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Review: GITZO'S 2-way fluid tripod head for wildlife observers using medium-sized scopes and camera lenses up to 200mm
1 August 2020
By Stuart Hamilton (Birder and Wildlife Watcher for 35 years)
By Stuart Hamilton (Birder and Wildlife Watcher for 35 years)
Gitzo are the pioneers behind some of the most advanced, revolutionary technologies for professional camera equipment in the market today.
When the brand said they have made a new 2-way tripod head - designed specifically for wildlife observers and photographers - we couldn't wait to take a look!
Design and performance
First up, let me say straight away, the new Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head does indeed provide the ideal level of performance for wildlife photographers and videographers using premium CSC or DSLR cameras with lenses up to 200mm. Fact.
The brand were aware that watching wildlife demands support equipment with specific features, and they also noticed that almost all the heads used by birdwatchers are video or photo-dedicated supports that are usually larger, heavier and more complicated than they ideally need to be. Uniquely, this is where the Gitzo 2 Way Fluid Head has been developed with a single objective in mind: to fully satisfy both birdwatchers and short/medium-range wildlife photographers, who have very similar needs - and it works... brilliantly.
It's an extremely compact fluid head with an ergonomic design. The noir décor reflection-free surfaces offers good camouflage and the head also provides a comprehensive set of technical features, combined with an exceptional size/weight-performance ratio. Bravo.
Durability, weight and value
The key innovations of this head are the new fluid cartridges and ultra-precise inner mechanism. The result is an unconventional head perfectly matched to Carbon Fibre Gitzo tripods — an extraordinary combination of performance and portability, designed for ultra-stable and precise spotting and shooting.
Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head comes with a stiff and lightweight magnesium body weighing only 0.6kg and can safely support a payload of up to 4kg. It is the perfect head to carry outdoors without having to choose between high performance and portability.
Besides the exceptionally smooth movement offered by its high-quality engineering and assembly, the 2-way Fluid Head features a long rubberised Arca-Swiss compatible plate and a sophisticated, adjustable and highly accurate counterbalance system, which allows photographic equipment to be perfectly balanced and supported easily and firmly for capturing the sharpest shots.
The new 2-way Head by Gitzo does make it extremely easy to capture moving objects with unparalleled precision, since the fluid cartridges guarantee smooth, wide movements without stick-slip during observation and shooting. Furthermore, switching from capturing pictures to shooting videos should also become incredibly quick and easy with the Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head’s video configuration. Rapid setup is assured by the integrated pan bar, which is adjustable to any angle and reversible for left- and right-handed users.
Verdict
A clever design with specs aimed at a wildlife observers specific needs makes this a serious contender for your money.
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
Contact: www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzo-2-way-fluid-head
Pricing: £289.95 RRP
When the brand said they have made a new 2-way tripod head - designed specifically for wildlife observers and photographers - we couldn't wait to take a look!
Design and performance
First up, let me say straight away, the new Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head does indeed provide the ideal level of performance for wildlife photographers and videographers using premium CSC or DSLR cameras with lenses up to 200mm. Fact.
The brand were aware that watching wildlife demands support equipment with specific features, and they also noticed that almost all the heads used by birdwatchers are video or photo-dedicated supports that are usually larger, heavier and more complicated than they ideally need to be. Uniquely, this is where the Gitzo 2 Way Fluid Head has been developed with a single objective in mind: to fully satisfy both birdwatchers and short/medium-range wildlife photographers, who have very similar needs - and it works... brilliantly.
It's an extremely compact fluid head with an ergonomic design. The noir décor reflection-free surfaces offers good camouflage and the head also provides a comprehensive set of technical features, combined with an exceptional size/weight-performance ratio. Bravo.
Durability, weight and value
The key innovations of this head are the new fluid cartridges and ultra-precise inner mechanism. The result is an unconventional head perfectly matched to Carbon Fibre Gitzo tripods — an extraordinary combination of performance and portability, designed for ultra-stable and precise spotting and shooting.
Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head comes with a stiff and lightweight magnesium body weighing only 0.6kg and can safely support a payload of up to 4kg. It is the perfect head to carry outdoors without having to choose between high performance and portability.
Besides the exceptionally smooth movement offered by its high-quality engineering and assembly, the 2-way Fluid Head features a long rubberised Arca-Swiss compatible plate and a sophisticated, adjustable and highly accurate counterbalance system, which allows photographic equipment to be perfectly balanced and supported easily and firmly for capturing the sharpest shots.
The new 2-way Head by Gitzo does make it extremely easy to capture moving objects with unparalleled precision, since the fluid cartridges guarantee smooth, wide movements without stick-slip during observation and shooting. Furthermore, switching from capturing pictures to shooting videos should also become incredibly quick and easy with the Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head’s video configuration. Rapid setup is assured by the integrated pan bar, which is adjustable to any angle and reversible for left- and right-handed users.
Verdict
A clever design with specs aimed at a wildlife observers specific needs makes this a serious contender for your money.
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
- Design: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Performance: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Weight: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Value: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Contact: www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzo-2-way-fluid-head
Pricing: £289.95 RRP
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Next article: Where can you watch owls in the UK?
Next article: Endangered beetle hides out at WWT Welney
Next article: BTO ask British public to participate in a national study of Tawny Owls and their calling behaviour this autumn and winter
Next article: The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) competition has announced the 2018 winners
