Good Fluid Head for GH1 (light cameras)

[Kerplunk]

I'll add another vote for the Libec H22. I'm using it on a Gitzo 1348 MK2 CF legs. I was out on Washington's Olympic Peninsula all last week shooting with this setup and I've got to say that it is a revelation compared to the Manfrotto 701 I had before. Beautiful smooth pans and tilts and the leveling base is so nice!

Cheers,

Have heard great things about that Libec. Curious whether you had the 701RC2 or the new 701HDV?

For those who want a leveler, but don't have a bowl setup, you may want to check out the Acratech leveling base. Very nicely constructed and smooth functioning unit.

http://acratech.net/home.php?cat=2

 

[simonclivehughes]

Have heard great things about that Libec. Curious whether you had the 701RC2 or the new 701HDV?

If I remember, I had the 701RC2 (this was a couple of years ago when I had the HV20). I would hazard a guess, however, that the Libec is still head and shoulders above even the newer 701. It is a larger, heavier and much more solid than the cheaper Manfrottos. If I recall, the 701 series is not really a true fluid head but uses Teflon plates or something.

For those who want a leveler, but don't have a bowl setup, you may want to check out the Acratech leveling base.

Actually, I didn't realize that my tripod (Gitzo 1348 MK2) could take a leveling base. In an email to Gitzo, they pointed out that as it was a "Systemic" tripod, I just had to unbolt the flat plate from the top and replace it with a 75mm bowl... $100 later, I had a leveling base!


Cheers,

 

[Kerplunk]

If I recall, the 701 series is not really a true fluid head but uses Teflon plates or something.

The 701 series actually uses 2 MiniDVDs sandwiching a layer of KY jelly for superior friction control.

 

[simonclivehughes]

... a layer of KY jelly for superior friction control.

How utterly charming!

Ciao,

 

[j]

I've got one of these with my bogen micro fluid head ($76):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...n_Imaging_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html

With it, I'm happy as a clam. A very level clam.

 

[Kerplunk]

Wish I'd seen that Bogen before buying the Acratech - about half the price. Really pleased with the Acratech, but still.

 

[ustein]

I got now a 701dvd and will see how it works for real.

Thanks for your help.

Uwe

 

[sammysammy]

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350215258735

here is the same one i got, mine came with a head plate, and the dolly...heavy, but works great...

 

[billh]

I've been pleased with the Libec H22 so far. Life has been (AS it is for so many of us) fly-in-the-face insane the past few days, so I haven't had a chance to write impressions here, but it's super solid build and seems to work good with the GH1.

How does this head mount on a tripod? It has a large knob attached to the bottom, and no way I can see of attaching it to any tripod I have ever seen. No instructions came with it - also I do not see any way you can level it. Is there info anywhere that shows how to use it?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[simonclivehughes]

Bill,

You need a tripod that will accept a 75mm bowl that the head mounts to. If your tripod won't accept a bowl plate then Manfrotto has a piece ([FONT=&quot]325N Video Head Adapter Bowl- for 75 mm and 100 mm Heads[/FONT]) that mounts on a normal tripod head and allow you to mount the Libec. BUT... you cannot use the leveling feature that the bowl mount provides which is very desirable.

On a tripod with a bowl top plate, you just unscrew the knob on the H22 and mount it through the bowl's hole, then screw the knob back on.

Cheers,

 

[yabyum]

Bump...

Any footage yet Ben B? That'd be great to see... it looks like there is pretty much no good fluid head solution for under 300 from the research I've done. I'm pretty interested in the FM18 head now, hoping that it'll work for some nice pans/tilts.