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The Sachtler Story

Cameraman, actor, and inventor, Wendelin Sachtler, made a significant contribution to the process of pictures becoming “movies”.  With a pioneering spirit and inventive mind, he founded a company that has lead camera support engineering for over 60 years.

In 1958 he developed his own tripod head, a turning point for the film industry. His so-called gyro head could not only be panned and tilted but was also dampened by a gyro-system. Filmmakers were now finally able to execute pans without having to fight against their equipment gaining momentum.

The History of Sachtler

1950s

Wendelin Sachtler and Heinrich Wolf, an engineer from Mannhelm, ran a hire shop for camera and film making equipment. Together, from their small workshop on Herzogstraße, Schwabing, they developed tripods with gyro-fluid heads as well as gel frames, pedestals and zoom drives.

1958

Wendelin Sachtler develops his first commercial tripod head, using a ground-breaking gyro-system to allow filmmakers to easily execute pans and tilts. Sachtler was a man of many talents. As an actor, cameraman and inventor, he knew exactly what filmmakers needed from their gear.

Wendelin Sachtler | 1923 - 1979

1967

Sachtler develops its first fluid heads with lubrication grease dampening.

1977

After extensive experiments and trials, Sachtler patents its legendary permanent-sealed damping system. The use of hermetically sealed modules makes the system much more resistant to external factors than other alternatives.

Old Sachtler products lineup

“A glance at the daily news is enough for the attentive viewer to notice the famous Sachtler logo.”

1978

After extensive experiments and trials, Sachtler patents its legendary permanent-sealed damping system. The use of hermetically sealed modules makes the system much more resistant to external factors than other alternatives.

Sachtler introduces its first carbon fibre tripods

1988

Sachtler unveils the first daylight luminaire with 125W. Filmmakers and broadcasters now have a mobile source of flicker-free light.

1991

Sachtler markets its complete range of daylight and tungsten luminaires.

Sachtler markets its complete range of daylight and tungsten luminaires.

1991

Sachtler is awarded with a Scientific and Technical Academy Award (Oscar) for it’s range of fluid heads. The Scientific and Engineering Award is given for achievements that produce a definite influence on the advancement of the motion picture industry.

1991 Scientific and Technical Academy Award

1995

Sachtler becomes part of Videndum, a leading global provider of premium branded products and solutions to the “image capture and content creation” market.

1998

Sachtler is recognised by the Society of Camera Operators with the coveted SOC Technical Achievement Award for its ground-breaking fluid head technology.

2001

The artemis camera stabilising system is released. It’s the first complete system of arm, vest, and rig manufactured in Europe. Using a patented HD wiring loom and with efficient battery management, it was the world’s first stabiliser designed for HD digital cinematography.

2003

Sachtler Corporation acquires cinematic camera support systems provider, OConnor Engineering.

2004

Sachtler moves to a new headquarters in Eching, 18km north of Munich.

2005

Speedbalance technology allows for much faster counterbalancing of fluid heads.

2006

Sachtler launches the Cine 30 HD fluid head with sideload technology.

David Lynch with a Speedbalance Head

2006

In another year of ground-breaking innovation, Sachtler makes headlines with the release of the starter system Artemis DVPro FX, the ACT 2 vest and ACT 2 spring arm. Rounding off an amazing year, next comes the SOOM multifunctional camera support tool along with a range of compatible products: the FSB heads, the battery concept FSB CELL and the Reporter 8LED.

Sachtler receives the TV Technology STAR of 2007 Award for SOOM. 1+1+1=4! The SOOM HiPod system intelligently combines TriPod, TriSpread and Tube, to make four products from three.

Sachtler starter systems

2015

Sachtler Receives the TV Technology STAR of 2007 Award for SOOM. 1+1+1=4! The SOOM HiPod system intelligently combines TriPod, TriSpread and Tube, to make four products from three.

2016

The modular artemis system, highly regarded by professional camera operators and widely used on film and television productions all over the world is sold to ARRI who become the sole global sales and service provider for all artemis products.

2017

In partnership with Vinten, Sachtler launches the award-winning flowtech®75. A versatile, lightweight tripod that is easier and faster to deploy and adjust than any other tripod. Leveraging the best from both brands, the revolutionary technology combines the speed of deployment of Sachtler with the torsional rigidity of Vinten.

In partnership with Vinten, Sachtler launches the award-winning flowtech®75. A versatile, lightweight tripod that is easier and faster to deploy and adjust than any other tripod. Leveraging the best from both brands, the revolutionary technology combines the speed of deployment of Sachtler with the torsional rigidity of Vinten.

2017

flowtech picks up a trifecta of industry awards at IBC 2017. The Cinema5D Innovation Award, TVBEurope, Best of Show Award and the RedShark Award for best camera accessory.

Cinema5D Innovation Award, TVBEurope, Best of Show Award and the RedShark Award

2018

The Tripod revolution continues. Sachtler unveil flowtech®100. Compatible with all major 100 mm fluid heads, flowtech100 supports a payload of up to 30 kg (66 pounds), making it the ideal tripod for heavy-duty electronic newsgathering (ENG), electronic field production (EFP), and a wide range of wildlife, commercial, and documentary productions.

2018

At the Design and Art Direction (D&AD) Awards. flowtech receives a coveted Graphite Pencil award in the D&AD Consumer and Industrial Product Design category, sharing company with standout products such as Apple’s iPhone® X and Homepod.

flowtech receives a coveted Graphite Pencil award

2020

Fast gets faster. From the creators of the World’s Fastest Tripod Comes the Fluid Head Built for Speed. ‘aktiv’ with SpeedLevel™ and SpeedSwap™ technology – allows camera operators to mount, level and lock the head in seconds and to switch quickly from tripod, slider or hand-held shots in an instant to capture the widest range of shots in the shortest time.

aktiv - the fluid head built for speed

2021

Sachtler’s flowtech® aktiv range of professional camera support systems receives a coveted ‘G-Mark Award’ at the annual Good Design Awards in Tokyo. The G-Mark Japan GOOD DESIGN award is the largest design award in Asia and reflects Japanese design values and principles. Any product that carries the ‘G-Mark’ emblem reflects comprehensive design values and principles that aim to enrich lives, industries, and society.

An inventive mind

For over 60 years, Wendelin Sachtler’s inventive mind and guiding principles have been the very foundation on which the Sachtler philosophy is based. The company remains true to its founder’s values. Today, as in the past, the film and television industries equate Sachtler with quality, reliability and innovation. Through constant advances in product development and continual investments in the most modern manufacturing processes, Sachtler has maintained its standing in the industry for more than six decades.

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