Which K&F GIMBAL HEAD is the BEST VALUE? 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head Review & Comparison

[@JoeMaranophotography]

K&F Prime Day Sale offers in description!

[@ImNotQualifiedToSayThisBut]

I still have to carry around my 3kg camera setup because I cannot afford switching bodies so a gimbal for wildlife photography and planespotting still seems quite obligatory

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@ImNotQualifiedToSayThisBut They are quite useful especially when static for long periods :)

[@kentfaithwendyzeng]

Thanks for sharing this insightful review!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@kentfaithwendyzeng Thank you Wendy :)

[@svtcontour]

So I have the more expensive K&F and mine has damped motion like its the fluid type. Yours looks like its just free moving without any dampening.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

I thought there were only two models or do you own one of the ones shown in the video? Could be that I'm using a lightweight setup?

[@svtcontour]

@@JoeMaranophotography Ya maybe they've updated something. So the one I just got looks exactly like the one you are using in the video (as seen on the right side) which is the more expensive one. My setup is not too heavy either, I've got a Canon 7D and a 200mm prime with a 2x converter.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@svtcontour Did you just have one of the knows tightened a touch perhaps? I don't have any complaints about it but then I don't actually use gimbals all that much unless the situation requires it.

[@svtcontour]

@@JoeMaranophotography I wouldnt say its a complaint but its a bit different. All of the knobs are loose. I wonder if they've switched to a heavier grease that makes it feel this way. Either way tomorrow i'll give it a shot as I go outdoor.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@svtcontour One thing I will say is if it's dampened a bit more than mine when it comes to filming it will probably result in smoother motion so maybe not a bit thing if you ever do that?

[@SteveHedgesPhotography]

Both gimbals look like great value Joe, although I prefer a fluid head for filming. All the best Steve.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@SteveHedgesPhotography I prefer a video head a lot of the time as well actually apart from when you want to step away from the camera and having to lock it down.

[@zaxtheman4917]

Yo Joe, I'm sure you sent this vid out a couple of days ago, great vid though, tyvm :)

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@zaxtheman4917 Yeah I had to pull it mate as it somehow uploaded the day I uploaded rather than as scheduled and then the scheduled upload only got 17 views. I can't sustain that hit as KZbin will then annihilate my channel algorithm wise.

[@zaxtheman4917]

@@JoeMaranophotography Yeh I understand all about algos :) I wanted to get the Nd 1000 kit but on ebay it sells for 119 quid. so I don't understand their so called sale on K & F.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@zaxtheman4917 Is that even better than the Prime Day discount?

[@zaxtheman4917]

@@JoeMaranophotography on the main site it is £144 before any discounts, so yeh with your discount code it will be better.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@zaxtheman4917 Ah phew haha

[@snoopy9568]

Thanks for a great vid Joe. It couldn't have been posted at a better time. I have been eyeing off both these heads FOR WEEKS trying to work out, aside from their design and appearance, what the differences between them are and why the different costs (the "Pro" seems to be cheaper in price). I'm not sure if its camera angle in your vid, or variations between your tripods - I'm sure its an optics thing - but the heads seem to be different heights, or are they roughly the same? As an opinion, and having worked in metal fabrication in past lives, one concern I have is that the lower (rotation) lock in the tube-alloy of the curved upright is at a fair distance from the head attachment. I wonder if this is a potential weak point compared to the CNC head's threaded solid alloy at the point of rotation (more positive lock/less likely to fail). I know big brands such as Sirui have similar designs to the curved "Pro", but theirs have threaded inserts in the tube alloy and are four times the cost of the K&F (in Australia at least, where EVERYTHING seems to be more expensive)! The other thing I can't work out is why the CNC machined head (non-curved upright head) has the horizontal adjustment (side-to-side) for the upright. Surely, wouldn't you suspend the Arca-swiss mount above the centre of the head mount on the tripod for balance BEFORE you even mount the camera onboard? In another review I saw this adjustment was loosened off a tad and the upright wobbled around quite a bit, which had me asking why have it at all? It would be great to hear your responses and thoughts! Thanks again and double thumbs up!!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@snoopy9568 Haha you noticed! Yes the tripods were at slightly different heights because of differing brands of tripod. I could have taken more of an effort to level them but didn't think it was noticeable I also think the one on the ifootage tripod wasn't exactly level. Yeah I'm a bit confused on the design of the pro head to be honest. I feel like either is a good choice but aside from the slightly increased size and weight the cheaper one is just as good!😊

[@snoopy9568]

@@JoeMaranophotography All good! If I squint and tilt my head, there's no difference in height at all! Lol! When I grow up, I want to own an iFootage too, but for the moment I'm stuck with two aluminium Manfrottos (the ART 144 is actually great, just a bit heavy). Thanks for the advice! Still confused re the sideways adjustment, but for some reason I am gravitating to that head. I just figure if the lock knob strips the thread for what ever reason, such as my gorilla hands, I can tap a new one. I can't say the same for the other one with any real confidence. This is the problem with the online world - its getting harder to try before you buy causing me to delay any decision to the point of exasperation! In for a penny.........! Thanks again👍

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@snoopy9568 I have to say the ifootage tripod is bloody incredible and although I'm not a fan of tripods this is just the sort of product that makes you want to use it :)

[@snoopy9568]

@@JoeMaranophotography I'm with you regarding "with or without tripod", but I recently bought a Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, and I must be getting old, but my wimpy arms start to complain after a little while. The gimbal head would be ideal. Duade Paton has done a vid on tripods and I was impressed by the iFootage TC7 - mind you, some of the "cool" features he describes were on my cheap Hanimex tripod I had thirty years ago! At AUD$650 for the TC 7 though......well, let's just say the lens was the big spend for me this year and I can't see anyone buying me the tripod for Christmas at this stage. To be honest, I'm just getting back into photography after several years away - wearing glasses now has ruined it for me quite a bit - so I really don't have to rush anything......until after I make my first million..................!!! You've been very patient and generous with your time during our discussion. Thanks so much. Looking forward to more great vids from you!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@snoopy9568 The TC3B supports up to 5KG I believe so I'm guessing with the gimbal, camera and lens that will take you over? Yeah and that's why I also like M43 - I have never felt anything weighed too much ever!

[@garryhorsemannatureandwild4490]

How in the name of sanity does a photographer of your calibre get so few views.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@garryhorsemannatureandwild4490 Well that's very, very kind to say! But honestly I'm my own worst critic and I'm never satisfied and always wanting more! I'm jealous of those that get to travel around the world when I'm stuck here in rainland lol