Fluid Heads, $200-$100, How Much Does Money Matter 

Really good info, thanks for putting in all the work!

I like you’re very detailed and informative video’s. No one else on RU-vid can convey that in such an understandable and easy to follow way.

I appreciate these videos each time. Thank you for your effort.

Thank you for the video. Watched until the end, and it was fully packed with good information. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I watched until the end. I’m not currently in the market for a fluid head, but this gave me a great idea of which one to check out if I ever am. Your explanations are great and I get a lot out of them. Thank you. I’m also a Patreon member.

Great info, yes, I watched to the end.

This was such a great video! Thanks Scott!!

OMG Thank you for this informative review I learned a lot and I just happened to be in the market for a fluid head for both Photography and Video.

Thank you for your honest and comprehensive thoughts! This was very helpful.

Super helpful! I am in the market for a fluid head but the bowl-leveling base is killing me for low angle video. So as I wrote on your last video the Sachtler Flowtech75 Aktiv6 combo is what I am looking into at the moment. That is a 2000+ usd combo though.. BTW. I skipped the ridiculous part with 2 cameras, it funny how you mentioned that you are only concerned with practical issues (regarding the Sirui BCH-20 Panning not being 100% stable at lockout) and then strapped 2 super tele lenses to a video head hahah. Anyway thanks for putting in the hours to test and concisely explain fluid heads for wildlife video- and photography. I appreciate it!

Excellent work! Thank you for doing this; totally hones and precise review. I only buy what you recommend, you are spot on! I found a used Miller head. I love it on my Artcise AS95C. It's solid and bulletproof.

Thx for the review. It's very insightful. BTW you have a typo in the description -- BV10H is not from sirui, it's from benro.

I appreciate it! Thank you for making this sort of video.

Very helpful, thank you very much, Bernie

Good video Scott...for me my Manfrotto fluid head is still the one, works perfect. One of my Z9's or Z8's and a 400 - 600mm lens and it works for me. I do have the leveling base and some arca slides as well. I love it! It was cheap. Have fun and I look forward to the next video. Peace

Very helpful, thanks.

Even though I’ll probably never remember all this , very informative ❤❤😊😊

Miller now makes a plate, called a Versa plate, that's compatible with Manfrotto plates. Its existing CX and ArtX fluid heads can be retrofitted, and it offers new CX and Air fluid heads with Versa.

Great video .I wish this video was out before I bought the benro Mammoth TMTH44C. I like the Mammoth but the Surui you test . Wow! Thank for the review. The only place I saw anyone with that type of dual camera set up was in the Conowingo. Dam fall of 2022. He had a three system set up .And Asian wildlife photographer . Very impressive to me, but again thanks for the video It was fantastic. Hope you do workshops.

Scott, first off I just want to say I love your RU-vid channel have been a subscriber for sometime. I have a set of Robus Sticks with a BH 55 ball head. I shoot a Nikon D500 With a 500pf. This is my main wildlife and Bird rig. I also shoot with a Nikon Z6ii and have recently ordered the new 180-600 Z lens. My hopes are to do more video with the Z6ii for my RU-vid channel of wildlife. I find doing video is another creative outlet to compliment my photography. I have recently decided that I might need to go with a fluid head for smoother video and was glad to find your video on fluid heads. Take Care. Ron

Yes, it was helpful! Now I gotta spend more on the Sirui!

great vid, really appreciate the effort, you're great reviewer !! Currently I own a Sachtler Ace XL, it is good in my opinion, although I didn't had the chance to compare it to other heads. It is relatively light, have a good counter balance and drag + illuminate bubble (helpfull in the dark). the most annoying thing is the long half-bowl tie down which limit the ground level work = I wish there was an option for shorter tie down... I heard that Cartoni have nice heads with a Continuous Counterbalance - I wonder how they preform in reality ??

Great series on heads thanks for the time you have put in, very detailed, I’m really struggling to understand how I can use a head or gimbal and what plate to get that I can use for a little video, wildlife and some landscapes photos so I can turn the camera around for portrait landscape shots, maybe it’s not possible. I would love your expertise on this. Thank you

Love the reviews, thank you Ted Lasso 😜

Great info. Thanks!!

I’ve been using arca Swiss fluid heads for years. Leofoto makes some nice ones the BV15 that I use lets you adjust the fluidity of both the tilt and panning.

Thanks!

There's a version of 502 with integrated half bowl 75mm (MVH502A here in Europe). Price is about the same as the flat version (MVH502AH).

TLDR - Go for the Manfrotto 502AH because of the cheaper entry point But Max payload is a lot less = Probably capable of only doing the 70-200 in terms of weight. (not good for really cold temps, not great for counter balancing) Go for the Sirui BCH-20 if you need a bigger payload at the lowest price possible Avoid the other two.

I love my SmallRig Freeblazer tripod with their Fluid Head that came with it. What a bargain! It works with Manfrotto and DJI plates if you happen to use a Ronin RS gimbal.

Only thing missing on the Duelies setup is a gimbal beer holder! Dad had em on our motorhome in the eighties. Never a spill.

Really useful and I like the detail, I’m shooting with OM1 and 300mm f4 and keep looking at the Fotopro gimbal as a hybrid system in one I currently have a cheap gimbal and a manfrotto video head but wondered how the Fotopro would compare with my small setup. Any help would be appreciated.

In my opinion a video can't be to long as long it is informant, like this one! the more information the better! One thing that this video got me thinking of what fluid head to go for ( I will wait for the second video) is that they are really heavy, 3.2-3.4kg for the "best" ones. And with already a big tripod, lens and other small stuff I want to save weight as much as I can! maybe I would go for a lighter gimbal head then the one im using 🧐

The Miller DS-10 and DS-20 are an older design and I wonder how much longer they'll be made. I think that people who are considering those heads should be looking at the Air and CX.

Very helpful. I have the Manfrotto 500 AH with he Kirk Bridge for acra swiss plates. I do NO video and it works for me now. I have been looking around and am considering the Leofoto BV-20K. That would be a worthy one to test

Great video. I just got the Manfrotto 502. Do you happen to have the link to the arca Swiss base you have on your manfrotto plate? Thank you. And yes, I watch your entire videos. Very good information and you being local even makes it better. 😁👍🏻

Very useful, however, my choices are not included. Coverage excellent with the samples used. TonyH

Awesome review, thank you (I have no problem with the length). I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Leofoto BV-20K and the Smooth Camera Gear (SCG) T6.

I find the Manfrotto model very good for my leveling tripod that is downsized from my heaviest legs. Good for everything under my 500mm f4. But I don’t find panning heads nearly as good as gimbals for tracking and birds in flight. The Sirui looks good but it is twice the weight of the Manfrotto. But, like everything, it depends on your specific needs. Thanks for the analysis. Interesting and useful as always.

Why does this guy only have 17k subscribers? I feel like he should be 100k minimum

Scott, you may want to take a look at the Leofoto BV-20K. I just got one, and I really like it, and it reasonably priced.

I’d love to see a comparison with the Sirui VS IFootage Komodo series.

Well, I want the Sirui. I went on their site and could not find it. The 10 and 30 are there. Discontinued? At least B&H has it so should be ok. Thanks for this FANTASTIC review. Helps so much.

Hi Scott - very useful series of videos. I'm curious if you've had the chance to try Leofoto's BV-20K Fluid Tripod Head (75mm bowl; 33lb rating; only 4.4 lbs; $369 @ B&H). I've had good luck with their legs and other support gear (but I love my Sirui monopod). I've used the Manfrotto MVH500AH head extensively for photography, but it's not great for shooting Z9 video in my hands. Thanks!

Very interesting as per usual !! Would you say that as of today the Fotopro E-6/7/9 models are still the most versatile for photos (80-90%) and videos (10-20%) ? I’d love a full review on those models especially the E-7 as you can only find a handful of reviews on RU-vid for what seems to be a great option 🤷‍♂️

Thanks for this excellent review! Just a question can I adapt the Sirui BCH-20 to my arca swiss foot on mij lenses?

Hey Scott, thank you for the great video by the way, question...do you know if the Kirk adapter plate they make for the Manfroto works on the Sirui? Thanks.

Thanks for such an informative video. I have the manfrotto 502, which im largely happy with, but when I touch the set up, especially using the arm to pan, it wobbles and ruins the footage. Ive seen others mention this too, but you don't seem to have this issue, which make me wonder if its the tripod thats the issue? I have a flat base version manfrotto 502 and its on a (silk) tripod which has a centre column. Ive been considering the Sirui sv-15 fluid head with their One-Step Height Adjustment Video Tripod SVT75, but I wondering it I get the Sirui tripod and bowl mount/adapter and use the manfrotto 502 it might solve my problem? My set up is m43rds so less than 4kg/10pounds, and will save me both weight and money!

Hi, Is it normal for there to be a slight wiggle and squelch sound when panning up and down? I've just bought a really cheap £20 fluid head off Amazon so not expecting good quality, but just wanted to know if it's normal. It moves less if if I tighten the horizontal movement, but there is still slight play. My old tripod head does the same, but not sure if it's normal for new ones even if cheap. Sorry for long question. Thanks a lot.

Sirui are making a new head... SVH15. I'd like to see a comparison with Sirui SVH15 vs manfrotto 608 nitrotech vs E-Image GH06 ;-)

Scott, have you tried Sachtler Aktiv8 Fluid Heads? Comparison to Miller or Sirui?

The mighty Fancier fc 270A and its FC 02H fluid head???

Hi, thanks for your reviews! Neglecting the price difference, would you rate the Sirui BCH-20 higher than the Leofoto BV-20? Both can currently be had for an incredible price (499 vs 240) but not sure if the Sirui is worth the extra 260 bucks. Thanks!

Nice review, could thel me the tripod used? Can you help with the choice of the 75 cm ball head (opening) tripods? Thanks

Yet best presentations are with you! Sadly Miller is not shipped in my country, 502AH is kinda too old, read some negative opinions; Benro has distributor here but this video head is not existing here 🤷🏻‍♂️ ; No Sirui as well. It's lile I live in the moon 😅 I think I asked you last time but Manfrotto Nitrotech is again with discount and I've read the Niteotech series is Manfrotto's best but have to sell some equip to start buying new gear again, eh

question, at 10:18 I see another knob (on the left side when facing in operating direction), is this the counterbalance knob?, or resistance, which for photographers means much the same, as we move, then lock it down before shooting, we don't move while exposing, we AVOID it at all costs.

Another vote for the Gitzo!

a question, with the weight capacity, if you are trying out heavy gear, why not try a fuji GFX100 with the new 500mm or a Hasselblad H with 300mm, or the 500c etc v bodies with a 500mm that should test them, as most of these will weigh more than your setups.

Just curious, if panning isn’t frictionless doesn’t that make the video to jump with a heavy gears and camera? That’s the case for my budget head

What's your opinion on Leofoto BV 20 fluid video head

Of course I watched the complete video

I watched your video's as of late and love your style and presentation, you are very thorough in your evaluations. I've been reading about and comparing fluid heads and decided I wanted one with a flat base, I did however just buy a Quick leveler in advance of my fluid head purchase. Am seriously considering the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 fluid head because it has continuous counterbalance system and can handle the weight of my gear (Z9 w/ 800PF, Typ.). Any comments on this potential choice, don't know if you have ever tried it out, no way you can check every model, this is priced @ $607.00. Thanks so much for your hard work, appreciate it. - Jeff

Very informative video. I use a Manfrotto 502AH with arca swiss conversion from Henjar Photo, (always good service... US company!!,) fitted to a Gitzo GT5532LS tripod with 75mm levelling plate. This carries my Swarovski BTX scope for aircraft spotting. Once I have set balance I can leave it at any angle with no problems. Watching your video would have saved my many hours researching my setup. Thanks again.

you missed the links

no, I just call it si-roue-ee phonetically, easiest to say.

Man, you serious?! 39:50 long and you only dedicated 12 seconds to actual infield comparison? The pan speed is different among the four tests, but regardless Sirui & Millers look smoother. And you didn't even test slow panning...