Sachtler Cine 50

Copyright and Disclaimer

Copyright © 2024 Videndum Production Solutions Ltd. All rights reserved.

This publication may not be stored, transmitted, copied, or reproduced in any form without prior written permission from Videndum Plc.

The information in this publication is believed to be correct at the time of printing. Videndum Ltd reserves the right to make changes to specifications without prior notification. Videndum Production Solutions Ltd reserves the right to make changes to product design and functionality without notification.

Trademarks are the property of Videndum Plc or their respective companies.

Published by: Videndum Production Solutions Ltd. Email: publications@videndum.com

1 Safety

General Safety

Important information on the safe installation and operation of this product. Read this information before operating the product. For your personal safety, read these instructions.

Do not operate the product if you do not understand how to use it safely. Save these instructions for future reference.

Warning Symbols Used in these Instructions

Safety cautions are included in these instructions. These safety instructions must be followed to avoid possible personal injury and avoid possible damage to the product.

• Warning!: Indicates a risk of personal injury or injury to others.
• Caution!: Indicates a risk of damage to the product, associated equipment, process, or surroundings.

⚠️ Warning! Pinch point, injury to fingers or hands, exercise caution.

Health and Safety

Risk of personal injury or injury to others. All personnel must be fully trained and adhere to correct manual handling techniques and Health & Safety regulations. It is the responsibility of the local organisation to enforce safe working practices at all times.

Mounting and Installation

• Warning! Do not fit a head to a tripod that cannot support the combined mass of the head and its full payload.
• Warning! Do not place fingers between the platform and the body of the fluid head.
• Caution! Always lock the horizontal and vertical brakes when the camera is mounted but not in use or when leveling the fluid head on the tripod.
• Caution! Hold the camera securely when mounting or dismounting from the fluid head and when making adjustments to the tripod height or footprint.
• Caution! Always hold the pan bar when making adjustments to the counterbalance or camera position. Do not use the pan bar to lift or move the tripod and fluid head.
• Caution! Do not attach heavy items to the pan bar.
• Caution! Always remove the camera before transporting.

Maintenance

• Warning! The fitting of non-approved parts and/or accessories or servicing by non-approved personnel could affect the safety of the product. It may also invalidate the terms and conditions of the product warranty.
• Caution! When replacing the battery, only use the same or an equivalent type of battery recommended for use with this product.

General (Safety)

• Caution! When releasing the vertical brake, make sure that the camera is secured against any sudden movement.
• Caution! Before releasing the vertical brake (at a non-balanced camera setup) or the clamping of the camera/balance plate, the camera must be secured against sudden movement, otherwise there may be a danger of finger trapping.
• Caution! During camera tilt movements with extreme tilt angles, there may be a danger of finger trapping between the sideload plate and housing for users and third persons.
• Caution! Before transport, reset fluid drag to "0".

2 Operating Elements

The Sachtler Cine 50 fluid head features several key operating elements:

Main Components (Diagram Description)

• Sideload lever: Used for securing and releasing the camera plate.
• Illuminated touch bubble: A self-illuminating spirit level for easy leveling, activated by tapping.
• Counterbalance adjustment knob: Adjusts the counterbalance mechanism in steps.
• Battery compartment for touch bubble: Houses the batteries for the illuminated spirit level.
• Tilt safety lock: Locks the tilt movement of the head.
• Counterbalance step switch: Allows selection of intermediate counterbalance steps.
• Horizontal drag adjustment: Controls the resistance for panning movements.
• Sideload plate: The plate that attaches to the camera and slides into the head.
• Rosette for front pan bar: Connection point for the pan bar.
• Horizontal brake: Locks the panning movement.
• Snap lock: Secures the camera plate in place.
• Rosette for left pan bar: Alternative connection point for the pan bar.
• Safety lock: A secondary lock for the sideload lever.
• Adaptor viewfinder extension: Provision for mounting viewfinder extensions.
• Vertical brake: Locks the tilt movement.
• Tie down: For securing the head.
• Klemmschale (Clamping Shell): The part of the head that grips the camera plate.
• Rastklaue (Catch Claw): Part of the snap lock mechanism.
• Sperrknopf (Locking Knob): The red safety lock button.
• Aufbau Arretierung (Assembly Lock): Another term for the tilt safety lock.
• Steuerring der vertikalen Dämpfung (Vertical Drag Control Ring): Adjusts vertical fluid drag.
• Steuerring der horizontalen Dämpfung (Horizontal Drag Control Ring): Adjusts horizontal fluid drag.
• Stufen Schalter für Gewichtsausgleich (Step Switch for Counterbalance): Selects counterbalance steps.

3 Operation

3.1 Levelling the Fluid Head

To level the Cine 50 fluid head:

1. Apply the vertical brake of the Cine 50 and secure the camera with one hand.
2. Loosen the clamping screw of the fluid head.
3. Move the head so the bubble in the illuminated spirit level is centered within the black circle.
4. Tighten the clamping screw firmly.

Touch Bubble Illumination

The Cine 50 features a self-illuminating spirit level for easy leveling in low-light conditions. The illumination is activated by tapping the bubble. The brightness varies with the force of the tap, and the light can last up to 45 seconds.

3.2 Removing the Camera Plate

The Cine 50 uses a sideload camera plate clamp mechanism:

1. Hold the camera plate with one hand.
2. Press the red safety lock.
3. Open the sideload lever approximately 180° until it stops.
4. Press down the snap lock.
5. Remove the camera plate.

3.3 Mounting the Camera

Attach the camera plate near the camera's center of gravity.

1. Turn the counterbalance knob to position 9.
2. Apply the horizontal brake and release the vertical brake.
3. Tilt the head through the horizontal position; the counterbalance springs should engage with an audible click.
4. Lock the head with the tilt safety lock by pulling out the red knob and turning it 90°. Ensure the green marking is no longer visible, indicating the lock is engaged and the head cannot be tilted.
5. Insert the camera plate into the dovetail guides on the head.
6. Lower the camera (with plate attached) until the snap lock springs back and secures the plate in a flat position.
7. Close the sideload lever until the red safety lock clicks into place.

Adjustment of Clamping Force

The Cine 50 is compatible with camera plates from other manufacturers (e.g., O'Connor, ARRI). Due to potential manufacturing tolerances, the clamping force may need adjustment. Use the provided Allen screw in the sideload lever: turn clockwise to increase force, counterclockwise to decrease force.

3.4 Removing the Camera

1. Lock the head with the tilt safety lock (pull out red knob, turn 90°, green marking disappears). Ensure the head is locked in the horizontal position and cannot be tilted.
2. Hold the camera with one hand.
3. Press the red safety lock.
4. Open the sideload lever approximately 180° until it stops.
5. Press down the snap lock.
6. Remove the camera.

3.5 Positioning the Camera

1. Hold the camera using the pan bar.
2. Apply the horizontal brake and release the vertical brake and tilt safety lock (pull out red knob, turn 90°). The green marking on the red knob should become visible. Rocking the pan bar can help.
3. Turn the counterbalance knob to position 1. Continue holding the camera.
4. Set the vertical drag adjustment ring to 0.
5. Press the red safety lock and open the sideload lever approximately 90°.
6. To balance the camera, position its center of gravity directly above the fluid head's pivot point. Slide the camera plate forward for a rear-heavy setup or backward for a front-heavy setup. The camera should remain horizontal without falling forward or backward.
7. Lock the camera plate by closing the sideload lever until the red safety lock engages.

Caution: If you cannot center the camera, reposition the camera plate on the camera.

3.6 Adjusting the Camera's Counterbalance

1. Hold the camera using the pan bar.
2. Release the vertical brake.
3. Release the safety lock.
4. Turn the counterbalance knob to the setting that best compensates for the camera's weight.
5. After each spring engages, check if the camera remains stable in a tilted position without significant upward or downward movement.
6. Use the half-step switch to select intermediate settings (e.g., 1½, 2½, 3½).

3.7 Setting of the Drag

The Cine 50 offers nine drag levels for both horizontal and vertical movements, plus a zero setting. Adjust the desired fluid drag by turning the respective setting rings.

• Turn the setting ring to "0" to completely switch off the drag.
• Setting both rings to the same index number (e.g., "3") provides identical horizontal and vertical drag, enabling smooth, jerk-free diagonal movements. Always turn the setting to the next indexed position. Engage retainer pins by slowly panning or tilting the camera.

Panning or tilting the camera with settings between indexed positions can damage retainer pins and/or disks.

3.8 Brakes

The horizontal brake locks panning, and the vertical brake locks tilting. Both brakes are vibrationless and can be operated with one hand during shooting.

3.9 Support for View Finder Extension and Front Box

The Cine 50 includes provisions for mounting a viewfinder extension support system on the left side and drill holes at the front for a Front Box bracket.

3.10 Change of the Batteries

The illuminated spirit level is powered by three standard button cells (type 625 U or LR9). Open the battery compartment with a sharp object like a screwdriver. Ensure new batteries are inserted according to the "+" and "-" markings. A set of batteries provides approximately 2000 illumination cycles.

3.11 Transport Setting for Drag, Counterbalance, and Brakes

To maintain smooth operation of the drag setting rings over the fluid head's lifespan, turn both setting rings from position "0" to the maximum position before and after use.

Setting during transportation:

• Open both brakes (horizontal and vertical).
• Counterbalance and drag should be set to their maximum positions.

4 Technical Specification

4.1 General Data

• Payload: 10 - 50 kg (22 - 110 lbs)
• Counterbalance: 18 steps
• Grades of drag: 9 each horizontally and vertically, plus 0
• Tilt angle: +90° / -60°
• Sliding range: 150 mm (5.9 in)
• Weight: 10.1 kg (22.3 lbs)
• Panning range: 360°
• Temperature range: -40°C (-40°F) to 60°C (140°F)
• Weight: 9.4 kg (20.7 lb)
• Max. load: 50 kg (110.2 lb)
• Camera fitting: Sideload
• Tripod / Pedestal fitting: 150 mm bowl
• Pan bar: One telescopic pan bar, length 430 - 600 mm (16.9 - 23.6 in)
• Batteries: 3 each 625 U or LR9

4.2 Dimensions

The fluid head has the following approximate dimensions:

• Height: 237 mm
• Base Diameter: Ø150 mm
• Width (main body): 94 mm

The pan bar is telescopic with a length adjustable from 430 mm to 600 mm.

5 Warranty

Warranty expires if:

• The fluid head was operated improperly or not in line with the specified technical data.
• The head housing was opened by unauthorized personnel.

Videndum Production Solutions Ltd. reserves the right to make changes based on technical advances.

Please register at www.sachtler.com for an extended warranty period.

General Notices

UK Declaration of Conformity

Videndum Production Solutions Ltd. declares under its sole responsibility that the product detailed in this manual conforms with all relevant provisions of the following UK Regulations:

• The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
• The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012

A copy of the declaration is available on request. UK contact: Videndum Production Solutions Ltd, William Vinten Building, Easlea Road, Bury St. Edmunds, IP32 7BY.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Videndum Production Solutions Ltd., supported by Videndum Production Solutions GmbH (authorized representative), declares that the product detailed in this manual conforms with all relevant provisions of the following EU directives:

• Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2011/65/EU
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
• Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU

A copy of the declaration is available on request. EU contact: Videndum Production Solutions GmbH, Parkring 29, 85748 Garching, Germany.

FCC Compliance Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.

Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.

Environmental Considerations

European Union Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2012/19/EU):

The symbol ♲ (crossed-out wheeled bin) marked on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with general household waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potentially negative consequences for the environment and human health. Recycling of materials helps conserve natural resources. Visit the website for information on disposal.

In countries outside the EU: Dispose of this product at a collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment according to local government regulations.

Disposal of waste batteries: Batteries included with this product must not be treated as household waste. Ensure proper disposal to prevent negative environmental and health consequences and conserve natural resources. Refer to "Changing the Battery" in this user guide for instructions on safe battery removal. Hand batteries over to the applicable collection point for recycling.