Video Tripod Head Buying Guide // Best Fluid Head for the Money

Comparison of important features & differences of sub $500 video fluid heads from iFootage, Manfrotto, & E-IMAGE to guide potential video tripod buyers.
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#videohead #tripod #manfrotto

[chumleyk]

Damn, I just realized that watching these channels is the same as watching QVC but more What a way to spend your life.

[matthijsdedeugd]

The bloopers cracked me up 😂 so recognizable! I always find myself staring into the camera trying to find the words, and then reconsidering all life choices in the meantime 🤪 keep it up Gerald, informative content and now humor = gold!

[ramcka]

I own the GH06 head and love it. One thing I learned while flipping thought the manual is to unlock, and loosen the drag when traveling with it, I assume that’s because if it gets bumped, it won’t break anything. Also, be careful with the using e-image plate, on certain Manfrotto heads it’s not a perfect fit, but can work.
Edit: Happy New Year!

[matt.pereira]

Thank you! Whilst this video may be older than some, the information is still valid ... I have been in a quandary recently about what video tripod to get, to replace my woefully inadequate current system -I managed to get myself a combo kit of the GH6 Fluid Head and Carbon Fibre legs - Thanks a lot !!!

[insanejughead]

Finally someone has acknowledged E-image's existence. I have a boom pole from them and have no complaints about it.

[JesseDriftwood]

I’ve been needing to upgrade my fluid head for years! Super helpful info dude!

[EposVox]

I'm Gerald Undone and I'm a video head.

[AustralianImage]

The Benro S8 (that's not talked about very often) is an excellent and reasonably priced fluid head capable of holding 8kg, yet holds my 9kg rig without issue. The tilt and pan are very smooth, whether moving individually or in tandem. The tilt and pan also have infinite drag adjustment and it has a three stage counter-balance for varying weight cameras. It's a flat base fluid head, but Benro sell ball adapters (or any brand will do), so it can work with any type of tripod.


I also have an E-Image GHO3F fluid head, which has a lower capacity, but it's not as well made. Gimbal heads are also potentially useful, even for video cameras, especially if you're following any form of action with a large lens.

[NICUofficial]

Super-useful for the filming I'm about to do for my synths / music channel. I got the Manfrotto 502AH since it was so frequently recommended as a standard workhorse. I'm a musician & songwriter, not a filmmaker, so I'm just looking for "no-brainer solid choice" type filming gear that's very high value for the money. Still feel like I made a solid choice with the Manfrotto, especially since I'm such a noob. This also helped serve as a tutorial on tripods and heads. Thanks again

[Leonelrm]

6:40 Here Gerald mentions an acceleration to overcome. It is more appropriate to discuss the forces one has to overcome as the sum of all of the forces determines what kind of acceleration or pan/tilt occurs. Either there is a static friction or static fluid resistance that needs to be overcome since those static forces are larger than the kinetic or moving resistances which lead to a more comfortable tilt or pan. These resistance forces (friction and drag) are dependent on the amount of force between the surfaces and fluids respectively which is dependent on the shape and materials of the head as well as the distribution of mass of the camera, hence Gerald's earlier boxy camera comment. Keep in mind that there is rotation involved so a more in-depth analysis is required than simply pushing a box along the ground. Thanks for the video Gerald! Recently subscribed!

[ACDGibson]

I rented some gear for a music video shoot and I've been using manfrotto 502 for the first time. I liked it enough to start thinking about buying it. You can get the job done with it.
In the long run though, the lack of numerical drag settings would be a pain in the as#. Also the mount could drive you crazy because while panning the head might become loose. I tried to screw it really hard on to the tripod and accidentally I screw the pan drag ring also and could not move it. I had to ask my friend for help to unscrew it! He held it and I had to twist it!
I can see this GH06 ticks a lot of boxes and I think it's worth it.

[HotRodHippie]

I really like my Benro S7 head. For $180 on B&H it's got great smooth pan and tilt control with separate locks. I wish it had a slightly better counter balance when I have my Atomos on camera, but that's asking a lot.

Also Benro sells Bowl adapters for flat heads, that's what I'm using on my S7 setup.

[martinXY]

Love my 502. We got one in at work, I used it, then I bought one for myself at home. Panning is so smooth. Plus with the long plate, I can balance a a teleprompter setup consisting of a teleprompter, camera and a second 502 weighing somewhere near 10kg.

[nauticfilms]

Uff. You just reminded me that I can call myself SO happy to own a good old Sachtler SB 6 and the tiny little brother, the long out of production Sachtler "Hollywood", made before the DSLR revolution, to a much higher standard than their ACE offerings today. Puh, one gear issue I don't have to think about.

[randomk]

Dude, you are seriously becoming one of my favorite gear reviewers.

[jakeschannel]

Hi, I'm Gerald Undone and (stare at the camera and say nothing for 10 seconds)

[gcprost]

I have a Manfrotto 502 and I'd agree with you comments. I also have two Manfrotto 504's which are a bit bigger. The locks are better positioned. They have a lighted level which is easier to see. I'd prefer to have more range on the preload, and now that I have a drop-in quick release plate on another tripod, I'd say that is a valuable feature. I also have a gear head which is very similar to the pan tilt head but it is much easier to get very precise positioning. I use this for my wide shot when I'm doing concerts, live theatre, and dance shows. It allows me to precisely frame the stage. On this tripod and head I have attached the Small Rig drop-in Manfrotto plate quick release. This is an excellent unit and I highly recommend it.

[kacpermichno]

Big shout out to the Velbon PH 368. It is magic for the price. I love the GH06. IT CHANGED MY LIFE

[creativesymon]

The Manfrotto Nitrotech 612 is a genuinely awesome head and a fantastic upgrade on the flawed Nitrotech 12 that was release not too much earlier.

[GeraldBertramPhotography]

It's 2020 so I'm trying this one again: "I'm Gerald Undone. The second best Gerald on Youtube."