K i t Z o n e
126 DIGITAL CAMERA^ JUNE 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comMini Test
Induro PHQ1
Panhead
£169/$215
http://www.indurogear.comT
he PHQ1 isn’t your usual pan-and-tilt
head. In addition to the usual trio of
adjustment axes, the camera mounting
plate can slide 1cm either side of centre to help
find a lens’ nodal point while you’re shooting a
spherical panorama. The fifth axis is a secondary
pan base directly under the camera mounting
plate, allowing easy vertical panning and
rotation to straight-up shooting.
With so many variables, it’s good that there’s
an abundance of bubble levels, along with
accurate degree scales. Joint movement
isn’t quite as silky smooth as on the Gitzo
head, but it’s not far off.
Two small knobs lock each pan base and
help keep the head compact, while the main
handle arms are hinged and can fold inward for
streamlined packaging. Wide nuts lock out the
arms during shooting, although we found that
these can work loose after a while. You really
need a spanner to tighten them properly –
textured, rubber-coated nuts would
have been more convenient.PROS Premium feel; compact
on the go; highly adjustableCONS Arm hinges and mounting plate
release could both be more secureVerdict
Gitzo Quick-Release
Low-Profile Three-Way
Head G2272M
£279/$375
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzoG
itzo’s top-notch build quality is
evidenced here by exceptional
smoothness. Like the Calumet
head, the lack of specific friction control isn’t
really an issue. That’s because friction can
be adjusted fairly accurately using the
G2272M’s ergonomic, rubber-coated locking
arms, which also clamp very tightly.
The G2272M lives up to its full name, too: it’s
amazingly low for a pan-and-tilt head, though
you’ll need to detach the handles to make
it truly compact on the go.
It’s a shame, however, that attaching your
camera is less convenient. The square mounting
plate will fix in four directions, but only one where
your camera is sure not to foul the mount’s clamp
or obscure the upper bubble level. You’ll also
need to reposition one of the handles to make
this altered configuration work ergonomically.
There’s no doubt that this head looks the
part: if only it was as pleasant to use.PROS Uncompromising quality; reasonably
compact; smooth operationCONS Pricey; camera mount design
needs some improvementVerdict
Calumet Heavy-Duty
3-Way Quick-Release
Head 7064
£79/$103
http://www.wexphotovideo.comW
hile many manufacturers are producing
clever, compact pan-and-tilt heads,
the 7064 is an old-school monster: at
18.4cm, it’s twice the height of the Gitzo head on
test. It’s designed with medium- format cameras
in mind – everything from the locking handles
to the well-positioned bubble levels is oversized –
but this head also works a treat with any DSLR
or full-frame mirrorless camera.
Such stoutness helps make this head
exceptionally robust and a pleasure to use.
You don’t get dedicated friction adjustment
like on the Manfrotto X-Pro head, but the
smoothness of the 7064’s joints means you
can easily modulate friction and balance all
but the most front-heavy camera set-ups.
Up top, the beefy mounting plate lacks
Arca-Swiss versatility, but its hexagonal
shape means it can be quickly remounted
if you want to shoot straight upwards, and it’s
safely released using ergonomic dual levers.PROS Superb ease of use; good
build and material qualityCONS Heavy and bulky, especially
with the handles in placeVerdict
Pan-and-tilt heads
Tripod heads that offer extra precision over
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