GEAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS SUPPORT
All filmmakers need a top-quality tripod, but there are so many other bits of equipment that take the best supporting role in our Oscars of cinematography equipment. Monopods, gimbals, sliders, rigs and more all play their part in keeping locked-down shots steady, or ensuring moving shots are smooth and controllable. Starting with our three-legged friends, and the winner of the tripod system could only be the Sachtler Aktiv8 kit with Flowtech 75 tripod. Beginning with the legs themselves, these are wide, carbon-fibre tubes designed to avoid twisting, but be comfortable to carry on the shoulder. The legs are held together magnetically, so you pull out and splay themwide. Then, there is a single locking lever on each leg, at the top near the head. You just undo these big levers, quickly raise the tripod to the height you want and
fasten the locks up again. It’s easy, and the tripod is super-stable and light for its size. But the winning touch is the new Sachtler Aktiv8 fluid head, which mounts to the legs using a single lever lock, rather than being screwed on and locked down with a grub screw. The camera goes on a quick-release plate that clicks into place securely. There are 15 steps of counterbalance and seven steps of pan and tilt drag adjustment. It’s a great combo and easy to see why it’s our winner. Monopods are essential bits of kit, allowing you to be super- portable, but offering just enough support to take the shakes out of your shots. The winner this year is the Benro A48FD S4 Pro kit. Тhіѕ combines thе superb Веnrо А48FD АlumіniumМоnороd wіth thе Ѕ4 Pro vіdео hеаd. Тhе Ѕ4 Рro ѕuрроrts lоаdѕ uр tо 4kg/8.8lb – and has а 60mm flаt bаѕе wіth а 3/8-inch thrеаd. Тhе mоnороd ехtеndѕ tо 1770mm/70in аnd саn bе fоldеd dоwn tо јuѕt 690mm/27in. Іt hаѕ
WEEBILL WINNER! The Zhiyun gimbal took top honours thanks to its high-tech spec and built-in monitor
SUPPORTING ROLE A Benro monopod, Vocas rig and Syrp slider won awards this year
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