Tripods and Gimbal

Camera support in the ACOCA Media kit covers both ends of the job: holding a shot perfectly still, and moving with it smoothly.

Sachtler aktiv8 on flowtech 75 legs

The main tripod. Sachtler is what most network camera crews trust, and it is what Sam has worked on for years. The aktiv8 head gives smooth, controlled pans and tilts and levels in seconds, without the usual fiddling under the head. The flowtech carbon fibre legs open and lock from the top with one hand, so the camera is up and steady quickly on a pavement, a hillside or a hotel carpet.

• Great for: long lenses, fast setups, uneven ground, the main interview camera
• Worth knowing: for very low or very high angles we bring extra support

SmallRig AD-50 Max

A light carbon fibre tripod for the second camera on interviews. It holds a locked-off shot reliably and adds very little weight to the travel kit.

• Great for: the second angle on two-camera interviews
• Worth knowing: it is for locked-off shots, so camera moves stay on the Sachtler

DJI RS4 Pro gimbal

The camera stabiliser, usually carrying the FX3. It keeps the picture steady while the operator walks, climbs stairs or follows someone through a crowd. We pair it with a Tilta support rig, a belt and harness that takes the weight off the operator's arms, so shots stay steady late into a long day.

• Great for: walk-and-talks, following a subject, adding movement to corporate and brand films
• Worth knowing: it needs a few minutes to rebalance when lenses change