Fluid Head: Kingjoy VT-3510 or Weifeng WF-717

F

flashbeast

Member
Hi there,
i'm planning to buy a cheap Fluid Head, since i can't afford a "real" one. Simple that. So there are two heads which i stumbled upon:

- Kingjoy VT-3510
- Weifeng WF-717

While there is everything clear about the Weifeng (several reviews available), i'm not sure if the Kingjoy would be the better option. Looks like the Kingjoy is similar to Manfrotto's 701HDV, but with additional drag control for tilt movements. On the other hand the Weifeng has a (fixed) counterbalance on top. So i'm torn between features (Weifeng's counterbalance) and possible compatibility on side of Kingjoy (probably compatible parts with 701HDV/plates....).

It's used with smallish cameras like Canon 60D, but in future i'm planning to go the slightly bigger route, like a rigged out Blackmagic Pocketcam.

By the way: both stay below 100€ (138$), which is my absolute limit...


So...what do you think?
 
The best cheap head I've found so far is the Benro S6 head, which goes for about $160 in North America. It's the only cheap head that has a proper counter-balance function, so when you let go of the handle it will stay pointing in any direction without having to lock anything. ( all of the cheaper heads have to be locked to hold their position )
 
Hi!

Thanks for your reply! I think the Benro S6 has a very good price-quality ratio. I keep it in mind when it's getting serious. BUT...the head is not so easily available here in Europe, so the extra taxes and customs duties come on top. That makes the head way too expensive for my budget :( also...if i'm correct, there is still no drag control for pan movement :(


So...i could save money for it, or try one of the above-mentioned heads. Sadly there is not much information about the Kingjoy (i think it's the same company which makes the Velbon-Heads, according to the name of the head). When i'm correct the Manfrotto 701HDV (the example of the VT-3510?) has a fixed counterbalance, so the Kingjoy should have one too, as does the Weifeng have. So:

Kingjoy VT-3510:
+ compatible with Manfrotto
+ counterbalance (fixed)
+ adjustable drag for tilt movement
- price

Weifeng WF-717:
+ counterbalance (fixed)
+ adjustable drag for tilt movement
+ price (less than half the price of the S6, btw)
- not compatible with any other brand (baseplates...)


So again...i'm torn between that two...or is it such a waste of money anyway?
 
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