Last updated: 7 August 2026. Prices are in AUD and correct at the time of writing. Payloads are Sachtler's published figures, confirm the current spec sheet on the product page for your exact model.
The short answer: weigh your fully rigged camera, body, lens, plate, matte box, monitor, batteries, and pick a head whose payload range comfortably contains that weight, with room to spare. A mirrorless rig lands on an Ace XL or aktiv6 (0 to 8 kg); a built-up documentary cine camera on an aktiv8 or FSB 8 (0 to 12 kg); broadcast and heavy cinema on a Video 25 or Cine 30. Here's how to get it right.
Step 1: weigh the whole rig, not just the camera
Payload is the total balanced weight on the head, not the bare body. A 1.5 kg mirrorless body can become a 5 to 6 kg rig once you add a cine lens, cage, matte box, monitor, wireless and a V-mount. Always spec to your heaviest configuration. The goal is to land in the middle of a head's range, a head running at the very top of its payload can't counterbalance well, and one barely loaded feels stiff.
Step 2: match payload to a head
This table lists every Sachtler head Black Flag Distribution stocks, lightest to heaviest, with Sachtler's published payload and bowl size.
| Head | Payload (Sachtler) | Bowl | Typical rigged setups | From (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace M | 0 to 4 kg | 75 mm | Light DSLR & mirrorless | ~$1,799 (system) |
| FSB 4 | 0 to 4 kg | 75 mm | Lightest pro sideload head | ~$2,699 (head) |
| Ace XL | 0 to 8 kg | 75 mm | DSLR, mirrorless, light video | ~$1,399 (head) |
| aktiv6 | 0 to 8 kg | 75 mm | Mirrorless & small cine, fast setup | ~$3,899 (head) |
| FSB 6 | 0 to 8 kg | 75 mm | Light pro rigs, proven value | ~$3,399 (head) |
| aktiv8 | 0 to 12 kg | 75 mm | Documentary cine w/ lens & accessories | ~$4,999 (head) |
| FSB 8 | 0 to 12 kg | 75 mm | Event, ENG, built-up mirrorless | ~$4,299 (head) |
| aktiv10 | 0 to 12 kg | 100 mm | As above, wanting 100 mm stability | ~$6,199 (head) |
| FSB 10 | 0 to 12 kg | 100 mm | Heavier builds on a 100 mm bowl | ~$5,399 (head) |
| aktiv16T | 0 to 16 kg | 100 mm | Large ENG / heavily built cine | ~$8,199 (head) |
| FSB 16T | 0 to 16 kg | 100 mm | Heavy ENG, proven sideload | ~$7,399 (head) |
| Video 18 | 2 to 22 kg | 100 mm | Broadcast ENG, big zooms | ~$20,799 (system) |
| Cine 20 | 2 to 22 kg | 100 mm | Compact cinema builds | ~$22,599 (system) |
| Video 25 | 8 to 35 kg | 150 mm | Studio / OB, large cinema builds | ~$25,999 (system) |
| Cine 30 | 3 to 32 kg | 150 mm | Heavy cinema w/ matte box & zoom | ~$31,899 (system) |
| Cine 50 | 10 to 50 kg | 150 mm | Heaviest cinema rigs | ~$37,799 (system) |
Heavier Video 60 (16 to 65 kg) and Video 75 (12 to 85 kg) heads and OB dollies are also available for studio and outside-broadcast work.
Step 3: choose your bowl size
Lighter heads use a 75 mm bowl (fast, compact); heavier ENG and broadcast heads use 100 mm; heavy cinema and studio heads use 150 mm for maximum rigidity. Bigger bowls level a heavy head more securely but add weight and cost. Match the bowl to the head class, our bowl-size guide covers this in detail.
Ace vs FSB vs aktiv: same weight, different workflow
In the lighter classes you'll often see three heads with similar payloads. Ace is the budget entry, real Sachtler drag at the lowest price. FSB is the proven professional sideload head with finely calibrated drag and counterbalance. aktiv is the newer flagship: same payload classes, but with SpeedLevel instant leveling, a Touch&Go plate and SpeedSwap for jumping between tripod and slider in seconds. If you set up and tear down constantly, run-and-gun, docs, events, aktiv pays for itself in time saved. If budget matters more than speed, FSB or Ace deliver the same smooth moves.
Video and Cine: when you're carrying real weight
Once your rig passes ~12 to 16 kg, large-sensor cinema bodies with cine zooms, matte boxes, follow focus and big monitors, you move into the Video broadcast heads or the Cine cinema series. The Video 25 (8 to 35 kg, 150 mm) suits studio and OB; the Cine 30 (3 to 32 kg, 150 mm) brings SpeedBalance counterbalance and ARRI-compatible plates for film sets. For smaller cinema builds the Cine 20 runs 2 to 22 kg on a 100 mm bowl, while the Cine 50 carries 10 to 50 kg on 150 mm for the heaviest rigs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my camera payload for a fluid head?
Add the weight of every item that sits on the head in your heaviest setup: camera body, lens, base plate, matte box, follow focus, on-board monitor, wireless transmitter and battery. Choose a head whose payload range comfortably contains that total, ideally sitting mid-range rather than at the top.
What Sachtler head is best for a Sony FX6 or Canon C70?
Cameras in that class are light bare, but once you add a lens, plate, monitor and battery they commonly sit in the 0 to 12 kg range, which points to an aktiv8 or FSB 8 (75 mm), or an aktiv10/FSB 10 if you prefer a 100 mm bowl. Weigh your exact rig to confirm.
What Sachtler head do I need for a large cinema camera?
Large-sensor cinema builds with cine zooms and accessories usually need a 150 mm head such as the Video 25 (8 to 35 kg) or Cine 30 (3 to 32 kg); the biggest rigs go to the Cine 50 (10 to 50 kg). Confirm your fully rigged weight against the head's range.
Should I size up or down if I'm between two heads?
Size up. A head with headroom counterbalances your rig more easily and leaves room to add accessories later; a head working at the top of its payload struggles to balance and gives you no growth room.
Is aktiv worth it over FSB?
If you set up and tear down frequently, yes, aktiv's SpeedLevel, Touch&Go and SpeedSwap save real time on every setup. If you shoot mostly static or budget is the priority, FSB gives the same smooth movement in the same payload class for less.
Where to buy in Australia
Black Flag Distribution is the official Australian distributor of the professional film, television and production brands featured in this guide. We supply an Australia-wide network of authorised retailers and stockists rather than selling direct to the public, so there is a local dealer who can help wherever you are. To check pricing and availability and to buy, use the Black Flag Distribution store finder to find an authorised retailer or stockist near you. Search our store finder to locate your nearest Australian stockist and purchase from an authorised dealer.
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