Following up my previous posts, is anyone using the Gitzo 1372M pan/tilt head? What is the smoothest and most precise pan/tilt head on the market for my Wisner 4x5, bearing in mind that (a) I am not happy with the lack of preciseness - especially on the side-to-side tilt axis, (b) I was not blown away by the Bogen 3275 (410) and (c) I don't want to invest >$600 in the Arca-Swiss B2? Thanks.

-- Josh Divack (jdivack@compuserve.com), July 30, 2001

Answers

I have the Gitzo 1570m low profile head, so here are my observations: If you want a wide range of movement this is NOT the head to get, both the pan and tilt are limited because of the low profile. I also have a 1372, cheap enough and with all the movements you could ask for, but not low profile. I use the 1372 in studio on a big heavy tripod, and the 1570 with a carbon fiber tripod for field. I hope this works for you.

-- Jorge Gasteazoro (jorgegm@worldnet.att.net), July 30, 2001.

Jorge, thanks. I would be using the 1372M - not the low profile one - with the 1227 carbon-fiber legset. I am not interested in either the 1370 or 1570 low profile because neither has a quick release.

-- Josh Divack (jdivack@compuserve.com), July 30, 2001.

I used a 1572M for a Wisner 4x5. The quick release works great, and I liked the head except that it is high profile. I switched to the 1570M, and I add a Gitzo quick release when I need to. I like the low-profile head better.

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), July 31, 2001.

William, could you please comment on the relative smoothness of the movements? Also, am I correct to assume that you are adding a quick release adaptor to the 1570M? Thanks.

-- Josh Divack (jdivack@compuserve.com), July 31, 2001.

Find a used Sinar Pan Tilt head. It only has a single tilt, not a double tilt design, but outside of the B2 it is the best pan-tilt head I've ever used. The Reis heads are also supposed to be in the same league as the Sinar and the Arca-Swiss B2.

-- Ellis Vener Photography (evphoto@heartstone.com), July 31, 2001.

Josh, I'm almost tempted by the low profile heads but would prefer to use a QR plate of sorts. William, which QR plate do you use, I was thinking of one for the 1370 low profile? This would make my ideal head! Regards Paul

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), July 31, 2001.

i am using all differant kind of stuff from gitzo - they work under all conditions.my actally low profile head on work is series 2 and 5. a good choice for achitecture and lanscapes. the alluminum ones work more smoth than the magnesium ones, besides they are 30% hevyar. marcus

-- marcus schwier (marcusschwier@hormail.com), July 31, 2001.

I use a Gitzo G1385 quick release with the G1570M head. This quick release is the same as the one that is built-in on the G1572. The G1572 that I owned tighted down well and the movements were smooth. I have also used Bogen pan-tilt heads, and the Gitzo's are a cut above the Bogens.

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), July 31, 2001.

i'll agree with ellis. i use a sinar pan tilt with the gitzo 1321 levelling base - very precise. a used sinar pan should run about $250. i also use the linhof 003663 three way head which is also very precise and compact but not an inexpensive item and hard to find used. i hear only the best about the a-s b2 but have not as yet seen one new or used in a store so i don't how avialable they are. for me these heads are much more precise and compact than the gitzo pan tilts or the bogens. i used to use a toyo 3 way pan tilt which was as good as the sinar and a bit cheaper used ($200) but this might be a difficult item to find.

-- adam friedberg (asfberg@hotmail.com), July 31, 2001.

Josh, I thought you might be interested to learn that I've just taken delivery of the low profile 1370M and the 1385 QR adapter. What an amazing piece of engineering!! Super lightweight, super smooth controls and the QR will hold a tank (okay a slight exaggeration!!). With this head mounted on the 1349 mountaineer the whole structure is rock-solid, but still much lighter than my previous set-up. Regards Paul

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), August 04, 2001.