LONDON -- Sept. 5, 2017 -- Sachtler(R) and Vinten(R), both Vitec Group brands and global industry leaders in camera supports for more than 100 years, today introduce flowtech(TM) -- an all-new camera tripod technology with unique quick release brakes and easy adjust levers that enable camera operators to set up and begin using the tripod in an instant. Sachtler and Vinten will showcase flowtech technology with the flowtech 75 tripod, at IBC2017.
"In the arctic, from atop mountains, on the beach, or in the sea, flowtech has been used and tested in every single environment you can imagine. We believe it's the next evolution in tripod technology, and it promises to transform the way camera operators work," said Tobias Keuthen, Director of Global Product Marketing Management. "flowtech is the type of innovation that happens when two legendary brands from the broadcast, film, and video industries join forces."
He added, "With the world's fastest-deploying tripod legs, this fantastic carbon-fiber product combines the speed and portability of a Sachtler tripod with the torsional rigidity of a Vinten. It's easier and faster to deploy and adjust than any other tripod, enabling our users to capture the big shot quickly and giving them the reliability and performance they expect from both of these market-leading companies."
The flowtech design offers a set of two-stage carbon-fiber tripod legs with an easy-to-remove midlevel spreader, rubber feet, and a payload capacity of 20 kg (44 pounds). Unique quick-release brakes located at the top of the tripod enable all the legs to be deployed simultaneously and adjust automatically to the ground's surface, eliminating the need for operators to bend over or manually adjust multiple brakes on each leg. Lightweight and easy to transport, flowtech 75 is specifically designed to be carried comfortably on the camera operator's shoulder, with magnetic locks ensuring that the tripod legs are stable during transport. flowtech 75 can be deployed as low as 26 cm (10 inches) and as high as 153 cm (60 inches) without the detachable spreader, and between 63 cm (25 inches) to 157 cm (62 inches) with the spreader. A unique hinge-lock mechanism allows users to capture extremely low, ground-level shots removing the need to bring a second set of "baby legs" to each shoot. The exceptional torsional stiffness of flowtech ensures that the tripod will not twist during camera panning movements, an extremely important consideration in all motion picture productions.
"My first impression of flowtech 75 is that this is a revolutionary tripod," said Luke Thomas, Los Angeles-based freelance cameraman and Sachtler ambassador. "Clearly, Sachtler and Vinten put a lot of thought into its design -- they looked at the fundamental ways tripods are used and came up with a solution that will greatly improve camera operators' workflows. It is unusual to see this amount of innovation in one tripod."
To qualify flowtech's performance, the tripod has been tested in the most punishing environments ranging from sludge and sand to extreme temperatures. After more than 30,000 lab-testing cycles, in which the tripod was repeatedly deployed, and 1.5 million clamp operations on the test endurance rig, the companies determined that flowtech exceeded the stringent performance targets for both the Sachtler and Vinten brands.
"The tripod is often taken for granted, since the operator has more interaction with the camera and fluid head than with the legs supporting the gear," said Karen Walker, Vice President of Product Management. "However, the tripod's importance can't be overstated; it's often a major factor in an operator's ability to set up for a shoot as quickly and efficiently as possible. With flowtech, we've thought of every detail of the camera operator's workflow, and we've created a tripod solution that is far easier to use and more versatile than ever before."
flowtech 75 is compatible with all major 75-mm fluid heads and is ideally suited for fluid heads from the Sachtler or Vinten product families. The tripod is an ideal companion for digital cinema cameras such as the Sony PXW-FS7, Blackmagic URSA Mini, and the Canon Mark II. The MSRP of the new flowtech 75 tripod is $1,050, 810 pounds, and 960 euros.
More information on flowtech is available at www.flowtech-tripod.com.
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About Sachtler
Sachtler, founded in 1958 by cameraman Wendelin Sachtler, is a worldwide market leader in professional camera support systems for cinematography and television production. The Sachtler name has been a symbol of top quality and reliability for decades, and the company's extensive range of camera support systems and finely modulated line of reportage lighting products make Sachtler a highly qualified partner for broadcast and film applications. Offering numerous workshops and training sessions, the Wendelin Sachtler Academy has become a global center for invaluable know-how and the exchange of information, creating the ideal international platform for creative talent. Along with other leading brands in the broadcast and professional videographer industry, Sachtler is part of the Vitec Group. For more information on Sachtler, visit www.sachtler.com.
About Vinten
Vinten(R), a Vitec Group brand, is a leading provider of manual and robotic camera support systems offering engineering excellence and globally supported solutions for a wide range of technologies and markets. Founded over 100 years ago by William Vinten, the Vinten brand is still based on its founder's guiding principles of highly innovative design and extreme precision in manufacturing. Offering a best-in-class range of products that includes manual supports, robotic heads, pedestals, and controllers, Vinten is the premium solution for studio and outside broadcast. With over 80 registered patents, Vinten frees the camera operator's creativity by making camera operation effortless. For more information on Vinten, visit www.vinten.com.
Vinten – innovating perfect control.
A Snapshot of The Vitec Group
The Vitec Group plc is a leading global provider of premium branded products and services to the fast changing and growing "image capture and sharing" market.
Vitec's customers include broadcasters, independent content creators, photographers and enterprises, and our activities comprise: design, manufacture and distribution of high performance products and software including camera supports, wireless systems, robotic camera systems, prompters, LED lights, mobile power, monitors and bags; and premium services including technical solutions, systems integration and equipment rental for TV production teams, film crews and enterprises.
In the broadcast industry, Vitec brings together some of the most respected, innovative, and sought-after brands: Anton/Bauer, Autocue, Autoscript, Camera Corps, Litepanels, OConnor, OFFHollywood, Paralinx, Sachtler, SmallHD, Teradek, The Camera Store, Wooden Camera, and Vinten.
Visit the Vitec Group at IBC2017, Stand 12.E65
All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
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