Gitzo 3-Way Fluid Head

I do like how I can adjust each individual access and fine tune my composition much better.But my Favorite feature is placing my camera on top, a very light press and it Locks my camera on the QR clamp then a light pinch it needed to securely lock it into place

Built like a Tank, but.....

Bought two of these - both behave in the same manner.Like most Gitzo stuff, this head is solid.Two serious flaws. The lever release requires TOO MUCH force when releasing from the locked position. Bear in mind that one hand is holding your camera kit. When the force is overcome, the lever release operates suddenly. This surprise could really unsettle the hand holding the camera kit.I don't know why Gitzo did not choose to install a lever release clamp (like Really Right Stuff's).The other problem I see is with the release allowing the head to be rotated 90 degrees. This release also requires excessive force. Then it releases suddenly.

Defective latch mechanism

Harout speaks without knowing. I tried adjusting the screw on the side of the head and it did nothing to eliminate movement in the plate holder mechanism. In any case, why should using the supplied Gitzo quick release plate require any adjustment at all? This just reinforces my impression of poor design and testing by Gitzo.

Excellent update to the pan classic 3-way pan/tilt head.

It's pricey but completely worth it. Solves the perennial issues of limited range on many pan/tilt heads—especially vertical format forward tilt—and it gets rid of the sloppy control issues of a ball head. The retractable handles are a major plus improving the cross section and making it more packable. The one flaw is that Arca style QR plates that are not made by Gitzo don't seem to work that well. I purchased an Arca branded plate and it doesn't work with the quick release mechanism. Small issue.

Gordon's review of Gitzo Fluid 3 Way Head

Pros: Good quality with fluid smooth ease of use, great for getting accurate level shots.Cons: Would have liked it to have a standard arca Swiss top plate instead of a spring loaded locking mechanism, I’ve had to use the Gitzo camera plate to ensure it locks up tightly and I can’t use my L Bracket safely, It also appears you can’t change this plate.

Not professional level

While well-made, this 3-way fluid head has several design flaws that will probably be corrected in later versions. It is usable but is not good enough for professional use. First, the levers do not extend long enough, resulting in some knuckle-cracking against adjacent parts of the head. Second, you need to turn the spindles quite a bit to go from loose to firmly fixed. If you are doing many such movements per hour it can be slow, and may require you to adjust the angle of your hands to make the full revolution. That adds time to each adjustment. Third, and most seriously, the head has an awkward locking mechanism on the handle. It is difficult to operate one-handed. On my unit, the supplied quick release plate wobbled in the head, and there was no way to tighten it ... MoreWhile well-made, this 3-way fluid head has several design flaws that will probably be corrected in later versions. It is usable but is not good enough for professional use. First, the levers do not extend long enough, resulting in some knuckle-cracking against adjacent parts of the head. Second, you need to turn the spindles quite a bit to go from loose to firmly fixed. If you are doing many such movements per hour it can be slow, and may require you to adjust the angle of your hands to make the full revolution. That adds time to each adjustment. Third, and most seriously, the head has an awkward locking mechanism on the handle. It is difficult to operate one-handed. On my unit, the supplied quick release plate wobbled in the head, and there was no way to tighten it down. Although it prevents the quick release from being accidentally opened, that wobble is the last thing you want in a quick release system. I had hoped that this expensive head would solve some of the grabby qualities that other 3-way heads develop over time, but this head has much worse problems. Gitzo needs to go back to the drawing board.

Sturdy and Reliable

I decided to write a review just because the former (and sole) reviewer's note is untrue. Let me explain: the 3rd issue (wobbling) is there yes, but there IS a remedy for it. On the opposite side of the lever there is hole where you can loosen a knob with the included tool and adjust it. So obviously the first reviewer did not notice it.My only complain (and it's the reason for a 4 star) is the price, regardless being a Gitzo.Anyway, overall I do like it.And, oh, by the way, if you loosen the aforesaid knob the included plate will no longer lock firmly, so you'll need to readjust the knob.

The best head, especially for your Gitzo tripod!

I read the other reviews first like always. There weren't many but one person was insistent that this thing was terrible. Thankfully I know how to take these with a grain of salt. Definitely user error on that end. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this head. The tension screw is so easy to manipulate to work with the provided plate or your own compatible plate. In this case I use one I already had because it fit my Hasselblad correctly. The one provided is pretty big and would be good for cameras with a large base.As for the functions, it flips to 90 degrees just as fast as it would if you were to adjust horizontal angle. The extending handles are awesome and really bring the overall size way down when it is not in use or locked into position that doesn't ... MoreI read the other reviews first like always. There weren't many but one person was insistent that this thing was terrible. Thankfully I know how to take these with a grain of salt. Definitely user error on that end. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this head. The tension screw is so easy to manipulate to work with the provided plate or your own compatible plate. In this case I use one I already had because it fit my Hasselblad correctly. The one provided is pretty big and would be good for cameras with a large base.As for the functions, it flips to 90 degrees just as fast as it would if you were to adjust horizontal angle. The extending handles are awesome and really bring the overall size way down when it is not in use or locked into position that doesn't need changing which reduces the likelihood of smacking a protruding handle. There's an integrated spirit level if you don't have one on your camera and it is easily seen if your camera body isn't enormous. It takes such a small twist of the handle to get it to the point where you can adjust tilt and angle. The panoramic adjustment part is a little tight at first but does break in a bit, albeit a little slowly. No big deal. Just get used to it and there's no issue.One thing I find to be the most important aspect is that feeling of assured lock. You lock your camera in on any other tripod and you always want to try to pull it off to make sure it locked in place and you double check the lever to make sure its all the way down. Not with this. Once the tension bolt is properly adjusted to the base plate you are using (or the original that comes with the head), all you have to do is make sure you get the back end in the slot and lined up in the center and drop it forward. That thing will lock into place with a surefooted pop that is unmistakeable. You can even feel that the camera is no longer in your control. It is on that head and it isn't coming off. It is the first tripod head I've ever found that I can trust to hold my camera while I move the tripod from outside all the way back into the house. There's about $12k sitting atop that tripod head and I have ZERO worries about it coming loose or swing around and dropping and smacking the edge of lens on something. That can easily happen with a ball head. Not this one. VERY satisfied with it.Finally, the build quality is top notch like all Gitzo products. I have one of their biggest and largest capacity tripods and it looks like it was made just for it. The finish matches and all that good stuff. Small things are still important to me.In conclusion... You want a solid tripod head? Buy this thing. Other heads in this range of comparable price don't hold a candle to it. It is that good. Ignore the bad review. That was definitely user error. It is a simple Allen wrench adjustment and the comment there was borne of laziness. This profession doesn't have room for that. So if you aren't lazy, you'll figure it out pretty quick.And Gitzo fans will definitely love it!Of course there's always a con, right? This is really nitpicking but I had to list something. It looks like a fluid head. It is listed as a fluid head. It doesn't move like a fluid head. It moves like it is on a bearing only with no soft resistance. So just keep that in mind the first time you try to adjust tilt and/or angle with the levers expecting resistance. There's really none to speak of. But that doesn't take away from the five star review. I know how it behaves now and it is nothing I'd send it back for or trade for any other fluid head.Hope this helps dispels and remove and doubt created by someone that doesn't know how to operate an allen key. Just my two cents.

Tony's review of Gitzo Fluid 3 Way Head

Pros: Excellent quality, feels like premium equipment. Smooth, precise easy to manipulate quickly. It's expensive and feels like it to use.Cons: It would be nice to be able to lock the handles off once extended. They tend to slip back to their retracted state.

Way better than original Gitzo head

What a pleasure to use. I bought a 2312 80th anniversary Gitzo in 1997 with the stock head. The new 3-way head blows it away.Easy to use and creamy smooth! Recommend for all still photographers!