Gitzo GH5750QR Series 5 Off Centre Ball Head

From £399/$418 www.manfrotto.co.uk

t 14.2cm in height and weighing in at 1kg, this is the largest head here. It’s to be expected, though, as the head comes from Gitzo’s pro-orientated Series 5 range, and is rated to support 12kg.

What you lose in portability, though, you gain in usability. The oversize quick-release mounting plate and release lever offer unmatched ease of use, as do the large-diameter pan-and-tilt locking knobs. The size of the tilt knob also helps you to dial in just the right amount of friction.

The unusual off-centre ball positioning allows for a much greater range of movement than a conventional ball head, especially if you want to shoot straight up or down. The separate fore-aft tilt motion also adds a degree of stability not present on a typical ball head. Although the tilt knob releases both the tilt mechanism and the ball, you can tilt without releasing the ball, as the locking knob disengages the tilt element first.

There’s no hiding this tripod ball head’s bulk, so if the off-centre design appeals, you might want to try Gitzo’s significantly lighter Series 2 version.

APROS Signature supreme Gitzo build; great freedom of movement

CONS Not as intuitive as a conventional ball head; bulky and heavy; expensive