Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head with Quick Release - Supports 8.8 lbs (4.0kg)

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Use two of these heads for tripod & monopod. (Canon HV40 & XH-A1s vid cams) Yeah, that coin operated screw is dumb, dumb, immeasurably stupid but this is how I overcame that lame idea.

Hardware store - Locate 1 3/8" long METRIC screw (take camera screw to make certain you have correct thread pitch). Locate 2 inch black "T" knob (Google this description so you know what you're looking for) Thread count doesn't matter - metric bolt goes through the hole with head lands scoring the plastic thus gripping the plastic and keeps the bolt from turning. Use washer between knob & head & now you've got a pan handle that's easy to reposition. HUBBA HUBBA

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I purchased this head for use with (sports) photography and video. Great for this use. But plate is different from Gitzo photography plates, so I need to change plates every time I move my camera from one tripod to the other (e.g., using the side mounted ball head)

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

good for small/medium camcorders, video DSLR with lighter lens.I was looking for "compact" and "light weight", and of course, "functional", fluid head.I tested the other brand's "small fluid head"(about $100).this is double price but much worth in functionally and compact design, used newly developed light weight and strong materials,plus spare parts available in life time. As you see this product, "the form from the function"indeed...only complain is the handle's attachment screw:tight/loosen with coin or minus screw is little annoying.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

The head works very well for video panning and panorama with relatively light setup (Canon 5D2 + medium zoom). The head itself is quite lightweight and easy to carry while hiking. I did not try to attach anything heavier. The major problem I still need to solve is that the quick release plate becomes loose with time then I carry the camera around attached on a tripod. The anti-rotation pin on the plate is useless with Canon 5D2 because it does not fit to any holes or groves on the camera.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

This is a poor fluid head. Its light, but its movement, especially starting from still is very bad. I have tried using it with both a Camcorder and with a DSLR with poor performance. The Sandford and Davis FM18 head is way better and much cheaper.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I need this head to replace an old one I had which broke (after many many years of use and abuse). The new head is much more accurate and easy to use and I am really pleased with it as I am finding I can use it for both still and video cameras. Only slight draw back is if I want to put the camera vertically I have to dismount and remount with the foot on perpendicular, so not too fast for that. But otherwise the usual cudos for excellent Gitzo product.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I bought this Gitzo head because its as smooth as silk and very light weight. I put it on a Manfrotto 732CY 4-Section compact carbon fiber tripod. The pair makes a perfect and very stable package for a small video or still camera.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Well built head, great for DSLR. There is only one drawback as far as I am concerned: the adjustment for the arm requires a screwdriver or coin to loosen/tighten. This is a minor issue for me but I can see how someone who needed to make frequent adjustments might find this annoying. An adjustment that could be tightened/loosened by hand would improve this head considerably.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I bought the Ocean Traveler Tripod first and have been using it underwater with great success. I recently bought the fluid head for "topside" use, and it is very well engineered. The counterbalance system (for long heavy lens) works very well. My only complaint is that the panning action, even when set to "least friction" has a slight rebound action when coming to rest.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Great head to use for spotting scopes due to light weight. I use it with a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod to hold down the total weight of my scope, 80mm Swarovski, and tripod. Low height of head makes it stable.
It is expensive for what it does, but the weight savings was worth the purchase price since I use the scope and tripod frequently.
I do not think it would be as suitable for video camera unless camera was light.
The knobs for panning and tilt are the weak point. They don't feel particularly strong or sensitive. While they are fine for the spotting scope, I am no sure they would be smooth for a video camera with a lot of effort.
The attachment plate is compact and the locking system seems very secure giving a lot of confidence when slinging the scope and tripod over my shoulder.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I'm a professional videographer/Cameraman. I was looking for a head that was lightweight, well-built, and operated smoothly. I do a lot of backpacking with my equipment, and weight is always a concern, and where it really starts to add up is in the accessories. This head is certainly a plus in this area.

hands down, it is well built and solid. Gitzo...nuff said.

Regarding the "feel". First, let me say this, if you plan on using this head, you better be a very good camera operator. Meaning, you better know how to adjust your body, regardless of the equipment to get the best shot. It has a very smooth pan and tilt, but the resistance is not enough to hide the operators shakes and mistakes. Gotta be on your A-game. Also keep in mind, when it gives the weight limit of 8 lbs, you better believe it.

The counter-balance works well, ingenius feature. Good quick-release mechanism. The pan-handle is a little short for my taste, and you have to have a nickel, flat-head screwdriver, or something to take it off or adjust it (but you might be able t find a thumb-screw or something @ a hardware store). Also, i've noticed i have to really crank down the pan-lock knob to keep it sturdily locked, especially when I'm threading the head onto the tripod.

Getting a longer quick release plate for balancing is very helpful as well as the acratech leveling base.

Overall, I think it's worth the money if lightweight+quality+smoothness is on your list, and for me it was. I pleased with it. But if lightweight is not necessary, and you would be fine with a bigger/heavier head, you might keep looking if you're a videographer.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I am both a photographer and videographer and use this fluid head with the 5D Mark II. Although pro photographers prefer a locking ball head this fluid head does the job in 90% of the situations I run into and also acts as my video head. Its compact for travel which is one of the main reasons I purchased it. If I do need a different head configuration I can easily swap it off.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Had this head for a few months. Had to upgrade to a Sachtler for video work. The head does not have smooth action for panning. Good stable head for still shots. The adjustments capabilities real aren't there for either horizontal or vertical. One knob adjusts each, but they are not repeatable settings. The range of the settings is also a problem.

The head has a smooth feel, but you'll get backlash in both the vertical and horizaontal no matter what the setting.

The counterbalance works ok, but again is limited. For the price, it is about at the perfomrance level that one would expect, but certainly doesn't have the silky smooth feel of other heads. No problems with attaching to the head, range of motion, or stability.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Gitzo design and craftsmanship are top notch, and I mostly like this addition to my Mountaineer tripod. I got it for video use with my Panasonic GH1, and it's working out well -- I think the movement is quite acceptable for simple tilt and pan moves.

Two quibbles:

1. I've had to add the Acratech leveling head; it was too inconvenient and unreliable to use the legs!

2. The pan arm should have a thumbscrew instead of the flathead screw. I need to loosen the handle every time I pack it up, and fishing around for a quarter every time I use the tripod is a pain in the.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Great well built head but......

I bought this to use for video. I already own Sachtler and Bogen tripods and fluid heads. This head is NOT smooth enough to use for video work. It does have a nice smooth action but it just isn't designed for video use. I absolutely cannot use this for any video applications at all. I have now tried it for two differnt jobs (both were supposed to be locked down camera shoots). The results were disastrous.

So in short: this is a GREAT head for still work or telescopes but not for video.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Use this with my Canon HV20 and it balances perfectly, with and without wide angle lens.

Typical Gitzo solid build and design.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

The G2180 is is the perfect fluid head for my lightweight, G1228 Mountaineer carbon fiber tripod. This combination is light enough for backpacking yet sufficiently sturdy for rock-steady video shooting. I use this head with a Sony HVR A1P, which is a little front-heavy. The counter balance system works brilliantly and means that I don't have to use the tilt lock. All movements are very smooth and require only a gentle touch of the pan arm to operate. I only use the pan lock when I need to remove the G2180 from the tripod and replace it with a ball head for stills photography. The only improvement I could suggest would be the inclusion of a bubble level into the construction of the head. The G2180 is beautifully engineered, light weight and sturdy and very good value for money.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Needed quality tripod/head combo for travel using my Canon XH-A1 HD camcorder. The Bogen 503HDV works well, but is massive, with needlessly heavy castings and not as smooth as I would like, though it does have some nice features such as tilt and panning locks, but at the price of weight. The Gitzo G2180 is very well and elegantly designed, is very light weight, very smooth, and, combined with my carbon fiber tripod, is a delight and relief to carry, yet is stable (the smoothness helps) and works well with the Canon. Even with the heavy Canon WD-H72 wide angle lens attached, I was still able to balance the camcorder! The longer plate available for the G2380 works on this head and would help with balance versatility and I plan to buy it. Evidently the locking ability is a sacrifice to light weight, locks would have earned it a perfect rating. I recommend this head highly. And the price is right.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Use two of these heads for tripod & monopod. (Canon HV40 & XH-A1s vid cams) Yeah, that coin operated screw is dumb, dumb, immeasurably stupid but this is how I overcame that lame idea.

Hardware store - Locate 1 3/8" long METRIC screw (take camera screw to make certain you have correct thread pitch). Locate 2 inch black "T" knob (Google this description so you know what you're looking for) Thread count doesn't matter - metric bolt goes through the hole with head lands scoring the plastic thus gripping the plastic and keeps the bolt from turning. Use washer between knob & head & now you've got a pan handle that's easy to reposition. HUBBA HUBBA

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I purchased this head for use with (sports) photography and video. Great for this use. But plate is different from Gitzo photography plates, so I need to change plates every time I move my camera from one tripod to the other (e.g., using the side mounted ball head)

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

good for small/medium camcorders, video DSLR with lighter lens.I was looking for "compact" and "light weight", and of course, "functional", fluid head.I tested the other brand's "small fluid head"(about $100).this is double price but much worth in functionally and compact design, used newly developed light weight and strong materials,plus spare parts available in life time. As you see this product, "the form from the function"indeed...only complain is the handle's attachment screw:tight/loosen with coin or minus screw is little annoying.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

The head works very well for video panning and panorama with relatively light setup (Canon 5D2 + medium zoom). The head itself is quite lightweight and easy to carry while hiking. I did not try to attach anything heavier. The major problem I still need to solve is that the quick release plate becomes loose with time then I carry the camera around attached on a tripod. The anti-rotation pin on the plate is useless with Canon 5D2 because it does not fit to any holes or groves on the camera.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

This is a poor fluid head. Its light, but its movement, especially starting from still is very bad. I have tried using it with both a Camcorder and with a DSLR with poor performance. The Sandford and Davis FM18 head is way better and much cheaper.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I need this head to replace an old one I had which broke (after many many years of use and abuse). The new head is much more accurate and easy to use and I am really pleased with it as I am finding I can use it for both still and video cameras. Only slight draw back is if I want to put the camera vertically I have to dismount and remount with the foot on perpendicular, so not too fast for that. But otherwise the usual cudos for excellent Gitzo product.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I bought this Gitzo head because its as smooth as silk and very light weight. I put it on a Manfrotto 732CY 4-Section compact carbon fiber tripod. The pair makes a perfect and very stable package for a small video or still camera.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Well built head, great for DSLR. There is only one drawback as far as I am concerned: the adjustment for the arm requires a screwdriver or coin to loosen/tighten. This is a minor issue for me but I can see how someone who needed to make frequent adjustments might find this annoying. An adjustment that could be tightened/loosened by hand would improve this head considerably.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I bought the Ocean Traveler Tripod first and have been using it underwater with great success. I recently bought the fluid head for "topside" use, and it is very well engineered. The counterbalance system (for long heavy lens) works very well. My only complaint is that the panning action, even when set to "least friction" has a slight rebound action when coming to rest.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Great head to use for spotting scopes due to light weight. I use it with a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod to hold down the total weight of my scope, 80mm Swarovski, and tripod. Low height of head makes it stable.
It is expensive for what it does, but the weight savings was worth the purchase price since I use the scope and tripod frequently.
I do not think it would be as suitable for video camera unless camera was light.
The knobs for panning and tilt are the weak point. They don't feel particularly strong or sensitive. While they are fine for the spotting scope, I am no sure they would be smooth for a video camera with a lot of effort.
The attachment plate is compact and the locking system seems very secure giving a lot of confidence when slinging the scope and tripod over my shoulder.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I'm a professional videographer/Cameraman. I was looking for a head that was lightweight, well-built, and operated smoothly. I do a lot of backpacking with my equipment, and weight is always a concern, and where it really starts to add up is in the accessories. This head is certainly a plus in this area.

hands down, it is well built and solid. Gitzo...nuff said.

Regarding the "feel". First, let me say this, if you plan on using this head, you better be a very good camera operator. Meaning, you better know how to adjust your body, regardless of the equipment to get the best shot. It has a very smooth pan and tilt, but the resistance is not enough to hide the operators shakes and mistakes. Gotta be on your A-game. Also keep in mind, when it gives the weight limit of 8 lbs, you better believe it.

The counter-balance works well, ingenius feature. Good quick-release mechanism. The pan-handle is a little short for my taste, and you have to have a nickel, flat-head screwdriver, or something to take it off or adjust it (but you might be able t find a thumb-screw or something @ a hardware store). Also, i've noticed i have to really crank down the pan-lock knob to keep it sturdily locked, especially when I'm threading the head onto the tripod.

Getting a longer quick release plate for balancing is very helpful as well as the acratech leveling base.

Overall, I think it's worth the money if lightweight+quality+smoothness is on your list, and for me it was. I pleased with it. But if lightweight is not necessary, and you would be fine with a bigger/heavier head, you might keep looking if you're a videographer.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

I am both a photographer and videographer and use this fluid head with the 5D Mark II. Although pro photographers prefer a locking ball head this fluid head does the job in 90% of the situations I run into and also acts as my video head. Its compact for travel which is one of the main reasons I purchased it. If I do need a different head configuration I can easily swap it off.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Had this head for a few months. Had to upgrade to a Sachtler for video work. The head does not have smooth action for panning. Good stable head for still shots. The adjustments capabilities real aren't there for either horizontal or vertical. One knob adjusts each, but they are not repeatable settings. The range of the settings is also a problem.

The head has a smooth feel, but you'll get backlash in both the vertical and horizaontal no matter what the setting.

The counterbalance works ok, but again is limited. For the price, it is about at the perfomrance level that one would expect, but certainly doesn't have the silky smooth feel of other heads. No problems with attaching to the head, range of motion, or stability.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Gitzo design and craftsmanship are top notch, and I mostly like this addition to my Mountaineer tripod. I got it for video use with my Panasonic GH1, and it's working out well -- I think the movement is quite acceptable for simple tilt and pan moves.

Two quibbles:

1. I've had to add the Acratech leveling head; it was too inconvenient and unreliable to use the legs!

2. The pan arm should have a thumbscrew instead of the flathead screw. I need to loosen the handle every time I pack it up, and fishing around for a quarter every time I use the tripod is a pain in the.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Great well built head but......

I bought this to use for video. I already own Sachtler and Bogen tripods and fluid heads. This head is NOT smooth enough to use for video work. It does have a nice smooth action but it just isn't designed for video use. I absolutely cannot use this for any video applications at all. I have now tried it for two differnt jobs (both were supposed to be locked down camera shoots). The results were disastrous.

So in short: this is a GREAT head for still work or telescopes but not for video.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Use this with my Canon HV20 and it balances perfectly, with and without wide angle lens.

Typical Gitzo solid build and design.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

The G2180 is is the perfect fluid head for my lightweight, G1228 Mountaineer carbon fiber tripod. This combination is light enough for backpacking yet sufficiently sturdy for rock-steady video shooting. I use this head with a Sony HVR A1P, which is a little front-heavy. The counter balance system works brilliantly and means that I don't have to use the tilt lock. All movements are very smooth and require only a gentle touch of the pan arm to operate. I only use the pan lock when I need to remove the G2180 from the tripod and replace it with a ball head for stills photography. The only improvement I could suggest would be the inclusion of a bubble level into the construction of the head. The G2180 is beautifully engineered, light weight and sturdy and very good value for money.

Comments about Gitzo G2180 Series 1 Fluid Head:

Needed quality tripod/head combo for travel using my Canon XH-A1 HD camcorder. The Bogen 503HDV works well, but is massive, with needlessly heavy castings and not as smooth as I would like, though it does have some nice features such as tilt and panning locks, but at the price of weight. The Gitzo G2180 is very well and elegantly designed, is very light weight, very smooth, and, combined with my carbon fiber tripod, is a delight and relief to carry, yet is stable (the smoothness helps) and works well with the Canon. Even with the heavy Canon WD-H72 wide angle lens attached, I was still able to balance the camcorder! The longer plate available for the G2380 works on this head and would help with balance versatility and I plan to buy it. Evidently the locking ability is a sacrifice to light weight, locks would have earned it a perfect rating. I recommend this head highly. And the price is right.