The Cartoni Focus 18 Fluid Head features a 100mm ball base and supports loads between 13.2 to 40 lb, with perfect balance along its entire +/-90° tilt range.

The Focus 18 is one of four video heads in a lineup released as a follow-up to the Cartoni Focus HD head. The complete lineup is an evolution of the original Focus head released in 2005, and a definitive rebranding of 10 years of contribution to the entry- and mid-level user category. Like the others in the lineup, the Focus 18 consists of 127 parts, incorporates a universal plate system, and uses a new composite material in many parts that allows for a solid build while keeping the weight down. Like the rest, it also comes with the peace-of-mind of a 5-year warranty and, of course, features Cartoni's renowned counterbalance and very smooth, "true" fluid drag. The Focus 18 uses the same patented Delta silicon wedge counterbalance system used in Cartoni's successful Delta head, and features continuous counterbalance adjustment. Also, true to the Cartoni name, the entire head is designed, manufactured, and hand-assembled at the Cartoni factory in Rome, Italy. The 127 parts are machined or cast to micrometric precision and assembled and adjusted to precision by one engineer at a time.

The Focus 18 integrates the Sachtler Touch-and-Go 16 plate system, which is found on Sachtler's FSB and Video series heads. This advantage will allow you the flexibility to efficiently move your camera between compatible heads in a studio setting, and will also future-proof your head for possible such uses in the future.

The new composite material that's used is a sophisticated non-metal that's much stronger than aluminum and yet lighter. It is used in the tilt fluid knobs, pan fluid gears, and other parts throughout the body. This composite is also highly resistant to the stress of weight, bending, rubbing, and extreme temperatures, so where it's used in the mechanisms of the head it actually provides for more stress-endurance in addition to saving weight. This composite is the result of a collaboration between Cartoni and the Department of Physics and Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome.

The Focus 18 features a Cartoni-patented labyrinth modular fluid drag system, which consists of individual pan and tilt modules. Each module contains two main sections that have thin concentric rings inside them. The rings in one section interact with the rings in the other with aerospace industry silicon paste fluid between them that provides resistance. The two sections are never fully disengaged from one another, so movement is always smooth and with no play. With there being separate pan and tilt modules, pan drag and tilt drag are accordingly independent, but they work together to allow smooth, uninterrupted motion in any direction. Cartoni performs a laser-assisted, diagonal movement test on every head to ensure that there isn't even the slightest digression from a straight-line movement.

The pan drag control is a large ring in the center of the head that's easy to use even without looking. This and all other controls are designed with ergonomic grips that will feel more secure between your fingers. There's also an illuminated bubble-level that will be very helpful in dark settings. And a pan bar is included that can be attached to a rosette adapter on either side of the head. Additional pan bars are available sold separately.

100mm Ball Base; 13.2 to 40 lb Capacity    Perfect Balance Along +/-90° Tilt    Touch-and-Go 16 Euro-Style Plate System    127 Parts Made, Hand-Assembled in Italy    Labyrinth Modular "True" Fluid Drag    Continuous Counterbalance and Drag    Large Pan Drag Ring in the Center    Illuminated Bubble Level    Pan Bar Attachable on Either Side    5-Year Warranty

• 100mm ball base

• Supports loads between 13.2 to 40 lb

• Perfect balance along entire +/-90° tilt range

• Sachtler Touch-and-Go 16 Euro-style plate system

• Incorporates a sophisticated lightweight, extremely hard, and highly stress-resistant new composite material

• Labyrinth modular "true" fluid drag system

• Independent pan and tilt drag, with no play

• Continuous counterbalance and drag

• 127 parts, designed, manufactured, and hand-assembled at the Cartoni factory in Italy

• 5-year warranty

• Large pan drag ring in the center

• Ergonomic grips on all controls

• Illuminated bubble-level

• Includes a pan bar attachable on either side

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does E IMAGE GH 6 has some starting lag or something

A: For the E-Image GH06 Fluid Head, drag control can be adjusted with the 3-step, plus 0 settings for either pan and/or tilt. these will effectively adjust the amount of resistance toward panning and tilting. As E-Image suggests, the 0 setting, will have virtually no resistance.

Q: 2. So this is not a snap & go style quick release system, with the side lock mechanism?

A: This system has the Focus 8 Fluid Head with Sliding Plate System.

Q: 3. Will this fit an E-Image EG01A2 Two-Stage Aluminum Tripod?

A: We're afraid not. The E-Image EG01A2 has a 65mm bowl, which is an odd size found on the GH01 Pan/Tilt Fluid Head it comes with.https://bhpho.to/2kAaK9f

Q: 4. Does this Cartoni Focus 12 Red Lock System come with handle and the mid spreder?

A: Yes, the Cartoni Focus 12 Red Lock System (100mm Ball) comes with a pan bar and the Smart Lock Mid-Level Spreader.

Q: 5. Could I replace the head on my Libec LX7M Tripod with this one?

A: yes you should be able to, the libec accepts 75 mm ball

Q: 6. Is there fluid in this head or just friction disks? Everyone says fluid these days but it doesn't mean it actually has it.

A: I'm guessing is friction, I've never opened it so I don't know, but the fluid is not talking about a liquid, is talking that it has a fluid movement.

Q: 7. Height of the tripod when closed?

A: The Closed length of the Cartoni Focus 12 Fluid Head with 2-Stage Aluminum Smart-Stop SDS Tripod System is 34.5" ( inches)

Q: 8. Does this system include the new SDS mid level spreader seen at NAB 2017?

A: The proper code is SDS12CXM, it is the same price. I am not sure if it is up in their store yet, but we can arrange for you to get it.

Q: 9. Differences between GH03 and GH06 besides obvious ball vs flat base?

A: The GH03 has a 13lb / 5kg load capacity while the GH06 has a 13lb / 6kg load capacity. The counter balance for the GH03 is fixed while the GH06 has an incremental 5-step plus 0 counter balance.

Q: 10. Hi - I would like to know if it is possible to adapt the fluid head on this tripod for use on a slider?Thanks

A: Yes, it is possible to adapt the Cartoni Focus 10 Red Lock System (100mm Ball) for use with a slider. Either one can mount the slider above the tripod head's camera screw, or use a 100mm half ball adapter such as the Manfrotto 500BALL 100mm Half Ball Leveler w/3/8" Screw for 100mm Bowl Tripods seen here, https://bhpho.to/3IPq4HR