Linstrom Takes Sachtler Around the World

David Linstrom takes Sachtler around the world

Linstrom Takes Sachtler Around the World

Valley Cottage, New York: March 23, 2012 – For over 15 years Director/Director of Photography David Linstrom has traveled the globe shooting projects for National Geographic Channel. To be successful in this kind of shooting, he had to develop a certain set of skills, and a sleek shooting package. Whether he’s capturing images in 40-foot seas on the Southern Atlantic ocean, crossing the Sahel desert in Chad, chasing snakes in Malaysia and India or filming nudists in Brazil and Australia, one of his most important tools is always from Sachtler, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company. “I’ve been using their tripods my entire career,” says Linstrom. “And, I’ve used a variety of different Sachtler heads.”

“For the past few years it’s been Sachtler’s Video 18 with carbon fiber legs,” he explains. “The combination is light enough to carry with one arm and sturdy enough to hold my camera package. From a heavy 2/3” camera to a DSLR, I can dial in the balance quickly and be comfortable and confident that I’m making great shots.”

Linstrom likes the Video 18 because the head is smooth and solid for it’s size and is always dependable. He currently shoots with a Sony PDW F800 and switches between a Fujinon 4.5×13 wide-angle lens and a Canon 20×8 lens. “I always have a two-stage matte box mounted on rods,” he adds. “I use Anton Bauer Dionic batteries and a remote zoom control. That adds up to about 30 lbs. I can set my balance and friction quickly and know exactly how it’s going to perform. I can mount it on a high hat, baby legs and slider and it always responds the same.”

This past year alone, Linstrom has been to the Arctic with biologists tagging polar bears, on a dig in Colorado for mammoths and mastodons, hung out with treasure hunters in California and has gone to Columbia with miners searching for emeralds. “My Sachtler tripod performed flawlessly in every condition,” he says proudly. “And it’s adaptable to so many different challenges.”

“On location in Columbia, I had a shot where a miner was pushing a car of dirt out of a tunnel,” he explains. “I wanted him to go directly underneath the camera. I was able to extend the legs of my tripod and get over the top of his path. Even fully extended, the carbon-fiber legs of my tripod were rock solid. After years of use, I was once again very impressed. I wish all gear on the market was this reliable. Sachtler is, as far as I am concerned – bomb proof!”

David Linstrom’s adventures can be seen on The National Geographic Channel as well as Discovery, TLC, PBS, CBS, NBC and HBO. His expedition to Columbia recently aired on National Geographic and will air again later this year.

Sachtler Live Events NAB Booth # C6428

David Linstrom will be speaking about his documentary experiences at NAB. You can see him, at The Vitec Live Area in booth C6428 on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2 pm. The 3-day program will feature product demonstrations plus well-known cinematographers, who will speak about their industry experiences. The complete event itinerary can be found at www.vitecliveevent.com.

About Sachtler

Sachtler, founded in 1958 by cameraman Wendelin Sachtler, is a worldwide market leader for professional camera support systems for cinematography and television production, its name a symbol of top quality and reliability for decades. With an extensive range of camera support systems as well as a finely modulated product line of reportage lighting, Sachtler is the highly qualified partner for broadcast and film applications. Since 2000 Sachtler has been offering the artemis modular camera stabilizer system. With its numerous workshops and training sessions, the Wendelin Sachtler Academy has become a top address worldwide for invaluable know-how and the exchange of information, creating the ideal international platform for creative talents.  Along with other leading brands in the broadcast and professional videographer industry, Sachtler is part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company.  For more information on Sachtler, visit www.sachtler.com

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