Company
History
Since 1935, out of Rome, CARTONI SpA designs, manufactures and markets high-end Professional Camera Supports and accessories for the Motion Picture and Television industries.
Internationally recognized in the industry as a pre-eminent brand for camera support equipment, CARTONI prides itself on its engineering ability, innovative and leading technology.
Starting in the thirties with Renato CARTONI (a.i.c.) who invented the Gyro Head and later with his son, Guido, founder of the present structure in 1962, CARTONI has incessantly introduced highly engineered, patented Professional Camera Support systems that have become industry standards.
In 1992 Guido CARTONI was presented a Scientific and Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (ampas) for his pioneering work in developing the Technology in fluid tripod heads. Later, in 1995 he was awarded the ATIC Technical Award from Associazione Tecnica Italiana Cine-televisione in Rome and in 1999, the SOC Technical Achievement from Society of Operating Cameramen in Los Angeles.
Constant innovation has ensured the company’s success. CARTONI owns and uses 33 different patents on Fluid Action Counterbalance Systems and tripods, registered in Italy, Europe, United States, China and India.
Technologies
Every part of a CARTONI support system originates from technical research that aims for performance perfection:
The Fluid Drag System, highlighted by several patents such as the modular labyrinth combination, the variable labyrinth and the planetary fluid control incorporates in the various Fluid Heads. CARTONI camera support heads assure smooth, precise and repeatable movements to a camera.
The Counterbalance, with the modular helical spring system, the patented silicon padded variable system or the patented steel cable system allows the perfect counterbalance of the camera throughout the tilt mode.
The camera correct centering is possible thanks to the accurate sliding plates hosting the quick release camera attachment.
The Easy Readable Settings, all conveniently placed and assisted by digital readout, and the illuminated spirit level, ensure fast and precise set up.
The Sturdy Tripods, manufactured in special alloys or carbon fiber composites, guarantee absolute stability and virtually no torque effect with their self-adjusting leg coupling and precise and positive height locks.
The Portable, Lightweight and Versatile Pedestals with the innovative pneumatic column design allow for torque-free elevation movement.
The extremely stable wheel units in all dollies and pedestals are mounted on 6 high precision bearings, and lockable in 6 positions.
Constant research and the direct input from the end-user are the secrets of our success.
Why Cartoni
Top reasons to buy a CARTONI Camera Support:
- CARTONI is renowned to be one of the world leaders in camera support business, remaining the only wide range Professional Support company that designs, engineers, manufactures and assembles in Europe, with pride from its Rome (Italy) plant since 1935. CARTONI uses only unionized labour and undertakes a special care for energy saving and environment and is certified ISO 9001 and prides itself on its engineering ability, innovative and leading technology.
- CARTONI’s Customer Service is committed to provide value added services to customers worldwide, including attitude knowledge, technical support and quality of service and stands behind each Professional Fluid Head with an unsurpassed 5 year guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.
- CARTONI’s direct competitors are producing or outsourcing components out of Asia or 3rd world countries. CARTONI does not outsource from other countries to reduce industrial costs and bets on Italian quality and flexibility, improving internal logistic with accurate industrial planning with no compromise on fair labor, ethical behavior to employees, clients, environment.
- CARTONI owns and uses 33 different patents, registered in Italy, United Kingdom, Germany & all other CEE countries, United States, China (PRC) and India on Fluid Action and Counterbalance Systems
- CARTONI reached its leading position as a pre-eminent brand for camera support equipment on the international market by offering the widest range - from the smallest DV camera to the largest Imax 75mm camera - of technologically superior, rugged Fluid Camera Supports and systems with a variety of 17 different Fluid Heads calibrated in capacity and performance for all shooting needs; including tripods in different sizes, both in aluminum and carbon fiber, spreaders, dollies, pneumatic columns, pedestals, jibs, transport cases and a plurality of smaller accessories.
- CARTONI products are fully inter-operative with the Industry professional equipment. CARTONI’s mission is to guarantee the Cameraman the highest possible reliability, freedom and creativity in any environment.
Partnership
Cartoni distributes in Italy the following brands:
Quotes
…CARTONI GAMMA, DELTA, MASTER, SIGMA, OMEGA and P50 Pedestals over the years always delivered top performance; and, last but not least, the after sales service at CARTONI is unsurpassed.
…My operators on “24” Guy Skinner on A when he is not HH on his Starglider uses the CARTONI GAMMA for those demanding shots with an 11 to 1 while Jay Herron on B mounts the GAMMA with the 3 to 1 every day. I am extremely happy with the GAMMA for my RED system.
…I can guarantee that if you buy any model of CARTONI tripod, you will receive the best after-sales service ever.
…My SIGMA has withstood the continual daily abuse on “24” series, from pilot through season 4 without fatigue.
…CARTONI is seriously the leader in camera support and make the best fluid heads in the industry
…From broadcast & HDV to tripped-out Red Cameras, with prompters, matteboxes & souped-up Redrock Micro kits, CARTONI DELTA ROSSO does them all with a solid finesse usually reserved for tripods three times the price.
…The CARTONI LASER is quite sturdy and well designed, even though it is small and lightweight. I was particularly impressed with the control I had over both the tilt and pan drag, with a full range of tension settings. This allowed for very smooth and precise moves which were challenging to execute on many tripod heads made for small cameras in the past .This puts the LASER a giant step above other heads that are similar in size and price
…The LAMBDA is quick to set up and balance. It affords feature shots at a television pace
…Precision, Flexibility & Simplicity, The CARTONI LAMBDA is fast and easy to set up. It operates with comfort, grace and can be positioned and maneuvered in a multitude of ways
…As a rental company, service is very important for us. Our CARTONI Heads have had virtually no service issues in a long time of use and abuse, the MAXIMA is very rugged, though gentle, our clients love the smooth linear damping and prefer it to the step by step system for precise movements.
“Lambda is a tool that has its place, no other system in the world works as easily and perfectly. Shots can be designed and shaped better because of the that system.”
A couple of years ago, Frank finally got a Cartoni from Band Pro in Burbank, and after using it the first day, he was sold on it. “With all the money I spent on inferior tripods, I could have purchased several Cartonis,” he says.
“If I had just invested sooner, I would have saved myself tons of frustration with shots I didn’t like or could not use because the sticks were cheap,” says Frank. “It is so nice to shoot with a tripod that is solid, steady, and reliable.”
...It is very important for us to have sturdy and reliable equipment. The CARTONI DELTA and C40S Fluid Heads and Tripods give us a lot of bang for our buck. We’re very happy with these products and would recommend them to anyone.
“We had a history with CARTONI from our previous success with YouTube Production Studios in New York and Los Angeles, where we have both the large P-90 Pedestals and the smaller P-20 Pedestals. We chose CARTONI for two reasons: one is because of the high quality and reliability of the equipment, and number two is because of the incredible service.”
…KSPS couldn't be more pleased with the purchase of our CARTONI Heads and Pedestals for our Studio conversion to HD. The support and service provided by CARTONI after the purchase has been excellent. Our camera operators find the ease of adjusting the heads for individual preferences to be a pleasant surprise
“After extensive field testing, we found the Cartoni products to be a perfect choice. In this application, we need gear that is robust, and performs reliably and consistently. We found the Cartoni products matched our needs in this respect and were capable of supporting a variety of camera combinations, including our 107x 4K Fuji lenses,”
“Found Cartoni kit to be extremely robust, well-made and exceptionally smooth in operation. After a considerable number of years working in outside broadcast using fluid heads I can say that once the set up is correct the heads are extremely smooth and very nice to use, they are a great addition to an outside broadcast company”
This technology is in use on the majority of productions. The LAMBDA engineering is superb supporting the Camera Operator with ease of use, quality of design and producing superior on screen results.
...I have been using the CARTONI SIGMA exclusively for 3 years and I find it to be the most consistent in every situation. With fast action or slow dramatic moves, the pan, tilt and especially counterbalance response is perfect .The convenience and accuracy of the digital readouts is a real bonus on set when conditions change but the biggest plus is the solid, repeatable behavior of the tilt and counterbalance combination. When we change lenses or magazines, I can enter a predetermined setting and just get on with the shot - no need to fuss with dials and cranks. Keep on designing heads like these !
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