Bill Fenster chooses the Sachtler Ace M for political documentary

Documentarian Bill Fenster based in Phoenix, Arizona has relied on Sachtler fluid heads and tripods throughout his career. Sachtler is part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company. Therefore, when he first put a Sachtler Ace M to work in the summer of 2013, he was more than familiar with Sachtlers signature operational feel that the new, small tripod system would have to live up to. It was quite a challenge, keeping the quality of Sachtler with the much miniaturized size, he said. You wouldnt believe this thing it has Sachtlers immaculate movement, as all Sachtler tripods do. But this thing, you can practically put it in your back pocket.

Solo shooting

Fenster is currently chasing Arizona gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal around the state for a documentary. Im doing it by myself. Ive got the camera, batteries, microphones, a light and a few other things. With the Ace M set of sticks, I can just throw them over my shoulder and carry them by the strap. Though the tripod system is less than three feet long when stowed, the two-stage legs take the camera above the crowd when the tripod is fully extended. The Ace Ms 0 to 8.8 pound payload range easily handles the camera packages Fenster mounts on them, even when Ive made them a bit heavier. Ive never had to use the full five steps of counterbalance available.

Fenster said that a tripod is really put to the test when hes shooting long telephoto shots or close-up detail on subjects like documents. I used to rely on a much larger tripod system for these shots because of the stability, but the Ace M is sturdy enough for long lens shots even in a wind.

Experimental work

When shooting close-up work, like a slow pan across a document, Fenster is looking for the ability to start and stop a smooth pan without any backlash. With the Ace, Im able to move across the page or whatever Im shooting and then when I stop and let go of the pan handle, the tripod just freezes in position. The Ace Ms three steps (plus zero) of SA-drag for pan and tilt allow him to dial in just the right feel for these shots.

Fenster said that the more he uses his Ace M, the more he has learned about what it can do. I was in a big crowd the other day at a political rally with all these people. I just collapsed the legs on the Ace and used it as a monopod. Its light enough so that you dont have to throw it over your shoulder, you can just pick it up an inch off the ground to move, and then plop it down. For somebody like me whos doing mostly one-man-band stuff, its going to extend my career.

For more information, go to www.sachtler.com.

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