Documentarian Bill Fenster Selects Sachtler Ace M

Sacthler has revealed how documentarian Bill Fenster, who is based in Phoenix, Arizona, is currently using the company's Ace M Fenster while chasing Arizona gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal around the state for a documentary.
"I'm doing it by myself," he says. "I've 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 M's 0 to 8.8 pound payload range handles the camera packages Fenster mounts on them.
Fenster says a tripod is really put to the test when he's 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."
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, I'm able to move across the page — or whatever I'm shooting — and then when I stop and let go of the pan handle, the tripod just freezes in position."
The Ace M's three steps (plus zero) of SA-drag™ for pan and tilt allow him to dial in just the right feel for these shots.
"I was in a big crowd the other day — at a political rally with all these people," he says.
"I just collapsed the legs on the Ace and used it as a monopod. It's light enough so that you don't 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 who's doing mostly one-man-band stuff, it's going to extend my career."
www.sachtler.com
(IT/JP)