Geared Head vs Fluid Head

Jarlath McKernan · October 28, 2024

Hello everyone. I am a 21 year old cinematographer and I am currently in my last year of film school. I recently bought my dream camera, the arri Alexa (classic) and for me it was a good purchase.

I am looking around for head options. I have come across either the satchler video 20, cartoni c20s, or proaim geared head.

what would everyone recommend? My budget is realistically set at 2000 GBP at a push.

another question I have is do people feel fluid head or geared head would be better for me at this stage in my career. I’d like to start as I intend to go on, that being into proper high end industry operating and DPing. Hence the interest in a geared head. What are the pros/cons between geared and fluid?

the photo attached is me using my film schools satchler cine 30, which is way out of my budget, nonetheless it is great to get using it until I leave film school.

please if you can offer any insight on what would be my wisest approach I would greatly appreciate it.

Brian Drysdale · October 28, 2024

When you're starting out, you tend to work on a wide range of production types, documentaries, music videos, dramas etc., so you want to be kitted out to handle all of them. I would tend to go for the fluid head, since you can cover all types with that. I bought a Sachtler Horizon, the film version of the Video 25, which can support all the digital cameras, I've used it with 35mm MOS film cameras with zoom lenses mounted. You may be able to purchase a used one within your budget.

A friend, who was a camera operator in London, bought the Sachtler Studio, even though he usually operates a gear head. Since drama productions usually have both type of head and he could rent his head to them.

Regarding the gear head, any production that needs one can usually afford to rent them. Based in Dublin, you should be able to approagh Panavision at Ardmore Studios in order to practise with a geared head.