Blackmagic Forum

WahWay wrote:
Not necessary. Prosumer camera is the sort of gears you can readily pick up on the high street with moderate level of skills needed to operate. Think of entry to mid level dSLR for videography. Sachtler FSB and E-Image heads are for your average content creator.

I'm average so I'm happy with my choice but thanks for explaining it to me - I guess you are an expert and a pro?

John Griffin wrote:

WahWay wrote:
Not necessary. Prosumer camera is the sort of gears you can readily pick up on the high street with moderate level of skills needed to operate. Think of entry to mid level dSLR for videography. Sachtler FSB and E-Image heads are for your average content creator.

I'm average so I'm happy with my choice but thanks for explaining it to me - I guess you are an expert and a pro?

He’s the guy who, earlier in this thread, recommended a head that has been out of production for 27 years and that weighs 7kg (15.4lbs), or more than 3x what my Miller weighs.

John Griffin wrote:

WahWay wrote:

John Griffin wrote:
That's just a test for the counterbalance system. What about the smoothness of the movement and the drag settings to control it at different speeds?
For a cheap head with good (very good) motion then the E-Image GH06 is hard to beat. Sold my Satchler FSB4 as the motion was so much smoother. Just friction plates and grease and not a true 'fluid head' but it works.

And that is worth ignoring?

E-Image GH06, Sachtler FSB4, are prosumer category entry level gimmicks.

Guys, I think we are really losing the whole point here! WahWay challenged me to do a totally useless (for my needs) test with my Nitrotech 612, regarding its counterbalance system, WHICH I'LL NEVER EVER NEED TO USE IT TO IT'S LOWEST MINIMUM ANYWAYS, as with the payloads I'm working NOW AND in the future, the head's continuous counterbalance with the Nitrotech Pistons (which I THINK are borrowed from the Automotive industry) is the definition of solidarity!!

Now, John Griffin very nicely commented "What about the smoothness of the movement and the drag settings to control it at different speeds?", which is the second most important aspect we should be looking on a fluid head, right after we solve the counterbalance issue. And since the OP's camera rig is currently 12-13lbs, with the intention to go up to 19-20lbs in the future, the Manfrotto Nitrotech 612 Fluid Head that I'm proposing to him will get him covered in BOTH his setups, both regarding the continuous counterbalance system (4-12kilos), AND with the payload. He just might be tired on his old manfrotto head and therefore a little biased against using one of the same brand in the future, but PLEASE OP, do yourself a favour and try out the new Nitrotech 612, this is SOOO much more advanced than the one you are using right now!

And please bear in mind that I'm on the same boat as you, I also have the BMPCC 4K with my current rig weighting (a little) more than your's, and I am also willing to be renting some of those heavy "cinema lenses" too, sometime in the future. So you DEFINITELY not need to pay anything more than a 1000 (I got mine's in a few-days-deal with the basic Aluminum Tripod Legs (with a mid-spreader and no dolly) for 704 Euros (no tax), from a EU country (PM me if you want me to tell you which store I bought it from!)

And please John Griffin, do yourself a favour and spend 200 euros more and buy a quality EU product that will last you for more, and that will ALSO DOUBLE you the Payload, as well as the most advanced counterbalance system AS WELL AS the even better smoothness of the movement and the drag settings to control it at different speeds, which you told us you are asking for!! (Please note, the current price I've found for the E-Image GH06 plus the GA752 (cheapest) Tripod is 491 eu, at a UK store, while if you pay 215 euros more, you'll get the 612 with its basic Aluminum Tripod legs (w/mid spreader) which you'll surely thank me later for having!!

Also please guys, let's get serious, we can't be recommending 20+years old and yet unsupported tripod heads here, with a doubtful service and an unknown working condition, since we can buy such brilliant brand spanking new products with extended warranties and with so much money, time and effort spent to the RND of some really innovative companies, that actually care for their customers, and never stop to produce new products!!

My Sincerely 2 cents,
Panos Kappa

I'm not going to be part of the long debate but I have the Nitro, in addition to other fluid heads. I really like the Nitro, in particular, it's counter balance. It is smooth enough for either the Pocket 6K and the UMP G2 as well. I do use it with the 6K more than the UMP, as I have been comfortable with the D&S 3-25 Pro Elite (no longer sold) which has been to many battles with me (so to speak). Personally, I wouldn't but a used head or anything mechanical or electronic and pay a lot of money for it, unless it is as pristine and at the $350 price for that Vinten 20 that was sold in the above Cinematography link. Good luck OP!

FunkyPanos wrote:
And please John Griffin, do yourself a favour and spend 200 euros more and buy a quality EU product that will last you for more, and that will ALSO DOUBLE you the Payload, as well as the most advanced counterbalance system AS WELL AS the even better smoothness of the movement and the drag settings to control it at different speeds, which you told us you are asking for!! (Please note, the current price I've found for the E-Image GH06 plus the GA752 (cheapest) Tripod is 491 eu, at a UK store, while if you pay 215 euros more, you'll get the 612 with its basic Aluminum Tripod legs (w/mid spreader) which you'll surely thank me later for having!!


My Sincerely 2 cents,
Panos Kappa

My experience of Manfrotto heads ( both still and video ) is that they are pretty 'budget' quality. Have you directly tested the 612 against the GH06? Nevermind the fact that the 612 is a flat base and I use a bowl I'm more than happy with my GH06 and found it just as well made as the Sachtler i.e very well made.

[/quote]
My experience of Manfrotto heads ( both still and video ) is that they are pretty 'budget' quality. Have you directly tested the 612 against the GH06? Nevermind the fact that the 612 is a flat base and I use a bowl I'm more than happy with my GH06 and found it just as well made as the Sachtler i.e very well made.[/quote]

This gets really funny when you are talking about the Italian company that brought to life innovations we could never imagine before, and which has been writing history since the last century and just STILL can't stop to amaze us by it's innovations, quality products (with extreme attention to detail), and PATENTS that HAVE BEEN COPIED AROUND FOR YEARS, especially by the Chinese (and maybe some others too).

But your most funny part, is when you compare the currently top-of-the line head of Manfrotto with one Chinese ripoff!! Especially when YOU seem to have not even the SLIGHTEST idea about the level of MANUFACTURING quality of the 612 head, as you've probably never touched one!! I wouldn't even care if the E-Image is well made and if it's even advertised to be as good as the Sachtler et cetera. But to dare and say that the Manfrotto heads "are pretty 'budget' quality".... Oh PLEASE man, JUST GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

FunkyPanos wrote:

My experience of Manfrotto heads ( both still and video ) is that they are pretty 'budget' quality. Have you directly tested the 612 against the GH06? Nevermind the fact that the 612 is a flat base and I use a bowl I'm more than happy with my GH06 and found it just as well made as the Sachtler i.e very well made.[/quote]

This gets really funny when you are talking about the Italian company that brought to life innovations we could never imagine before, and which has been writing history since the last century and just STILL can't stop to amaze us by it's innovations, quality products (with extreme attention to detail), and PATENTS that HAVE BEEN COPIED AROUND FOR YEARS, especially by the Chinese (and maybe some others too).

But your most funny part, is when you compare the currently top-of-the line head of Manfrotto with one Chinese ripoff!! Especially when YOU seem to have not even the SLIGHTEST idea about the level of MANUFACTURING quality of the 612 head, as you've probably never touched one!! I wouldn't even care if the E-Image is well made and if it's even advertised to be as good as the Sachtler et cetera. But to dare and say that the Manfrotto heads "are pretty 'budget' quality".... Oh PLEASE man, JUST GIVE ME A BREAK!!![/quote]
Do you work for Manfrotto or are you just a fanboy? - either way your promotion is too hysterical in tone to take seriously but I’ll ask again. Have you directly compared the motion smoothness of the GH06 to the 612 ?

Manfrotto replaced the original Nitro design about a year after its introduction. I would suggest that anyone considering these heads make sure that they are reading/watching reviews of the current Nitro design/models.

robedge wrote:Manfrotto replaced the original Nitro design about a year after its introduction. I would suggest that anyone considering these heads make sure that they are reading/watching reviews of the current Nitro design/models.

Yes of course, this is why they are having their NEW line of Nitrotech NOW, much more advanced and able to work to even cooler temperatures below...Antarctic etc. So of course you WILL visit Manfrotto's website to get the latest details, this is implied anyways!!

can't say much about video tripods, but for still photography the less cheaper chinese tripods do actually outperform the entry level products of the established brands (and beeing cheaper).

Wich makes sense, since they don't have the pressure to downgrade / divide between the high priced products and the low cost product.

Wish there was some honest unbiased review on video heads on that matter.

EDIT
As for the OP.. it might make sense to budget 2 heads: one for lower load and one for bigger in future. SO you can go now for a budget friendly version, now, and once you expand your eqipment with a more pro-ish version later. But as said...I'm nowhere a pro on fluid heads...so I might be wrong.

FunkyPanos wrote:

robedge wrote:Manfrotto replaced the original Nitro design about a year after its introduction. I would suggest that anyone considering these heads make sure that they are reading/watching reviews of the current Nitro design/models.

Yes of course, this is why they are having their NEW line of Nitrotech NOW, much more advanced and able to work to even cooler temperatures below...Antarctic etc. So of course you WILL visit Manfrotto's website to get the latest details, this is implied anyways!!

You do work for Manfrotto don't you?

John Griffin wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:

My experience of Manfrotto heads ( both still and video ) is that they are pretty 'budget' quality. Have you directly tested the 612 against the GH06? Nevermind the fact that the 612 is a flat base and I use a bowl I'm more than happy with my GH06 and found it just as well made as the Sachtler i.e very well made.

This gets really funny when you are talking about the Italian company that brought to life innovations we could never imagine before, and which has been writing history since the last century and just STILL can't stop to amaze us by it's innovations, quality products (with extreme attention to detail), and PATENTS that HAVE BEEN COPIED AROUND FOR YEARS, especially by the Chinese (and maybe some others too).

But your most funny part, is when you compare the currently top-of-the line head of Manfrotto with one Chinese ripoff!! Especially when YOU seem to have not even the SLIGHTEST idea about the level of MANUFACTURING quality of the 612 head, as you've probably never touched one!! I wouldn't even care if the E-Image is well made and if it's even advertised to be as good as the Sachtler et cetera. But to dare and say that the Manfrotto heads "are pretty 'budget' quality".... Oh PLEASE man, JUST GIVE ME A BREAK!!![/quote]
Do you work for Manfrotto or are you just a fanboy? - either way your promotion is too hysterical in tone to take seriously but I’ll ask again. Have you directly compared the motion smoothness of the GH06 to the 612 ?[/quote]

I haven't directly compared the GH06 to the 612 but neither do you, from what can easily be picked-up by your lack of knowledge about this particular Manfrotto head and of its dithyrambic user reviews it has gathered so far! But with your statement that Manfrotto heads "they are pretty 'budget' quality", not only you show disrespect of an already proven over-the-years brand, approved by the majority of World-Wide Professionals since last century, but you also show that you're possibly an amateur-ish vlogger, or a Youtuber in the best case scenario.

And I can also imagine which exactly Youtube review you saw and not only you bought the head, but also made you think the manfrotto is garbage! And I'm sure it was a paid one (review) as I can judge by its whole 'polarised' style of presentation and setup. But I'm not gonna reveal the name of the YouTuber, because he otherwise makes great and scientific, mostly unbiased reviews, but I feel sorry for him he "funked-up" on this one!! Need a proof on this?? In his review he was comparing "Best Fluid Head for the Money", in the around 500$ range, 3 of them, of which yours GH06 and the Manfrotto, but not the 612, but the 502. But why?? (since the 612 does not exceed the 500$ by much, it's only 567$ on a famous American store, so he could have included that as well, and let the people judge whether it's a better value for money than your GH06 (or the other one). But he didn't, and I think the average clever person over here can easily understand why. Because the 612 would have blown the other 2 "competitors" away, and he didn't want that as he was most probably paid by the Chinese manufacturer!

I really feel sorry about you John Griffin, as well as anyone else on here that might have thought I work for Manfrotto!! And please, tell me that was a bad joke! And to answer you about the "either way your promotion is too hysterical in tone to take seriously", that was YOU mr John being hysterical about ditching the "budget quality" of Manfrotto heads, and, after your comment, I was only wanting to "promote" the TRUTH, and fade the impact of such a disrespectful comment you made about Manfrotto. That was all about it "folk"!!

And to take it a small step even further, if I was a photo equipment designer and had the proposition to work for Manfrotto, I would say a big YES, because I really admire their products, innovative and stylish Italian designs, and I think that their "Imagine More" motto totally deserves them!

And last but not least, let's not forget that we NEED to continue supporting those struggling EU, UK, US, AU (THANK YOU BLACKMAGIC!!!), JP companies against the "Un-controlled Chinese Invasion", and only allow ourselves to buy ONLY those few Chinese products from companies that REALLY INNOVATE IN DESIGN and DO NOT JUST COPY-CAT others, in order to sell cheaper and subsequently put out of business some of our most historic companies!! (also leaving of course, a lot of western-world talented people unemployed!!!

Truth be told, let there be light (and God bless your GH06 )

WOW!! I've just discovered something amazing, shortly after my previous post/answer to JOHN GRIFFIN!

I would like to add to my last post, that I JUST watched again the YT video I said above, (but giving more attention to detail this time), of the NOW CLEARLY TO ALL Chinese-Paid Youtube review of Gerald Undone's video named "Video Tripod Head Buying Guide // Best Fluid Head for the Money", published on Jan 2, 2020 (when the 612 head was already running crazy on sales and getting those dithyrambic [aka SPECTACULAR for those who cannot understand the Greek-Oriented wording] REVIEWS ALREADY)

What I want to reveal to you is this: -Chinese E-IMAGE GH06 head cost: 499 US dollars
-Italian Manfrotto Nitrotech 612 head cost 567 USD
For ONLY 68 BUCKS DIFFERENCE MORE WITH THE MANFROTTO YOU GET: -DOUBLE THE SAFETY PAYLOAD WEIGHT (12 KILOS AGAINST 6 KILOS with the Chinese counterpart)
-VARIABLE CONTINUOUS COUNTERBALANCE SYSTEM (between 4-12 kilos for the Manfrotto), AGAINST STEPPED counterbalance system for the Chinese counterpart, with 6 ONLY STEPS, between only...1-6 kilos...LOL)
-PAN DRAG & TILT DRAG: CONTINUOUSLY ADJUSTABLE from 0 to max level (for the Manfrotto), AGAINST STEPPED PAN&TILT DRAG WITH ONLY 3 STEPS for the Chinese ripoff (SO PLEASE DUDE JOHNNY CASH, GIMME A BREAK ON THIS ONE TOO!!!)
- PLUS, if you pay around 150 dollars more and you get the GREAT manfrotto tripod aluminium legs (which, while the non-automated top-of the line ones, they're still Manfrotto quality STURDY and reliable legs), you get the 75mm bowl FOR FREE. IF you wanna buy your Chineese head with a tripod, you end up paying around 700 dollars, which around 30-50$ less than what I paid for my Manfrotto 612 head, legs and 75mm bowl combo in a EU store (if you care enough, I'll tell you which one!!!)

So if you are a real professional with a perspective for expanding your gear and payload, and you're not just an average amateur blogger (and please beg my pardon for calling you this in the first place, if you really aren't one!!), then do yourself a favour and sell your overpriced Chinese BS**t you've just bought, and get the Manfrotto combo head+tripod +bowl for basically the same price!!

BUT A SIGN OF WARNING FOR THE OP OF THIS THREAD! Please do not spend your hard-earned cash on an OVER PRICED tripod head that you'll never have any practical use for (don't forget I AM A PROUD BMCC 4K OWNER TOO JUST LIKE YOU MATE, and my needs are barely going to exceed the 12 kilos payload safety limit! Just like you!! And PLEASE spend the extra money you would spend for a "more prestigious head but OVERKILL for you", into buying another lens, or maybe a better speed booster, or maybe a budget (Proaim I would suggest) body-mount STEADICAM STABILISER, or a jib/crane to make your footage more versatile, rather buying into this "elite premium fluid head bulls**t" that they want to push to you and with which you'll see WAY more minimal improvement to your footage than you would with the other basic filmic gear I suggested you!!

And I came to this forum to support the budget-oriented filmmaker, but NOT THE ONE THAT BUYS INTO ANY CHINESE-PAID Youtube propaganda "promotional supposedly" video that they are (unavoidably unfortunately now) all viewers like us being exposed to. Please FILTER CLEVERLY WHAT YOU're watching, 95% of YT is TOTAL BS!!!!!

Please accept my sincere intentions to help NEW filmmakers in making the best worthy and budget-friendly decisions, that will help them to GROW AS ARTISTS, buying more original designed (and not chinese ripoff fake) gear for less money, but still giving them the potential of the utmost creative freedom! This isn't the reason why we are aspiring artists looking for making our best gear choices anyways? But let me make myself clear on this now, I'm clearly addressing to REAL ARTISTS/filmmakers of any kind , and not your occasional bloggers, you tubers or even routine wedding videographers. I'm addressing to a crew of truly independent cinematographers, uncompromised AND RIOT by nature, and willing to find the most crazy, and creative gear, ahead of their time, before "the stupid mass" realises what you can do with this gear, and the prices on ebay eventually grow faster than hell!!

Still my 2 cents and going ahead to truly help. And let me repeat myself one more time: Those who still think I work for Manfrotto, you are some stupid morons and do not have a place into this BlackMagic forum, because BLACKMAGIC CREATED A REVOLUTION, A PURE DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION FOR THE ASPIRING, YOUNG, TALENTED, BUT NOT NECESSARILY RICH FILMMAKER, WHO REALLY NEEDS TO EXPRESS HIM/HERSELF THROUGH FILMS BUT ON A BUDGET, BUT USING REAL FILM TECHNIQUES, WITH PRO CODECS, BIT DEPTHS, COLOR SCIENCES, AND AN EDITING ECO-SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE, WHICH STUFF !!!ONLY!!! BLACKMAGIC OFFERS FOR THE MOMENT, AND A HUUUUUGE GRACEFULLNESS GOES TO THEM AND THAT SO FU**ING LOVELY PRESIDENT FOR OFFERING TO PEOPLE WHAT OTHER F**KING COMPANIES KEEP FOR THE "ELITE HOLLYWOODIANS" THIS BLACKMAGIC FORUM AND TAKE ADVICE< OFFER ADVICE AND WE ALL GET BETTER IN WHAT WE ADORE TO DO: FILMMAKING. IF ANY OF YOU DOESN'T RELATE TO US,. PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH TO LEAVE THIS FORUM AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHERE YOU WOULD POSSIBLY BENEFIT THROUGH CHINESE ADVERTISING BUDGETS. NUF SAID, I'M OUTTA HERE (for now at least!!!)

Kim Janson wrote:So that we know what we are talking about.

"From 1989 Vinten Group began a series of acquisitions: Manfrotto (1989), Bexel (1991), Gitzo (1992), Bogen Imaging (1993), TSM Inc [known for its AutoCam product range] (1993), Sachtler (1995), OConnor (2003).[3] Vinten Group plc changed its name to Vitec Group plc in 1995"

https://www.vitecgroup.com/about-us/our-brands/

So Manfrotto is a Vitec Group brand as is Oconnor and many others, even Joby. So from from pretty low end stuff to high end stuff, all for sure with certain quality criteria and reputation in mind, over all, but also for each brand separately.

Screenshot 2020-08-29 at 8.49.59.jpg

Agree, nothing wrong with that! That was purely an economic-operative decision rather than an alienating (for the brands) mutation. Vitec is still a Euro-American Alliance, respecting the nature and the character of the brands it acquired.

On the opposite side of the planet, you now have.......Chinese DJI acquiring German Hasselblad and claiming that Hasselblad made the camera for the Mavic 2 Pro.... Who do they think they are fooling really? This is at least ridiculous!!

robedge wrote:

John Griffin wrote:

WahWay wrote:
Not necessary. Prosumer camera is the sort of gears you can readily pick up on the high street with moderate level of skills needed to operate. Think of entry to mid level dSLR for videography. Sachtler FSB and E-Image heads are for your average content creator.

I'm average so I'm happy with my choice but thanks for explaining it to me - I guess you are an expert and a pro?

He’s the guy who, earlier in this thread, recommended a head that has been out of production for 27 years and that weighs 7kg (15.4lbs), or more than 3x what my Miller weighs.

Explains you are light weight. You know nothing about this 27yrs old tripod that the BBC still uses, why Vinten had stopped making it but continue to service it. I explained it all. You really need to use it before trtying to diss it.

BTW you are talking about someone who already owns a O'Connor 1030D.

FunkyPanos wrote:
I haven't directly compared the GH06 to the 612

That's all I needed to know.

FunkyPanos wrote:

Kim Janson wrote:So that we know what we are talking about.

"From 1989 Vinten Group began a series of acquisitions: Manfrotto (1989), Bexel (1991), Gitzo (1992), Bogen Imaging (1993), TSM Inc [known for its AutoCam product range] (1993), Sachtler (1995), OConnor (2003).[3] Vinten Group plc changed its name to Vitec Group plc in 1995"

https://www.vitecgroup.com/about-us/our-brands/

So Manfrotto is a Vitec Group brand as is Oconnor and many others, even Joby. So from from pretty low end stuff to high end stuff, all for sure with certain quality criteria and reputation in mind, over all, but also for each brand separately.

Screenshot 2020-08-29 at 8.49.59.jpg

Agree, nothing wrong with that! That was purely an economic-operative decision rather than an alienating (for the brands) mutation. Vitec is still a Euro-American Alliance, respecting the nature and the character of the brands it acquired.

On the opposite side of the planet, you now have.......Chinese DJI acquiring German Hasselblad and claiming that Hasselblad made the camera for the Mavic 2 Pro.... Who do they think they are fooling really? This is at least ridiculous!!

Err Hassleblad is /was a Swedish company.

I understand Miller offer 3yrs warranty for their heads on date of purchase. So you need to buy new to get that 3yrs guarantee. Same with other heads like Sachtler, maybe less with Manfrotto. Forget second hand. My Vinten Vision 20 havent been serviced for 27yrs since it was made and still works and likely still working when your Miller gave up the ghost.

BTW Some of the engineers who was behind the Vision 20 development back in the 80s are still designing their heads now. I was told that what they came up with during the 80s and 90s are ground breaking and no longer repeated in later heads. It cost too much to make and the current line are simpler shadow of the older design that are cheaper.

John Griffin wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:

Kim Janson wrote:So that we know what we are talking about.

"From 1989 Vinten Group began a series of acquisitions: Manfrotto (1989), Bexel (1991), Gitzo (1992), Bogen Imaging (1993), TSM Inc [known for its AutoCam product range] (1993), Sachtler (1995), OConnor (2003).[3] Vinten Group plc changed its name to Vitec Group plc in 1995"

https://www.vitecgroup.com/about-us/our-brands/

So Manfrotto is a Vitec Group brand as is Oconnor and many others, even Joby. So from from pretty low end stuff to high end stuff, all for sure with certain quality criteria and reputation in mind, over all, but also for each brand separately.

Screenshot 2020-08-29 at 8.49.59.jpg

Agree, nothing wrong with that! That was purely an economic-operative decision rather than an alienating (for the brands) mutation. Vitec is still a Euro-American Alliance, respecting the nature and the character of the brands it acquired.

On the opposite side of the planet, you now have.......Chinese DJI acquiring German Hasselblad and claiming that Hasselblad made the camera for the Mavic 2 Pro.... Who do they think they are fooling really? This is at least ridiculous!!

Err Hassleblad is /was a Swedish company.

My bad, I'm really sorry about that, I've felt really ashamed not knowing this, please just accept my apologies for this, my fellow and much respected Swedish friends!!

The reason that just popped to my mind that the Hasselblad could be german is because Germans get along really well with the Chinese, as we have seen it in aspects like Politics, Diplomacy, but also from the German Amazon being full of Chinese (mostly CRAPPY garbage) products!!!

WahWay wrote:I understand Miller offer 3yrs warranty for their heads on date of purchase. So you need to buy new to get that 3yrs guarantee. Same with other heads like Sachtler, maybe less with Manfrotto. Forget second hand. My Vinten Vision 20 havent been serviced for 27yrs since it was made and still works and likely still working when your Miller gave up the ghost.

Manfrotto actually offers you EVEN MORE WARRANTY TIME than both Miller and Sachtler combined!!!
Their initial "Standard Limited Warranty" (as they call it), covers you for two (2) years from the original date of purchase for a private purchaser and consumer and for one (1) year if the purchaser is a company or a VAT registered professional.

BUT THE GOOD PART COMES RIGHT AFTER THIS, where they have a totally FREE plan of "Standard Limited Warranty Extension" (as they call it), which is free to register, as long as you register your product within 12 months from the date of purchase. And this free warranty extension is of up to five (5)!!! years from the date of purchase, depending on the product you buy, better described on their website:

https://www.manfrotto.com/global/custom ... onditions/

2 quick basic things I picked from this, is that it just doesn't include some cheap "photo enthusiast equipment" (as they call it), and you also need to buy your Pro product from an authorised Manfrotto dealer, located in the country that you live. Those are the only 2 limitations I've picked up reading the link above. And also, some other few countries have a little bit different limits on the time limit of the warranty (but shouldn't be anything more or less than a year or so!)

So, in conclusion, being able to have an up to 7 whole years of warranty (ESPECIALLY without having to pay anything extra to the dealer or the company), surely says SOMETHING about the confidence that Manfrotto reassures, regarding the build quality of their products!!!

John Griffin wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:
I haven't directly compared the GH06 to the 612

That's all I needed to know.

Why? Have YOU tried to directly compared those two?

FunkyPanos wrote:So, in conclusion, being able to have an up to 7 whole years of warranty...

Somebody down the road may need accurate information on this. Most makers of video heads offer a three year warranty. Cartoni and Manfrotto offer five years. Re Manfrotto, see the screen capture below.



Source: https://www.manfrotto.com/global/custom ... onditions/

robedge wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:So, in conclusion, being able to have an up to 7 whole years of warranty...

Somebody down the road may need accurate information on this. Most makers of video heads offer a three year warranty. Cartoni and Manfrotto offer five years. Re Manfrotto, see the screen capture below.

Screenshot 2020-08-29 at 18.14.38.jpg

Source: https://www.manfrotto.com/global/custom ... onditions/

That's right, thanks for the detailed info, I just read that too. And still 5 years is much better than 3, so more of us will rest in peace going with Manfrotto

FunkyPanos wrote:

John Griffin wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:
I haven't directly compared the GH06 to the 612

That's all I needed to know.

Why? Have YOU tried to directly compared those two?

YOU are telling me that I need a new head because there is another one that is better for a similar price but as you admit you haven't actually compared them so all I can learn from your posts is that you are a Manfrotto fanboy (which is amusing in itself) but not enough to persuade me to buy something.

WahWay wrote:
BTW you are talking about someone who already owns a O'Connor 1030D.

Maybe you need to sell this and buy a Manfrotto 612.......

I haven't directly compared the GH06 to the 612 [/quote]
That's all I needed to know.[/quote]

Why? Have YOU tried to directly compared those two?[/quote]
YOU are telling me that I need a new head because there is another one that is better for a similar price but as you admit you haven't actually compared them so all I can learn from your posts is that you are a Manfrotto fanboy (which is amusing in itself) but not enough to persuade me to buy something.[/quote]

DUDE, IF you HAVE already read my previous posts-replies to you (and you didn't just write my answers to your balls, because you've said "That's all I need to know") YOU SHOULD by now have ENOUGH evidence already as to why the Manfrotto is a different, MUCH HIGHER category level head than your chinese counterpart! First of all SPECS. VARIABLE CONTINUOUS Counter Balance System AND NOT STEPPED THAN YOUR'S.... ALSO VARIABLE CONTINUOUS ADJUSTABLE DRAG+TILT FLUID SETTINGS and NOT STEPPED LIKE YOUR'S (and with JUST 3 ONLY steps also LOL!!) that your head has!!

Manfrotto EVEN has DOUBLE THE PAYLOAD THAN YOURS, FOR JUST 68 DOLLARS MORE, and YOU'RE STILL not convinced that the Manfrotto 612 is not only a better value for its money than yours, BUT ALSO A STEAL FOR ITS MONEY, EVEN COMPARED WITH EVEN ITS WAY MORE "ELITE-ish" (supposedly) EXPENSIVE counterparts!! Also you've got 5 whole years of FREE extended warranty with Manfrotto baby, how much do you have??

SO, ARE YOU A TOTAL MORON?? That you DARE and keep on calling me a "Manfrotto fanboy" after all that PROOF that I just SLAPPED ALLOVER YOUR FACE?? I've even also DENOUNCED to the readers of this thread THIS DELIBERATELY made YT Video "comparison" of GERALD UNDONE's about best value for money Fluid Heads, which was 1000% PAID by the chinese E-Image company to put to comparison an OLDER technology rusty consumer Manfrotto head (502) AND NOT THE NEW NITROTECH 612 WHICH IS ON THE SAME PRICE TAG THAN YOUR BELOVED CHINESE ONE, BUT ON A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PLANET LEAGUE, AND WHICH WOULD JUST BLOW YOUR HEAD AWAY FROM THE EARTH'S FACE FOREVER, AND AT ANY GIVEN DAY!!

From what I can see you're a total moron, as well as an un-talented amateur, and I didn't come to this forum to deal with this kind of people like you here, so please, if you are still THAT sold out to the Chinese that you can't just understand these basic things I'm explaining to you, and you don't appreciate my precious time I've spent to this thread trying to help you guys, PLEASE do me a favour and stop commenting on my posts!!! THIS IS MY LAST ANSWER TO YOU, go now to make some really nice vlogs with your new head!!!

PS. And if you're still calling me a MAN-frotto fanboy, then you're definitely a...Chinese femme-boy (so why not try and shoot some K-Pop with your head any time soon?? )

If your overly verbose rants and questionable use of all caps isn't convincing, I'm sure the use of insults will get people on board the Manfrotto train you're obviously captain of.

FunkyPanos wrote:That's right, ... so more of us will rest in peace going with Manfrotto

That's scary by owning a Manfrotto will lead to our death and be RIP.

Chris Leutger wrote:If your overly verbose rants and questionable use of all caps isn't convincing, I'm sure the use of insults will get people on board the Manfrotto train you're obviously captain of.

But I'm not trying to convince anyone here, I'm just giving the OP and people real facts, specifically to that mister who so bluntly ignored my wordings (ONLY caring to know if I have owned/used both heads, but he had NOTHING to contradict to all those arguments I presented to him) and preferred to call me a "Manfrotto fanboy" instead (and THIS is what I consider as an insult).

So surely not an "Orator" casting "overly verbose rants" here, and definitely not working for 'frotto, as my only intention was to share my Nitrotech 612 (S)Experience with this thread's OP, for whom I think it's the best match for his current and future needs [as he described them], and, if you also take into consideration that I have the same camera, and VERY similar setup in weight+future needs with the OP, I think my opinion would be VERY useful for him!!

But, I don't see him caring enough to replying to any of my comments, so I'll leave him fooled to believe that he'll feel better off, spending his hard-earned extra cash to an "overkill" head, just being a Real Proud-n-Loud Owner of such an expensive head, (only to realise later he'll never use it to its full potential). Sometimes, I've felt the same way (like him) before, and had bought overkill equipment for some of my past needs, so, I can't lie to you, I KNOW that "feeling of euphoria", (but also the hurting later, as soon as I realised that I could have spent that extra cash more wisely, possibly buying additional gear!)

And one friendly marketing tip to any Manfrotto Sales Team Guys (if anyone is reading this here):

Guys, I think that the price of your 612 head is TOO good to be true, and people often get Ungrateful of what they're offered, ESPECIALLY when this is what your Company is presenting as your Top-of-The-Line Product, leading them to believe that MAYBE your product is a GARBAGE ONE BECAUSE it costs so low!! So, I believe you could EASILY raise the price of your 612 head to the $1000 range, but keep your 608 model to the "entry level price" as it is right now, possibly some more, (although its quality is WAY higher than it's selling price anyways, which is still a STEAL, if you consider it is basically the same head as its "bigger brother", only for lesser payloads! (I could possibly cover most of my needs buying the 608 instead, but I regarded it as a disrespectful move towards your company, and unfair to pay that low price, so I got your 612 for a few bucks more.

Maybe, by following my suggested price-tactics, would prevent some people considering your products "budget quality", when they would have to pay their real worth price of your SPECIFIC products. I'm not talking about light stands here, not talking about any other of your gear (which I still find most of it to be fairly priced, although DEFINITELY not cheap!!!), I'm only talking about your Nitrotech 612 and 608 heads here, that you can FAIRLY sell for more!!

One last comment for Chris Leutger: If you think that my ending comment to my previous post (quoted):
"PS. And if you're still calling me a MAN-frotto fanboy, then you're definitely a...Chinese femme-boy (so why not try and shoot some K-Pop with your head any time soon?? ) "
was an insult, then you have most obviously lost your last, remaining sense of your (German?) humour! Right, "Captain"?

Ellory Yu wrote:

FunkyPanos wrote:That's right, ... so more of us will rest in peace going with Manfrotto

That's scary by owning a Manfrotto will lead to our death and be RIP.

Wow, damn right! Just realised how scary my comment was, regardless we'll all surely die any time soon anyways, but please, allow me to rephrase my wording, and tear the fear outta peoples' hearts, so we can have some (sort of) happy ending to our scenario here:

That's right, ... so more of us will buy the 612 Head. Rest In Peace, Mr. Lino Manfrotto!

How 'bout that?

I have a fluid head tripod with 75mm bowl size, it's a carbon fiber one with a max.payload of 10kg, I think it may be nice for your choice as it's also within your budget.