Can't adjust tilt drag on new Sachtler DV 6 head at DVinfo.net

Andrew Howard · June 28th, 2006, 03:54 PM

I just received a new Sachtler DV 6 tripod system, which includes the DV 6 SB fluid head.

I seem to be unable to adjust the tilt drag wheel. It is set on 5 and won't move. I can adjust the pan drag wheels and the counterbalance knob, no problem.

Is there something I need to be doing differently, or might there be a problem with the equipment?

Thanks for any help.

Alessandro Machi · June 29th, 2006, 09:21 PM

Yes, it may be massageable.

But what it is odd is that it won't move in either direction. Usually, if this problem occurs, the drag will go in one direction only, so if you were on five, it would still go down to zero but perhaps not to six (I assuming the drag goes past five???)

Use whatever drag options actually work, and just gently rock the tilt and pan and see if that helps.

Also, try this technique with both no weight and then with a camera on the head of the tripod to see if that adds any flexibility. If you have no success after a few minutes, I'd definitely take it back to the place you purchased it from and see if they have any ideas.

Tim Le · June 29th, 2006, 11:42 PM

The drag on a DV 6 doesn't go pass 5. The drag dial should move really easily and click at each numbered setting. It should not be stuck at 5. If the drag dial is stuck, then it sounds like a defective head to me. I don't think there's anything different that you could be doing. Although I guess you could try jiggling the head a little and at the same time try to move the dial. Maybe one of the pins is stuck.

A Sachtler rep once told me that sometimes people screw up their heads by setting the drag dial to in-between the numbered positions instead of at the numbered position so the pins that engage the drag modules get messed up. But this is a brand new head so this should not be a problem.

June 28th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#1
Andrew Howard Tourist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salina, KS Posts: 1	Can't adjust tilt drag on new Sachtler DV 6 head I just received a new Sachtler DV 6 tripod system, which includes the DV 6 SB fluid head. I seem to be unable to adjust the tilt drag wheel. It is set on 5 and won't move. I can adjust the pan drag wheels and the counterbalance knob, no problem. Is there something I need to be doing differently, or might there be a problem with the equipment? Thanks for any help.

June 29th, 2006, 09:21 PM	#2
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	Yes, it may be massageable. But what it is odd is that it won't move in either direction. Usually, if this problem occurs, the drag will go in one direction only, so if you were on five, it would still go down to zero but perhaps not to six (I assuming the drag goes past five???) Use whatever drag options actually work, and just gently rock the tilt and pan and see if that helps. Also, try this technique with both no weight and then with a camera on the head of the tripod to see if that adds any flexibility. If you have no success after a few minutes, I'd definitely take it back to the place you purchased it from and see if they have any ideas. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

June 29th, 2006, 11:42 PM	#3
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	The drag on a DV 6 doesn't go pass 5. The drag dial should move really easily and click at each numbered setting. It should not be stuck at 5. If the drag dial is stuck, then it sounds like a defective head to me. I don't think there's anything different that you could be doing. Although I guess you could try jiggling the head a little and at the same time try to move the dial. Maybe one of the pins is stuck. A Sachtler rep once told me that sometimes people screw up their heads by setting the drag dial to in-between the numbered positions instead of at the numbered position so the pins that engage the drag modules get messed up. But this is a brand new head so this should not be a problem.