How to Balance a Professional Tripod: Complete Guide for Sachtler Video Heads & O’Connor Moy Systems

Balancing a professional tripod is one of the most essential skills for camera operators, whether you’re working in broadcast, documentary, commercial or high-end film. A well-balanced tripod allows smooth pans and tilts, accurate movement, and a safer operating environment for both the crew and the equipment.

This guide breaks down the full step-by-step process of balancing professional fluid heads like the Sachtler Video 18 or Video 20, and also covers the additional techniques required for heavier-duty O’Connor 2560 and 2575 Moy head systems commonly used on major film productions.

1. Choosing the Right Tripod for the Weight of Your Camera Setup

Before balancing anything, the most important step is selecting the correct tripod for the payload you’re working with.

Why it matters

Every tripod head has:

• a minimum payload
• a maximum payload

Both are equally important.
A head that is too small will struggle to support the rig, resulting in:

• drag inconsistencies
• poor counterbalance
• unsafe operating
• excessive flex or vibration

But bigger isn’t always better either.

If your camera rig is too light for a high-capacity tripod:

• the counterbalance won’t engage properly
• tilting becomes uneven or “floaty”
• subtle movements become harder to control
• you’re carrying unnecessary weight to location

Typical guideline

• Lightweight Tripods such as a Manfrotto 504 or a Sachtler FSB 6 → for less than 10kg
• Sachtler Video 18 → ideal for 6–18kg builds
• Sachtler Video 20 → ideal for 8–25kg builds
• O’Connor 2560 / 2575 → ideal for 20–40kg cinema setups

When estimating weight, remember to include:

• camera body
• lens
• matte box + filters
• follow-focus motors
• V-lock batteries / power distro
• Any wireless systems, cheese plates

A “5kg camera” can quickly become 12–15kg once you’ve rigged!

2. Balancing the Centre of Gravity (COG)

Once your camera is mounted on the head, the first task is to achieve neutral balance.

How to balance COG

1. Lock the tilt axis fully.
2. Slide the camera forward/back along the plate or dovetail.
3. Unlock tilt just slightly to test the direction it wants to fall.
4. Adjust gradually until the camera stays level without dropping forward or backward.
5. When the rig holds its own position with minimal movement, you’ve achieved a correct COG.

Balancing centre of gravity is crucial before engaging counterbalance. If the COG is too far off, the springs won’t help you.

3. Setting the Correct Counterbalance

Counterbalance ensures your camera stays where you put it during tilts, without tipping or fighting the head.

Steps to set counterbalance

1. Unlock tilt fully.
2. Increase counterbalance until the camera holds its position at any angle.
3. Test multiple angles:
   • straight up
   • level
   • 45° down
   • full tilt

If the camera slowly drifts or “springs back,” you need to fine-tune COG or add more counterbalance.

4. Choosing the Right Pan and Tilt Drag

Fluid drag controls the resistance you feel when moving the camera.

When to use higher drag

• long lenses
• heavy rigs
• slow, cinematic movement
• controlled broadcast pans

When to use lower drag

• fast handheld-style movement
• sport/action work
• light camera builds

Smooth operating relies on matching drag to the mass and momentum of your setup—not simply cranking it up to max.

5. Using Heavy-Duty Moy Head Tripods (O’Connor 2560 & 2575)

For large cinema packages, it’s common to step up to Moy-based systems, particularly the O’Connor 2560 and O’Connor 2575. These heads are industry standards on commercials, dramas and feature films due to their high load capacity and legendary fluid feel.

When to choose a Moy head

These tripods are designed for rigs in the 20–40kg range, such as:

• ARRI Alexa Mini LF with large Optimo or Cooke zooms
• ARRI Alexa 35 with full wireless, motors, matte box, and large batteries
• RED V-Raptor XL builds
• Studio configurations with multiple accessories

If your build includes a heavy zoom lens, distributed rigging or advanced wireless systems, a Moy head becomes essential for safety and smooth operation.

6. Additional Steps Required for O’Connor 2560/2575

Balancing a Moy head is similar in principle but requires extra attention due to the higher payload.

6.1 Using a Dovetail + Mitchell/Moy Plate

Instead of a small quick-release, you’ll use a full ARRI-standard dovetail.

Steps:

1. Mount dovetail securely to the baseplate.
2. Seat it into the O’Connor head.
3. Tighten the main clamp fully (never half-tight).
4. Confirm the safety catch is engaged.

This prevents twist and maintains rigidity under heavy loads.

6.2 Rough-Balance Before Fine Counterbalance

Unlock the tilt partially, adjust a few centimetres at a time, and test again.
With heavy rigs, always balance in small increments to prevent tipping.

6.3 Using Stepless O’Connor Counterbalance

O’Connor’s stepless counterbalance is extremely precise.

To set it:

1. Unlock tilt fully.
2. Increase counterbalance until the rig holds any position.
3. Test through the full tilt arc without drift.

This is essential—large rigs build up enormous leverage when tilted.

6.4 Pan & Tilt Drag for Heavy Rigs

O’Connor heads offer very high drag settings, perfect for:

• long zooms
• big cinema cameras
• slow dramatic moves

If drag feels uneven, revisit counterbalance rather than over-tightening drag.

6.5 Confirm Full Tripod Stability

Always double-check:

• leg locks
• spreader engagement
• Mitchell plate seating
• overall balance

A 30+ kg rig demands absolute stability.

7. Final Thoughts: Matching the Tripod to the Job

A properly balanced tripod transforms the operator’s job:

• pans are smooth
• tilts are controlled
• shots look more professional
• operators avoid fighting the camera
• equipment remains safer on set

Choose the right tripod for your payload, balance it carefully, and use the drag settings intentionally.

Whether you’re using a Sachtler Video 18, Video 20, or a heavier O’Connor 2560/2575, the fundamentals remain the same—balance, counterbalance, and control.

If you’re insure which tripod you need for your setup, feel free to ask! Our team are all very experienced and can point you in the right direction.

Media Dog’s Dave, with a rigged up camera on a Moy Tripod: