You sold me on video heads for wildlife and landscape👍

Hugely helpful! Thanks so much, Hudson. 💛

Excellent information! Answered all the questions I had when researching fluid pan head. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this extremely valuable information. I very much appreciate it.

Thank you, Hudson, for making this video. I bought your setup and can't be happier. Rock solid setup. I'm getting sharper images. I don't think I could ever go back to a ball head.

I had mine before your video but your video did remind me to resume using it; thanks!!!

these setups are great for people with big budgets. We need to see videos on these sets for the average person.

Hi Hudson, Thanks to you, I am a fluid head convert! With an L bracket (coming soon) I can’t see anything quicker and simpler! Like you, I like the fact that once levelled, everything you do is square and true. Funny how how many stills shooters who vlog, don’t get the advantages of a bowl, or levelling tripod for all situations. I got the Manfrotto X PRO-2W, small and light, smooth, and good adjustability. Recommend it highly. I too use an ARCA clamp atop an RC2 plate. Now looking at the Leofoto LS 324CEX, self levelling carbon sticks. Total weight should be just under 5.0 lbs....

Thank you for this video! Answers spot on my question on how to put a tele lens with arca swiss mount on a Manfrotto head.

For Part III I think it it would be helpful to see how all the parts are added to this set up for both simple and complex panorama shots.

This video really answered a lot of questions for me like how am I going to orient my camera correctly using an L bracket when the QR faces the wrong way. Thanks for posting this, it helped me get the right gear ordered.

Great info! Thanks!

Nice review of your setup, Hudson! Another method for attaching a camera with L bracket and lens mount is to use one of the swivelling quick releases brackets. RRS have them, although expensive. I believe Amazon also has a Chinese version that is cheaper.

Clear as day. Thanks very much.

Thanks for this tutorial,

Kudos for this. I never did any photography that needed a tripod until very recently. I was even somewhat opposed to the idea. But I decided to give it a go. When I geared up I pretty much followed your model exactly, using the version with the Acratech levelling adapter, in my case on an old heavy pro aluminum Manfrotto. It works great. Changed my universe. I like how there are possibilities to use it as sort of a gimbal, and I like that it's also great for video. Genius. I appreciate this follow-up video too because I wasn't quite clear on the details of the clamp within the clamp (within the clamp). But it all makes sense now. It's noteworthy to me that we hear messages all day that the gear doesn't matter. I understand the idea - just get out there with whatever, practice, etc. But in this case this very specific (and relatively inexpensive) gear choice has made a huge difference for me. So Thanks!

great video

Well, I originally bought the Manfrotto 502AH video head for my tripod and was going to be content using the Manfrotto quick release plate system, but after receiving it, I realized that it may be too big for my needs. So I purchased the Manfrotto 500AH video head and it better suits my Sony a7 II camera. Since this Manfrotto plate is not compatible with their quick release system, I decided to go Arca-Swiss style clamps, L bracket (this is really invaluable), and plate for my long lens. I have to say that I am quick satisfied with the practical functionality of it and how I can quickly mount the camera vertically (especially for panos) or horizontally with any lenses on my tripod or video stabilizer. In fact, I bought the exact Arca-Swiss style plate adapters and clamps that you mentioned in your blog post. Thank you for your help on my purchase!! It is nice to have one head for both photos and video.

Great presentation (both parts 1 and 2) - I just switched from a ballhead to a geared head for my real estate photography and feel liberated - I had been wasting a ton of time and frustrating, tedious effort trying to re-level both axis simultaneously every time I moved to a new shot. This fluid head is a compelling general option. I'm sure I'll pick up all those goodies, soon. Thanks-

Great followup, thank you. I'm buying a video/photography setup from scratch, camera, tripod, and all. Your two videos gave me the solution I needed for fluid motion, easy setup, and portrait photography.

Awesome video fluid head i just bough mine 1hr ago and am so happy to use it very soon thats why i am watching your video, sub'd and liked

Just did the switch and I like it a lot. I am interested in your setup for multiple row panoramas on a fluid head. Could you please tell me the parts you use and a tip or two.

Well done I’m a fairly new photographer but cheap wanting diamonds for dollars guy my first 2 heads were the 500 and 502 ah I’ve been into wildlife 5 years now a just bought my first gimbal kinda dumb but it wasn’t high end I never watched your first video but the dampeners for panning and tilt are my most valued aspect of the heads as I shoot 7 to 8 pound lenses to note with over 11 pounds on the head it still performs like a champ keep teaching buddy and thanks

Pulling my hairout trying to find a solution; thank you!

Looking around the web I don't believe induro makes that leveling piece anymore. It's backordered everywhere and not even listed on induro's own website. A shame, looks like a very solid piece.

I bought this kit in the uk got a tamron 70-200mm lens and the collar foot on the tamron tripod collar/lens mount is neither 1/4" or 3/8". Going to an engineer with a lathe to make a 3/8" thread in the tamron collar as the size is between 1/4 and 3/8". ball ache

Have you tried the fluid head in combination with manfrotto tripod with center colomn that can go vertical like manfrotto mt190 or mt055. That might be a good alternative to L brackets. maybe. I am actually looking for my first real tripod now. Was thinking of what head to use. fluid head seems interesting. Do you have any experience with 90% degree angle / table top photography like shots from above with a head like this? I am guessing a horizontal center colomn feature will be required. Also what brands of fluid head do you recommend? are there any differences? I was not planning on buying all kinds of convertion brackets by the way. because then it kinds of defeats te purpose of buying a fluid head in the first place.

Thank you Hudson for this video. I’m very new to this and have bought the Manfrotto fluid head, I have a Nikon P1000 and when I try to attach it the camera slides up and down and I can’t tighten it enough to stop it. Is there a way of stopping this??

Love your videos. I use the Manfrotto 394 Low Profile Quick Release Adapter with 410PL Plate... I simply put one 410PL plate on my camera(s) and then multiple 394 Low Profile Quick Release adapters on the tripod, monopod, etc, etc. Seems like a less convoluted way to me. What am I missing?

Hello Hudson and happy new year! Nice system you have there! Can you please link the arca swiss rail that you have on the foot of the long lens? Specifically I am interested for an arca swiss rail that fits on the Canon 70-200 2.8 L II lens. Thank you very much!

Hudson and folks, I just bought a Sirui T-2205X with a Sirui K-20X ball head. From your video, i got the WRONG gear =) since its not a bowl tripod. Anyhow, I am determined to make it play along anyways. This without going 2x my budget. What do you think about mounting the Manfrotto 500AH on top of the ball head? That way i could level it out without using the legs. I might loose some stability.. but hey; it might add some wierd flexibility =) I tried to see if Google could serve me with some experiments like this, but no luck so far.

This may sound like a silly question but if I already have manfrotto gear, do I still need to buy all of the extra clamps?

A few tips for anyone else looking to get this setup: 1) If you are JUST using an L bracket, you can get away with buying only the Haoge CP-64 (don't need to buy the Neewer DC-38Q too). Make sure it is the Haoge with the LONG screw arm. Mount it with the screw arm at the back of the Manfrotto plate and the alignment is the same as the Neewer with Hudsons setup. The only downside is that you can only position the Haoge from the centre point of the Manfrotto plate backwards (can't have the Haoge mounted near the front of the Manfrotto plate). The screw knob is a wider diameter than the base plate and will impact the Manfrotto plate unless the knob is overhanging it. 2) Same as 1, except using the Neewer. You could get away with using JUST the Neewer, which is cheaper and lighter, but it has to be positioned right at the back of the Manfrotto plate so that the screw doesn't impact the plate. Depending on your camera and lens set-up, you might not get enough movement out of the Manfrotto plate alone, in order to get a satisfactory point of balance. 3) Using Hudsons setup, whilst being the most expensive (and heaviest) option, gives the most versatility for mounting options and locations. It ensures the knobs never collide with the Manfrotto plate, meaning the full length of the plate can be used. Plus you can mix and match mounting options depending on your requirements at the time. You could probably go with the short screw arm version of the Haoge plate using this setup, as it would be a tiny bit cheaper, lighter and lower profile - although then you lose the option for using setup 1, above. There is another benefit from using this setup which is that the Haoge plate has 2 cut-outs in the base which can allow a more secure connection to the Manfrotto plate. You could even use the supplied locating pin from the Manfrotto plate to prevent inadvertent rotation of the Haoge plate (the Haoge does need to be positioned towards the front of the Manfrotto plate for this setup though). 4) You don't need a levelling adapter or ball system to get the head level - you just need to be prepared to piddle about adjusting the length of each of the tripod legs individually. Obviously a levelling adapter is great if you have it, and saves a lot of time and aggro (gets more precise results quicker), but if you want to save money or weight and can afford to spend the time setting up, then you can do without it.

Can you use a RRS lever clamp instead of the screw clamp? Thanks.

Hi Hudson, I like your video, and also could you telling me what is your Adapter Mount for Quick Release Plate ? Thank you

Will it work with a manfrotto mono pod for stills and video ?

Great video. Any comments about other makers such as Milibo? Thanks.

For that smaller clamp (with dovetail), has that Hoage brand been secure and reliable?

Gitzo just released their fluid gimbal head GHFG1, which automatically applies friction in response to slow panning movements and removes friction when you move it quickly for wildlife photography. Wonder what you think about it? Thanks~ :)

Good video. I've been using a Sachtler FSB-8 for years. I started to FOMO when I see so many people using Gimbal mounts. As I started to watch various videos extolling the virtues of the Gimbal mounts I kept asking myself is that better than what I'm currently using? And, the answer was no. In fact, a Gimbal, IMHO, isn't as good. Of course YMMV. I'll stick with my current setup.

Pretty cool set up Hudson. I have "somewhat" of the same type of set up except with a cheapo WallyWorld tripod and fake fluid video head that actually works half way decent.....except theres no leveling base and I'm always fiddling with the tripod legs to get level which is a pain in the a**. I think I'll now upgrade my spare Manfrotto 290 legs to your set up as your video made me jealous and also made me realize this WallyWorld set up I am using is actually a piece of junk! LOL

Hi, Uk resident here :) For hiking and travelling, is the following tripod any good to use with the Manfrotto head you mention? (Not sure I could hike carrying your monster :D) Leofoto Ranger LS-284CEX Carbon Fibre Tripod with Levelling Base Seems to have a level built in plus a little more affordable. I’m 5’6” so this shorter tripod won’t be an issue for me however not sure if the legs are sturdy enough? Also, can you suggetst the best Arca Swiss plates to attach to a one screw foot Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6 and a two screw foot Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 lenses? Finally, I guess there are only 2 small draw backs with this set up? No arm to extend horizontally for the odd (rare) times there’s a reuirement for an overhang (too unstable anyway so should avoid at all times :) ) and those rare occasions where a ball head comes in handy for situations where 15 degree isn’t enough when legs can’t be positioned any other way? Thank you again for the great videos!

Hey Hudson, How many sections does our Enduro tripod has ? Do you feel confortable in travelling around with it or it's to heavy to be a general purpose tripod? Do you get a confortable viewfinder eye level when the camera is mounted on it, or do you have to lower your body? Before buying my fluid head from Manfrotto and passing to a friend my befree tripod, those are the questions that are troubling me most. Take care and let me know.:)

What head is That? Id like to copy u for obvious reasons. Thanks

I want the grav-lev version of this, that'll follow me around...

acrytyx what please?