Gitzo GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head with Quick Release
-
Mail In Rebate
-$40.00
(see details)
offer ends JUN 30 '12
-
Discontinued
Availability Details
CloseThis item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
The Gitzo GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head is extremely well balanced and is capable of supporting heavy equipment up to 30.8 lb (14 kg). Gitzo's Bubble Ball features an ultra-thin wall for weight reduction and helps to deliver a head with accurate adjustments, a low center of gravity, smooth and precise tilts in addition to 360° panning.
Gitzo's center SADL (Spring Assisted Double Lock) combines two locking systems in one, maximizing both locking power and ball smoothness. The Quick Release system provides for fast removal and replacement of your equipment, plus it is built with three bubble levels on the quick release plate and one in the ball stem for highly accurate positioning. Additionally, the GH2781QR displays Gitzo's stylish black and flame orange color scheme.
- Spring-Assisted Double Lock
- The new center SADL (Spring Assisted Double Lock) is a patent pending system that combines two locking systems in one, maximizing both locking power and ball smoothness. A high friction metal guarantees a high efficiency lock; the PTFE bushing controlled by a pre-loaded spring maximizes smoothness and control.
- Separate Pan Control
- When using a ball head the ability to lock and unlock the panoramic movement independent of front-back or lateral tilt movements is convenient when a high level of control is required.
- Double Quick Release Safety System
- The Quick Release system consists of two pins, one fixed and one manually operated by means of a button that prevent camera equipment from suddenly dropping out of the head when the quick release locking knob is released. This is extremely useful with heavy equipment, long lenses and spotting scopes.
- Friction Control
- By fine tuning the freedom of movement of the head, friction control makes the head slower and more precise or faster and looser. This feature also helps to make using heavy equipment or long lenses safer. On ball and fluid head models without separate friction controls, slowly adjusting the lock knobs gives similar results.
- Safe Grip
- Safe Grip is a material that gives a safer lock between your camera and the head plate, preventing the camera from moving or slipping. It is used on quick release plates and in applications where the camera equipment is screwed to the support to reduce pivoting and twisting.
- Leveling Bubble
- The new leveling system is comprised of three independent leveling bubbles on the quick release plate and one in the ball stem, which always guarantee perfectly leveled images. The problem that affects many high quality heads in the market regarding drift angle is absolutely minimized with an outstanding value of 0.03°.
- Bubble Ball
- Gitzo has now developed a new exclusive technology that enables the production of high quality, completely round hollow spheres with an ultra thin wall for an incredible weight reduction. The Gitzo Bubble Ball also features a perfected PTFE treatment that further reduces the surface micro roughness for the ultimate shooting experience and accuracy.
| Load Capacity |
30.8 lb (14 kg) 77 lb (35 kg)* The higher payload is measured accordingly to competitors' standard, directly on the head of the attachment screw. This method leads to a max. payload 2.5x higher than the Gitzo standard that is more severe and uses a 4.7" (12cm) lever to simulate equipment center of gravity |
| Material | Magnesium |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Quick Release | Yes, with 1/4" screw |
| Bubble Level |
3 x on quick release 1 x on ball stem |
| Movements |
Pan: 360° Tilt: +100 - -13° Front/Back Tilt: +95 - -13° |
| Separate Panning Lock | Yes |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 3/8" with a 1/4"-20 adapter |
| Height | 4.3" (11cm) |
| Weight | 1.1 lb (0.5 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 4 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (4)
- Strong clamp (4)
- Attaches firmly (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (3)
- Travel (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 4 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Lightweight
- Looks Good
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head with Quick Release:
This head is expensive but beautifully made and works great. Its light but strong and easily supports my 1Ds Mark III and 70-200mm lens. The best thing about this head is the main tightening knob. Its large and easy to use without taking the eye off the viewfinder and has a nice quality feel to it. Also, there is almost always some tension so the camera/lens rig doesn't collapse easily right away when loosening the tension a bit, its easy to adjust without the need fiddle with a secondary tension knob (present in heads like the Kirk Ball head). Also the bubble levels are easy to see no matter the orientation of the camera. Its little details like that that make a difference in use. The QR system is ok, works well and provides some degree of safety. The QR plate could be a tad larger but works well. Some people don't like proprietary QR systems and prefer the ARCA style clamps and plates but having used those and other proprietary systems like the on Manfrotto uses the one in this head is up there with the best. The square plate does not have to be oriented in one specific direction to be inserted, all four sides work which is nice.
This is a perfect head to go with Gitzo Ser. 2 Carbon Tripods. Makes for a lightweight and quick but very strong support system for any DSLR rig barring the heaviest of telephotos.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Difficult release system
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Gitzo GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head with Quick Release:
I am a keen amateur who wanted something to replace an broken old-school Velbon head. This Gitzo ball-head has a gorgeous, well-engineered feel about it. The ball moves perfectly smoothly in its socket and easily takes the weight of my D300 and SB700 flash unit. The huge locking dial secures the position positively, and the 4 levelers will mean no more guessing the horizon and trashing pixels during straightening in post. Perhaps the only let down is the plate locking system, which seems needlessly complicated and takes a little time to become dextrous with. I shoot mostly in Vietnam, so I needed something strong yet lightweight for travel. The hollow ball idea maintains strength, but keeps the head relatively light compared with similarly sized competitors.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gitzo GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head with Quick Release:
Works great when attached to my Gitzo GT2531 tripod. As all Gitzo well constructed, smooth operation and solid support to any DSLR + mid to 400mm zoom. Worth any $$$ so far.
- 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 GH2781QR Series 2 Basalt Center Ball Head with Quick Release:
I love how easy it is to adjust and how much camera/lens weight it will hold.
Displaying reviews 1-4
Quick Release Plates
-
- Original: $44.99
- Save: $7.10
- Price: $37.89
What's in the Box
- Quick Release Plate
- Anti-Dust Bag
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
