Sachtler Aktiv8 Tripod Head Problems.

Below are a few tests showing the behavior of this head with it’s intermittent, and random ejection from the tripod. Fortunately, this has only happened on set once and my DP caught the camera! 

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//// UPDATE AND POSSIBLE SOLVE///// AFTER I TOOK APART THE BOWL TIE-DOWN CONNECTOR, I NOTICED SOME INCONSISTENCIES IN THE THREAD. IF THE TENSION IS FORCING IT TO JUMP TO THE NEXT THREAD BECAUSE OF POOR METAL/MILLING THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY IT “JUMPS” AND WHEN MOVING THE HEAD AROUND CAUSES IT TO GET LOOSER AND EVENTUALLY JUMPS THE THREAD. 

I received a new bolt (made in Costa Rica) and so far it’s behaving as it should.

Check out the milling and machining on these threads!

….and yes, I’ve watched the official installation video.
I’ve tried mounting on the loose side since some folks said the control knob seemed too tight and installed with the proper tension leaving the lever between 60º – 45º. Loose, tight, just right, all yield the same results.