When looking for budget priced geared tripod heads in the past we really only had 3 to choose from. the GD3WH from Benro, the quite overprice Manfrotto 410 Junior (not to mention this head is getting REALLY long in the tooth) and the Sunwayfoto GH-PROIIS. Now we have this $199 model from K&F.
I have had all 3 of these heads. The Benro is quite good...for several months before the gears start wearing and plastic bits start breaking off. It is a well operating head but cheaply made. The Manfrotto head which has been around for decades now are ok but lacks features of more modern heads. It is not very smooth when trying to really dial in smooth movements and the proprietary top plate is just a pain. It also gets unsteady after about a year of use. The Sunwayfoto is a solid head but making quick/fast adjustments are a bit difficult to do.
So how does this new K&F one stack up? Incredibly well in my opinion. It is built like a take with mostly metal parts. You have a standard ARCA Swiss top plate. Fast adjustments are incrediblely easy with the spring loaded collars than simply snap back into locking position once you let go of them. The bubble level is offset enough so you can see it even when your camera is mounted to it. Something the others are lacking as it gets covered when you mount your camera. Basically the K&F geared head solves all of the issues I had with all the other budget heads.
Being a real estate photographer, having a geared head is a must. Having used all the other budget geared heads on the market, THIS one is the one that is going to stay on my tripod. I think you will find this is going to quickly become the #1 recommended geared tripod head on the market.
I have had all 3 of these heads. The Benro is quite good...for several months before the gears start wearing and plastic bits start breaking off. It is a well operating head but cheaply made. The Manfrotto head which has been around for decades now are ok but lacks features of more modern heads. It is not very smooth when trying to really dial in smooth movements and the proprietary top plate is just a pain. It also gets unsteady after about a year of use. The Sunwayfoto is a solid head but making quick/fast adjustments are a bit difficult to do.
So how does this new K&F one stack up? Incredibly well in my opinion. It is built like a take with mostly metal parts. You have a standard ARCA Swiss top plate. Fast adjustments are incrediblely easy with the spring loaded collars than simply snap back into locking position once you let go of them. The bubble level is offset enough so you can see it even when your camera is mounted to it. Something the others are lacking as it gets covered when you mount your camera. Basically the K&F geared head solves all of the issues I had with all the other budget heads.
Being a real estate photographer, having a geared head is a must. Having used all the other budget geared heads on the market, THIS one is the one that is going to stay on my tripod. I think you will find this is going to quickly become the #1 recommended geared tripod head on the market.
20/06/2023
Very good when using a large lens where the gimbal attachment is direct to the lens. (I am using with a Sigma 150-600mm)
Seems sturdy and the lens locks in place and is fluid for video tracking as well.
Seems sturdy and the lens locks in place and is fluid for video tracking as well.
12/05/2023
This is very well made and well worth the money. I bought it to use for videos - on a small light stand for my Panasonic G7 camera. My space is very small - the tripod was taking to much room - this ball head will be perfect - I can use the smaller light stand and still be able to tilt my camera in any direction.
25/04/2023
I’m using this ball head on a monopod. Size is great for the monopod but using it with a heavy lens you’ll have to really tighten the knobs. Better used with smaller lenses.
15/04/2023
Much better quality than expected. Holds my DSLR sturdy with ease. It's not hard to lock the ball down in place. There is a nylon insert surrounding the ball that allows it to slide and grip. Quick release plate has safety pins in case it slides while trying to insert or remove. I don't feel like I am going to loose a $1200 camera because I bought a cheap item. I want another one!
13/04/2023
This Gimbal is built well , maybe little on the heavy side. I think it would be good for entry level photography & would be fine for most shots . The reason I returned it was I didn't care for the play in the horizontal pivot . And when you tighten the lock knob for the horizontal pivot it changes camera position slightly .
29/03/2023