07Oct Cheap Velbon Video Fluid Head Review
I’m sure many of you already know about this particular Velbon fluid head
If you’re just starting out with a GH2, Olympus Pen, or Sony NEX-5n camera you’ll get some truly fluid movements with this sub $30 dollar fluid head. It’s no wonder this fluid head gets rave reviews over at Amazon
Size Comparison (Left) Manfrotto 701HDV (Right) Velbon Fluid Head
Don’t get the bundled tripods as i’ve heard nothing but horror stories. You’d be better off buying another one like the 190XDB from Manfrotto (found here). Don’t overload the thing. I used a Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 100mm Macro F/2.8 which worked well, but the head does not have a ‘balance’ feature so it wanted to tilt forward with the heavy lens. It’s too bad the build quality comes in short, because the performance is truly amazing for such a cheap head. Often you’ll find the head on sale as low as $26 dollars, and for a spare head on your DSLR video slider, track dolly, or even one for your Monopod it’s a deal. You can find them on sale at B&H (click here)
Velbon PH-368 Video Fluid Head
or at Amazon (click here) available at both B&H and Amazon (click here)
Velbon Fluid Video Tripod head – via Amazon
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October 7th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I’ve had 2 for about a year now and been using them on sliders and when travelling light. Something I throw in my back as a back up and more than worth the money.
for us in the uk – £34.95 – only 5 left as of now
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-PH368-Panhead-D600-700/dp/B000923HIG
October 7th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Cant find it on ebay, emm!
Well, the ones that i CAN find are going for exorbitant prices
~46 GBP. o.O
Im not sure if amazon ships to worldwide (Im from Singapore).
Gah. I need a budget tripod head for my budget slider lol.
October 7th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
How does this head compare to the WF717? Can both be used with the Pico dolly?
October 7th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@Emm… thanks for the tip… While we’re on the subject, I bought one of the Weifeng tripod / fluid ball heads and it’s great except the tripod isn’t tall enough to get a straight on standing head shot. Is there anything I can do to raise the height of the head? I’m new to the ball heads.
Thanks for all you do, my number one source of advice for new equipment. Cheesycam for the win!
October 7th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@emm What would you say is the best tripod dolly under 100 bucks to shoot on wood floors ? I got my pico dolly for great low shots and love it but what would work best for high level shots ?
October 7th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
I owned a similar head from B&H under the Promaster line. The head is great, especially if you don’t load too much weight on it, however I did indeed bundle with a tripod, and while the head did wonders the tripod fell apart after a couple months of moderate use. Live and learn.
October 7th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
My first tripod was the Videomate 607 which came with this head. After the legs gave out I wanted to keep using the head since it was awesome for the price. I took it off but it was designed to stay on. I found a replacement set of legs and this cheap fluid head on B&H and it’s still one of go-to tripods today.
October 8th, 2011 at 4:14 am
i use this head on my Manfrotto 560B monopod and is great! but the only issue i have is that the plate blocks the battery compartment of my 550D so i have to remove the plate every time i need change a battery ….pain in the ass….
my only solution was to use the gini rails with the manfrotto quick release plate.
October 8th, 2011 at 7:31 am
@san – Or you could go with a battery grip. The batteries load from the rear instead of the bottom.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Appreciate all of the great tips emm. This looks like it would be better than the ball head on my slider.
October 8th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Bummer that big mounting plate doesn’t slide for balance adjustment.
October 8th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Emm – Great timing! My back up cheap tripod just fell apart last weekend and I was looking to get a new setup. What Manfrotto legs are you using?
October 8th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
@MK – I’m using some very expensive Carbon Fiber ones in the video, but the 190XDB is a good solid set.
October 8th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
I’m actually one those guys who bought the head with bundled tripod. While it might not be better than an average tripod, it it light and small enough for carry on luggage on aircraft. Low cost carriers usually hate guys who tried to carry big heavy tripod as a carry on luggage but velbon stuff is small and light and as any amateur videographer, a shitty tripod is 1 million times better than no tripod at all.
October 9th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Hi, this was the perfect timing, just bought my t2i! Buying the flycam and a tamron 17-50mm soon. Do you think the Velbon cx 686 with the PH-368 head is a good buy? If not, what legs should i purchase?
As I`m already asking, do you know a smaller company/seller that can mark my tripod as a gift? If you know a lot you think maybe will do it, please tell me!
October 9th, 2011 at 10:09 am
@FBowitz – I don’t know of anyone who will mark it as a gift, and I think a solid set of legs is the Manfrotto 190XDB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod (click here)
October 9th, 2011 at 10:20 am
But isn`t that a bit short?
October 9th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Think i will get this!! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/146249-REG/Velbon_VMATE_607_F_VMATE607F_Videomate_607_Tripod.html
October 9th, 2011 at 11:29 am
@FBowitz – Sorry, what height are you looking for? That’s about a standard size.
October 9th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I’m looking for a solid, cheap head to use on my Pico Dolly. will this do the trick?
October 9th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@shai – The Pico is small. It will mount, but you won’t be able to pan the head. The locking knob for the panning gets in the way, but maybe it can be removed from the head. I’ll try that next week.
October 9th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Thanks. Can you recommend a decent cheap head that will complement the Pico?
October 9th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@shai- The 717ah works: http://cheesycam.com/the-717ah-is-back-maybe-for-a-few-hours/
October 9th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
What’s better this or the Fancier WF717 head for around $50ish. Thanks
October 9th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Amy Barrett – I don’t think you can find a 717 for around 50ish, closer to about $75-80. The 717 will survive a fall if you drop your tripod, and the 717 can carry much more weight. If you baby your equipment and have some lightweight stuff, the Velbon works great.
October 10th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Picked one up at a yard sale a couple of years ago for $5, missing the plate (bought that online).I love this tripod. It has a slight leak, but it is still super smooth. I will probably pickup another one or at least a head so I don’t have to transport the sticky leaky one around anymore. I didn’t think of just looking for the head replacement.
October 17th, 2011 at 7:19 am
I have this head on DV-7000 and I like it… But when I screw the pan knob tighter and do a pan in the right side, the whole head starts unscrewing… is that normal? O.o
October 17th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@vision – For a real video tripod, there should be a few locking screws to keep that from happening. It would be underneath the stage where you would mount the fluid head.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:18 am
Finally back in stock if anyone was still waiting on one. B&H offers free shipping.
October 27th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Wondering what ‘horror stories’ you’ve heard about the Velbon tripods? I was looking at some of their video tripods in the local shop today and they seemed pretty skookum. C-500 and C-600 in particular.
October 27th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@Anthony – Velbon makes some really great tripods. I own a few myself. The comment was intended for the tripods that are bundled with this particular fluid head, not all Velbon tripods.
November 21st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Emm,
I need a small inexpensive fluid head or ball head for my DIY
slider/dolly I have Manfrotto 577 quick release on my 501 fuild head and would like something less expensive than a 701 that I can use the quick release.What are my options?
November 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Steve Riley – If you want to stick to one QR plate, then you’ll have to go with 701. Or you can get a cheaper fluid head and put a Manfrotto QR adapter on top like this http://cheesycam.com/quick-release-adapter-it-is-compatible-with-manfrotto/
November 24th, 2011 at 5:21 am
@shai – The Pico is small. It will mount, but you won’t be able to pan the head. The locking knob for the panning gets in the way, but maybe it can be removed from the head. I’ll try that next week. ___>>>>
So Emm , will this fit the pico dolly ? Looking for one cheap fluid head to fit onto the pico to pan and tilt with.
November 24th, 2011 at 7:29 am
@DD – Here’s something most people don’t think about. You can actually use the Pico Flex Dolly upside down, and it will have a larger base. The knobs will be underneath.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:21 am
Oh, man. It did’nt cross , stupid of me .My bet . Sorry , you are right .
December 24th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
so has anyone tested the Velbon on the Pico Dolly upside down ?
I’m not sure it’s been confirmed…was that what you were saying Emm ?
I have the 717 but it’s the bowl version so it won’t work. I just look for a dedicated fluid head for the pico dolly…
Sorry i’m a bit lost..
Anyways, thanks a lot as usual for all the advices & reviews on dslr products.
I now have a weifeng/717 tripod, pico dolly, and z96 led light and i’m really glad with it thanks to you Emm…
Ok now i stop fanboy mode. Out. See ya.
December 25th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Do you have any idea when these will be back in stock? If it wont be for months, I will order a wf717. Actually, are there any other cheap fluid heads? It will be for the 560b monopod.
December 26th, 2011 at 6:49 am
@Qzyxa – Elliot – Sorry I have no clue. I’ve been using it on my Crane, and wanted to get another one. Can’t seem to track any down right now.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:21 am
Hi..
Manfrotto 190XPROB uses a 3/8″ tripod screw whereas Velbon ph-368 fits onto a 1/4″ male screw only.. Any idea how to mate these 2?
Sunil
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:25 am
@Sunil – You can unscrew the 1/4″ adapter from the Velbon and it will be a 3/8″.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:55 pm
@Emm – Oh thats great! Dint know it was tht easy. Thnx Emm.
February 10th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Whats another fluid head you suggest for a slider. One thats not 75mm bowl that would be easily affixed. I was eyeing the
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XMW4SW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=A2ISCC5HPW8KU9
February 10th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@Jeffrey Robert – A cheap one would be the WF717 (found here), or if you spend a bit more you could go for the 701HDV (found here).
A quick note about the tripod you are linking to seems to still be a bowl mount.
February 10th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
@ Emm. Yea thats why I havent gone for it. If only! But thanks!
February 19th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
I’ve used that Velbon head a bit and obviously enough it’s an absolute piece of junk for a primary head, but it might be useful on a slider.
May 9th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
can i use ph 368 head with manfrotto 055xprob??
May 9th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
@aditya – It would mount on there, but you just have to remove the 1/4 adapter from under the Velbon head.
August 28th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
hey Emm, was wondering would it be possible to mount this to a bowl mount tripod. With the correct accessories. Like a bowl adapter?
August 28th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
@Jeremy – I dont think it would be worth it. You could just find a good bowl mount head.
August 30th, 2012 at 3:07 am
hey emm,
Thanks for the quick reply.
So are there any good bowl mount video tripod you could recommend which is about the range of a
PH368 + manfrotto 190xdb
Hope this isint too off topic
August 30th, 2012 at 6:57 am
@Jeremy – Here’s a bowl mount that’s sturdy enough to support a small jib: Professional Heavy Duty Video Camcorder Tripod Fluid Drag Head Kits WF717
You can see it being used in this video: http://oliviatech.com/trapezist-portable-mini-4-jib-by-light-craft-workshop
Or if you have your favorite 3/8 base mount Video Fluid Head, you can get some of the Bowl Mount leveling features using something like this: http://oliviatech.com/manfrotto-438-compact-leveling-head
August 30th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Emm…
U
ARE
TOTALLY
AWESOME!!!!!
Thanks man, never knew this leveling heads existed, totally what I need.
August 30th, 2012 at 7:37 am
@Jeremy – No problem.
September 21st, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Sorry for the stupid question, but I can’t seem to figure out how to remove the 1/4″ adaptor to make it fir the 3/8″ screw for the Konova k2 slider
September 21st, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Actually after further research, realized it comes off easily by unscrewing with a flathead. Hope that helps others who might be confused lol
April 4th, 2013 at 12:54 am
Hmm, don’t have a flathead that wide haha. Will take fluid head to work tonight to see if i can take it out there. Hope i didn’t screw it up already by using too narrow flatheads :S