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

  • Price: $29.95
  • Free Shipping (USA)
  • Back-ordered

    Availabillty Details

    Close

    This item is backordered by the manufacturer.

  • B&H # VEPH368
  • Mfr# PH-368

Protect Your Purchase

 

What item is right for you?

Ask our Experts!

800.831.2434
Live Chat

The Velbon PH-368 Vel-Flo 9 Mini-Pro is a large 2-way video panhead with a built-in quick-release camera platform, and features a fully adjustable four-position pan/tilt control handle with separate pan/tilt tension and position lock knobs.

Ideal for use with consumer cameras.

Head Type 2-Way Fluid Head
Maximum Camera Supported Camcorder
Load Capacity Not specified
Height Not specified
Quick Release Yes
Spirit Level No
Tripod Mount Thread Size 1/4"
Weight 1.5 lb (680 kg)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead
 
4.7

(based on 15 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (11)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Stable (8)
  • Attaches firmly (7)
  • Large range of motion (6)
  • Strong clamp (6)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Stabilization (4)
    • Video (4)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Semi-pro photographer (6), Pro photographer (4)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (7)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Excellent

    [...]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...Read complete review

    [...]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.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Not bad for the money.

    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.

    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.

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 15 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-15

    Back to top

     
    5.0

    Great with glidetrack system

    By A.Blaze

    from Canada

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attaches Firmly
    • Good Stability
    • Strong Clamp

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Glidetrack
      • Video

      Comments about Velbon PH-368 2-Way Panhead:

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

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      Great Product. Low Price.

      By Camvill

      from New Jersey

      About Me Pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Attaches Firmly
      • Good Stability
      • Large Range of Motion
      • Strong Clamp

      Cons

        Best Uses

          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!

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Great value

          By ApollonioPhoto

          from Southampton NJ

          About Me Pro Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Good Stability

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Home
            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Sports/Action
            • Video

            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!

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            Velbon Panhead A Great Way To Go

            By Kev

            from Crofton, BC, Canada

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Attaches Firmly
            • Good Stability
            • Large Range of Motion
            • Strong Clamp

            Cons

              Best Uses

                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.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Comment on this review

                 
                5.0

                Don`t let the price fool you!

                By Grey Ghost

                from Franklin,TN

                About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Good Stability
                • Great price
                • Large Range of Motion
                • Very smooth

                Cons

                • None found

                Best Uses

                • Any motion video
                • Sports/Action
                • Video
                • Wildlife

                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.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Comment on this review

                 
                5.0

                Pretty nice

                By Fight Designer

                from Richmond, VA

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Smooth Operation

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Video

                  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.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Great low price tripod head

                  By drail

                  from Shrewsbury, MA

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Works smoothly

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • All
                    • Videography

                    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.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    4.0

                    Way better than PH358. Just one problem.

                    By Bob the builder

                    from Athens, GA

                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                    Verified Reviewer

                    Pros

                    • Good Value
                    • Smooth Movement

                    Cons

                    • No spirit level

                    Best Uses

                    • Semi-pro video
                    • Travel Video

                    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.[...]

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    3.0

                    Not bad for the money.

                    By Jon

                    from Nashville, TN

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Attaches Firmly
                    • Cheap

                    Cons

                    • Not so smooth

                    Best Uses

                    • Stabilization

                    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.

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    4.0

                    Good, but not professional-level

                    By Jay

                    from Madison, WI

                    About Me Pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Price point
                    • Smooth Controls

                    Cons

                    • All plastic
                    • Non-Professional Feel

                    Best Uses

                    • Add-on to Jib etc

                    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.

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    4.0

                    A steal for the price

                    By antipode

                    from Toronto, ON

                    About Me Photo Enthusiast

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Videography

                        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.

                        Comment on this review

                         
                        5.0

                        This is so good I'm getting another one!

                        By Timegates

                        from Louisville, KY

                        About Me Pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Attaches Firmly
                        • Good Stability
                        • Large Range of Motion
                        • Strong Clamp

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Stabilization

                          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.

                          Comment on this review

                           
                          5.0

                          very nice head

                          By Jim M

                          from Glen Arm, Md

                          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Attaches Firmly
                          • Good Stability
                          • Large Range of Motion
                          • Strong Clamp

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Stabilization
                            • Video work

                            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!

                            Comment on this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Smooth for smaller cams

                            By dvaperture

                            from Utah

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Durable
                            • Inexpensive

                            Cons

                            • Plastic handle

                            Best Uses

                              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).

                              Comment on this review

                              (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

                               
                              5.0

                              Excellent

                              By Sebastian A.

                              from Raleigh, NC

                              About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Attaches Firmly
                              • Good Stability
                              • Large Range of Motion
                              • Strong Clamp

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Stabilization

                                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.

                                Comment on this review

                                Displaying reviews 1-15

                                Back to top

                                Reducing/Enlarging Bushings

                                Manfrotto -  015 Female 3/8" to Male 1/4"-20 Adapter
                                • Price: $4.99
                                 

                                Universal Camera Plates

                                Velbon -  QB-6RL Quick Release Plate
                                • Price: $11.25
                                 

                                Vertical "L" Brackets

                                Stroboframe -  Vertaflip PHD On-Tripod Camera Rotator
                                • Price: $59.90
                                 

                                Miscellaneous

                                Acratech -  Double Axis Spirit Level
                                • Price: $24.49
                                 
                                Manfrotto -  2909 Super Clamp with 2907 Reversible Short Stud
                                • Price: $29.45
                                 

                                What's in the Box

                                Velbon PH-368 Vel-Flo 9 Mini-Pro 2-Way Panhead (Quick Release)
                                 
                                 
                                See any errors on this page? Let us know.

                                Close

                                Close