Review on 📷 Gitzo GH1382TQD Center Ball Head Series 1 Traveler Review: Quick Release D (Black) - A Comprehensive Guide by Michael Rosario

I've used Gitzo tripods for a long time, but their ball heads have always struck me as ridiculous at best. For a while, I suffered with the head that came with my Traveler pod simply from the difficulty of finding something else small enough. Gitzo's previous attempt at making an Arca-Swiss compatible CR clip was also a joke, although I generally prefer screw-grip clips, even when lever clips work. my opinion on gitzo heads. It looked like a good head on paper, but I was still very skeptical. The same goes for the QR clamp, although screwing in the threaded handle is quite tricky. But in short, my fears were unfounded - that's a great head. Not just a great head for Gitzo, but a really great head. As a Traveler model in the line, it's very compact (and therefore loses friction control like the others) but has a very strong hold with no play. The coated ball is incredibly smooth. There is a 90 degree notch that is easy to find and insert. Panning isn't as smooth as a ball, but nothing to complain about. The head took whatever records I threw at it - mainly Heynar, but also Kirk, Arka, a cheap no-name and of course the accompanying Gitzo cymbal. Which might just be a hesitant addition, but it's actually a really nice plate. I think the edge of the clamp is a little sharp somewhere, as I've noticed that some of the surfaces on my longer records are a little messed up - the Hejnar clamps I usually use are very smooth all over and never cut into my cymbals. I'm not overly concerned about that, but it's worth mentioning. This ball hasn't left my Traveler tripod for about four months and is my most used leg set (usually with the Fuji X-Pro2, lots of long exposure night photography). I think the tripod has now found its firm head. It's even possible that I'll drop a larger model later, but there are many good ball heads out there if size and weight aren't an issue. Finding a great head for the Gitzo Traveler was another story and I'm very glad it worked out.