Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release)

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

This head added panning to my old MAXi 343e tripod. It allows a very smooth pan.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

Purchased this product in November of 2011 and the pan feature has siezed completely. It literally won't pan at all without loosening the head from the tripod.

Currently awaiting customer service resolution from B&H

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I use the Panhead for my birding spotting scope and for my digital camera with telephoto lenses.
It is great for both uses, up to abut 300mm,with tele-convertors on the camera..
It is light and easy to use. Only one handle.
There is a little play in the head sometimes, but it is not a problem.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I purchsed this product to use binoculars and a spotting scope while hunting. I had looked at other pan heads that were much more expensive and was pleased to find the Velbon PH-157Q. After attachment to my SLIK tripod, I headed out to the wild to look for deer. The head panned nice and smooth. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that there is a little spot on the head that feels rough while panning. Not a big deal.

I put large 15x56 binoculars and a 20-60x80mm spotting scope on the head and it functioned great!!!

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

Happy? You bet!
Nice metal construction, the head locks down tight at an angle and the head still pivots nicely.
Granted a more expensive fluid head would probably be better, but for the price I can make it work.
BONUS surprise !! The plate is square, and will lock in at any of 4 positions, not like my manfrotto quick release plate, with only one choice.
I bought this on the cheap to cover while I sent my Manfrotto head off to be serviced.
I will not buy Manfrotto ever again after the way I've been treated by the service reps.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I bought this to use with binoculars and a spotting scope. It's working out wonderfully; very stable and smooth.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

This was a replacement head for my Sherpa 200R. For the price, its a great product. Ease of use and motion, with precise movements.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I recently broke another tripod head and searched for a while for a pan and tilt head. I came across this PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head by Velbon, and thought it was interesting to only have 1 handle to control both pan and tilt functions. I have not had much time with it besides attaching it to my tripod and testing the operation of it.
So far it seems like a nice and well built head and moves pretty smoothly.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

This is such a great head! Very rugged and pans silky-smooth! It is also very stable and easily controllable with one hand.
I would recommend this to people who wants to film with their DSLR camera.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

i am no expert but i think this a very good head. i use it to support my spotting scope. it is smooth as baby's skin and is a three-way head(this is useful for me because my scope does not have a rotating collar). also, you can lock everything with a twist of the left hand. by the way, the head comes with an adapter for 3/8 tripod attachement.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I purchased this item mainly to be used with my monopod. It fits perfectly and it comes with a "converting screw" to enable you to fit it for 2 different sizes of screws, in case you need to.
The price is reasonable (compared to other similar items). It's simple and elegant. The handle makes operating this head quite easy. One handle controls the head in all directions, with no complications.
The head also uses the "click" system where you can attach your camera to the flat surface and then attack it to the head and lock it in, and in case you want to handhold the camera, you don't need to unscrew or anything, just release the flat surface from the head and the camera is free. I think I will use it also on my (old) tripod as well as my monopod.
Suitable light weight, and can be converted for portrait position. The head doesn't contain a spirit level to check how even your camera is, but I don't bother about it much because my camera has a built-in level already.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I've used this head for 5 or 6 years for all my video work - event coverage, interviews, b-roll. It's a real workhorse. The quick release is perfect.

The price was the most attractive thing about the head initially but now that I'm looking for something that can hold a heavier camera, I really appreciate the light weight of the PH157Q. It has allowed me to be incredibly mobile. I have it mounted on Manfrotto legs and carry them slung over my shoulder in a yoga mat bag.

Velbon should make this head for heavier cameras!

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

very inexpensive head. I use it for my tripod with binoculars and spotting scope for hunting out west. Very dirty dusty conditions. The last one held up for 4 years of heavy use. You can buy a high dollar name brand head, for $100-200 that may last longer but for [$], who gives a rip if you have to buy one every 4 years for that kind of abuse. And it still works, just got loose. And a 3 way head at that...

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I use this head on my binos for hunting. Very smooth and super cheap!!

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I bought the Velbon PH-157Q pan head to use on my spotting scope at the rifle range so I can see my target at 100 - 200 yards. It is very stable compared to the one I had the scope is very solid even in our Arizona spring time winds. Great price and a great product.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I bought this head because it can pan left & right or up & down with just one control - yet affordable. After using it at a fashion show on a light stand with my 5DMk2 to shoot videos, I'm quite impressed. It's really great for videos and of course photos too. Loosening the control slightly allows left & right pan easily but up & down pan is still steady. This design is good for heavy lens because heavy lens will point the camera downwards easily. With this head, there is no problem there. This head also supports 2 different screw threads. I brought a light stand to fashion show because it's lighter and this head fits nicely on the light stand.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I have a velbon tripod in great shape, just needed a better head. This one is great, smooth and easy to use. Saved a bunch over buying a whole new set up.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

great buy, great price and extremely high quality of materials and craftmanship.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

I used the head on a home build steadi-cam plan I found on the internet. I've shopped around looking for an inexpensive fluid head but couldn't find one. The stores I tried were the typical brick-n-mortar stores like [...], [...], [...] and a local camera shop.This unit is well built for the price. No cheap plastic parts here.

Comments about Velbon PH-157Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release):

This tripod doesn't fit with the Manfrotto 190XB that we purchased, but the adapter is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use. This head is great! With just the turn of the handle, the head can be moved easily. Another turn of the dial and the tilt is available. Great product and easy to use.