The Best Tripod Heads for Photos and Videos in 2024 https://petapixel.com/2024/05/03/best-tripod-heads/ #manfrottonitrotech #gearedtripodhead #arcaswisscube #vanguardalta #arcaswissd4 #arcaswissp0 #videotripod #panandtilt #tripodhead #Equipment #arcaswiss #benrogx35 #manfrotto #panoramic #syrpgenie #timelapse #wimberley #acratech #ballhead #millercx #vanguard #leofoto #Guides #3podq3 #miller #tripod #benro #video #3pod #syrp #p0 #p1

The Manfrotto ‘Move’ is a Modular Support System for the Hybrid Shooter

Manfrotto has announced what it is calling the Move Ecosystem: a line of modular and connected support products that are designed to assist a hybrid photo and video shooter across a range of applications.

Manfrotto says the system was developed around the idea of speed and versatility to better support the modern creative professional who rides the line between photographer and filmmaker. The Move is able to transition quickly and frequently between varying support systems thanks to a new Quick Release System in its lightweight base and plate offerings that can attach to a set of supports.

Basically, Manfrotto saw the problem that plagues many modern shooters: the tripod plates, supports, and accessories that are needed in order to fluidly capture a range of still or video shots are not generally compatible. Video plates are different from still plates, and the ones needed on a gimbal might be totally different as well. Moving from a slider to a tripod to a gimbal is, therefore, slow and tedious. For smaller crews with a limited number of arms and cameras, choosing to move from one shot to the next may mean sacrificing valuable minutes of shooting time.

The system can supposedly give hybrid shooters the flexibility to quickly jump between different support systems with a single click and without needing to screw or unscrew different pieces in order to do so.

In short, Manfrotto Move is designed to reduce downtime when switching between tripods, motion control gear, and stabilizers in fast-paced creative environments.

One plate can stay attached to a photographer's camera but give them access to different tripod heads thanks to the shared design. The aforementioned quick release system is made possible thanks to a locking base unit. A fitted plate screws into the bottom of a tripod head and allows them to slip out of their position on a tripod and onto another, for example.

On the left, the Quick Release Plate. On the right, the Quick Release Catcher.

With two of the locking Quick Release Catcher bases, a tripod video head equipped with the interlocking Quixk Release base plate can be unlocked from a set of tripod legs and immediately transitioned to a slider and re-locked into place. So while a photographer would need more than one Catcher unit, they would theoretically only need one video head.

"While speed is certainly a profound benefit of the Quick Release System, due to its universal 3/8-inch connection standard, the system is capable of connecting varying support types to each other revealing enhanced functionality from users existing systems," Manfrotto says.

The Move system is hinged on the small interlocking piece, but in addition to it Manfrotto has announced a new gimbal called the 300XM. Different from other gimbals, the 300XM uses a detachable modular construction that allows the head and electronic controls to communicate with each other even when separated thanks to a Bluetooth connection.

The gimbal head can also be adapted onto a completely separate support system such as a tripod or slider and be used as a remotely operated shooting station.

"Manfrotto tripods can be coupled with sliders and different heads on top, while Manfrotto’s Gimboom can be paired with the new Modular Gimbal 300XM in order to have a two meters long stabilized support with remote control capabilities that can be fully operated by a single user," the company says.

The Manfrotto Move Quick Release Catcher costs $90 and the Quick Release Plate costs $25, though a bundle with the two together will cost $100. The Gimboom leveling Quick Release Plate costs a bit more at $30. Manfrotto's new Modular Gimbal will retail for $770.

#equipment #news #gimbal #hybrid #hybridshooter #manfrotto #manfrottomove #modular #photo #slider #support #tripod #tripodhead #video #videohead

Manfrotto and Gitzo Attempt to Standardize Tripod Load Capacity

Manfrotto and Gitzo have registered a new testing practice with the UNI -- an Italian standardization body -- which creates a new international standard for tripod load capacity, though it has yet to be adopted outside of the two companies.

As spotted by DIY Photography, the new standardization UNI / PdR 105: 2021 was filed in May and contains a testing method for determining the maximum payload of supports for both tripods and tripod heads for photo and video use. The standardization documents are available in both Italian and English, and while Manfrotto and Gitzo may have created the testing practice, the UNI now owns the responsibility for its enforcement and will oversee all companies who wish to use the standard to certify products.

"The reference practice UNI/PdR 105:2021 has been published by UNI (Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione) the independent Italian pan-sector regulatory body recognized internationally by CEN and ISO. As such, UNI is entrusted with the development, publication and promotion of standards and best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the socioeconomic system together with consumer and environmental protection," the tripod manufacturer states, according to CineD.

The reference practice is aimed at defining the test method for determining the maximum payload of the supports (tripods and heads) used for photos and videos. The document is applicable to all photo and video supports equipped with mechanical friction locks which are identified and divided into the following categories:

There is no current industry standard for how tripod companies rate how much weight a tripod can safely hold nor is the difference between a tripod's "maximum payload" versus its "safety payload" often specified. Manfrotto says that the "safety payload" is the maximum weight that a tripod can handle while maintaining its full functionality safely while the maximum payload is how much the tripod can hold before it collapses. The company asserts that this difference in load capacity should be more transparent across the industry.

At the time of publication, only Vitec Group's Manfrotto and Gitzo have signed on to use the standard, though the hope is clearly that it will spread and be used by the entire industry. Both Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods will carry a certification on the "safety payload" for each of its tripods, which will instruct photographers how much load it can safely hold and both continue to operate fully as well as not damage the tripod in the long term.

Standards are already in place for water resistance testing (IP ratings) and camera batteries (CIPA ratings), though further standardization of testing is uncommon in the photography industry. It is unclear if other manufacturers will see an advantage to using the standardization, though consumer pressure may go a long way to seeing it widely adopted.

#equipment #industry #news #gitzo #manfrotto #standards #tripod #tripodhead #tripods #uni #vitec #vitecgroup

Manfrotto and Gitzo team up with UNI to create a new international standard for tripod load capacity

#news #cen #gitzo #iso #manfrotto #monopod #standards #tripodhead #tripods #uni

Edelkrone’s re-engineered FlexTILT v3 tripod head comes with a new $99 price tag

#gear #edelkrone #flextilt #gearannouncement #tripodhead

Edelkrone Launches The Tiny and Flexible FlexTILT v3 Tripod Head

Edelkrone has released the latest generation of its best-selling tripod head, the $99 FlexTILT Head v3 which has been re-engineered to cost less -- $50 cheaper than its predecessor.

The previous version of the FlexTILT Head 2 released in 2016 (and the 3d printed version released in 2019) have been one of the company's best selling products and one of the more unique tripod heads on the market. Edelkrone says that what makes this tripod head useful is its compact size and extending and tilting capabilities.

"The FlexTILT Head has become a widely used product in no time among photographers and videographers. That’s why we have decided to make it even more accessible by reducing its cost of production through advanced (re)engineering," says the product design team at Edelkrone.

On top of the design and engineering improvements, the company says the FlexTILT Head v3 can simplify the camera angle positioning with a single hand thanks to its new buttonless and knob-less design by implementing the company's one-of-a-kind "Constant Friction Technology." According to the product page, the new version of the tripod head will reduce existing tripod limitations by creating easy height adjustments without having to physically adjust the tripod legs. Users would only have to pull from the camera to raise the head and tilt it to change the angle.

The company says finding the center of gravity with the FlexTILT Head v3 will be "effortless," especially on flat surfaces where it doubles as a stand-alone camera stand. The improved system reportedly increases the dolly in and out range by up to 6.7-inches (17 centimeters) when fully extended and used to record video on any slider.

Additionally, users should be able to easily achieve precise panoramas by using the FlexTILT Head v3 pan marking and lens center shifting feature. The only limiting factor of the FlexTILT Head design is its weight capacity: the v3 is only capable of supporting a system weighing up to 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms), meaning, yes, you can make faster changes in your photo or video setups, but you can only use smaller systems on the head.

The FlexTILT Head v3 is available now for $99 on the Edelkrone webstore.

#equipment #news #announcement #edelkrone #flextilt #flextiltv3 #gear #pantilt #pressrelease #tripod #tripodhead

Gitzo’s new Ball Head Series 4 can handle a payload of up to 30kg

#gear #ballhead #gearannouncement #gitzo #tripodhead

Not Quite as Strong. Benro Rhino Tripod Review (VX25 Head)

#photographyaccessories #benro #benrorhino #buildquality #easeofuse #landscape #longexposure #tripod #tripodhead #vx25