Velbon PH-368 Vel-Flo 9 Mini-Pro 2-Way Panhead (Quick Release)

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I use this with the Glidetrack shooter, and it's solid piece of equipment.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

This is a great product. I purchased this after reading great reviews and it is definitely the best fluid head out there for the price. It's all plastic but it has a flawless construction. I recommend this product for anyone looking to add an extra piece to their arsenal!

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

Cant beat it for the price! great if you are on a budget and want great pans!

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I have an older Velbon tripod with the PH-368 head on it. It doesn't detach. I needed another head to attach to my new Merlin Pocket Dolly and in my research, came across the same head sold on its own. You can't buy a better head for the price. Very smooth and precise. The older one now wanders a bit if it's not tightened down but I guess that can happen over time with the fluid in the head. All in all, I would recommend this panhead to anyone working with a tight budget.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

This panhead is as smooth and steady as ones costing much much more.I mounted it on a platform attached to a treestand that is used
in the woods ,for wildlife video.The tension
adjustment is just right to allow smooth panning
and stays in position when stopped,without drifting or slipping out of place. (P.S.) I`m a videographer, not photographer.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

Used this on a mini dolly track bit I'd made... for the price, it's been great so far.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I have owned a Velbon videomate III for at least 20 years. This was equipped with a PH-368 head. After all this time one of the adjustment knob housings (plastic) cracked and could no longer be tightened. I didn't expect the PH-368 would still be available. B&H had them and for less than $30. The new head fits perfectly on my old tripod and works flawlessly. An excellent value.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I just received this tripod head, so this review is based on first impressions, and a quick camera test. I use the Canon HV20 with the Rode Videomic attached.A couple of years ago I bought the Velbon DV-6000 tripod, which came with the PH-358 head. I always liked the legs, which are light enough for travel, but heavy enough to feel like they aren't about to snap. But the head was always a problem. It was always incredibly stiff when panning. I don't know whether it was that specific head that had a problem, or if it's a general problem with the 358 head, but it was a major problem. I needed to be moved around with some force just to to get it going, then you had to do your pan pretty quickly. Which made spontaneous panning pretty unlikely.This head is waaay better. It has a very smooth pan, with the ability to vary the resistance. That said, the stiffest resistance is still fairly easy. There is no return at the end of the pan - it stops moving when you stop panning, and doesn't jerk back the way it came. So you end up with a very nice professional level pan.The only disappointment is that it doesn't come with a spirit level, which my previous ph-358 did. That seems so stupid for what is otherwise a much better head, and that is why I could only give it 4 stars. Overall, very good value. An excellent choice for anyone who can't afford, or who doesn't want to carry, a much more expensive and professional head.[...]

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

The one that came on my original Velbon tripod broke pretty quickly and I ordered this as a replacement. It seems to be constructed better than the one that came on the original.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I'm using this with a Glidetrack. It supports my Sony HVR-Z7U quite well. The camera is pretty light weight, so I can vouch that it can handle up to the Z7U's weight. Something lighter would be fine, but I'm not sure how it would handle something much heavier.

The controls are simple(Just crank the handle to tighten.), which is nice, but they do not at all feel like professional-level tripod head controls. The plastic also seems a little light weight - doesn't seem like it would handle the grind very well.

BUT this thing is cheap. If you understand what you are buying and treat it well you should get a lot of usage from this pan head.

I could see this installed on a simple jib arm, or other smooth-motion device (already mentioned the Glidetrack) to both give you a bit more control over where the camera is pointed and even enable you to smoothly tilt and pan while shooting with said device.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

The movement is very smooth for a plastic head, not worse than on my true fluid all-metal video head by Manfrotto. The quick release plate is rather large for the small camcorder that I'm using this with (Canon HV-30) - replacing the battery with the quick release plate attached is a challenge. Visually not so impressive, but this is a very good bang for the buck.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I have this on a Mini Skater Dolly and all I can say is that it has completely increased the amount of smoothness and production value! Second one will be ordered today to be placed on a DIY Slider.

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

Nice and smooth and very easy to adjust, i use it for camcorder work and its great!

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

I use this for my HV30. I'll probably use this with the Canon 5d mark II, when I get that. I use it with the Bogen / Manfrotto 604666 190XB Tripod Legs. Great combo! Very smooth and a great alternative to more expensive heads. No sticky spots or gritty pans. I would highly recommend this to anyone shooting with smaller cams. Only complaint is that the handle isn't too comfortable (but not a big deal for the price).

Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

[...]combine this head with the Sunpak 7500 Pro tripod, which has good legs but a not so great head, and you can take it off easily and replace it with the Velbon.The PH-368, especially for its price, is a perfect buy. Once adjusted properly, it allows for smooth movement even at full zoom. Unlike the heads I tried previously it doesn't stick to a position and then snap when you try to tilt up or down, causing a sudden jump in the video. It can be adjusted to any pressure you want. Of course it takes a little practice like everything else, but for the price it's an excellent choice.