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Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg)
- Price: $215.55
-
Mail In Rebate
-$40.00
(see details)
offer ends JUN 30 '12 - Price after Rebate: $175.55
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
The Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release is a lightweight magnesium ballhead that incorporates many innovative and state-of-the-art features. It is designed to match the range of high performance tripods available from Gitzo. Not only does it guarantee a high maximum support load, but it also offers many other improved features, such as: smoothness, minimized drift angle, low gravity center, greater tilt angles, compactness, ergonomics and safety.
Exceptionally smooth rotation, positive locking and rapid camera mounting are all features common to the Gitzo designed range of ballheads. The graduated base, with independent locking facilities permits perfect panoramic photography. The design of the panoramic base permits the ballhead to be used for table top or near ground level work with or without the use of a tripod.
- Series 1
- Recommended for use with Series 1 tripods.
- Safe Lock Disc
- The Safe Lock Disc top plate, composed of a techno-polymer compound, makes it possible to control the locking torque without prematurely stopping camera rotation and ensuring that the camera is safely and effectively locked in place.
- Spring Lock
- The SADL (Spring Assisted Double Lock) combines two locking systems in one. It maximizes both locking power and ball smoothness. A high friction metal guarantees a high efficiency lock, and the PTFE bushing - controlled by a pre loaded spring - maximizes smoothness and control.
- Double Quick Release Safety System
- The quick release system consists of two pins, one fixed and one manually operated by means of a button. This design prevents heavy equipment (such as long lenses, spotting scopes, etc.) from suddenly dropping out of the head when the quick release locking knob is released.
- Bubble Ball
- The Bubble Ball is produced as a completely round hollow sphere, with an ultra thin wall, for an incredible weight reduction. The Bubble Ball also features a perfected PTFE treatment that further reduces the surface micro roughness.
- Leveling Bubbles
- The three bubble levels on the quick release assembly allow you to always keep one bubble in front of you and one on the side, both for horizontal and vertical compositions. This ensures leveling accuracy in any position and condition.
- Extended Tilt Range
- This head offers independent pan and tilt locks with 360° pan movement, +95/-13° tilt movement, and a graduated engraved panoramic base.
- Supplied with a 1/4"-20 camera mounting screw.
| Load Capacity | 22 lbs (10kg) |
| Height | 3.7" (9.5cm) |
| Quick Release | Yes |
| Spirit Level | Yes |
| Tension Control | No |
| Separate Panning Lock | Yes |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 3/8"-16 |
| Weight | 12.3 oz (350g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 50 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
91%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (34)
- Attaches firmly (33)
- Strong clamp (31)
- Large range of motion (26)
- Lightweight (11)
Cons
- Complicated controls (3)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (21)
- Portraits (18)
- Night shots (17)
- Long exposures (16)
- Photography (14)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (21), Semi-pro photographer (8), Casual photographer (7), Pro photographer (7), Professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great ball head for macro
I do a lot of focus stacking in macro (up to 5x with the Canon MPE 65 mm 1x-5x macro zoom), so I need a ball head that stays exactly where I point...Read complete review
I do a lot of focus stacking in macro (up to 5x with the Canon MPE 65 mm 1x-5x macro zoom), so I need a ball head that stays exactly where I point it. This Gitzo has so far been great. The key factor is the construction that locks the ball in place without displacing it at all. This is my first ball head, so I haven't had a chance to compare, but I gather that most ball heads move the ball (and attached camera) very slightly when tightened--not a problem for most work, but potentially a big problem when your subject is only 3 mm across. I haven't noticed any such difficulty with the Gitzo; I point it, I lock it, and it stays put.
I don't put a lot of weight on my support system (Canon Digital Rebel, Novoflex macro focusing rail, and the big macro lens, maybe one-tenth what the head can support), so I can't speak to its effectiveness with heavier setups, but I'm very pleased with it for what I do.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
A cross between Bruce Lee and a flower
I get the best gear and I'm a very careful user of my gear. After much research, I bought this ballhead. At first it felt great in my hands. The quick release mechanism ...Read complete review
I get the best gear and I'm a very careful user of my gear. After much research, I bought this ballhead. At first it felt great in my hands. The quick release mechanism was odd but I was willing to try it for the strength:weight ratio of the head.
The best thing about this head is its strength. It never failed me with equipment incl. 2Kg Manfrotto pano head and 200 f2 IS + 5D2. It's as strong as Gitzo literature says. Also the 3 axis spirit level is a fantastic bonus.
And here are things to watch out for:
1. From day one, I felt the quick release lever might break off under general impact (the occasional drop) and it finally did! And even epoxy can't fix it afterwards! It's just a plain bad design - the lever.
2. There's a spiky metal knob on the side to tighten the QR plate. Apart from this being an unnecessary complication that doesn't make removal or fixing "quick", it's a hazard to your fingers. On many times I've had the outer side of my fingers cut by this horrible thing. I don't understand the need for such sharp spikes as this knob isn't meant to be that tightened.
3. The quick release plate needs to be slid in and it scratches its sides so easily. Mine scratched from the few times I just played with after first getting it. It also isn't smooth... so as I said, I wouldn't call this Gitzo approach to QR particularly "quick".
4. On a minor note, the bottom small lever for the rotating base seems to be a potential weak point as it's tiny and a hard enough knock might break it off or bend it beyond use.
This is a great ballhead because I can't find anything from all the other top manufacturers (Linhof, Novoflex, Arca-swiss, Acratech and Manfrotto) that does a similar job in a similar package.
Buy it only if you need this strength in a ballhead that's also light. If you ever think you might drop this head, keep away from it and spend your big bucks on something else that will last.
Reviewed by 50 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Very light weight, and quick to use tripod head.
Great for travel.
It's a bit tricky to figure out the release at first. Practice in the light before you end up in the dark fidgeting around.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Clumbsy Clamp
- Clumbsy Quick Release
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Very sturdy head on Gitzo tripod! Clumbsy quick release. I make a lot of sports/action photos...running, cycling, swimming, soccer...and it is very clumbsy and slow engage and remove.
However, it is rock solid...and definitely exceeds my expectations for stability.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Great for smaller cameras and medium lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Quality Construction
Cons
- Clamp adjustment is poor
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
This ball head is high priced - but definitely also high quality. Due to the advertised teflon coating on the ball, I expected the ball to rotate with total smoothness right out of the box. I was initially a little disappointed with its action. However, once I applied a small amount of the lubricating grease that came with the ball head, I found that it operated smoothly as advertised. Bottom line - don't forgot to use the lubricant.
I like all the level indicators on the head for setting up panoramic shots.
I like the large control knob and the firm stability of the ball lock.
I did not give this product 5 stars because I would have liked a little more repeatability in the operation of the quick release lever. The adjustment screw that sets the locking pressure easily turns out of adjustment. This screw should have more resistance to rotation so that it does not accidentally change its setting. Also, I would have prefered a larger locking lever.
All in all, this ball head is a big improvement over my old pan and tilt style head.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
I bought this head specifically because it was light and it has quite a high load rating for its size. The biggest advantage to me of this head is its size and weight as I use it a lot while hiking.
This head has a much better tension knob than the Gitzo Classic ball heads which use a rubber grip which comes loose, especially when wet. This now is completely metal.
The levels (there are 4 of them) are a great feature about this head which is great for a bit of architecture and places where you can't see a horizon.
My one major gripe with the design of this head is the sharp edged adjustment knob for the quick release mechanism. It does seem to get knocked and moved around often.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Very precise and easy to operate
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
This is the second GH1780QR I have purchased. This one is for my GT1542T and it's a great combo. I had numerous Manfrotto heads prior to this and I was never happy. The Gitzo head looks great and doesn't suffer from the movement on locking that I have encountered with other heads. It weighs 335 gms and holds up to 10 kgs but my biggest lens is a 24-105 on a 5D2 so it isn't anywhere near it's capacity on my setup. I looked at the new basalt version of this (GH1781QR) and I'm just not sure about the 'flame' coloured thing. The colouring of the older 1780 goes with my tripod and it has that classic look that I prefer. I find the quick release plate easy to use, even with gloves on. I bought my first 1780 two years ago and I think the best endorsement of this product is that I bought a second one two years later. Great bit of kit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
I had a few different ball-heads before I got this. My main complaint on previous buys was the lack of accuracy of the heads and the 'sagging' after locking. The Gitzo GH1780QR is just a good bit of kit. It's very light at 350 gms and really is a thing of beauty. The quick release system is finicky at first but I quickly grew accustomed and I much prefer it over the Manfrotto heads. The movement of the head is fluid and responsive. The separate panning ability is really useful and I like the single locking point over more fiddly set-ups that I had with a Cullman head. I originally bought this head for a mag fibre Manfrotto pod I had. I was so impressed with Gitzo quality that I bought a Gitzo GT2330 last year and I have now just bought the GT1542 traveller tripod. The GH1780QR plus the traveller weigh 1.35 kgs or 3 lbs which is amazing. I wish I'd saved my money and just bought the Gitzo gear first. Highly recommended.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
very happy with this purchase. not cheap but definitely worth every penny.
purchase for life.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Gitzo makes some amazing tripod and ballheads, and I wasn't disappointed with this unit. Extremely solid construction - beautifully made and well designed. Can't go wrong with Gitzo products. They're not cheap, but they'll last decades.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Easy to use. Locks down tight; no slipping. Ultra light. Easily supports my large format (4x5).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
All the joints and screws are quite certain.
Detachment of quick release shoe is not so convenient though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Easy to get on/off. Easy to level. I use it with the Gitzo Traveler Carbon Fiber tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Great ball head. Love the sturdiness, simplicity and the design of this product. Works really well with the GT1542T! Love the liquid level across all axis - really helpful!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Small, compact and lightwieght. It's all that I expected from Gitzo. But my surpise was how well it handles my Canon 100mm-400mm zoom. Rock steady, quick, smooth and easy to adjust. Horizon adjustments are faster and easier than my in-camera level. Perfect fit with my Mizuno traveller legs [...]What's there not to like.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
This Gitzo has saved me money! I wanted a light/strong head to go on the newly ordered Gitzo tripod to travel with US and EU; wanted strong, wanted light. Similar to my tripod purchase, I'm cheap - I decided I only wanted to buy one good head rather than starting with a lesser unit and later upgrading: Gitzo was the name that kept rising to the top of the list.
This unit is plenty strong for my D7000, and very light - combined with tripod is less than three pounds. Does it do what I need? Uh...GITZO!
The frosting?... Gitzo giftcard rebate! I so love it when things work out.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Awesome piece of equipment. I live on Montana and do much of my photography in the winter. Easy to ues and worked great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
rugged, lightweight and an amazing ballhead.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
Smooth, and very strong fastening properties. Will hold the 5DMKII with a 85mm F1.2 in practically any position. The bubble level is a must for my outdoor shooting activities.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 22 lbs (10kg):
The best balhead Ive ever used! COmpletely stable!
Love it
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- GS5370C Quick Release Plate (Square) with 1/4"-16 & 3/8"-16 Screws
- Storage Bag
- Lifetime Warranty
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