Sachtler Video 25, 20 years with no use, still good?

[Mikko Suomalainen]

Hi!

I was offered a very good deal of Sachtler Video 25 head and legs, which have been used last in the early nineties, and then stored for about 20 years. The head is in good shape, but it's not fully functional. Both the tilt and pan friction works fine with steps 1-4, but after four the last three steps don't have any affect.

Do you think this is just a result of the long storage, and it should go away with some lubing and servicing? Or does it maybe need new fluid modules?

The thing is, I need to decide quickly (before someone else takes it), and I don't have time to take it to a repair-guy before that.

The price is very cheap, and I'm ready to invest some money for servicing it.

-Mikko

 

[stu aull]

Call Sachtler. Fluid modules are pricey. Their tech service guys can tell you what to expect.
25 is an overkill head unless you have a _really_ loaded RED. I had an 18II that was fine, but even it is a heavy bastid. But hey, if its a good deal. Worst case, buy it and if you need to sell off the Head (I did for an HD509 Manfrotto head, since my 18II needed major service after 20 yrs use) for some good coin, hang on to the sticks...

Stu Aull
SX 199
Alaska

 

[Mikko Suomalainen]

25 is an overkill? I am with Red One, not Epic. I think 20 might be enough, but 18 is too little, I've tried it. The camera with all accesories weighs a lot. I had a Miller 80 head (which maximum is 80lbs) and that worked fine for me, but it broked.
I'll call a tripod technician on monday and we'll see.

The price is around 1300€ with the legs.

 

[ericyoung]

My Sachtler Video 20Mk2 is great for Epic, and OK for light to medium Red One setups. Big cine prime lenses or especially cine zooms will hit the limits of a Video 20.

I had an Angenieux 25-250mm with EVF, cradle, Red drive, Red brick battery, 19mm bars and 7"LCD and the 20Mk2 head counterbalance couldn't quite fully balance the load. It did work OK with heavy tilt drag - just about.