BEST FLUID HEAD EVER! ⚗︎ $500 e-Image GH06 review VS Sachtler FSB4, Manfrotto 504HD, Cartoni Focus 8
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2024
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GH06 head: (Also sold with the Ikan branding.)
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E-image 761AT legs:
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E-image GH03 head:
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● eBay USA: rover.ebay.com/...
Cartoni Focus 8 review:
(Great head but the GH06 is just a tiny bit smoother. Some good jokes in the review too.)
• Best FAST video tripod...
Sachtler FSB4 review:
(Let me save you 23 minutes. It's a really nice head in some ways but the GH06 is a bit smoother. Old review so no jokes. )
• Sachtler FSB4 - Superb...
Pixco focal reducer adapter:
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In short: I am an affiliate with eBay, Amazon, B&H and Adorama, which means I get a small commission when you buy through my links. All my earnings directly or indirectly go to help animals (vets, food, shelter, business costs, etc.) I still always review items honestly, and I never accept any payments to shoot reviews. Thank you for your support.
Disclaimer:
I shoot these videos in the hope that it will be helpful, but all information given is just my honest opinion. I make no guarantees whatsoever. You are responsible for your own safety and how you use that information.
I own several manfrotto video heads, 501, 502, 516. And none of them are true fluid heads, they are fluid drag systems. The only reason they're getting away with calling them fluid heads, is because they use grease as a lubrication. I'm not saying that Manfrotto makes bad products, but for professional use, I wouldn't recommend any of these models that I own. They all suffer from bounce-back effect when panning up or down or side-to-side. I went to the store to try the Manfrotto 504 video head to see if it had the same issues, and it did. E-image makes great products, and will be getting the GH06 video head, the GC 752 carbon fiber tripod. Very informative review, thank you.
Yeah I've tried most of the manfrottos and was never impressed.
The 'that's what she said' count is off the charts in this video
Which fluid head with a flat base is better? The E-Image GH03 oder the Varavon 815? The tilt drag on the GH03 can be adjusted. On the other hand, the counterbalance on the Varavon can be released.
I've only used the gh03 for a few minutes so I'm not sure. Personally I'd get the 815, and possibly send it for an oil change if needed. maybe ask e image if you can buy it with the thick oil already inside.
I think the GH04 is also flat but I've never seen that in person. Might have to try it.
Thank you! I have decided to purchase the 815 directly from Varavon in South Korea. I will ask them for the thicker oil so that I hopefully don't need to return it.
Cool. Let me know if Varavon can do it. I think the e-image factory is in China so I'm not sure if they would be able to do it from Korea.
@@nitsan have you Tried the SVG T6, and compared it to this?
great video...quick question I have the GH05 from IKAN. It is smooth however the starting and stopping tends to be jerky...do you think it is worth an upgrade to the GH06...I mean I am going from a $400 Canadian to $830 Canadian video head.
Very tempting ... especially since my Grandma says I should buy one.
Cool vid! Just what I need.
However, question: GH06 vs Sachtler FSB 6 mark II? Do you think the performance difference is night and day enough to justify the price jump?
i love how you are playing with the depth of field plus the colors are perfect good job
This is very impressive. Wow
Thanks for great review. Can the GH06 be used with their monopod MFC700 ?
Hi Nitsan! I would love to know how good is your GH06 fluid head holding up.
I've had the older generation 7083H fluid head for about 8 years, and for the last year it has gotten to the point that even with professional maintenance, problems with internal springs and parts show up again after a couple of months.
Now i'm thinking of buying a new one, and i'm looking at the GH06 and the Cartoni Focus 10 red lock.
Would you choose the GH06 and 761AT for a GH5? The weight with 100-400mm lens is 1.8kg, 35-100 and 12-35mm both are about 1.1kg. I really want something smooth especially for the 100-400 (200-800FF) but can't afford much more than this. Great video BTW!
Yup this is the head I'd choose for any camera that can work on it. Just keep in mind that to get the counterbalance perfect you'll want to add something on the hot shoe for weight. I just set the counterbalace to zero and used it without anything extra and had no problems, but then you just can't tilt and let go of the handle.
Thanks. I'll try to remember to use your links when I buy! Still building my camera account back up again... But this is my next purchase.
WOW! I just got the GH06 to try out and it is surprisingly smooth. Definitely better than my FSB4. I am still waiting for my Miller CX2 to arrive from B&H but so far this thing is so good for the price. My only gripe is that it doesn't use the Manfrotto 501PL plates. Thanks for the heads up on this thing!!
Awesome. Let me know how you like the Miller. My only issue with them was the lack of a counterbalance for small cameras, but now they added new versions with that option. Still pricey though.
Have you gotten the GH03 for testing. I purchased one when I bought the GH06. Personally I think that the fix counter balance and drag r too stiff for smaller mirrorless cameras. Wish they would make a flat base version of the GH06 so we can use on sliders and monopods. What is your opinion on the GH03?
I've only tried the GH03 in a shop a few years ago. I saw that it was pretty smooth but didn't have time to properly test it.
You can still get the varavon 815FH. Flat base and very cheap, with counterbalance that goes to 0, but you may need to send it to E-image for an oil change to get the older thicker oil that I like. My version is several years old so I don't know what current units are like.
Apparently they just came out with the GH04 with a flat base. I will order one from Korea to try out
Ah cool. Let me know if you liked it. :)
Love that 'she' allows entry from the front and back.... that sold me
Even better is snap in entry from the top, which he didn’t even show!
Cartoni Focus 8, Sachtler Ace XL or this E-image GH06 that you have reviewed, all about the same price where i am so which would you purchase?
E-image in a heartbeat if I wanted the best smoothness, which I do.
@@nitsan I am hoping I can see a price dip before I pull the trigger on actually making the buy. Have you ever seen the E-Image tripod kits go on sale? Today I went to a website listing the GH06 and tripod kit as "discontinued." That was surprising but then a lot of stores get the models and descriptions of Ikan mixed up all the time too.
@@charlieross-BRM I don't really pay attention to price fluctuations. In my opnion it's not worth your time to waste hours just to save a few bucks. I doubt there will be any major price changes in items like this. I think it's more worthwhile to find more filming work or side hussle etc. The only time I remember seeing significant price reductions that were worth my time was the amazon prime day thing.
Get the GH06F. Flat base and the 75mm bowl option in one.
May I ask how your e image head and tripod is holding up since your review please?
I didn't need it so a friend bought it off me.
Hello, do you think it is still the best fluid head on the market in this price range? And do you think it can be mounted on any regular tripod?
Best head I've used to date. Yes should fit any regular 75mm bowl tripod. See my reviews of the 535. This company has other heads that come with the flat mount which is usually found on smaller photographic tripods.
Thanks, I've been looking all over for a great (not just good) fluid head for under 800 dollars and maybe this is it !!!!
I believe many companies don't have a proper fluid heads partly due to price (R&D) and because Miller have the patent.
I would highly recommend trying out a Miller. Probably a bit pricey for what you need but damn are they good.
Interesting.
Yeah I looked into miller but at the time they didn't have anything with a counterbalance that goes to zero. Now I see they released the CX range which look nice, but yeah pretty pricey.
To be fair, I've only had the CineLine 70 on set so my experience is limited. I prefer that head to the Sachtler. I'm not a fan of their single leg twisty locks though. I'll stick to the O'connor CineHD when I can get them.
I had a play with the CX at a trade show; they feel very similar, just lighter and you can't quite get as stiff a drag compared to the CineLine.
also do both axis lock in place
@2.50 you mentioned one could use it on a slider with an adapter. Is there any you'd recommend, please?
Cheers!!!
Did you finally know how to attach the head to a slider?
@@doctorpins No
I would like the ability to put the pan handle on the left so I can pan with my left hand and control the camera shutter and setting with my right hand.
Just use a mirror
Nice videos Nitsan. Have you ever gotten your hands on a BV4 or BV6 by Benro? I would be curious how you felt it compared to this head. Obviously the build doesn't look as good but I wonder how they compare functionally. Thanks.
Thanks. I've not tried any of those yet. Might do when I have some time and money. :)
i plan on using this head for big 600mm lens.. what is the maximum weight it can carry? thanks!
There's a segment of this video that explains the weight and counterbalance.
My GH06 arrived this morning and it seems great but it won’t fit my Vinten 75mm bowl tripod. The thread on the locking knob isn’t quite long enough to reach the fluid head. Not sure what to do. I can’t seem to find any adapters to make this work.
Hmmmm. I have no idea. Did you find a solution?
Does anyone know what the situation is with Varavon 815 in Mid 2018? Has anyone actually tried to request the thick oil? Has anyone actually compared the new Varavon to the old version with thick oil? I cannot find any confirmation, tests, or update
No idea, sorry. If money isn't an issue and you don't have to have a flat base then just go with the GH06. The 04 is probably good but I've never tried it.
I just ordered (July 2018) from an Ebay Korean seller what I believe is the Varavon 815FH-S, which I HOPE uses a thick oil, and has a similar resistance in Pan & Tilt.
Read the user comments on the Nitsan blog here www.nitsan.co.uk/blog/2014/11/1/815fh-s-fluid-head-updates-open-letter-to-varavon
Any opinion on the GH06 w/ the Aluminum legs vs the Carbon Fiber legs? It's about a $150 difference. Love the video btw
Go for whichever one has the flip locks on the legs instead of twist locks (i really don't like twist locks). I think if you get the legs that have two poles per leg then you can have both the carbon fibre and the easy to use locks (I mean the legs that look more like a traditional video tripod).
Also check the height, there are different versions I think. So make sure it's high enough.
Damn. This looks pretty good, but it's only with a bowl mount it seems. Wish it came off! 😣
Are there any screws which would make it seem as if the ball would come off?
No I don't think so, sorry.
You could use an adapter I guess.
The same company make flat mount heads, I'll try to get some in to review.
I have the Benro BV6 and it looks identical to this! The BV6 is insanely smooth so i wouldn't be surprised if it has the same fluid system. However, I like to keep my 2 ft. slider on a quick-release plate and slide them into my heads (track is perpendicular to the tilt axis) and I get a ton of flex (2-3cm) on the plastic Benro with a C100 & Lens ontop. It comes from the top assembly where the plate lock system is screwed into the fluid section most likely due to the plastic construction. How solid and tank-like is this head? Think I'd see the same flex?
Have a look again. The Benro isn't made from the same parts as this, not on the outside at least. But yes similar layout of the functions. This is almost entirely metal, but I've not tried with a slider yet. I'll do a test of the stability with a slider and see.
I’m lost with the long links which link is the this kit you review.
Great video btw
Thanks! I've added links to the legs as well.
It's funny you mention this has no bounce back yet at 5:18 it clearly show bounce back when you let your hand off it.
I think it was just tilting from gravity until I put my hand back on it. There is no way in hell I would not notice that much bounce back. :)
@Nitsan Simantov I would be curious to hear what you think of the Smooth Camera Gear T6 (SCG T6) which is slightly less expensive than the GH06, but has the same payload, 8 steps of counter balance, and a slightly wider tilt range (+90/-80 vs +90/-60)
Sorry I've not tried it. I'll try to get one for review sometime
I advice against it. Get the cartoni head focus 12 from BH. Future proof your self.
have ever had an issue where the head goes out of level while panning, then returns to level when you return to the original position as if the half bowl and the head aren't parallel to each other? i am having that issue with a kingjoy vt2500
Could be a few things. Plate not connected well to the camera? Or maybe your bubble level is not glued in flat. I've seen that happen on something. Try with an external bubble level. Which part of it is going out of level when panning? The camera?
@@nitsan ihad thought that the bubble level wasn't placed flat on the head. But the level inbuilt into my camera also show the same problem when panning. So its the tripod head thats the problem
I love your reviews mate, very nice. Do you still own the GH06 and is everything still working great?
Thanks.
I sold it to a friend. I don't really need it for my own uses.
@@nitsan Could you ask him about his experience with the durability?
@@nitsan Forgot to ask what you are using with your normal camera. It seems you are using light weight dslrs a lot.
I don't use a fluid head much at the moment. I just have my old Varavon head for those few times I need one.
I'm sure it's working fine or he would have told me about it.
Hi Nitsan! Thanks for the review. Did you have tried The Nitrotech series, like N8 and 608? It's hard in Italy to find a GH06 and I'm considering to buy a 608 offer.
Manfrotto don't make real fluid heads. It has no fluid cartridge and can't compete with a true fluid head. I'd just order from abroad. Much better than paying a high price for something that isn't even a fluid head.
I recently (May 2021) researched the 608 which replaces the N8 and I still can easily find shortcomings mentioned in tests. I always play devil's advocate to try and talk myself out of a product choice but with the Ikan GH06 I can't do it. Testers still mention the 608 gives some push back when you let go of the movements and that overall it doesn't feel as creamy smooth. Also I am wary of all the open cavities and working parts exposed on the 608. It seems to susceptible to dirt and overall it's a bit over styled and it's also much heavier. The flat base might be a preference though.
Don't feel too bad about possibly avoiding the Italian brand. I know a wealthy contractor in Milan who can buy what ever motorcycles he wants and after his last two Ducati bikes, eg. 999, he is so perturbed by their quality and company service attitude he is looking forward to going back to Suzuki. I'd take a Yamaha or Honda over a Suzuki any day :)
Excellent review. Very tempting, even for this ex-Sachtler owner. Is the baseplate Manfrotto compatible? Or Arca Swiss?
I'm not sure sorry. I don't think it's arca.
They need to release a flatbase version.
Real fluid mechanism, adjustable drag for both tilt and pan with locks, adjustable counterbalance going from zero suitable for small cameras and ability to be flatbase as well as bowl are the things that a lot of people would want yet so few heads fill these requirements.
I am looking at this E-image but also the Sachtler FSB4 which has flatbase capability. I have one concern. If you are spending quite a lot then what if things go wrong? Sachtler would presumably be a safer option.
Has anyone tried that new Manfrotto Nitrotech?
In my experience E-image have superb service. They changed oil for me on three heads sold as Fancier and Varavon (not faulty, I just wanted thicker oil). They didn't ask for receipts and only charged me for shipping.
I've had the FSB4, it was nice but the E image is better. Email them and tell them you want a flat version of it. I imagine if several people emailed they would probably make one.
Manfrotto are pretty but they are not fluid heads. In my opinion not smooth enough. I didn't try that new one but I wouldn't expect much.
Nitsan Simantov Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yes, I should mail them about the flatbase.
I'm very tempted with this e-image head and those legs which I like because the Sachtler head is almost as much as the e-image head and legs together. There are some other options like Cartoni and Miller but then the price us climbing even higher. The Miller CX2 looks awesome but now we are into serious cost.
My setup will never be that heavy so I'm looking at the lightest options with some future proofing for weight.
Yeah. The GH06 plus a flat adapter could be a good option. Or the Varavon I reviewed, plus sending it to E-image for an oil change. It's basic but very smooth and goes to zero counterbalance.
The GH06F (flat base, but can also be mounted directly to a 75mm bowl like the Sachtler ACE) is just being released. It's also cheaper.
I need a super smooth video head for GH5 + Canon 100-400 mm + 2x extender to filming the birds. What is your advice please ? At the moment I'm using a Millner air tripod but I'm not very happy with the results. Sometimes my footage a bit shaky and not smooth
I've not used the miller air so I can't tell you how they compare. If your setup is suitable for the weight limit of the gh06 then that would be my choice.
Nitsan Simantov Thank you for your reply Nitsan . I'm considering to buy FSB 8 but after watching your video I'm thinking of GH06 . Is it smoother then FSB 8 ?
I've only had the FSB 4. My e-image is smoother.
Nitsan Simantov Thank you for your reply
Hi,Possibility of using the GH06 head on a monopod?
You'd need a bulky adapter. But I think this company makes small heads that are more suitable for monopods size wise, and have flat bottoms so no adapter is needed.
I think monopods are a bit crap. I carry a tripod, then if needed I fold the legs and use it like a monopod, but for the most part I need it to stand on its own.
I got this fluid head with the carbon legs. The carbon legs are lighter and really good. The knob for the ball is different. Instead of the three ridges, it has five.
However, it appears to be completely different with the drag. I can tell this by watching you turn it. Obviously there is the off position where it is completely free. Setting one is quite stiff. Setting two is very stiff and setting three seems to be almost the same but if you move it a bit it seems to look into a very slightly different drag. This can be annoying because it doesn't immediately change gear. It essentially only has two clearly different drag settings. Watching you adjust it, there us no way that mine is the same. It is clearly way stiffer. Both pan and tilt on mine have the same stiffness i.e. settings two and three are almost exactly the same.
Strange. I didn't pay much attention to setting 2. I can try tomorrow and see.
BTW with these legs the carbon ones weigh the same. They probably have extra thick legs for stiffness instead of the same thickness but lighter. They do have shorter versions which are lighter though.
Hi Nitsan. It still seems really good for the money. You can get the shots which is more than can be said for other fluid heads. I reckon the next step up would have to be a Miller at WAY more cost. I would love one those but the cost is just too high.
The carbon legs are lighter. Some sites list them as being the same weight but if you look on e-images own site they list them as lighter.
Yes, I would be interested to know if setting two seems very different from setting three on yours. It looks like you are turning it much quicker than I would be able to on settings two and three. I often use a 300mm lens so thick drag is OK.
I only have two very slight complaints. The one I have mentioned. Setting three doesn't seem to engage quickly and another slight issue is that the ring for changing the settings very slightly scrapes the part above at one point i.e. if you set it to no drag and spin it, you here a very slight scape at one point as it spins. Very minor issue though.
Ah yeah I see that now. The official site had that error too when I reviewed the legs.
My drag is suuuuuper thick at setting 3. It's one of the reasons I love this head. I'm probably moving it quickly in the video due to my god-like strength. 😄 lol
Nitsan Simantov OK. I would be interested to know if setting two has a noticeable difference on yours. It doesn't seem to be much different on mine. It just looks like in your video, when you move to setting two it is very different. Other fluid heads I tried didn't have enough drag. When I tried a quite heavy 300mm they were simply too loose.
Nice video!
How it compares to the Manfrotto MVH502AH?
Manfrotto don't make true fluid heads. No comparison at all.
will you recommend the GH05 or GH03 if i still want something cheaper than this?
I've not used them enough but I think just see what has the features you need. Look at the counterbalance and see if there's an option that fits your camera weight, and look at the tripod fit - See if you need the flat mount version (plus ball adapter when needed) if you want to use a slider sometimes.
@@nitsan i want to be able to mount a slider on the tripod and the fluid head on the slider, so i can pan and tilt while sliding
then you'll want a flat mount head. check which models they have that do that. The 3 has a flat version.
@@nitsan Thank you so much!
@@nitsan one more thing, how do i mount the slider to the tripod?
Today at Photography show I saw *SIRUI* BCH-20 fluid video head . Did you ever heard about this brand .? I did tried it. It was very smooth. But I would like to compare it to another brands. I even had a chance to talk to CEO of this company. He showed to me how to use it properly
I have heard of the brand name but I have not tried it.
I will see if I can get one to test.
Nitsan Simantov Thank you !
Hi Nitsan! Thanks for the humorous and thorough review! Do you have any thoughts on this head vs the Nitrotech N8? Thanks!
Glad you liked it.
I've seen one video on the Nitrotech and it appears to be the same crap Manfrotto have been selling for years with a more futuristic "eye candy" design. I've not tried it myself but as far as I know Manfrotto doesn't actually make fluid heads, but rather friction heads (completely different mechanism). Performance on all Manfrottos I have tried was poor when compared to a decent fluid head.
The GH06 is so nice. Just a pity that there isn't something between 0 and 1 on the counterbalance. Seems I have to add 500-750g to my sigma fp with smallrig and Sigma art prime lenses to get it to work with the counterbalance. But perhaps it best just to forget about this. I did manage to get my photo camera with batterygrip and a heavy lens to be counterbalanced well though.
Great review... thank you. Does anyone have a suggestion on a way to convert it to ARCA compatable?
Thanks. And yes you literally just buy an Arca quick release base+plate. Very commonly available and you just connect it on top of the head.
straightforward and informative, you convert me.
i dont see me upgrading anytime soon from my BV6 BUT this thing is SOLID unlike my BV6 that is made of fiberglass or plastic :S but good thing is its smooth AF too and have a flat bottom to use as a normal head ^^ anyways again gr8 review man keep it up ^^ and my grandma says hi and says money well spent :>
Great Vid! can you remove this head and place on a motorized slider etc?
Only with an adapter unfortunately, which makes it taller and bulkier. I think they do make some flat mount heads though.
They make the GH06F now that has both the flat base and the crew in 75mm bowl option. Just bought one.
What would I need to buy to attach it to a slider?
An adapter from 75mm bowl to flat.
I have to look at this one. I have to upgrade my gear
Nice head! I just invested in a Miller Compass 25 head 😍
Nice :)
Thax
"Like a big... you know... heh heh" 😂 😂
So does it only come in a bowl mount?
Yeah. I guess if enough people request a flat base they might make one.
well none of that really matter since your autofocus seems to be broken so every shot slowly disappears very smoothly into a blurry mess of bokeh.
No my autofocus was fine. I was just filming in a blurry park.
The thumbscrew was designed for a coin.
coin or screwdriver. Same problem of needing to find a tool.
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