That's It, I'm Done With Ball Heads? I Got A New Toy

[@fototripper]

Order My New Book: www.fototripper.com/stories-within-stories-landscape-photography-book/

[@g3az66]

Still waiting for mine! Ordered November 2024!

[@ConradGale]

Gavin, It' s time to ennable shipping to Europe 👋

[@TonyHogrefe]

Love my geared head. But I can’t afford a geared head with a comma in the price tag, so I’m rocking the K&F. I love how it slows me down and the fine adjustments I can make.

[@leonidous888]

"The FLM GE63 geared head is a budget-friendly full-featured geared head." Yeah...whose budget?

[@srlewis29]

Congratulations on hitting 100k🎉

[@lightsandtones]

I didn't know you were a wizard. You turned the Sony into a Hasselblad on the top of that fantastic geared head within a second. Could you do it for me too, please? 🙂

[@AnthonyCrouchPhotography]

I wonder if he can do it for a Canon

[@tonycox169]

I swapped to a geared head a few months ago and it has really helped me to improve my landscape and woodland photography. As mentioned in the video, the adjustment can take longer but the accuracy and final result of the composition is well worth the extra effort. Being able to easily fine tune the focus point to precisely where you want it by making small adjustments in three axis adjustment (rotation, elevation and tilt) simply by turning the knobs instead of loosening the entire fixing (as on a ball head) is a joy. I purchased the Neewer 3 Way Geared Tripod Head with 360° Panoramic Head from Amazon. An added advantage of this particular model is that it also allows for larger axis adjustments by using the 'quick release' modes.

[@ggraef-1]

Hi Gavin, you are really lucky to have such nature in your area and to be able to use it for such photos. Regardless of the camera and lens brand and also regardless of such gadgets. Thank you very much for the really good video and your explanations! 🙂

[@allansisson355]

100k Congratulations ! I'm not surprised at all.

[@floridahummer]

bought really right stuff head and love it, well built and had it for years.

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Tasty piece of kit and even tastier shots

[@paulhull4950]

I love geared heads, ditched the ball and socket some time ago and will never look back. Leofoto G20

[@m4tik]

I like mine pretty much too ! Sturdy and precise.

[@gregoneil3523]

Loved the background trees/grove with the snow partially covering the quills. I would have taken some of those too.

[@poppamichael2197]

Congratulations, Gavin, on reaching 100,000 subscribers. Well earned! And thanks for a truly excellent video. Although I have been shooting landscapes for over 50 years, I really get a lot out of the way you creatively analyze a scene. It gives me fresh eyeballs, and almost encourages me to venture out into the snow and cold. All the best.

[@jimsmith556]

Those shots just kept getting better. Glad you like the new tripod head. My jaw dropped when I looked up the price so it's good that you're happy with it 😅

[@TheMrmurphy101]

Great video! Delivery, music, humor, photos and classic Gavin in his element. Would imagine hitting 100k put a fire in you?

[@youphototube]

I use the Acratech Panoramic Head with a leveling base. Light and superb. The same head as Heaton uses. It also acts like a gimble for widlelife.

[@dutchaus5813]

Have one as well. Love the adjustable lever release and the lever lock. Mines on a Leofoto Ranger tripod.

[@DubYahJohn]

Can you please show us the setting on the Sony that converts it to a Hassleblad?

[@viviennenoble4035]

Wow wow wow, I love the photos of the waterfall. I'm glad you showed us your new tripod head.

[@richcower]

The derail in that ice is amazing. Very nice work Gavin. Thanks.

[@SLO_Foto]

Nice waterfall shots. I think one might go in your next book.

[@lenscraftedlife]

I appreciate that when you do test gear, which is maybe not as often as I would like to see, you focus on the use rather than technical aspects. Like with the hassy, its a 13k camera no one cares about what the manual says. Just real world usage like you and Brent stroking the lens as any rational person would. That's why 100k and growing of us tune in to you. Congrats!

[@fototripper]

totally rational ;)

[@robertdeeter6205]

Excellent. I get both inspiration and motivation from your videos.

[@GaryGough]

Congratulations on the milestone Pal 👍👍

[@fototripper]

Cheers Gary. When you coming for a visit to Canada?

[@brianmckeever5280]

Nice images sir! Funny, you described my tripod setup. I have a Leofoto LS-285CEX that has a leveling base with a geared head on top. I might take a look at the FLM. The geared I have has taken a beating. Stay warm!

[@tim1398]

@5:40 The range of movement is actually silkscreened right on the head... +/-13deg of tilt.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Noooo, now I want a geard tripod head aswell!!!

[@BeeMillah25]

LOL! I have one of those annoyingly large gear heads. I love the size of the one featured in your video. I much rather travel with that one than the Benro gear head I have. Great video! Beautiful waterfall!

[@gregdarroch1946]

Love the nobs you showed us. I might have to get something like that.

[@jeffreylane7647]

Very nice Gavin. Love the the photos you make.

[@itsjustfilip]

That's a great comment about the gear that you have and self imposed limitations. My favourite landscape photo has been taken with Canon R5 and 85mm 1.2 lens. I absolutely loved it!

[@mikeinmontana8875]

My head used to be 'geared'. A few pretty big bumps over the last few years. Blessed anyway. I tell my way better half, Kathy, just be glad I was once a rocket scientist~ Then..i get that look.... you know the one. 😅 She is why I am still here. No one else would have noticed something not quite right.. We look forward to your videos Gavin! Our reg/broadcast tv is OFF. A blessing really. All the very best to both of you up there. 🤝 ~Looking forward to your 3rd book too. Excellent.

[@dw.in.michigan]

Don't let the haters dissuade you from enjoying your tool. It's your channel, you can do what you want.

[@JeffreyJohnsonC]

Yeah. Do whatever you want with your own tool....

[@peterfritzphoto]

Just don’t touch your tool in front of strangers.

[@ScottButler-q1h]

Please keep your tool behind a zipper

[@cerealkiller4248]

My wife bought me a geared head last birthday. I’d been after a particular shot, but trying to micro adjust with a ball head was tricky. When you got the micro adjust you want the level was off etc. I wish I had bought one sooner. Congrats on 100K, very well deserved 👏👏👏

[@laceyunderall68]

I shoot a lot of architecture so a geared head is better for that where precision is required. I use an Arca Swiss Cube and this just looks like a tiny version of that which is certainly more manageable. A ball head is probably preferable for landscape photography though tbh.

[@DamonMoritz]

Thanks for the FLM geared head demo. I love your product reviews. I always buy what you share. I even have an old Church on a hill.

[@fototripper]

Does it have plumbing?

[@DamonMoritz]

@ of course not. That’s cheating.

[@johnsebastianartwork]

Beautiful waterfall Gavin ❤ those cryptic ice edges do make some awesome lines to work with ☃️

[@uncledavesplace]

I got tired of sagging ball heads and have been using a geared head for years with no regrets. I can't even remember an occasion were I felt a ball head would have been better. You will get faster with it after a little practice.

[@ThorsteinBerg]

Good to see that you've finally advanced from the kiddy table over to the adult table in regard to tripodheads. I totally agree with you in regards to the older style of geared heads like the Manfrotto ones (which is a waste of money and not made any good), but the newer smaller one like the one you have now is a breeze to use. And we're shooting landscapes, it's not like the mountain is gonna sprout legs and run off, so speed is not what I put a premium on. Hope you find the new tripod head great to use. I love using my geared head, and for doing stiched panos it beats any other head.

[@louisburley1597]

I love upload day. It's good to watch you enjoy a scene. Now I want it to snow heavily here.

[@bobm2410]

I have a gear head also. Absolutely love it. has the dials for fine tuning, but if you pull the dial out, it disconnects the gears and allows gross adjustment (think ball head like). Not even a big name brand. Tried a big name brand, but my cheaper one was tighter and didn't have the objectionable 'play' in the adjustment. And it has a horizontal level built-in. And like your plan for how to attack this scene. Snowfall scenes are nice but footprints can ruin them. Thank God for post production. 👍

[@davidcassford6361]

Love your waterfall shots, gonna head out and try a few of your tips.

[@JosephToddOsborne]

I have a geared tripod head and always wondered if it was overkill for my needs when I kept seeing you and others using the traditional ball heads in the field. But damn, I just loved the functionality of it and how easy it made making micro adjustments.

[@JosephToddOsborne]

FYI, I have the Arca-Swiss Hybrid gear head (p0+Hybrid). Pricey but man I love it.

[@Chromatomic]

Gavin showing off his gadget is always a concern but still we watch. I ended up getting a mini pan head for a similar reason, leveling base and more fine tuned angled controls, I mostly use it with a rail for slightly improved panos but the whole setup is a good deal smaller than a nodal point rig as well. Haven't fully ditched the ball head yet though.

[@JeffWeymier]

Beautiful work Gavin.

[@dannylaureys1376]

It should be a combination of ball head and gear head. Ball head for quick movement of up and down or sideways and gearhead adjustments for fine tuning.

[@davidmantripp]

It’s called an Arca Swiss P0 hybrid…

[@CristanBoerg]

I switched to a geared head a few years ago and haven't regretted it since. Sure, it forces you to work a bit slower, but I see that as a major advantage. It makes you much more deliberate and thoughtful when choosing your composition, which definitely improves the final result. By the way, I also made a video about it on my channel if anyone's interested. 😉

[@tkNAT]

Great photos as always... I really do like the 55mm photo. 100K Congratulations! Let´s go to the next 100K 👌

[@JamesBondDZero7Mi6]

It looks like a great waterfall where you can take very isolated shots. The older I get and the more waterfalls I visit, the more I try to find intimate details. Everyone takes a full-on shot, which is usually a little boring, depending on leaf foliage, sky, etc. I'm glad you didn't waste your trip to get out and get a few remarkable shots.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Congrats on your FIRST 100K Gavin!

[@Mr222Benny]

Beautiful as always. I have the Sirui CT-3204 (with a dual system : fixed + leveling base) and a Leofoto (geared clamp) G2. Light and very effective. I also have the Arca Swiss Cube (superbly made but heavy and cumbersome)

[@thelonghaul5214]

I love the little green pops of lichen subscribe behind the fall. Great video.

[@PatrickSmeaton]

I really enjoyed you talking us through you working the scene, and then seeing each resulting photo. Typically, in the scene like that, I would've taken the wide shots first, and then slowly moved in. That way I'm not ruining a prospective shot by stepping somewhere I'm going to regret later.

[@happymystic9800]

Congratulation to making the first 100k subscribers. 🎉 … nice video and great photos. The tighter images are my favorites ❤ … thank you for not making this video a gear review. Keep up the great work in 2025. 😊

[@Youtuberkt]

Arca-Swiss P0+ Hybrid Classic is the best unique hybrid tripod ball head that works for broad movements, and also micro adjustments.

[@russellbaston974]

Perfect timing about the geared head, I'm seriously considering one. Not sure who to vote for in the contest!

[@envyrish]

Congratulations on 100k. Long overdue 👏🏾🥳❤️

[@altrujillo3566]

100K subscribers!! Congratulations!!

[@lightmeetslens]

100K!!!!

[@Raykenn1]

Another winner 🏆 thanks for posting 👍

[@4hotographix]

I’m a big fan of geared heads…i use the GD3 from Benro…you do get a lot more precision using one….im sure you’ll get used to it mate…!

[@dc4846]

Hi Gavin. As entertaining as ever. I discovered a new gadget not too long ago and wanted to see if you have come across it and if yes, I would like to hear your opinion. It’s called the Smallrig rotatable collar mount. This replaces the “L” bracket since you don’t have to demount your camera to change the orientation. Pls continue to keep us entertained.

[@fototripper]

Yeah, they sent me one to try out but it didn't fit my sony mount.

[@OldGirlPhotography]

The ever practical Yorkshireman - what would you talk about for 20 minutes - it goes this way and it goes that way. Love it. Love that scenery too.

[@somegeezer]

Owt or nowt, as we say.

[@fototripper]

hahahah

[@peterdixon6807]

Are you sure there isn’t a ‘quick release’ movement [like pulling the knob out][!?]. My old Manfrotto 410 had that - I read the manual - you could set it up approximately how you wanted it and then fiddle to fine tune.

[@jonathanclose618]

Good morning, could you please let me know who the manufacturer of the winter gloves are please. Thanks Good to have location videos back

[@gbwalther3198]

Yes, please share the glove combo info. Also what's the coldest-minus degrees that u have used these gloves with your winter landscape shots? 😎😎

[@AN71]

Are they the Shell model from The Heat Company? I'd be really interested in hearing more about them as well

[@Martingj56]

I think they are Vallerets.

[@DonDickinson-o9o]

My favourite piece was the small curved area, on the right hand side, with the small icicles, in the XPan photograph.

[@MegaJrjohnson]

Congrats on hitting 100K!

[@opshortonmetaldetecting]

Nice little jump from the Sony to the Hasselblad there Gavin 😂😂😂

[@simonbuchanan1184]

I may not suffer from gear acquisition syndrome but when I do….. I’m on my second sunwayfoto geared head having broken the stickie-outie knobs on my first one when taking a fall on some rocks. That FLM geared head looks dead sexy. Great conditions for that waterfall; we haven’t had any snow or freezing on the west coast this winter.

[@GrahamtheWood1]

Great photos and great fun video, as always

[@SteveP_2426]

That geared head is well out of my price range but I've been a convert to the Benro geared head for about 2 years now. In windy conditions or when I'm having to set up at arms length a geared head is so much easier than a ballhead. I agree that most of them are not great aesthetically though. Just back from Glencoe where I caught the last 36hrs of a long freeze/snow period with many of the main falls probably a bit too frozen. Wish I'd thought to shoot compositions both with and without a CPL on - thanks for the tip Gavin.

[@bobm2410]

This is going to sound naive, sacriligeous, and downright 'newbie,' but check out the Neewer GM38

[@lesliesmith5266]

Beayt location and tutorial but would have been nice to see a short exposure to freeze the waterfall water for a change, It looked so sparkly and crisp on your video camera and I think that suits the winter scene better. Great vids, keep em coming Gavin👍

[@speedbump1961]

Gavin, go for the levelling head, you wont be disappointed. I recently got CP34 with one of these heads and it has been a dream to use but a L bracket is a necessity unless you want to shoot everything in landscape :)

[@christianlainesse4281]

a nodal slide would pair well with that head for perfect composite panos

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

100k you deserve it! Great video as all the others you've made! Grt guido

[@robertshank3442]

Love your videos and photos!

[@anttiranki3690]

You should check out Arca Swiss heads. They are pretty much the Rolls Royce of geared heads. The beauty of those heads is, e.g. the double pan mechanism. You can release the pan of the entire head for large pans, then level the head with horizontal and vertical tilt. The on the top you have another pan mechanism which will let you pan again but this time your pan will stay level. Looks like your head has this 4th lever just under the lens barrel as well.

[@briannicholson2971]

I have the Rogeti gear head, and like you it's a game changer , coupled with my Kingjoy c-85 tripod with the levelling base .

[@fototripper]

that does look like a nice rig.

[@briannicholson2971]

​@@fototripperit sure is Gavin 😊

[@JacekPilarski]

Ohh Man! I've been watching you since 20k subs. Congratz, keep the good stuff comin and your humor of corzz!

[@GralphW]

Minus 8 Celsius - WOW! This coming week in Perth West Australia we've got 40, 43, 42, 39, 40 and 41 - might take some pics of the air con unit doing it's thing 😂😂

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I ditched the ball head in favour of the new 3LeggedThing Airhed Trinity. WOW. For my Z8 & z180-600 on an iFootage Cobra 3 monopod its BRILLIANT

[@bubuli]

at that price, you might as well get an Arca-Swiss D4 which is a much better geared head and unlike this one, there's a release mechanism that allows you to quickly change angles. Arca-Swiss also has a Core range which is actually _cheaper_ than this with that similar limited tilt range functionality.

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

Do distance shots first so you do not make foot prints . Next trick is to use leveling head for panos + the internal level on the cameras. Does not work with film cameras

[@billaustin5579]

Congrats on 100k Gavin!

[@martinpriest5446]

looks like a great little gear head Gavin, I didn,t hear you mention the price, I noticed you started using your Sony and suddenly the haselblad, but looking at the images I can see why, they are amazing so sharp you could cut yourself on that ice. some very useful information on your compositions mate, thanks for shearing.

[@peterbuitelaar8543]

I used geared heads in the past but they were heavy and large. I do like the FLM ball heads since I use the original ones from Germany. I like the new ball heads but was thinking about a geared head again when I saw them on the FLM site.

[@sophietucker1255]

Have used two different geared heads, admittedly not like this one, but neither lasted a year before something broke. One had one of the knobs break off in my hand and the other had one of gears stop working. It turned and turned but nothing happened. I’ve gone back to my old reliable Manfrotto 3047 3 way head. Heavy as hell but it has always worked and never broken or just stopped in the middle of a trip.

[@krimke881]

Geared heads. Gives you the pleasure of completing more, in-camera. On-site. While you are in your though process. It's something everybody should strive for.

[@peetje28021970]

That ice is rendered beautifully

[@dutchaus5813]

Thanks for the video Gavin. I was of the same opinion as you regarding geared heads when I was in the market for a new head. But went with a Leofoto LS-285CEX Leveling Ranger Tripod and Acratech panoramic head. As my new setup. Light and strong. Great for those extended walks to get to remote locations. Sets up really quickly. The lever release on the head is great as it can be adjusted to accommodate the slightly different manufacturing widths of different bases, plus it has a lock built into the lever as well. Sits well under my OM1 M1. Are you going to do anymore videos using the OM1? G’day from Australia.

[@fototripper]

maybe if they gerrin touch...

[@ramblingman31]

When you’re doing panos, do you always focus stack each composition (so stack those in post and then stitch the pano) or just do that when necessary based on depth of field?

[@fototripper]

Only when necessary. If required I stack each frame and then stitch.

[@millymucci]

just got interested in tripod gears, watching this. miracles do happen. 😬

[@MrJason8957]

I often wish the knobs on the tripod head were on the left as I am primarily working my camera with my right hand. You said you start close and work your way back. Do you worry about tromping all over your foreground before you take the shots from farther back?

[@PaulHolroyd]

My reaction exactly! work far to close so there's no chance of footmarks.

[@crw-bm7mm]

That gear head looks nice, but I just checked out the price....ouch. No thanks. No wonder you want them to send the other gear for a review.

[@peterjpalmer3689]

Hi Gavin, excellent images as usual. It is good to see you are catching up at last with your mentor, Adam Gibbs.( Lol.) I think he has been using a similar head for years!

[@schwobamichl]

Checked your new toy and decided immediately to stay with my good Sirui stuff…!

[@FuZionVideos]

I wish I could make my videos look as good as your pictures. Someday, I'll work more on my landscape photography using your tips. I've used some of your advice in my videos.

[@markthompsonmedia]

I used to use the old Manfrotto 410 junior gear head, loved the way it worked but it had too much play in it. I switched to a ball head, it's steady, but not as good to set up the shots. So I'm always keen to see new gear heads. Wish they weren't $1000 though!

[@Haberdoedas]

Hey Gavin, I love to watch your video's.. little workshop's is a better word.. to me that is.. You're explaining everything in an easy way.. My English is not very well, but I understand every word.. I've have tried multiple tripods with all possible heads.. fluid-heads, gimbal, ball head, video heads, etc.. Now I ended up with a Leofoto tripod LN-364C with a GC-404C (geared center column) and a LH-40GR ball head with a panorama geared head.. It has the benefits of both worlds.. Easy to frame your shot and easier to adjust your final shot.. It cost a few bucks to make your own tripod gear, but you will end up with a setup like made in heaven.. To complete your tripod, try these Titanium Claws (TF-02) also from Leofoto.. especially in rough terrain.. I got this big setup to support my Fujifilm GFX, had smaller tripods before I traded in my whole X-system.. You are appreciated, Keep up the good work.. and a big shout out to you from Holland❤🇳🇱

[@Sensorgrafie]

Nice head, however pricey, I use a Benro GD3WH, which is also a solid build, cheaper but bigger. I use it already for several years and I would miss the easy handling to level the camera, skipped ball heads out too long ago. The benefit of the Benro is, it has a quick release for bigger movements to level.

[@artistwithcameras]

Blake for the win.

[@costelloandsilke7321]

I'd buy an Arca Swiss at that money. My D4 is one of the best photography investments I ever made.