When Edelkrone released the FlexTILT last year, it seemed like a tool that would be useful for very specific purposes but that might not end up as a must-have item in every camera kit. Slightly more than a year later, the company is back with the FlexTILT Head 2, with the additional of an entirely new joint. Edelkrone clearly hopes that it will make for a more versatile, and thus more essential, accessory.

Like the previous FlexTILT, this revision doesn't have any locking knobs, instead depending on custom "constant friction" technology to ensure the camera remains stable at a variety of positions. Of course, using friction as a lock instead of knobs comes with a weight limit, in this case 5.5lbs. Thus, this plate is likely targeted at the DSLR and mirrorless family of cameras. 

Flextilt2_promo_01Edelkrone FlexTILT 2 double joint.Credit: Edelkrone

The big improvement with the second joint is the ability for the camera to go straight up and down; with the original FlexTILT the camera moved forward as you added height. This not only made the platform less stable, moving the weight forward and more likely to tip over, it also changed the dynamics of the shot. As the lens moves further from the axis of pivot (either pan or tilt), you get more noticeable parallax in your shot, since the lens is moving through space. Some parallax is normal and quite acceptable; our eyes are both above and in front of the axis of rotation where our skull meets our spine. But too much can be distracting, especially when working with close-up photography where the effect is exaggerated. This device is clearly intended for close-up work, so the ability to keep the lens center closer to the pan center is a nice upgrade.

Flextilt2_promo_11Edelkrone FlexTILT 2 Straight Up and Down and Stable to sit on it's own.Credit: Edelkrone

One use that isn't featured in the FlexTILT 2 marketing, but will surely be useful, is the option of mounting the tilt plate on top of a fluid head to extend the range of motion of tilt. Many fluid heads don't perform their best when tilted forward or backwards to the maximum of their range, but there are times when you need to be fully articulated forward to get the shot you are looking for. Stacking heads together has long been a way to get a shot that wouldn't be otherwise achievable. While you wouldn't want to actively tilt the FlexTILT 2 itself, you can certainly combine it with another head to get full fluid tilt control at previously unavailable angles.

Flextilt2_promo_07Edelkrone FlexTILT 2 used to position camera further out from the sticks.Credit: Edelkrone

The unit is available now for $140 from Edelkrone.com.

Tech Specs:

  • Folded Size: (LxWxH) 3.3 x 4 x 1.06 inches (85 x 95 x 27mm)
  • Weight: 440 g / 16oz
  • Carrying Capacity: up to 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
  • Mount: 1/4"-20 on top and 3/8"-16 on bottom (1/4"-20 to 3/8"-16 adapter and 1/4"-20 reducer bushing provided)
  • CNC machined aluminum construction with delrin components and stainless steel screws
  • 340° pan range
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Cinematography & Cameras