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Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head

BH #BEGD3WH • MFR #GD3WH
 150 reviews
Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head
Key Features
  • Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
  • Height: 4.3"
  • Weight: 1.6 lb
  • Arca-Type Compatible
Accurately position your camera with the 4.3" tall GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head from Benro, which has three independent geared movements that move with precision by turning the knob in slow increments. To quickly position a camera without the gears, simply turn the inner wheel counter-clockwise, which releases the clutch, to move the camera into the desired angle.
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Benro GD3WH Overview

Accurately position your camera with the 4.3" tall GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head from Benro, which has three independent geared movements that move with precision by turning the knob in slow increments. To quickly position a camera without the gears, simply turn the inner wheel counter-clockwise, which releases the clutch, to move the camera into the desired angle.

The 1.6 lb Arca-type compatible head is constructed from a durable magnesium alloy, and its carbon steel and bronze gears provide smooth operation. With the head's load capacity of 13.2 lb, it can hold a mirrorless to medium format camera with ease, and the three bubble levels ensure accurate leveling of the camera in any axis.

Benro GD3WH Specs

Head
Head TypeGeared Head
Base Mount3/8"-16 Female
Camera Mounting Screw1/4"-20 Male
Quick Release Plate TypeArca-Type
Number of Bubble Levels3
Friction ControlNo
Independent Pan LockYes
Pan & Tilt Range
Vertical Tilt+90° to 0°
Panning Range360°
General
Load Capacity13 lb / 5.9 kg
Weight1.6 lb / 740 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.315 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)8 x 7.3 x 6.7"

Benro GD3WH Reviews

Secure and rock steady

By Ronald
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-05-08

There are inherently a lot of components to a night sky set up. There's the tripod, geared head, rotator, ball head, and camera, so each component and each connection between each component has to be solid or camera shake will spoil the shot. The Benro is very sturdy and my set up supports the reasonably heavy Z9 with no appreciable shake. Polar alignment with the precision gears is a breeze. I couldn't be happier.

Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head

By Angelo
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-03-06

Been using this for a few months. Very short learning curve after coming from ball head for many years. Makes my job easier, compositions more precise in my real estate work. One down side is the rapid movement knobs are very hard to turn.

Amazing Geared Head

By Sam
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-23

Bought the Benro 3 way geared tripod head to use with my D850 while capturing landscape and nature photos . . It is amazing easy to use and the geared movements (tilt/rotate/pan) are so precise I can capture panoramas with ease! Using the ball head, I had to hold the camera while making adjustments so it would flop all over . . the geared head allows small movements to adjust without having to use a third hand to hold everything . . A great addition to my camera Kit and will be using it more and more!

Spend the money for a better product

By Stephen
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-21

I bought this head in July of 2020 and was pleased with the geared movements, which make it easy to level the camera. The trouble is the now (1/2023) the pitch control (lens up, lens down) is nearly unusable. The fine control intermittently stops working, and you can only control pitch using the actuator release knob. That knob has a tendency to freeze, requiring the use of a wrench to free it. So far as I can see, there is no way to take any of the controls apart in order to fix them. By carrying this product B&H is damaging its reputation as a purveyor of quality products.

Highly recommend this Geared Head

By Thom
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-17

I'm always a little leery when it comes to buying something that is not the most expensive. I go by the adage that you get what you pay for. In the case of the Benro GD3WH I was totally surprised. This is a wonderful geared head. Easy to use, very secure, light weight. and well within my budget. This is now my primary head for landscape and pan-o photography. Good job Benro!

Works as intended

By Hunter
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-16

I prefer the Manfrotto head but with rising costs I wanted to see if this would be a good replacement. It works well, though the process of attaching your camera is kind of sketchy. Another thing that should be redesigned is the star shaped piece to disengage the gears. It is very painful to use compared to the Manfrotto 410, but it may get easier to use over time. Other than those things its a great tripod head and I will probably continue to buy them

Great Idea, Good Value, Poor design

By Snapshot
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2023-05-03

This is a GREAT 3 way geared head for the occasional week-end shooter, priced accordingly. However, if doing pro & art photography, the Arca style mount is awful to use. You have to pull and twist, and threads are flimsy. Designed for cosmetic looks, dreamers of hoiw it should function, and user with no experience. Albeit, works in a pinch, and priced accordingly. Will do the job.... but not at a pro level. Does become loose over time. Just buy a new one !

No more ball heads for this guy

By Thomas
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-20

When shooting large format, precision framing is a must and the Benro allows me to do just that.

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I am considering this head for use with a ...

I am considering this head for use with a Chamonix 4x5 camera. From the available images, it appears that the top knob is higher than the base plate, and might come into contact with the base of the camera. Is this the case or am I just looking at the images incorrectly?
Asked by: Matthew
Yes the inner quick adjust wheel does extend beyond the top of the arca swiss plate by about 1/16 of an inch. As Daniel mentioned it would be very difficult to turn the knob with your camera mounted on a traditional arca swiss plate. Maybe B&H can recommend some kind of adaptor plate to achieve additional height off the top of the arca swiss plate?
Answered by: John
Date published: 2021-08-13

To use this for panoramas, do I also need a ...

To use this for panoramas, do I also need a leveling base or can all adjustments be made with this head to permit level rotation?
Asked by: Charles
I used an Oben leveling head. Worked good. Just didn't like how heavy and bulky it made my tripod though. Folding my tripod definitely became more problematic. If you can accept that or don't mind breaking down tripod completely, go for it.
Answered by: Michael
Date published: 2020-07-10

Is this compatible with a Benro tripod model ...

Is this compatible with a Benro tripod model C2691T? I bought one used and it has a ball head which I find difficult to control.
Asked by: Lois
As the Benro C-2691 Travel Angel Carbon Fiber Tripod has a 3/8"-16 heat attachment size, and the Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head has a female 3/8"-16 thread on the base of the geared head, yes, the Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head would be compatible for use on the Benro C-2691 Travel Angel Carbon Fiber Tripod.
Answered by: Manzell
Date published: 2018-12-31

Would the clamp hold a standard Peak Design small ...

Would the clamp hold a standard Peak Design small plate (like the PL-S-3)?
Asked by: Paul
I would say it could but you may have not enough or a lot of contact on the shorter plates. The Benro head is really nice, I've enjoyed it. The heads rails are not all the way across the sides, they have a gap or two in them. You may have to order it to check, but it seems to be a great value. Peace.
Answered by: John
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Is this compatible with the Peak Design Dual ...

Is this compatible with the Peak Design Dual Plate?
Asked by: Christina
It is compatible with Arca-Swiss standard plates. I have used it with plates from RRS, Kessler and Sirui - all worked fine. If the Peak Design plate is Arca-Swiss compatible, it should also work.
Answered by: Eric
Date published: 2022-04-05

Can you suggest a budget friendly tripod that ...

Can you suggest a budget friendly tripod that won't move when set up to go with this head? Heavy is ok.
Asked by: James
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod B&H # MAMT055XPRO3
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Date published: 2021-02-10

What is the widest the clamp can open? I need to ...

What is the widest the clamp can open? I need to fit in a base that is 43mm wide (which is wider than Arca standard)?
Asked by: Rob
The widest the clamp can open is a tiny bit wider than the Arca Swiss, but not wide enough for the 43mm base.
Answered by: Lenny
Date published: 2020-05-08

I have a Gitzo GT3543XLS Systematic Series 3 ...

I have a Gitzo GT3543XLS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod which has a wide base to connect tripod heads. Will this one fit such that the knobs are not hitting the base?
Asked by: Bruce
I have the Gitzo GT5543LS Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod and there's no way to install the Benro without a riser.
Answered by: Patrick
Date published: 2023-04-27
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