SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Review

I frequently receive product review offers, but a lack of time limits what I can accept. This offer caught my attention. My SCG (Smooth Camera Gear) Pro rep's claim that the original T8 fluid head and Stedifast tripod match or exceed the performance of specified alternatives with considerably higher price tags was a big claim. Raising the bar was that the T8 gen 2 update further improved the design. Delivery of an SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head and StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod System ensued, with the promise of a tell-it-like-it-is review due in return.

One of the easiest methods of improving video quality is to smooth the camera movements by using a fluid head, and I'm on a continuous quest to find better support.

My preference list includes the capability of supporting and counterbalancing any camera gear in the kit, which includes lenses ranging from small to 600mm f/4.

I find the lineup of video heads intriguing. Video heads at B&H range in price from $29.95 to $37,507.00 for the Ronford-Baker Atlas 7 3-Axis Fluid Head (and the ARRIHEAD 2 Production Tripod Head has a higher, not disclosed price). Neither end of that range works for me, and selecting a model with a great price-performance ratio, a strong value, was the initial goal, with significantly upgraded performance becoming a later goal.

Along with performance, fluid head size and weight tend to increase with the price. The best fluid head for general-purpose use required reasonable portability — a modest size and weight.

As a quick background, my fluid video tripod head adventure started with the Manfrotto 608 Nitrotech Fluid Video Head, a good value choice. I purchased the Cartoni Focus 10 Fluid Head Video Head next. The Cartoni Focus 10 costs nearly twice as much as the Manfrotto 608 Nitrotech, but it was worth the upgrade.

With a taste of better, the Sachtler aktiv10 Fluid Head was the next upgrade purchased. Its price tag was nearly 3x higher than the Cartoni's, but I again opted for the higher performance option.

Then came the SCG head. My rep did not claim the T8 G2's performance would exceed that of the aktiv10, but the comparison seemed intriguing, especially with the SCG's far lower price tag promising a greater value.

SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Tour

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The SCG T8 G2 features a typical fluid video head designed over a standard, commonly available, 75mm bowl (note that a bowl adapter is required for use on sliders, etc.). The head is housed in a strong, aluminum alloy case fully containing the working mechanisms.

A fluid resistance control knob and a lock knob are provided for each movement, panning and tilt. The locks are caliper disk brakes, but they are not intended for use as a drag/friction control, as was required to address insufficient damping in older head types. That design has two drawbacks: the resistance is based on friction rather than fluid damping, which can lead to less smooth motion; and over time, friction-based resistance can wear down, eventually compromising both the locking function and overall control.

The other standard control, adjusting counterbalance, removes the effects of gravity from the setup.

Starting this tour at the bottom, the machined aluminum bowl locking knob is nicely shaped and permits a strong lockdown, with easy spinning for installation and removal.

The panning fluid resistance control wraps around the head just above the bowl adapter.

This click-stepped ring rotates 90° in 8 steps, with panning fluid resistance ranging from free at 0 to tight at 7. This ring's design makes it easy to grasp and turn, and the click stops provide satisfying tactile and audible feedback.

Before using a head with stepped fluid adjustments for the first time, I was concerned about missing continuous adjustments. However, directly adjusting to an expected resistance using a number was advantageous, and I don't find the stepped settings to be a disadvantage. Note that fluid head resistance changes often require some head movement before taking effect (this is normal).

The panning lock lever locks the base quickly and tightly. Resistance with a partially tightened panning lock is mostly smooth up until fully locked, but as mentioned, it is not intended to create drag.

The vertically oriented tilt fluid resistance control is designed like the panning resistance control. This click-stepped ring also has 8 indexed steps, with resistance again ranging from free at 0 to tight at 7. Again, this ring is easy to grasp and turn, and the click stops provide satisfying tactile and audible feedback.

Like the panning lock, the tilt lock lever locks the tilt movement down quickly and tightly. Movement with a partially tightened panning lock is mostly smooth up until fully locked, but again, it should be considered a lock and not a friction control.

A large counterbalance control dial is located on the rear of the head. The 16-step counterbalance adjustment allows precise, non-fiddly adjustment ranging from 0 up to this head's 26.5 lb (12.5kg) rating. This feature removes the gravity factor from tilting, permitting the up- or down-angled camera and lens to remain stationary without hand pressure. No flopping over, and no return to zero. The range switch on the front of the head shifts between the 0-7 and 8-15 weight ranges. The counterbalance adjustment dial's button-like center is non-functional.

Note that the counterbalance, along with the 2-way movement feature, replaces the utility of a gimbal head.

A rosette mount is provided on each side of the back of the head.

Use these to attach the included long, extending to 22.6" (57.4 cm) aluminum pan bar (strong, with only a slight flex) and other accessories such as a monitor and articulating arm.

The replaceable rosettes have centered 1/4" ports.

It is important for a video head to be leveled. On the back, just above the head's base, is a spirit level.

Tilting the mounting clamp forward provides a reasonably unobstructed view from the top. The metal button next to the level turns on a light below the level for 30 seconds, enabling setup in complete darkness without the aid of a flashlight.

As usual, the camera mounting system is on top. The plate top loads into the clamp, with the clamp snapping closed and permitting fore and aft balance adjustment before being fully locked with the red metal clamp knob. Pressing the red metal safety release button is required to fully release the plate.

An industry-standard 5.1" (130mm) sideload plate is included. This plate has indexing, centered on 0, to aid in quick balance adjustment.

Cameras and lenses attach to the plate via mounting screws featuring both flat slots and a hex. Remember that multiple screw attachments prevent twisting. 1/4" and 3/8" mounting plate screws are attached to the sides of the head and readily available.

This quick-release system functions well. As my kit is based on the Arca standard, I mounted a Really Right Stuff Lever-Release Clamp to the SCG plate.

While the just-discussed controls are somewhat standard for a fluid video head, the T8 G2 performs its functions at a level far above its price point.

SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Specifications

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In addition to the T8 G2, SCG offers a selection of head models, including the T6 (75mm bowl, 0 to 15.4 lb / 0 to 7 kg capacity) to the T16 (100mm bowl, 6.6 to 35.3 lb / 3 to 16 kg capacity).

Here are the T8 G2 specifications:

	T8 G2
Base Mount	75mm Half Ball
Vertical Tilt	+90° to -75°
Load Capacity	0 to 26.5 lb (0 to 12kg)
Counterbalance	0 - 15 Steps
Total Height w/ Knob	9.4" (239mm)
Height Above Bowl	6.5" (165mm)
Width w/o Arm	5.5" (140mm)
Length w/o Arm	4.5" (114mm)
Clamp Length	3.9" (99mm)
Weight	6 lb (2.7kg)
Temp Range	-40° to 140° (-40° to 60° C)

Primarily, the differences between the T8 G2 and T16 are the bowl size, supported weight range, and price. The previous T8 did not support the full T8 G2's weight range.

Aside from the good quality plastic lock knobs, this head is solidly metal constructed.

Balancing the SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Video Head

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Precise balancing is a critical fluid head performance factor. Balancing involves sliding the Manfrotto-standard mounting plate forward or backward, followed by counterweight adjustment for the specific load mounted. Fortunately, the setup is easy.

Lock down the panning base. Ensure the camera is supported in hand, adjust the tilt resistance to 0, and loosen the tilt drag control until there is no resistance. Next, slide the mounting plate forward or backward until the rig is balanced when level. Lock the plate into the balanced position.

Then, adjust the counterbalance until the pressure matches the weight of the lens. When the counterbalance is properly adjusted, the lens can be tilted front or back without gravity affecting the position upon release of the handle.

Adjust the four fluid and drag controls as desired to finalize the setup.

The SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Video Head In Use

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Any strong head, including considerably less expensive ones, can solidly hold a big camera and lens setup when fully locked. You get a fluid video head primarily for unlocked use, specifically for smooth pan and tilt motions, and this head is an impressive performer in that regard. Its movements in both directions are super smooth.

To exaggerate any weaknesses in the system, the large, long, heavy, high-magnification combination of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens was loaded. This pair balanced at a 6 counterbalance setting, leaving plenty of room for far heavier rigs.

Backlash (pushback, kickback, rebound) is a fluid head performance differentiator. Backlash shows itself in video footage as the camera panning or tilting in the reverse direction upon hand pressure release, such as pausing at the end of a movement, and the 600mm lens magnifies any deficiencies in that regard. The tripod is also a factor in this performance, and the StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod was used for testing this head.

In the tilt direction, with a precisely dialed-in balance, this head shows practically only minor backlash at "0", no resistance. Higher resistance settings are more forgiving to balance, and backlash is quite minor over the entire resistance range.

In the panning direction, expect a significant rebound with some side-to-side bounce when releasing the handle at the "0" resistance setting. The tripod especially factors into panning rebound performance, and firmly anchoring the legs to the floor, including slightly stretching the legs apart, or the ground makes a difference.

Still, there is significant rebound, even side-to-side wobble, at "0". If recording at "0", don't release the handle. The performance is vastly improved with resistance, and only minor pushback is seen at the "1" through "7" settings,

Remarkable is how close this performance comes to that of the Sachtler aktiv10.

Reduce the focal length of the lens and expect the movement to be reduced by roughly the relative difference. Primarily, only movement in the "0" settings is realized when letting go of the handle with a 70mm lens mounted.

The friction controls lock the head tightly. You are more likely to push the tripod over than overcome these locks.

Vibration control also partially relies on the tripod's capability, and the T8 G2 and SCG StediFast HD matched set dissipated 600mm vibrations from a firm lateral tap on the arm in about a second at standing height, and less than that at a fully retracted height. That is an excellent performance, and again, this performance is close to that of my Sachtler setup.

So, for a mid-level price, this head produces high-end fluid performance that creates a difference visible in the video results, including extremely smooth movements with mostly minor or no backlash when releasing the panning handle pressure, even with a 600mm lens mounted. The perfect pan and tilt moves still require a skilled operator, but this head makes acquiring them, even with a large lens and long focal length, quite easy.

The SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Video Head features a limited 3-year warranty. SCG provided the reviewed T8 G2 Fluid Head Video Head.

Summary

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A fluid video head is a basic part of a videographer's kit, and if quality results are important to you, that fluid head must be a high-performing model. With the T8 G2 Fluid Head, SCG brings high-end of its class performance down to a mid-level price.

The SCG T8 G2 is a strong, well-designed, easy-to-use, superior-performing fluid head that is ready to deliver professional-grade with-motion video. While you often get what you pay for in the fluid tripod head world, this head delivers more than that. It's a great bargain.