Benro GD3WH Geared Precision Head Review - The most affordable geared head for photographers

[@davidthompson3136]

Fit a levelling plate to create more space above the columnless tripod. Also, I bought a small cheap adaptor ($1) to change the small tripod screw to the larger diameter required for the Benro threaded socket in the gear head base. Everything works well. 👍😎🇳🇿

[@daddymac1203]

Am I too old to be wanting this for Christmas? 🤣 Thanks for the review, sir Nicco.

[@colinmelhuish1254]

Excellent walk through Looking at this one for myself, so this was most valuable for decision making. Thanks for posting.

[@frankzayas3103]

You can get a spacer specially made to solve the problem of the knobs contacting the tripod.

[@TimMer1981]

There's the GDHAD1 adapter by Benro to fix the problem you mentioned. It's between 20 and 30 bucks.

[@KingsleyGeorgePouponeau]

When I was looking for a gearhead, I shortlisted Manfroto, Benro GD3WH and SunwayFoto GH-PROii. Thefinal was between Benro and SunwayFoto. I end up buying SunwayFoto as I found it better for my purpose. I think that Sunway Foto covers all the negative issues you were addressing.

[@NiccoValenzuelaPH]

Gosh now I want it

[@dawgrules1]

Great review Nicco, Thx ! I very much appreciate the lack of "fluff", Add 1 sub.

[@alistairm9351]

Great review. Thanks.

[@NiccoValenzuelaPH]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kongotech2008]

Can the mounting plate turn 90 degree for mounting long lens ? Thanks!

[@NiccoValenzuelaPH]

Sadly no

[@kongotech2008]

Thanks! @@NiccoValenzuelaPH

[@BULAKBOL]

Sir gawa kadin content kung ano ang mga best budget camera for photography 😊

[@12symmo]

The only moderately annoying thing I’ve found with this head is if you want to shoot up or down at more than 30 degrees, you might need to mount your camera the other way (quick release at front or back). Sure this sort of angle isn’t something you’ll need very often, so it’s a minor inconvenience.

[@MSACoachMike]

The camera does not appear to be centred over the tripod. Is that the case? As someone who makes a fair number of panoramas, my concern is that it may be more difficult to stitch images together in post production if the camera is off axis.

[@NiccoValenzuelaPH]

The center of rotation is still aligned with that of the camera. However in terms of shooting panoramas, technically no kind of tripod head accurately has the NPP aligned with the rotation of the camera because that varies with the camera and lens being used.

[@MSACoachMike]

@@NiccoValenzuelaPH It's hard to see from 2-D photos how that head actually looks like. I use a nodal rail and move the camera back from the centre of the tripod which reduces the chances of having any difficulties when making panos. Thanks for responding!

[@NiccoValenzuelaPH]

Oh that should work then :) cheers!

[@itsbrandom_]

Is it me or is the blue "front facing quick release knob" tricky to take out? Ive been suffering trying to get this thing out and i cant find the way

[@davidthompson3136]

Turn it then pull it out and continue turning it. The knob is designed to require two actions for camera safety.

[@projecthikaribyrhg]

Ganda naman 😊 👌

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

I have this geared head and I think this design is not well thought out at all. I didn't realize the cons of those humongous turning knobs, especially the top most one, getting in the way of attaching certain cameras. My wood field 4x5 camera's base is big and that top turning knob is in the way. Who designed this crap? Seriously! All the other brands have elegant knobs that stay out of the way of the cameras. Unless there is a way to add height to the head to fix the issue, but I don't see any suitable accessory from Benro to do that. The Benro is more expensive than some other better designed ones in the market, so I can't throw it in the garbage bin. Will have to sell it and buy from another brand and design. Thankfully people really like this head for digital cameras.