SCG StediFast and T8 Review

One of the great things about Smooth Camera Gear (SCG) is that their tripods and heads are made of premium materials and alloys, yet are extremely affordable for what they offer. Is it too good to be true?

In this video and article I review the new SCG StediFast HD tripod with their updated T8 fluid head.

Watch the video:

Who is Smooth Camera Gear (SCG)?

Smooth Camera Gear (SCG) is a company based out of Australia, specializing in high-quality tripods and fluid heads designed to meet the needs of both amateur and professional filmmakers.

SCG products are crafted using premium materials such as aviation-grade aluminum and carbon fiber. They offer a three-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee on their products.

This dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction makes SCG a brand that must be on the radar of cinematographers looking for robust and dependable camera support systems, on an affordable budget.

What tripods are available?

I made this handy chart so you can decide which is the best value for your work:

SCG has tripods and fluid head combos from $796 to $1,346. Which one should you pick?

In my opinion, if you are rocking mirrorless cameras and lenses, your system would most likely fall into the 0-7 kg counterbalance range of the T6. In this case I would definitely advise you to pick the T6 StediFast Aluminium at $796.

If you want a better tripod for future-proofing, then I would recommend the T8 and StediFast HD Aluminum for $1,146. I prefer Aluminum over Carbon Fiber.

You can get an additional exclusive discount with promo code WC10 by ordering from their site. Click here to view.

Which model am I reviewing?

SCG sent me the updated T8 and the StediFast HD Carbon Fiber tripod.

I’ve used the original T8 for five years on numerous productions. It’s a solid fluid head, far better than anything from E-image, Manfrotto, or Smallrig at this price.

The older legs they sent me were decent, but definitely not of the class the StediFast system is. I’ve used the StediFast HD only for a few days and it hasn’t thrown any roadblocks my way yet.

Materials used and what it means

The StediFast HD uses premium alloys and carbon fiber. Minimal plastic, if at all.

The T8 uses plastic only for the tie-down knob, and rubber for the pan handle grip. Everything else is aviation-grade aluminum with CNC machined joints, bowls, and anchors.

A lot of other brands (even the expensive brands) use plastic for many parts and none offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Other than the fact that the tripod and head feels premium, metal alloys ensure a longer life. SCG tripods are built to last 8-10 years with proper care and maintenance.

In addition to that, the T8 is rated for a temperature range of -40°C to +60°C. SCG confirmed to me their products can actually handle these extremes. Many knockoff tripod brands don’t really meet these standards, even if they advertise them so.

StediFast HD Tripod Review

Every aspect of the StediFast HD tripod has been incredibly smooth. Maybe it’s because it’s new, but I would be surprised if it didn’t hold up.

The StediFast HD can extend to 162 cm with a mid-level spreader and 166 cm with a ground-level spreader.

It can go as low as 64 cm with the mid-level spreader and 49 cm with the ground-level spreader.

However, without a spreader, it can go as low as 12 inches. Getting a low height has traditionally been one of the problems of tandem legs.

When buying the tripod, you can choose a mid-level or ground-level spreader. I prefer mid-level spreaders for my work. The mid-level spreader has a quick-release system and secure tightening knobs.

The only minor issue I have with the StediFast HD is that it’s easy to remove the mid-level spreader but not as quick to put it back on. You need to guide it in to lock it. However, this isn’t something you’ll need to do often, so it’s not a big deal. Cartoni has a solution for this with their Smart Lock Spreader, though I haven’t tested that yet.

The StediFast HD has a 100mm bowl and comes with a 75mm adapter that’s easy to attach or remove. This means you can upgrade your fluid head to a 100mm system without changing the tripod. I tested it with my Cartoni Focus HD, and it fit perfectly.

It can support up to 77 pounds (35 kg). That’s more than enough for most setups from mirrorless cameras to the Komodo, Sony FX6 or FX9, Canon C400, C70, and so on. It was able to handle an Alexa Mini and Atlas Anamorphic lens, but only stripped down. However, this is a limitation of the head, and not the legs.

One standout feature is the StediFast HD Flip Lever lock in bright red. It’s large and easy to grip, with no play. It has performed flawlessly so far. It is a little stiff to lock, but I think that’s a good thing. It gives me confidence. If it were too loose, it can open or close when you bump into your tripod, or while traveling.

I asked SCG if the Flip Lock is designed to last, and they assured me it is built to last. Furthermore, it will loosen over time, but with an allen wrench it can be tightened to the desired tension without having to send back the tripod.

Adjusting the tripod height is quick and easy. I don’t think I ever want to see twist locks again.

The tripod tandem legs use 22mm and 16mm tubes for its different stages, and feels rock solid no matter what setup I’ve had on it.

It also comes with removable rubber feet for spikes and packs into a compact 76 cm size. I received a nice bag with the fluid head, with velcro to keep everything secure inside.

The carbon fiber tripod weighs 7.67 lbs (3.48 kg), and the aluminum version weighs 9 lbs (4.1 kg). That might be a sizable difference for some, but I would still pick the aluminum one.

The T8 Fluid Head – Long-term review

I received the original SCG T8 head about five years ago and reviewed it when SCG wasn’t sponsoring my channel. Here is my old review:

Since then, I’ve used it on many shoots. The only difference in the updated version is it now supports 2 kg to 10 kg, with a maximum safety payload of 12 kg.

The T8 and T6 are true fluid heads, similar to premium brands like Cartoni, Sachtler, and OConnor. Some brands call their heads “fluid” but use friction instead.

Fluid heads dampen force, making movements smoother. Friction heads degrade over time, like car tires, while fluid heads are designed for long-term use.

A good fluid head has minimal backlash. Poor heads show backlash when starting, stopping, or changing directions. The SCG T8 is nearly as smooth as my Cartoni Focus HD, which is a 100mm head. The Cartoni head is definitely better when you want precise moves, though it costs more, too.

For short films aiming for theater projection, smooth camera moves are crucial. Lower-budget cameras often have poor rolling shutters, so smooth panning is essential.

The SCG T8 head weighs 4.8 lbs (2.18 kg).

Let’s say you’re filming only with a Canon R5 and a 24-105mm f/4 lens, totaling about 1.5 kg. This is below the T8’s 2 kg threshold, so you’d need to add something to get it to reach 2 kg. The T6 head can easily handle this weight.

The baseplate is a Manfrotto design, so you can use any Manfrotto-sized plate.

The plate is long enough for tricky setups, with a size of 12 cm. It is a side-lock design and it locks into place in a snap. You have safety pins to keep the camera from sliding off the tripod, and a screw lock (also in red color) to keep it tight and secure.

One issue I’ve had with the plate is sometimes the side-lock mechanism doesn’t engage correctly, or I’ve pressed the red button unnecessarily. Whatever it is, sometimes, when I tighten the red screw, it doesn’t tighten the base plate. Over time I’ve learned to ensure the side-lock system has been secured. I hope the next iteration will have a snap side-locks system similar to the Cartoni Focus HD, and there would be no need for a screw.

The T8 comes with extra screws. The rosette wheels are well-machined, with no play in the pan handle, and can be replaced if worn out. The length of the pan handle is adjustable.

Balancing a camera rig is easy. The T8 has an 8-step counterbalance, sufficient for most setups. Occasionally, your setup might fall between counterbalance steps, but this is common with stepped heads, including those from Sachtler.

Counterbalance prevents the operator from fighting the camera and ensures your camera won’t crash down if left unlocked. Movements are smoother and backlash is minimized.

The T8 has three pan and tilt drag settings plus zero. The zero settings are very smooth, and the drag settings are adequate. In tests, the T8 performed admirably.

Leveling the head is smooth, with no catch in the tie-down. The system stays level through a 360-degree spin. The bubble level is illuminated with a white light and is accurate.

Conclusion

When SCG first sent me their T8 and legs five years ago, I was skeptical. Even back then, they answered all my questions honestly and quickly.

Over time, I’ve used their tripod and have learned to trust their brand. They are really serious about their tripods, and want to be known for delivering maximum bang for your buck. Unlike many cheap knockoff brands, they don’t want to compromise on the materials used or the design.

What’s more impressive is they generally have positive reviews so far. Very few people have bad things to say about SCG tripods, including me.

So, if you need a good tripod to get the best shots from your expensive camera, the SCG StediFast HD is a great choice. It can withstand the daily challenges of videography or cinematography and comes at a reasonable price.

What do you think?