This has easily become my favorite channel for practical advice...not only because the information is great, but because you are fun to watch and you're my neighbor! Trifecta achieved!
@@MarkusPix Hi Markus I found your RUclips channel, you know about camcorders right because I always wanted a camcorder for my birthday but I don't really know the difference between Sony FDR-AX700 and Sony FDR-AX100 So I thought about you it's only hope any questions let me know thanks👍 8:47
@@cucozunigajr2393 Markus did a video recently.. he preferred the 100. More affordable is the Sony 405 which Markus has done a video.. I have it.. it's 1080 and ideal for RUclips.. use X setting for mp4. Markus favourite is the Panasonic VX 981 which is 4k.
@@cucozunigajr2393The AX-700 has much better autofocus, as in way better. Another selling point is the high dynamic range. BUT the AX-100 has better color and is smaller. I use the AX-100 and like it a great deal but I think I would be just as happy with the AX-700. They both have advantages. If smaller size is important to you, go with the AX-100, although by the time you add a handle (as I do for XLR mic inputs and top recording button for getting low shots) the smaller size body is not such a big deal. However, it is easy to take the handle off to go smaller when needed, and at that time the AX-100 shines over its bigger brother. If super-duper AF is most important to you, go for the AX-700. It has more codecs as well as better AF. Comes at the expense of the basic color science and camera size. All cameras are compromises. There is no free lunch, and new features come with a cost. As with any camera gear, you first need to decide how you work, and what you shoot, then match the camera to your needs. You match the compromises vs features to YOUR style. Better color, lower price, and smaller camera all suit my needs so the AX-100 is perfect FOR ME. Your needs may favor the AX-700. Only you can decide which best suits your needs, however, now you know the significant differences to help base your decision on.
I own the Sunway geared head. One thing worth mentioning is that the Arca compatible clamp can be rotated 360 degrees on this head. This is significant because still cameras will have their Arca plates oriented left and right while lenses with tripod collars and video cameras have their plates oriented fore and aft (so to speak). The rotating clamp is also useful (for me) when the camera is mounted on a nodal rail. Another entertaining and valuable video, Marcus.
A while back I saw a landscape photographer using what looked like an exceptionally well designed, machined gear head. It appeared to be quite a piece of gear and naturally had a high price tag. It never occurred to me there were lower priced options. I just stuck with my droopy ball heads and fought with a very inexpensive "fluid" head. Really nice to see so many mid priced options! The quick adjust on the Manfrotos are really slick! Not fighting droop with any of these, fantastic! Not dealing with a drooping telescope with camera attached, formerly centered on the moon, priceless! Thanks again for showcasing more awesome and useful gear👍👍
Markus, I do patient interviews all over the country for pharma companies. I have to keep my gear to a minimum because we fly everywhere. I use two GH5s on light stands (I shoot static 4K shots and move in post), and was using some pretty nice ball heads. I bit the bullet and bought two MHXPro3WG heads, and used them over the weekend for the first time. Life changing? UNBELIEVABLE! What a HUGE difference it made. I stopped saying to myself, "I could adjust that shot, but it'd be a PITA, so I'm going to leave it." I made tiny, fine adjustments that really made the difference. I will NEVER go back! Thank you SO MUCH for everything you do. My kit consists of no fewer than six things you've recommended over the years, and I'm much better for it...even after 46 years in the business! THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for testing the tripod heads. After going through a bunch of the runner-ups, I ended up with the Manfrotto gear head and now I have two of them. Great product!
First saw one 4 years ago while shadowing a professional photographer and have wanted that precision nearly every day since. I now have his job but still haven't been able to pull the trigger on those price tags. Glad to see the differences in quality.
I get where you're coming from, I hate "settle" myself... or "kickback" when I'm doing a pan or tilt with a video camera. But with video fluid heads, I do like the fact that you can follow action quickly or even whip-pan if you want, simply by dialing down the drag. Some pro video heads are better than others (e.g., Sachtler and Miller vs. Manfrotto) at giving you buttery-smooth results and stopping on a dime without kickback or settling. Then again, for decades in Hollywood, geared movie camera heads were used, but those used very large wheel cranks that you could even spin if you wanted to for fast pans and tilts.
I use the Sunwayfoto geared head every day and I previously used the Benro geared head. The Sunwayfoto is my pick. The one trade-off being that I miss the geared fine adjustments for the pan axis, although it's nice not having a clutch to fight with for panning adjustments, and the tension on the pan axis is goldilocks perfect for what it is. In every other way it's better thought out and better made than anything else on this list. The VertecFoto isn't even worth considering for my line of work, as not having geared adjustments for the horizontal tilt is a deal breaker. Aside from that, none of these other geared heads have a mounting post that is centered on the tripod column. This matters with panoramic captures and is generally a much easier setup to manipulate in tight spaces. Great work Markus, take care ✌
This is amazing, I've never liked using tripods because I hate the unlock, move lock and the constant settling. This might actually be the ticket for using a tripod!
Just ordered the Manfrotto to see if/how much it improves my ease of setup. Thanks for the demo. I've been enjoying your no nonsense practical advice which echos many of the things I've heard on professional video forums over the years from the people who knew what they were talking about, especially about the emphasis on audio quality and how equipment works in real life situations. 20 years ago I read the same debates between pixel peepers and some who were more interested in specs than technique. I can only assume that is part of the human condition. Some will always blame their equipment for putting out crap, and others will find ways to make whatever they have work. I think this goes for every niche there is. I've found a number of your videos useful, especially in terms of what works today, since I've been out of it for a while. Importantly, I think you helped recenter me. I know I need to work on my lighting. I know I need to get better audio recordings and use better audio post production techniques. Realistically my cameras are fine, but I've ordered some audio bits based on your suggestions and a few other things that should make my workflow better and help improve my results. The rest is taking some time to practice.
Thank you.. I didn't know about gear heads.. yep been sent nuts by drifting 🤬 I really like the Sunway with the handles.. I was thinking they could be used during filming.. pity it doesn't have one on the pan movement.. if it did I would save up for one.
this is such a renovation for videos, wish I had one when I was doing film, ball heads, bhaa, also have a small 8mm Miller fluid head, works so well with our newer cameras, it is about 40 years old, still works great, but only 1/4in bolt, thanks Markus wish I lived in US but can't get your giveaways in Canada, but I'd go with the manfrotto as I had one for 16lb cameras, seems like a century ago
There’s still a use for a fluid filled ball head. It gives you somewhat rapid movement while smoothly decelerating. However, like you say, a ball head (fluid or not) doesn’t ever seem to completely settle (it slowly “fights” and tries to dip forward or backward), nor does it settle quite exactly where you want it. I’m going to consider getting a geared head or two for certain types of work.
Loved seeing my old camera there, my UX90 was a workhorse for so long! It did get replaced by my GH5M2 but I'm very interested in these geared heads now that I'm getting longer lens too.
Gear Head... geesh, when I was a kid, that meant you had or worked on Hot Rod Cars. Ball heads do drift or settle for sure. Thanks for this informative video!
Oh man, I saw a video of a university made a geared ball joint...this would be an excellent use of that (they developed it for making a robotic shoulder). Thanks for producing another great video for us.
I did, and it will absolutely change the way you look at adjusting shots. You'll actually make adjustments that you didn't before, because it would have been a PITA. Can't recommended the Manfrotto highly enough!
Very much like your succinct, to the point, style. Have bought tripod & extensions based on your recommendations. Now use Sony AX100 and Panny GH6, shooting mostly video for personal use. Going in RV from WA to AK this summer and getting gear for wildlife and landscape shots. At 77 and on a very tight budget, I'm still flying my homebuilt plane, scuba diving, making videos, fishing, and enjoying life. Would love geared but just bought fluid head. Would love to see where a kit you recommend is used by you in a commercial shoot or movie for real life examples. You have done this for lighting, would like more.
I'm disabled and I have a crazy idea... You could theoretically use remote focus motors and some 3D-printed adapters to create some sort of remote adjustment. For most people that's ridiculous but it could save me a ton of headache.
i have the benro and its works really well, the only thing i would change is the pressure needed to turn the gear wheels, the clutches i'm fine with as they are lob it in for a rough line up but when i using a 600mm with a x2 for night stuff the pressure needed to turn the geared knobs can wobble the lens a bit and at 1200mm on a crop camera that movement is huge for landscap or other 'normal' distances its fine might see if i can get a flex drive for the knobs
PERFECT! Been looking to upgrade from the SMALLRIG SELECTION video head I got for like $50. Although, it does work well which is why i HAVEN'T upgraded. Great stuff buddy!
I hate proprietary tripod plates but I've had great luck 3d printing my own and throwing a 1/4 20 bolt in there. Unfortunately the smallest 1/2 20 bolts my hardware store sells are too long for some applications so they require cutting, but I'm already manufacturing the plate myself so a few metal cuts won't derail the project. Obviously not as strong as a metal plate, but I could probably print 15 tripod plates in the time it takes to 2 day ship one to me. I know it's off topic but I love how much awesome discussion Markus brings.
My dad had a small cable TV station when I was a kid, and I spent several years as a portrait photographer using a Camrez Z-Cam (shot 70mm roll film in a magazine) on a Majestic tripod with two cranks to adjust tilt and joeizon, so gear heads seem pretty normal to me.
The K&F Concept 3-way geared head is the camera's equal to equatorial mount for telescopes. It gives super fine adjustments and Zero settling, it's worth every penny.
Really excellent overview of these geared heads! You will help many people scratch the itch that they didn't even know they had. I like doing technical/macro photography, tried a 3D head as an improvement over a ball head and really was going nuts. Like everybody else in the real world, I would not have tried out the lesser brands here looking for a star, and so glad that you did. I ended up coughing up more for a Manfrotto 405 (I wasn't sure about the plastic construction of the XPro) and been super happy, except that the 405 doesn't take the RC2 plate that everything else I have uses. Thanks for your link to the Vertec head that I will pick up for my small tripod. It's got an additional $20 coupon today, so even better deal. But that doesn't look like an affiliate link! If you see this message and update, I would be happy to make sure that you get a little money out of this as well.
I use non-geared Benro 3-way tilt heads but they have an unexpected flaw. Benro uses stick-on angle indicators, but they also use lousy glue and the indicators come off really easily, but with no mark for zero on the metal, it is impossible to get them lined up correctly when re-attaching them. It is only heads that have markings painted directly on the metal of the head that is guaranteed to be absolutely free from this problem. Markus, it would be helpful if you note which of these geared heads have glued on stickers, and which have indicator marks priinted directly onto the device. My experience with the blue Benro stickers has taught me to avoid stickers, especially Benro stickers
I really like the crank handles on the Sunwayfoto. Might have to pick one of those up! Would be nice to have a smooth crank like that on the pan as well, tho.
Wow! Your timing is incredible. Just this morning I was shooting some baptism photos for my church which I do quite often. I'm shooting with my GH6 and PL 100-400 at 250. So the movements are very hard to get set just right. This morning I was thinking of the ancient old tilt head at had in the studio where I worked at Boeing that you move up and down with a handle kind of like the SunwayFoto one. It's almost impossible to get it right where I want it with my ball head:( So I was just going to research one with the fine adjust feature when I saw this video!!! Perfect! I think the Vertecfoto one will be perfect for me. I'm going to buy it! (I want a smaller one.) The Sunwayfoto one has the wrong axes adjustable. You don't really need the horizon one as much as the other two for exact positioning. So thanks for a great and very helpful video!
The 3-axis gears on the Manfrotto 3WG sold me here. For video, it's the only choice. I have a VertecFoto, fine for still photog, but not good for video unless you will be locking the cam in one position in advance.
Geared heads are OK for still or very slow motion movement. They are also comparatively heavy. For faster movement you need a different type of head. For video work, you need a good fluid head with proper balancing. This means that the center of gravity of the camera is AT the pivot point. Alternatively, a properly damped fluid head can lock down quickly and avoid droop for light enough cameras. The damping limits the amount of force exerted, so the lock doesn’t need to tighten in the same way. Velbon actually makes a decent cheap ($50 or so) fluid head. If you start to have probiems, just buy a new one. For stills photography of fast moving objects, you need either a loose ball head or a pan head (a pan/tilt head can work if you completely lock the tilt). You should not be letting go of the camera. And you do NOT generally want a 3 way head - if you need to switch between vertical and horizontal, use an L mounting plate.. And if you really want a head with no droop, a Gimbal Head is the way to go. Here the center of gravity of the camera is aligned with the pivot axes, so you can just let go of the camera and it will stay where you positioned it without even tightening down. There is a reason the Wimberley head became famous among wildlife photographers.
This is true! Marcus i love your videos! Good luck! Hello from Moscow!:) I am professional cameraman and photographer. You are well versed in all this! From your videos i learn a lot of useful things for myself! Thank you!
This is valuable advice and I wish I had seen it a year ago, before I started doing inside real estate. Using a wide-angle lens, if you don't get the lens perfectly set, the walls look like something out of Beetlejuice. I fought with a ball-head for a long time, before I found one of these.
I have wanted a geared head for a long time, but always ended up shying away due to the cost, and largely ended up making due with the ball head. I just with there were some decent cheap options.
Have been using the Manfrotto 410 for years. Generally with a Mamiya RB67 (speaking of heavy cameras) and my older Sony a850. I will look into the new Manfrotto you like! Most of my work now is with micro 4/3, so one of these may be overkill. Cheers
Marcus is the parent we need in the camera shop to tell us we have everything we need at home
I'm still a kid. Don't call me a parent! 😛
lol!@@MarkusPix
This has easily become my favorite channel for practical advice...not only because the information is great, but because you are fun to watch and you're my neighbor!
Trifecta achieved!
Raise your hand if you ever got confused and loosened the wrong knob, which caused your whole setup to fall forward, in front of the customer no less.
Yes, then you simply turn it the other way grasshopper.
D'oh!
@@MarkusPix Hi Markus I found your RUclips channel, you know about camcorders right because I always wanted a camcorder for my birthday but I don't really know the difference between Sony FDR-AX700 and Sony FDR-AX100 So I thought about you it's only hope any questions let me know thanks👍 8:47
@@cucozunigajr2393
Markus did a video recently.. he preferred the 100.
More affordable is the Sony 405 which Markus has done a video.. I have it.. it's 1080 and ideal for RUclips.. use X setting for mp4.
Markus favourite is the Panasonic VX 981 which is 4k.
@@cucozunigajr2393The AX-700 has much better autofocus, as in way better. Another selling point is the high dynamic range. BUT the AX-100 has better color and is smaller. I use the AX-100 and like it a great deal but I think I would be just as happy with the AX-700. They both have advantages.
If smaller size is important to you, go with the AX-100, although by the time you add a handle (as I do for XLR mic inputs and top recording button for getting low shots) the smaller size body is not such a big deal. However, it is easy to take the handle off to go smaller when needed, and at that time the AX-100 shines over its bigger brother.
If super-duper AF is most important to you, go for the AX-700. It has more codecs as well as better AF. Comes at the expense of the basic color science and camera size. All cameras are compromises. There is no free lunch, and new features come with a cost. As with any camera gear, you first need to decide how you work, and what you shoot, then match the camera to your needs. You match the compromises vs features to YOUR style.
Better color, lower price, and smaller camera all suit my needs so the AX-100 is perfect FOR ME. Your needs may favor the AX-700. Only you can decide which best suits your needs, however, now you know the significant differences to help base your decision on.
I had resigned myself that the lens droop was just something that I had to deal with and compensate for. I learn so much from this channel.
It was driving me crazy.
I am older and it happens. 8-)
Get an actual professional quality ball head and you won't get any movement.
You can endlessly watch how Markus plays with these handlers like a little boy. I look, smile and continue to watch.
I own the Sunway geared head. One thing worth mentioning is that the Arca compatible clamp can be rotated 360 degrees on this head. This is significant because still cameras will have their Arca plates oriented left and right while lenses with tripod collars and video cameras have their plates oriented fore and aft (so to speak). The rotating clamp is also useful (for me) when the camera is mounted on a nodal rail. Another entertaining and valuable video, Marcus.
Thanks for this extra info. I had the Sunway marked as my fave.
god tier cinematography by cara at 0:23 when mark is talking about tilting and she tilts
I wonder how many others caught that. I laughed so hard.
Could have been done in editing software...
A while back I saw a landscape photographer using what looked like an exceptionally well designed, machined gear head. It appeared to be quite a piece of gear and naturally had a high price tag. It never occurred to me there were lower priced options. I just stuck with my droopy ball heads and fought with a very inexpensive "fluid" head. Really nice to see so many mid priced options!
The quick adjust on the Manfrotos are really slick!
Not fighting droop with any of these, fantastic! Not dealing with a drooping telescope with camera attached, formerly centered on the moon, priceless!
Thanks again for showcasing more awesome and useful gear👍👍
Markus, I do patient interviews all over the country for pharma companies. I have to keep my gear to a minimum because we fly everywhere. I use two GH5s on light stands (I shoot static 4K shots and move in post), and was using some pretty nice ball heads. I bit the bullet and bought two MHXPro3WG heads, and used them over the weekend for the first time. Life changing? UNBELIEVABLE! What a HUGE difference it made. I stopped saying to myself, "I could adjust that shot, but it'd be a PITA, so I'm going to leave it." I made tiny, fine adjustments that really made the difference. I will NEVER go back! Thank you SO MUCH for everything you do. My kit consists of no fewer than six things you've recommended over the years, and I'm much better for it...even after 46 years in the business! THANK YOU!!!
I got a bunch too. They're a joy to use
What I really Appreciate about your channel is that you buy many different options and do a good comparison of all of them. Thanks for that
Thank you. I have used gear heads for years and I love them.
My favorite simple ball-head is Kasey from Camera Conspiracies.
Markus is my favorite Gear Head.
I don't need this, but I love the effort Markus puts in these videos. Thanks man!
Bought the Manfrotto several years ago for architectural photography. It is permanently attached to my tripod for all photography. I LOve it!!!
Thanks for testing the tripod heads. After going through a bunch of the runner-ups, I ended up with the Manfrotto gear head and now I have two of them. Great product!
This would be a nice addition to my tripod. Low budget but portable for car shows. I didn't know these existed until this video. Thank You Markus.
I can't thank you enough. It was well worth it to get the manfrotto for the micro adjustments. Amazing! Thanks!
Yes! The relief one feels after getting one of these is life changing
Geared heads are a god-send for cameras/lenses that uses movement. I love them for that.
The geared heads are the absolute best. That Sunway one looks amazing and fun.
Thank you so much for this video. As usual you made the decision process easy for me. Getting the vertecphoto for all my needs especially astro.
Great, eye opening video. We didn’t realize that there is an in between for ball heads and fluid heads. “Gears heads”. Ty
Great tip. That one with the cranks is really cool.
It really is!
Markus, thank you for the info! I have never seen these type of heads before!
I love your channel. It's definitely the best photography video camera channel on RUclips. Thanks for all the knowledge.
I’ve never heard of geared heads.Seems like they’d be great for stop-motion.
The amount of heads you have is crazy😊
Thats not even scratching the surface
the most informative comparison I've seen so far. Thank you. I will be watching your other vids.
Markus it the hero we need, but not the hero we deserve!
First saw one 4 years ago while shadowing a professional photographer and have wanted that precision nearly every day since. I now have his job but still haven't been able to pull the trigger on those price tags. Glad to see the differences in quality.
I get where you're coming from, I hate "settle" myself... or "kickback" when I'm doing a pan or tilt with a video camera. But with video fluid heads, I do like the fact that you can follow action quickly or even whip-pan if you want, simply by dialing down the drag. Some pro video heads are better than others (e.g., Sachtler and Miller vs. Manfrotto) at giving you buttery-smooth results and stopping on a dime without kickback or settling. Then again, for decades in Hollywood, geared movie camera heads were used, but those used very large wheel cranks that you could even spin if you wanted to for fast pans and tilts.
You look so happy. Great product. Thank you for your introduction.
What an opening!! Thanks for both the overview of these cool geared heads and your generous giveaway once again!
Yeah, some of these heads are on my buy list. I'll get one when my next photo gig comes along.
Yahoo!! You’re a gear head for sure.God bless y’all, I am always happy to see a new video from you.
I use the Sunwayfoto geared head every day and I previously used the Benro geared head. The Sunwayfoto is my pick. The one trade-off being that I miss the geared fine adjustments for the pan axis, although it's nice not having a clutch to fight with for panning adjustments, and the tension on the pan axis is goldilocks perfect for what it is. In every other way it's better thought out and better made than anything else on this list. The VertecFoto isn't even worth considering for my line of work, as not having geared adjustments for the horizontal tilt is a deal breaker. Aside from that, none of these other geared heads have a mounting post that is centered on the tripod column. This matters with panoramic captures and is generally a much easier setup to manipulate in tight spaces. Great work Markus, take care ✌
I always learn something new by watching your channel!
My evil plan is working!
So lucky to have you in our lives ❤. Thank you
Hello dear Marcus . I just was notified . Have a nice Sunday !
This is amazing, I've never liked using tripods because I hate the unlock, move lock and the constant settling. This might actually be the ticket for using a tripod!
This looks like another cool video.....tHanks for posting!
I think my favorite is a ballhead base, with a geared top end for precise positioning. That lets you get a level base for panoramics.
Cool-looking heads. Yes, the camera movement after adjusting a head is frustrating. I usually just shoot a little wide and crop.
I'd agree you picked the best easiest one to get ... it's nice
You are a camera gear hoarder, but we love you for that! :D
Just ordered the Manfrotto to see if/how much it improves my ease of setup. Thanks for the demo. I've been enjoying your no nonsense practical advice which echos many of the things I've heard on professional video forums over the years from the people who knew what they were talking about, especially about the emphasis on audio quality and how equipment works in real life situations. 20 years ago I read the same debates between pixel peepers and some who were more interested in specs than technique. I can only assume that is part of the human condition. Some will always blame their equipment for putting out crap, and others will find ways to make whatever they have work. I think this goes for every niche there is.
I've found a number of your videos useful, especially in terms of what works today, since I've been out of it for a while. Importantly, I think you helped recenter me. I know I need to work on my lighting. I know I need to get better audio recordings and use better audio post production techniques. Realistically my cameras are fine, but I've ordered some audio bits based on your suggestions and a few other things that should make my workflow better and help improve my results. The rest is taking some time to practice.
Thank you for writing the SI units, Markus!
Thank you.. I didn't know about gear heads.. yep been sent nuts by drifting 🤬
I really like the Sunway with the handles.. I was thinking they could be used during filming.. pity it doesn't have one on the pan movement.. if it did I would save up for one.
Another thing I didn’t know I needed! Thanks Markus! 🙌
this is such a renovation for videos, wish I had one when I was doing film, ball heads, bhaa, also have a small 8mm Miller fluid head, works so well with our newer cameras, it is about 40 years old, still works great, but only 1/4in bolt, thanks Markus wish I lived in US but can't get your giveaways in Canada, but I'd go with the manfrotto as I had one for 16lb cameras, seems like a century ago
I love the Manfrotto you picked as the winner.
Your content is always relevant to usage and understanding with candor and enjoyment. Kudos.
thank you
There’s still a use for a fluid filled ball head. It gives you somewhat rapid movement while smoothly decelerating.
However, like you say, a ball head (fluid or not) doesn’t ever seem to completely settle (it slowly “fights” and tries to dip forward or backward), nor does it settle quite exactly where you want it. I’m going to consider getting a geared head or two for certain types of work.
Another great video. Very useful and also well timed for me as I've been using my tripod a lot more lately. Thank you!
Fantastic timing I was just looking at these heads.
You're amazing for making this video. I've wanted to pull the trigger on a geared head, but couldn't decide if they were a gimmick or worthwhile.
Gear heads we unite!
Always the best info from this channel.
Loved seeing my old camera there, my UX90 was a workhorse for so long! It did get replaced by my GH5M2 but I'm very interested in these geared heads now that I'm getting longer lens too.
Thanks for the Gear Head review. Clear, concise, and smooth.
Gear Head... geesh, when I was a kid, that meant you had or worked on Hot Rod Cars.
Ball heads do drift or settle for sure.
Thanks for this informative video!
Oh man, I saw a video of a university made a geared ball joint...this would be an excellent use of that (they developed it for making a robotic shoulder).
Thanks for producing another great video for us.
Great video. I remember seeing something like these on telescopes.
Love the Manfrotto. Once I obtain a decently heavy-duty tripod, I will budget for the MHX Pro 3WG. Really been enjoying your videos.
The Sony fx6 has gotten me into xdcams and camcorder body style design… glad u used the big camera as an example
Wow. Things really do go full circle
I might have to buy that manfrotto head and blame Markus for it 🤠
I did, and it will absolutely change the way you look at adjusting shots. You'll actually make adjustments that you didn't before, because it would have been a PITA. Can't recommended the Manfrotto highly enough!
Thanks Craig ! Good info
Very much like your succinct, to the point, style. Have bought tripod & extensions based on your recommendations. Now use Sony AX100 and Panny GH6, shooting mostly video for personal use. Going in RV from WA to AK this summer and getting gear for wildlife and landscape shots. At 77 and on a very tight budget, I'm still flying my homebuilt plane, scuba diving, making videos, fishing, and enjoying life. Would love geared but just bought fluid head. Would love to see where a kit you recommend is used by you in a commercial shoot or movie for real life examples. You have done this for lighting, would like more.
I use the Benro geared head for real estate shoots, speed things up a lot.
I'm disabled and I have a crazy idea... You could theoretically use remote focus motors and some 3D-printed adapters to create some sort of remote adjustment. For most people that's ridiculous but it could save me a ton of headache.
i have the benro and its works really well, the only thing i would change is the pressure needed to turn the gear wheels, the clutches i'm fine with as they are lob it in for a rough line up but when i using a 600mm with a x2 for night stuff the pressure needed to turn the geared knobs can wobble the lens a bit and at 1200mm on a crop camera that movement is huge
for landscap or other 'normal' distances its fine
might see if i can get a flex drive for the knobs
PERFECT! Been looking to upgrade from the SMALLRIG SELECTION video head I got for like $50. Although, it does work well which is why i HAVEN'T upgraded. Great stuff buddy!
I hate proprietary tripod plates but I've had great luck 3d printing my own and throwing a 1/4 20 bolt in there. Unfortunately the smallest 1/2 20 bolts my hardware store sells are too long for some applications so they require cutting, but I'm already manufacturing the plate myself so a few metal cuts won't derail the project.
Obviously not as strong as a metal plate, but I could probably print 15 tripod plates in the time it takes to 2 day ship one to me. I know it's off topic but I love how much awesome discussion Markus brings.
My dad had a small cable TV station when I was a kid, and I spent several years as a portrait photographer using a Camrez Z-Cam (shot 70mm roll film in a magazine) on a Majestic tripod with two cranks to adjust tilt and joeizon, so gear heads seem pretty normal to me.
The K&F Concept 3-way geared head is the camera's equal to equatorial mount for telescopes.
It gives super fine adjustments and Zero settling, it's worth every penny.
Thanks for spending the money to save us the money!!!
I see a Sigma 105mm f/1.4. Nice! Wonderful lens. Btw, completely agree about geared heads. I got one on sale and it’s so much better than ball heads.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE arca swiss fluid heads! Specifically travel fluid head reviews.
Markus, thank you for the wonderful and informative video! You are the man!
Really excellent overview of these geared heads! You will help many people scratch the itch that they didn't even know they had. I like doing technical/macro photography, tried a 3D head as an improvement over a ball head and really was going nuts.
Like everybody else in the real world, I would not have tried out the lesser brands here looking for a star, and so glad that you did. I ended up coughing up more for a Manfrotto 405 (I wasn't sure about the plastic construction of the XPro) and been super happy, except that the 405 doesn't take the RC2 plate that everything else I have uses. Thanks for your link to the Vertec head that I will pick up for my small tripod. It's got an additional $20 coupon today, so even better deal. But that doesn't look like an affiliate link! If you see this message and update, I would be happy to make sure that you get a little money out of this as well.
Thanks, ok I finally got the amazon affiliate thing hooked up
That Sunwayfoto is looking like it will help raise rates for some of us. Its' a gamechanger to the work flow
Sunwayfoto makes really nice photography parts, good engineering firm those guys. 🩵
I use non-geared Benro 3-way tilt heads but they have an unexpected flaw. Benro uses stick-on angle indicators, but they also use lousy glue and the indicators come off really easily, but with no mark for zero on the metal, it is impossible to get them lined up correctly when re-attaching them. It is only heads that have markings painted directly on the metal of the head that is guaranteed to be absolutely free from this problem.
Markus, it would be helpful if you note which of these geared heads have glued on stickers, and which have indicator marks priinted directly onto the device. My experience with the blue Benro stickers has taught me to avoid stickers, especially Benro stickers
I really like the crank handles on the Sunwayfoto. Might have to pick one of those up! Would be nice to have a smooth crank like that on the pan as well, tho.
my father use to have that .... i used to love it .
Wow! Your timing is incredible. Just this morning I was shooting some baptism photos for my church which I do quite often. I'm shooting with my GH6 and PL 100-400 at 250. So the movements are very hard to get set just right. This morning I was thinking of the ancient old tilt head at had in the studio where I worked at Boeing that you move up and down with a handle kind of like the SunwayFoto one.
It's almost impossible to get it right where I want it with my ball head:( So I was just going to research one with the fine adjust feature when I saw this video!!! Perfect! I think the Vertecfoto one will be perfect for me. I'm going to buy it! (I want a smaller one.) The Sunwayfoto one has the wrong axes adjustable. You don't really need the horizon one as much as the other two for exact positioning. So thanks for a great and very helpful video!
Glad to help
Thank you for the opportunity! I just got a new tripod but the head is plastic and not very stable, this would be perfect to win something from.
The 3-axis gears on the Manfrotto 3WG sold me here. For video, it's the only choice. I have a VertecFoto, fine for still photog, but not good for video unless you will be locking the cam in one position in advance.
Geared heads are OK for still or very slow motion movement. They are also comparatively heavy.
For faster movement you need a different type of head.
For video work, you need a good fluid head with proper balancing. This means that the center of gravity of the camera is AT the pivot point. Alternatively, a properly damped fluid head can lock down quickly and avoid droop for light enough cameras. The damping limits the amount of force exerted, so the lock doesn’t need to tighten in the same way. Velbon actually makes a decent cheap ($50 or so) fluid head. If you start to have probiems, just buy a new one.
For stills photography of fast moving objects, you need either a loose ball head or a pan head (a pan/tilt head can work if you completely lock the tilt). You should not be letting go of the camera.
And you do NOT generally want a 3 way head - if you need to switch between vertical and horizontal, use an L mounting plate..
And if you really want a head with no droop, a Gimbal Head is the way to go. Here the center of gravity of the camera is aligned with the pivot axes, so you can just let go of the camera and it will stay where you positioned it without even tightening down. There is a reason the Wimberley head became famous among wildlife photographers.
Fluid heads with the correct Arca Swiss plates to balance the camera and lens works well also. They don't drift.
Wow,that might be useful for my next project! Thanks for sharing😮
This is true! Marcus i love your videos! Good luck! Hello from Moscow!:) I am professional cameraman and photographer. You are well versed in all this! From your videos i learn a lot of useful things for myself! Thank you!
Thanks! 😃
Gearheads ... Hum. What a wonderful idea.
This is valuable advice and I wish I had seen it a year ago, before I started doing inside real estate. Using a wide-angle lens, if you don't get the lens perfectly set, the walls look like something out of Beetlejuice. I fought with a ball-head for a long time, before I found one of these.
Thanks for sharing.
I've got the XC25D ball head and it works great!
Oh my word another giveaway!! You are Awesome it’s like Christmas everyday!!
I have wanted a geared head for a long time, but always ended up shying away due to the cost, and largely ended up making due with the ball head. I just with there were some decent cheap options.
I'm still looking for a deal on a VX-991, but I can see a gear head in my future for sure!
Thanks for the breakdown of the features.🙂
Thanks Markus for the great information
Pan and tilt heads come in various types, then there are ball heads, panoramic heads fluid heads video pan heads geared heads
Have been using the Manfrotto 410 for years. Generally with a Mamiya RB67 (speaking of heavy cameras) and my older Sony a850. I will look into the new Manfrotto you like! Most of my work now is with micro 4/3, so one of these may be overkill. Cheers