IBC 2017 was closed a while back but we still get some interesting announcements from that show. Today we bring you Manfrotto’s most recent announcement – the Nitrotech N12 “fluid head”.
Back at NAB 2017 Manfrotto launched the Nitrotech N8 fluid head. A new flat-based fluid tripod head that’s compatible with the company’s existing quick release plates and is rated for a camera package of up to 8kg/17.6lbs. The new version called the N12 brings the max payload to (you guessed it) 12KG (or 26 pounds). Do keep in mind that the min payload is 4KG (or around 9lbs) which means that this is not meant for most DSLR/mirrorless setups but more towards video/film cameras/rigs. The head itself, on the other hand, is relatively light at 2.2KG or 5lbs. The N12 has a longer plate and a few minor changes but otherwise, it is very similar to the original N8.
The Nitrotech series of head uses a new technology Manfrotto developed that uses a small piston which contains Nitrogen. This way instead of the existing click based counterbalance most advance fluid heads got – you have a smooth continuous counterbalance (which at least on paper is a very interesting and desirable feature – we often find existing counterbalance systems to favour either light camera setups or heavier ones but changing from a lighter to a heavier setup doesn’t always work well with some heads). We hope to test the N8 in the near future.
The Nitrotech N12 will be available starting November 2017 for 650 Euros (U.S. pricing was not disclosed but it will probably be around $650).
We will be looking into several monitors in the near future so stay tuned for that. If you don’t want to miss any new photography product be sure to check out our product photography section.
Iddo Genuth 
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