Nest NT-530H Mk II
£249
Thanks to a 10-layer carbonfibre body, Nest’s gimbal is just the lightest on test, at 1.34kg. The unit is very strong, handling up to 25kg. Elsewhere, build quality is fine, but not exceptional. The locking knobs’ leather-look material is grippy, but can’t match the ergonomically shaped knobs on some rivals.
This is a minor nitpick compared with the pan-and-tilt motion. When we last tested an NT-530H Mk II, its bearings had some unwanted slack. Nest now seems to tightened everything so the head is far too stiff, and there’s no friction adjustment. Mounting a very long lens gives you more leverage for smoother movement, but you still won’t get the effortless motion of the best heads.
At least Nest includes a long Arcacompatible mounting plate so you can balance lenses of widely varying sizes.
Pros: Competitive pricing; compact and lightweight; good load rating
Cons: Very stiff pan and tilt