Gitzo Systematic Ball Head

[AdamSi]

anyone on here using or used one and what was their thoughts? Like this one http://www.gitzo.com/product/0/GH5381SQD/_/Systematic_Ball_Head_Series_5_Quick_Release_D

 

[Gaz J]

I had one and to be honest I thought it was poor value for money. It gave up in the end. I would never buy another Gitzo head.

 

[HoppyUK]

I've used a lot of high-end ball heads for my work, but sadly not this one. It's never made it to the top of the list, being a bit specialist and expensive. It's not Gitzo's most popular head, and good reviews are hard to find.

Gitzo ball heads are generally excellent but have not really caught on because of Gitzo's unfortunate quick-release system. Rather than bother to convert them to Arca-Swiss, it's just easier to buy something else, but now Gitzo also offers an Arca-Swiss option. Hoorah

I feel fairly confident in saying performance will be excellent. Everything points to it, from the huge ball, the weight (getting heavy), the high cost and Gitzo's reputation. It also holds true to the Systrematic's low centre of gravity design that puts the camera in the most stable position. A couple of obvious downsides are the limited tilt angle and, without a drop-slot, you need an L-bracket to turn the camera vertical.

The other question mark is over the ergonomics and handling. It's different, though that's not necessarily a bad thing at all. I suspect it's a bit Marmite. You'd need to try one.

 

[AdamSi]

I had one and to be honest I thought it was poor value for money. It gave up in the end. I would never buy another Gitzo head.

Thanks Gaz appreciate your response, id not buy one new at full price but seen some good deals and would go nicely on my new 3 series gitzo systematic tripod

 

[AdamSi]

I've used a lot of high-end ball heads for my work, but sadly not this one. It's never made it to the top of the list, being a bit specialist and expensive. It's not Gitzo's most popular head, and good reviews are hard to find.

Gitzo ball heads are generally excellent but have not really caught on because of Gitzo's unfortunate quick-release system. Rather than bother to convert them to Arca-Swiss, it's just easier to buy something else, but now Gitzo also offers an Arca-Swiss option. Hoorah

I feel fairly confident in saying performance will be excellent. Everything points to it, from the huge ball, the weight (getting heavy), the high cost and Gitzo's reputation. It also holds true to the Systrematic's low centre of gravity design that puts the camera in the most stable position. A couple of obvious downsides are the limited tilt angle and, without a drop-slot, you need an L-bracket to turn the camera vertical.

The other question mark is over the ergonomics and handling. It's different, though that's not necessarily a bad thing at all. I suspect it's a bit Marmite. You'd need to try one.

Thanks Richard, it does look solid and read a review from a wildlife photographer that loved it but others don't seem to, theres some offers around on them at present but also tempted with Uniball as do not really need another gimbal head and then its only wildlife use only (or moving targets)