Touch and go plate
 

Am considering buying a Sachtler FSB-8 but was advised to buy an FSB-8T which has a "touch and go plate." I don't understand the difference. Could someone explain in simple to understand language. Thanks in advance.

Sachtler recently revised their line, and I'm not sure whether that model is still in it!

Here's Sachtler's page for the FSB8, and I don't see an option on the plate:
sachtler: Fluid heads

There were models that came with either Touch and Go or Snap and Go. I have a Tand G on my DV8 and it looks like this:
Sachtler Touch & Go Plate 16 :: Legs, Spreaders & Accessories :: Tripods, Heads & Stabilizers :: Equipment Sales :: Abel Cine Tech

And here's the larger Snap and Go (which to me looks like it's the only option on Sachtler's website now. Notice the Sachtler page mentions SideLoad technology).
Sachtler | 0407 FSB-6 Fluid Head | 0407 | B&H Photo Video

The SandG is considerably larger and permits more fore-aft movement on the head. The T andG is smaller and does not have as much adjustability. I chose the smaller because I hand-hold alot and did not want a giant plate sitting in my palm during shoots.

I'd suggest getting to see one in person to see which you prefer.

The "Touch and Go" system allows you to set up your balance position on the head and not have to reset it each time you take the camera off and put it back on. The benefit here is in run and gun situations you can just dump the camera back on the head and now it is ready to go.


The "Snap and Go" requires that you reposition the plate each time you put the camera back on the head. The benefit here is the longer slide for more adjustment for differing camera setups.

I have an FSB-8 with "Snap and Go". I don't find it a problem to reset it fairly quickly as long as I pay attention to the position marks before I pull the camera off. Perhaps if my sole work mode was for ENG I might think differently.

One of the mounts is side load (like a Cartoni) and one is end load (like a Gitzo or Bogen).

According to the B&H website, the Snap-and-go is the side-load version:
Sachtler | 0775 FSB-8 Tripod System with Speed Lock 75 | 0775

I prefer this because you don't have to line anything up and push it in, the camera just drops in and locks. Much quicker than the kind you have to line up at the end and push on.

This was demonstrated and explained to me by Vitec (Sachtler) at a show just after the FSB heads came out. I would prefer the side-load, having used both types. Also, the longer range is convenient and makes it easier to quickly re-balance the camera when adding heavy wide angle adapters on light HD cameras and other accessories you may want to put on and take off during a shoot.

The impression I got from the Vitec reps was that the new side-load plate was considered a big improvement and desirable.

Hi..................
 

The side load plate is an absolute Godsend and worth every penny if you're upgrading from a slot load head.

Check out what I say about it in my review of the new Vinten Vision 3 AS head in the "Articles" section above.

I'm really hoping Vinten have taken on board my few niggles with their version of it, as mentioned in the review.

I really cannot stress how much easier it is after both Vinten and Manfrotto slot load heads.


CS

Thanks so much for explaining the difference. I'm going to go with the snap & go sideload and I feel very good about this. Again, thanks alot.

Re: Touch and go plate
 

I'm about to drop my $2k and wanted to know if the standard Sachtler Side Load/Touch & Go we have always enjoyed on the larger heads is STILL the way to go here?

B&H are out of the "slider" variant so my choice may well be made for me but I'm looking for verification before I drop my cash.