertical setting of the fluid damping to “0” and adjust the knob for the counterbalance setting also to “0”.
- Secure the camera with one hand and open the vertical brake.
- Should the camera be front or back heavy open the lock of the cameraplate/balanceplate (undo red wing screw slightly on the side of the fluid head; keep the camera secured with one hand). Centre the camera weight and compensate for a backheavy setup by sliding the cameraplate/balanceplate forwards and for a frontheavy setup by sliding backwards. The camera should remain in the horizontal position.
- Lock the cameraplate/balanceplate by turning the red wing screw clockwise and tighten it.
- If you can’t manage to centre the camera correctly, please read paragraph 5.1 “Camera plates”.
- The fluid head FSB 6 is equipped with a ten step counterbalance adjustment. Select the setting which compensates best with your camera set up. Adjusting the lower setting comes immediately effective. The adjustment of the higher setting becomes effective after passing the “0” level while tilting the fluid head.
3.6 Setting of the damping
The FSB 6 is equipped with a 3-step damping level horizontally and vertically
and a zero setting. By turning the vertical setting and the horizontal setting
the desired level of fluid damping is selected. Turn the setting ring to “0”
in order to switch off the damping completely. The different damping levels
can only be felt if the horizontal and vertical brakes are open. If you apply
damping, the degree of horizontal and vertical damping is identical andthus
enables precise diagonal panning movements without jerks and vibrations.
Make sure that you always turn the setting to the next indexed position. Engage the retainer pins by slowly panning or tilting the camera.
ATTENTION:
Panning or tilting the camera with settings between the indexed positions can
damage the retainer pins and/or disks.
3.7 Brakes
The horizontal brake applies the lock for the pan and the vertical brake for
the tilt movement. Both brakes are free off vibrations and can be used during
shooting.
3.8 Change of the battery
The illumination is powered by one standard type button cell (CR 2032, 3 V)
located in the battery holder, which can be opened with a sharp object such as
a screwdriver.
Make sure to insert the new batteries according to the “plus” symbol as indicated in the covering plate.
The battery last for about 2000 illumination cycles.
3.9 Transport setting of damping, counterbalance and brakes
To ensure smooth operation of the setting rings for the damping over the long
life time period of the fluid head, you should turn both setting rings from
position “0” to maximum position, before and after the use of the fliud head.
Setting during transportation: the most important issue is to open both brakes -horizontal and vertical. Counterbalance and damping should be set to maximum position.
3.10 Flat Base Mount
4. Technical Data
Payload Range (depending on C.O.G height of the camera)
5. Accessories
5.1 Camera plate
A. Sideload
The fluid head FSB 6 is delivered with an extra long camera plate (code no.
0164). It containes a guided sled with a pin (preventing a twisting of the
camera) and a 1/4 “ screw. The guided sled can be brought in a position to
eliminate any front- or back heaviness of the camera.
By locking the 1/4” screw in the thread of the camera, the desired position will be fixed.
Please pay attention to the arrow below the scala, resp. on the bottom of the camera plate, which is indicating the direction of the camera lens.
If your camera was delivered with a tripod adapter plate you may need 1/4″ and 3/8″ screws to mount your camera. Remove the guided sled, by unlocking the 1/4” screw. Use the 1/4” and 3/8” screw (parking position below the top plate) to mount your camera on the camera plate.
B. Touch & Go
The fluid head FSB 6 T is delivered with the Touch & Go® plate S (Code
No.0364). It comes with a pin, 1/4” screw and 3/8” screw, means the
cameraplate is ready to use it either with a pin – 1/4” screw connection or a
1/4” screw – 3/8” screw connection. Just unscrew the not needed screw from the
cameraplate. Spare camera screws are stored in the balance plate.
If your camera remains front- or back heavy after going through the necessary centring procedure (paragraph 3.4) you may solve this by using the C.O.G plate DV (Code No. 1465). This plate offers you two removed positions (by about 44 and 72 mm resp.) to receive the camera.
The C.O.G plate DV can be mounted removed to either the front or the back. It comes with 1/4” screw and pin.
5.2 Pan bars
The fluid head FSB 6 comes with a single pan bar DV 75. There is a fixing for
an additional pan bar on the fluid head. Please order code no. 0993 for 2nd
pan bar DV 75 L (left side).
6. Inspection & Cleaning
You should clean your fluid head from time to time using a soft clove. For heavier dirt you should use a soft brush and a mild detergent. Regularely inspections are not prescribed.
7. Warranty
The warranty expires if the fluid head was operated improperly or not in line with the specified technical data, or the head housing was opened by unauthorised personnel. We reserve the right to make changes based on technical advances.
Please register at www.sachtler.com for an extended warranty period.
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