Gitzo Fluid Gimbal Head

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

I’ve used this gimbal head for the past four years for wildlife photography. It provides very smooth tracking for birds in flight and for animals running across a field. Overtime, the large knob at the top became loose so that the entire gimbal mechanism developed excessive play. I simply removed the outer decorative covering and then tightened the large hexagonal nut that is hidden behind the top large knob. The lower knob also became loose and had to be tightened similarly. I also noticed that when locking down the horizontal pan knob, as the screw reaches its tightest position it induces a rightward rotation of the camera and lens, which makes it difficult and requires some trial and error to set the camera and lens pointing at a specific static subject. I have used this gimbal head primarily with the Canon series II 500 L f/4 lens and the series III Canon 600 f/4 lens, with the 1 DX Mark II and Mark III bodies. More recently, I’ve used this identical set up with the Canon R5, and R3 bodies attached to the same lenses. Overall, I have had a great experience with this fluid gimbal head.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Appreciate the insight!

[@OzarkBill]

Thanks Scott! I've been using one of these since shortly after they released it. Other than your comment about noise, I would say my experience and thoughts are all the same. I really wanted to love this as a hybrid head for stills and video. It's Achilles heel is no tension control in the panning base (I don't have a problem with this in the tilt - I feel the base tension is fine in this case). I won't be able to find it now, but years ago I found someone's website who claimed this was due to the inadequate grease used in the horizontal cartridge and he had a full description of taking it apart, cleaning it out and putting a "more appropriate" grease in it. He said this allowed the tensioning adjustment to work much better. I'm not skilled or knowledgeable to try this out myself. It still works as well as any other gimbal I've tried for shooting stills and I guess it's better than most for video. However, it is definitely not on par with a dedicated video head.

[@Sinthora97]

Thank you for your reviews! You really are uncontested No. 1 on KZbin when it comes to Monopods and Gimbals! Just wanted to let you know that the sound is only on the left channel for some reason.

[@ethanhoggardphotography]

Love that head. Been using it lately. Very heavy but a great all arounder

[@WildlifeInspired]

thanks Ethan!

[@jonathansmithies]

I bought this Gitzo gimbal and very quickly returned it. I did not like how big and bulky it was. Also the built-in tension controls, even when turned all the way down, were so rigid and really restricted flexibility of movement, especially for smaller subjects. I can see how this would be a good choice for a photographer shooting primarily video, but personally I would not recommend for stills photographers. There are plenty of better options out there in a similar price range. After returning the Gitzo, I actually landed on the ProMediaGear Katana Jr-a bit more expensive, but really great tension control and very light weight.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I agree and very few people don't like that Katana series !

[@stillsandvideo]

I have one and love it. I have shaky hands and the friction helps. Thanks for the review.

[@tonyh4266]

Hi, I agree with almost everything you say on this Gitzo Gimal head. Sorry, if this is a late comment but it was only just now I’ve come back after excessive use. I find even Italian Ferries are built to a “Certain Cosmetic” finish. Construction however, outstanding. Noise included. After 4 years heavy use I am so pleased with this I will expect it to last me out easily. Like most things photographic we get a feel and a love for using certain products, these tools we use are adapted to how we use them. Love the channel, please continue. TonyH

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Tony!

[@keithmcfaul9310]

I have had the Gitzo Fluid Gimbal head for a little over a year now. When I first saw it I immediately liked it just based on looks alone which is usually a part of my personal standards before I buy almost everything. I am primarily a wildlife photographer (mostly bird photography for the past 5 years). Before I bought this head I had never used a gimbal head so I don't have any previous experience to compare it to. After I bought it and started getting used to it I found I loved it. In my opinion it's like everything else in life -- there is no perfect anything. You either like it or you don't. We get used to the things we like about something and learn to live with the things we don't like about it. When doing bird photography I have no trouble with any of the controls on the head and it feels great while I'm trying to keep up with some of the smaller birds that don't sit still for more than 2 to 3 seconds. The camera system I use on it is the Nikon D850 and the Nikon 600mm F/4E lens exclusively.

[@headshotke]

It's indeed good to follow bird's, do you walk around a lot with that setup? I ask because, I do and broke two already.

[@keithmcfaul9310]

@@headshotke No, I don't walk around with this setup. Rarely will I shoot handheld. The lens alone is 8 1/2 lbs plus the camera and I have found it very difficult to hold it steady enough for my style of photography. I will either shoot from a blind or from inside my truck. I became accustomed to using a tripod while I was doing nature photography shooting wildflowers for several years. I'm not as young as I used to be and this is what works best for me.

[@TylerCave]

What fluid gimbal head would you suggest with the option of adjusting the resistance?

[@WildlifeInspired]

I would instead look at leofotos fluid head leofotousa.com/?sca_ref=4152737.cczJ4cT24o

[@derekgillan7314]

I have this, it is good quality. No noise from mine. I paid £329 new a few months after it was released.

[@andrewwordsworth5364]

Hi Scot, I have the winberley plus a just brought into a gimble called GimPro which is designed to clamp onto other components which mount to car doors, or in my case a bird hide clamp

[@jameskuhn4020]

I have been trying to talk myself into buying a gimbal head, but I'm not convinced. I currently use a Sachtler FSB-8 Fluidhead (a real Fluidhead) on a set of Gitzo G1325 mk2 sticks. The main reason for getting a 'good' Fluidhead is that any position within the range of motion the camera and lens holds in that position. That is, if you have your load properly balanced and the Fluidhead's capacity is not exceeded it will remain stationary after your pan/tilt. 'Buttery smooth' is an apt description. The downside is the Sachtler FSB-8 is significantly more expensive. I guess for me, since I have the FSB-8 it's an easy decision to use it.

[@edbritelight7683]

I have owned and used the Gitzo GHFG1 Fluid-Gimbal for more than a year. A little on the heavy side…so I will carry it only on „planned“ occasions. Otherwise I really love this gimbal…stability and ergonomics are great. For me the resistance is „spot on“ where I need it when the bottom knob is „wide open“. I will use the knob only to lock it. So for my needs, just perfect. I use heavy gear though…Z9 + FTZ + 500mm f4 FL ED +|- extenders

[@WildlifeInspired]

thanks Ed

[@tr3v87]

I had one of these and found it be barely better than a standard gimbal. Panning was ok but the tilt may as well have not had fluid mech.

[@TexarkanaGameday]

I just received mine today. Is there like a click at the bottom. Mine will stop and I have to push it down to let’s say the bottom/level. May be normal, but nothing like my Katana Jr. is it suppose to be like that?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Im not sure, It was not my favorite gimbal

[@tonyh4266]

Hi Scott, I use the Gitzo Gimbal head on my Gitzo Systemic series 5 tripod. I agree, it is less fast in action than some other gimbals, but although I tried others I settled with this one. I do’nt think it affects my success rate, but practice is what I did before using. I do not hear any sound from the base as you have done, but there is resistance. I have used several of my NikonDSLRs with large lenses and the only issue I have is I use a 500mm f5.6 E PF with a RRS foot. The handle/lever catches the side of my Z9, so I remove it with this set up. Overall love it! Great site thank you….. Tony

[@WildlifeInspired]

Good insight, Tony. I think there are some real pros. I think if they revisited the design and added more control over the drag, they could have a big win

[@mikelitecky1549]

Great review. I owned one for a few years but was never very happy with the fluid movement. It always felt on the tight side I could never get it to be as smooth as I would like it. Pretty pricey for how it worked, at least for me.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for sharing

[@簡伯丞-x5s]

thanks for the review, very helpful

[@marklaurendet1861]

Thanks for a very informative and balanced review.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jessehermansonphoto]

Honestly this was the gold standard in my mind but I have seen dozens of reviews on this thing, in forums, that have complaints similar to yours. I’m always drawn to it but I think I’ll just stick with a fluid head and a separate gimbal

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Jesse

[@headshotke]

Stay with the fluid head, it's much better and it's far from the standard, used a lot of them, but tough I prefer it for following birds in flight over any other tripod heads I used, the build quality is bad, very bad, also it's not fluid enough to do video, also for really fast things like small birds up close it's no good. And first I thought this would be perfect and build like a tank, like everyone is saying always about gitzo, but it's not.

[@photosbyjoeendy]

Nice review, I was always curious about this gimbal. I have a suggestion for a good gimbal review for you. This was my first gimbal I purchased years ago. It's very "odd" overall with the various ways to mount your camera especially if you want to balance your setup. Along with some design features that are not the norm plus the fact it's branded for a monopod makes it very different. I must say it is built like a tank though. The price point is a nice bonus. I would be very interested to see your thoughts on it. Thank you Scott. Manfrotto 393 Heavy Telephoto Lens Support for Monopod

[@WildlifeInspired]

I think this was my first gimbal!

[@photosbyjoeendy]

@@WildlifeInspired and sold as a monopod head. 😳

[@JonGohr]

If you decide to dig into fluid heads I'd love to see a review of the Benro WH15 Long Lens Wildlife Head and/or the set that includes their Mammoth carbon fiber tripod. Both are available at B&H. Believe its new'ish and it looks interesting, at least to me with a passing interest in videography as well as photography. Haven't seen a single review on KZbin or at the major online retailers.

[@WildlifeInspired]

ill take a look at it!

[@docshaka]

​@@WildlifeInspired This. I just received the gitzo fluid and the BH15 to replace the flexshooter because I couldn't get good video or even regular subject tracking. Flexshooter is an awesome idea, just not smooth enough Playing with all three, the BH15 is far superior in almost every way Smooth video, enough counterbalance to steady a 600/4 z9 combo at only half dial (something the manfroto nitro couldn't do), half the size of the gitzo, adjustable drag better build quality, way better arm and more positions and folds up smaller, also can use with regular Lbracket for non long lens use. Checks all the boxes Scott you need to check it out!

[@ericlee5134]

great gimbal

[@erikswenson2659]

Scott, your voice was only recorded on the left channel in this video. Really makes listening less enjoyable if one is using headphones or earbuds. Thanks for the info on this interesting tripod head.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Yup. I messed up bad. I fixed it going forward. The error was in th recording. Software

[@erikswenson2659]

@@WildlifeInspired nice of you to reply. Life is just like that. You spend all that time and energy getting the microphone just right, and then the big ol' sound truck runs you over!

[@Bayonet1809]

There are browser extensions that can down-mix the audio on webpages to mono, (or adjust the volume between ears) for when videos are like this. I use one called SoundFixer.

[@pathworks]

The sale price was $499 on B&H -- too bad: best to wait for it to go back on sale. The benefit is that it has both gimbal and fluid head features. I debated getting a gimbal or a fluid head, as many wildlife photographers now use fluid heads for stills because fluid heads can do both video and stills. Having both on a shoot sounds like a lot of weight to carry, and with the time to swap heads, even if on a quick-release system, you may miss the shot or video desired. Do you bring both heads on a shoot? Do you have two tripods set up so that you can quickly move back and forth? On another note, I'd like you to compare the Manfrotto 502AH with the E-Image GH06 fluid heads.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I'll do a fluid head test soon!

[@headshotke]

I have broken two of them with normal use in less then a year! I like the fluid resistant to pan or follow birds in flight. The resistance is not enough for filming. At least not with anything from Sigma 150-600mm c or heavier! Think reason for breaking is probably walking around with tripod on shoulder and my D850+500mm f4D (9kg) setup. Also use the manfrotto now and it's much better for heavier lenses and not only video. Non of mine had the sound. But would stay away from it

[@headshotke]

Also it's NOT ARCA Swiss it's close but doesn't fit any of my other tripod heads and you can't lock a standaard Arca Swiss with it, almost lost lens doing so, because it's close to be, but doesn't lock enough...

[@WildlifeInspired]

So odd that they use something close to arca but not quite. After recording this I noticed one of my lenses didnt fit quite right but I thought it was a new plate I put on

[@headshotke]

@@WildlifeInspired Yes idd, that really pissed me off when I found out the first time, almost broke my Nikon 500mm F4 that had a foot with Arca swiss in it, I was photographing birds in flight an all the sudden it came loose!

[@RonSkinnerPhotographer]

I use the Leophoto Gimbal, it’s similar to your Katana Jr and nice and smooth

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thats a good one

[@rschellie]

I think the way these fluid heads work is by using an orifice that restricts the flow of the oil to dampen the movements.

[@OBrandt-i5c]

Gitzo makes a version of this for Swarovski (Swarovski PTH). There are some functional differences between this one, and I believe the Swarovski version is better functionally.

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Great video. Lovely microphone. But for some reason your voice only reached my left speaker... No idea why... 😂 (Phone: Nokia XR20 / Earbuds: Jaybird Vista 2)

[@WildlifeInspired]

Sorry about that, I realized when i recorded a couple videos, my software was set incorrectly! I think I fixed the other vids (hopefullyl)

[@mikeparler]

Hey Scott, do you prefer gimbals or video heads for wildlife photography & videography?

[@RyanMenseWildlife]

Thanks for the review. Like others, I've been curious about it for a while. About that Manfrotto you got there, I would not base your opinions on fluid heads to that :) It has flop because the counterbalance on that thing can only manage like 6 pounds or something, and that's with the load being tightly packed on top and with a low center of gravity. When I owned one I would use the lock partially tightened to slightly improve the balancing. Long lenses are going to be more demanding (to put it lightly), and better fluid heads have no flop. I'm sure you've watched those behind the scenes of nature docs where they are using arris or reds and canon cn20s and a whole load of accessories on fluid heads, and you won't be seeing them flop!

[@WildlifeInspired]

For sure Ryan and I know a couple photogs that definitely have bought really nice (expensive) fluid heads. I'd say about 75%?? of the people I see are using the head I own or comparable. Definitely not ones designed to counterbalance 15 pounds+

[@livejames9374]

Looks like that 400mm is getting some good use with battle scars.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I needs a lenscoat! Its usually just dirt, I've been doing ducks a lot, which is my muddiest season

[@fantasysensenmann]

Hey there. Thank you very much for this review I was waiting for this for a long time :D Also: for me only the left audio channel is working :/ is there something wrong with this video?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Sorry about that yup i screwed up its true

[@lindaitken3321]

Other items to test? How about other fluid head gimbals (if there are any)?

[@WildlifeInspired]

I am currently testing a range of fluid head (not gimbal style)

[@lindaitken3321]

@@WildlifeInspired Other fluid heads have been tested from here to the moon and back. The "counterbalance" controls they have aren't really counterbalances. A real counterbalance would be a weight hung down below the pivot point. I tried rigging this up with parts ordered from B&H but couldn't get enough weight.

[@bikefreek]

Your videographer friend is gonna lay into you again when they realize your vocal track is in mono lol

[@WildlifeInspired]

Please. I heard this and cringed. Unfortunately you can't dub the audio once it's posted. And found another video that had the same setting but caught it before it posted.

[@bikefreek]

You NEED to check out the Benro WH15

[@tonysvensson8314]

It seems far to loose for smoth slow movements and panning while filming.

[@tucompaivan]

I want a gimbal that you tilt it and the viewfinder doesn't doesn't tilt.

[@WildlifeInspired]

you have to mount an external monitor you can do it just not convenient

[@19Photographer76]

Having 'creep' is horrible to have. If a photog needs it stable then they need, right... No flop sounds awesome but, I'm not going to get it just for that.

[@KevinFox58]

Horrible gimbel. I'm on my second one. After time that big knob will not tighten enough to even keep it level and it has a ton of wobble. Not good at all

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Kevin!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Mind if ask ,if it's "horrible " ,why buy it again?

[@MazurPr0ductions]

@@uaebifvideo5472 I’m sure he means he was sent a new one via a warranty claim

[@imagesbyrina]

I wanted this to be good. I was going to get it when it was released. My buddy got it. We took it to shoot. His 600mm came right off as he raised the tripod. No, his 600mm did not make it. And Customer Support was not good he told me. I definitely did not want to buy it after that. No one should buy this.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I have had no luck with Gitzo when I tried to contact them and heard the service is not good

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I guess my mamma gave me too much common sense. Over $630 for this gimbal is like buying a $6000 Leica to take mundane black and white pics. I have a two 5 year old Magnus (actually 2 of em) gimbal, paid about $80 apiece maybe, one on an old Manfrotto Element monopod, and another on a very stout Neewer tripod. Have made some of my best crits and bird shot with this "cheap" equipment. The money I save from these ultra expensive gimbals pays for the gas to get me to new wildlife locations. I saved all that money so it's free money eh? :O Cheers! .... a broadcast loop, I KNEW I would learn something today ... however, I think you could have worn a dressier shirt ... maybe same clothes, but wear a tie ... heehee

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Need to sort out the sound.