Digital Camera World (2019-06)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com JUNE 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^127

Mini Test

Velbon PHD-66Q

Revolver Head

£130/$218

http://www.intro2020.co.uk

I

t’s not easy to revolutionise pan-and-tilt

heads, so kudos to Velbon for having

a go. The Revolver employes a nifty

hinge system for lateral tilt that centralises

your camera’s weight, rather than tipping

it from side to side like a regular design.

The result is an excellent sense of balance,

achieved without needing to increase friction.

However, the Revolver system’s locking knob

can be awkward to use, and the hinge itself only

rotates through 90 degrees, whereas traditional

designs can tilt further. While the side-side tilt

is well-balanced, front-to-back movement feels

precariously top-heavy, on account of the big

Revolver hinge being so high on the head.

You can fine-tune the camera base

independently of the Revolver mechanism

beneath to set it absolutely level, but this

extra adjustment is crude and hard to

clamp precisely. Longitudinal tilt and panning

adjustment also lack finesse, which stings a bit,

given that the PHD-66Q is now priced higher

than some more polished rival heads.

PROS Clever, well-balanced lateral tilt;

surprisingly light at 635g

CONS Feels cheap for the money;

not completely satisfying to use

Verdict

Vanguard

Alta PH-32

£69/$81

http://www.vanguardworld.com

V

anguard’s baby is just that, tipping

the scales at a featherweight 680g.

Consequently the rated maximum

payload is a modest 5kg – falling short of the

Manfrotto X-Pro’s 8kg capacity, but still a match

for the much pricier Gitzo head. However, the

Alta PH-32 doesn’t feel quite as controllable as

more substantial rivals: you’ll need to be very

precise with the locking handles to modulate

friction when making subtle angle adjustments.

The Alta PH-32’s crash diet also means

there are only two locking handles, as the

usual panning clamp is strangely absent.

Instead, you get a selector that allows you

to set the longitudinal tilt handle to lock

only the tilt axis, or to both tilt and pan

simultaneously. It’s a neat trick that works

well, although it’s not quite as convenient

as dedicated panning adjustment.

Up top is a traditional Arca-Swiss style QR

system. It’s a more versatile design than that used

by Vanguard’s old PH-32 (non-Alta) head, but it

lacks the same super-secure release procedure.

PROS Light and compact; tempting

price; ergonomic handles

CONS Not best suited to heavier setups;

pan adjustment is slightly awkward

Verdict

Manfrotto X-Pro

3-Way Head
£89/$116
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk

W

e’ve long been fans of the X-Pro head,
thanks to innovative features like
adjustable friction resistance, which
means you can balance cameras large or small.
The adjustment is slow but precise, although the
shallow, slippery dials themselves aren’t the
easiest to grip, especially in the cold.
Thankfully the three main handles are much
grippier and more ergonomic, while the two tilt
handles are also retractable. These don’t shrink
quite as effectively as they do with Induro’s folding
design, but they still enable the head to pack into
a compact 13.5cm cube. Manfrotto’s push/pull
handle retraction is also quicker to use and
isn’t prone to loosening over time. The
X-Pro’s quick-release camera plate is one
of Manfrotto’s proprietary designs, which
limits interchangeability with other heads,
but it attaches and releases very smoothly.
Factor in the ergonomic two-lever quick
release mount and the easily visible triple
bubble levels, as well as a reasonable 1kg
weight, and the X-Pro is a worthy winner.

PROS Compact size, yet easy to use;
friction adjustment; well-priced

CONS Slightly slippery friction dials;
proprietary mounting plate

Verdict

Five things to

look out for

1

You’ll want a stiff setup

when you position a big

camera. Quality clamps

or friction adjustment

keep things still.

2

The more bubble levels,

the better, and be sure

they’re visible once

your camera has been

mounted on the head.

3

Quick-release mounts

can sometimes be

anything but. An ideal

design should live up

to the QR moniker.

4

Heads with collapsible

handles are relatively

rare, but most models

will at least let you

unscrew the handles.

5

Want the ultimate in

precision adjustment?

With geared heads, you

wind the handles to

fine-tune each axis.