Gitzo GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal Head

£400 /$500

Gitzo’s entry has a magnesium body and aluminium rails that exude quality, along with tactile locking knobs. At 1.35kg, this is one of the lighter heads on test, yet it’s capable of supporting 8kg. Gitzo’s trump card is its fluid cartridge technology built into the pan base. The idea is that at slow panning speeds, the fluid resistance dampens vibrations and gives you more controllable movement. When you need to whip-pan to quickly switch subjects, the fluid system disengages, giving minimal resistance.

At least, that’s the theory. We found panning movement stiff, regardless of how quickly you pan, while the tilt axis was similarly unresponsive. You can find the additional resistance useful for precise tracking, but the overall experience is underwhelming.

Pros: Superb build; relatively light; supports a wide range of lens sizes

Cons: Disappointing fluid dampening dampens the head’s appeal