Getting a good mini head - Velbon FHD-51QN

[Bamboopictures]

I have been trying to assemble a set of shrunken gear for awhile and a workable miniature fluid head has been elusive until I chanced upon this non-descript head hiding in a corner at TKFoto.
[video=youtube;qO8GtmSatbo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8GtmSatbo[/video]
She was actually quite hideous-looking with her oversized knob and I was initially drawn more to her more petite sister the Sirui VA-5 sitting pretty on a video monopod. But I was quickly dissapointed when I put my hungry paws on the Sirui.
The tilt return spring was eratic and probably too strong for my GM1. So reluctantly, I had to look elswhere. A pity because the Sirui's proportions were just perfect - a 1:2 scale model of a pro head.

Disenchanted, I thought I'll never have my cake and eat it too. Maybe a smooth, functional head must come with some heft.
But my lust for slender things was not satiated yet that afternoon. The Velbon FHD-51QN next to her was certainly top-heavy. The stage looked a little too long for the head to support. I unfastened her tilt lock and slapped my hands on top of her head and coax her into a low bow. WOW! Buttery smooth motion with just the right amount of resistance. I didn't have my GM1 on me but I knew just from feel it would be match made in heaven. For the next 15 minutes I gave her a rigorous workout:
-start/stopping a pan
-start/stopping a tilt
-stopping and locking position
-unlocking and starting pan-tilt
-simultaneous pan and tilt
The tactile feedback was phenomenal. It felt like a much bigger head except that it wasn't. There were no counter springs but her motions could be stopped on a dime and locked in place without so much a shudder.
I would have given her a perfect score for her weight class if not for her slight tendency to rush at beginning of a pan. But I guess you can't really blame her because of her slender circumference. I found that I can restrain her a little by simply using one fingertip to increase the friction between the fluid pads.
From that point on, her looks didn't matter any more. I took her home and discovered the hidden virtues of her safety catch and anti-twist pin. The GM1 mounted nicely on her and I'm sure they will see many adventures together!

 

[JacePhoto]

Thanks for sharing. How much was the damage?

I was waiting for the Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel Video Tripod Kit (USD 259).

Do you think this Sirui one is better?

 

[Bamboopictures]

I haven't tried the Benro miniheads. But many reviewers point to the same flaw in the S2 head (benro's smallest).
A poor stop when panning. S4 reviews were generally good. But I wanted the smallest, viable head.
I bought the velbon FHD-51QN over the sirui VA-5 even though the velbon is slightly bigger.
The Velbon FHD-51QN is a TRUE fluid head and not a "fluid effect head" - a category of products that are smaller and lighter but so far hasn't been able to produce the "fluid effect" to my satisfaction.
The Velbon is SGD149 and the Sirui SGD 169

 

[JacePhoto]

Thanks for the review. Will head down to TK later to check it out!

 

[RyanKhoo]

Thanks for the review. Will head down to TK later to check it out!

Ya man ... thanks Bamboo & JacePhoto. I think I need this fluid head too ...

 

[JacePhoto]

Hi Rodney,

I got the Sirui VA-5. I am very happy about it being half the size and weight of the Manfrotto 701 video head i am using.

Thanks for your post that i can find a video head of choice! Thanks!

 

[Bamboopictures]

Very tempting-looking head! I think it will work well with most regular sized body and lens. But I felt it was too 'springy' for a tiny subcompact like the GM1. How does it feel with the A7 and a zoom? You definitely have to get a longer plate.

 

[JacePhoto]

In the shop, i tried with the a7r and it felt good. My Manfrotto 701 was definitely too stiff and overweight on a light slider and it was jerking all the time.

i have a project on Monday. Will let you know. Am gg to use it with my HDR-660EV (another recommendation from you).

 

[FiSh23]

hi all any recommendation for a tripod to pair with this fluid head? Just a normal dslr video setup.

 

[Bamboopictures]

If you want a very sturdy but compact tripod, Benro A3190T gets my vote as the tallest (extended) and sturdiest legs that will fit inside any regular backpack.

If you don't mind sacrificing stability for even greater compactness, the Velbon UT-43D can reach eye-height but folds to just 30cm.
[video=youtube;ATV3xXozEDU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATV3xXozEDU[/video]

 

[FiSh23]

If you want a very sturdy but compact tripod, Benro A3190T gets my vote as the tallest (extended) and sturdiest legs that will fit inside any regular backpack.

If you don't mind sacrificing stability for even greater compactness, the Velbon UT-43D can reach eye-height but folds to just 30cm.
[video=youtube;ATV3xXozEDU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATV3xXozEDU[/video]

Thank you! How bout if i want a steady and reliable one, can be not that compact.

 

[Bamboopictures]

Thank you! How bout if i want a steady and reliable one, can be not that compact.

I think the teeny-weeny heads discussed in this thread will look ridiculous on a normal-sized tripod.
But past a certain size, leg performance tend to coalesce. Pick one that has the features you need:

• fast deploy?
• extreme height?
• double strut?
• underslung mode?
• removable column?
• flat pack?
• half-bowl?
• hidden monopod?
• spikes/ studs?
• ground clearance?

 

[FiSh23]

I think the teeny-weeny heads discussed in this thread will look ridiculous on a normal-sized tripod.
But past a certain size, leg performance tend to coalesce. Pick one that has the features you need:

• fast deploy?
• extreme height?
• double strut?
• underslung mode?
• removable column?
• flat pack?
• half-bowl?
• hidden monopod?
• spikes/ studs?
• ground clearance?

Thanks after so long. Anyway where to get the Benro A3190T? and the price is ard?

 

[Bamboopictures]

Thanks after so long. Anyway where to get the Benro A3190T? and the price is ard?

I bought from Benfoto Peninsular Shopping ctr for around SGD260

 

[windspirit9]

Hi,i spot a manfrotto small head at cathay penisula for sgd196,anyone have try it yet? (Not sure for the model)

 

[Bamboopictures]

I wouldn't buy said brand's head in any size.
But do give it a test and judge for yourself.
Things to observe:
Test the head with a long focal length. Switch off the IBIS or OIS function in your camera
Can your camera be balanced on the stage? Even for a small head you should be able to find a position where the camera will not dip forward or backwards without locking the tilt lever.
Ate both the pan and tilt levers able to fully unlock and lock tightly without obstruction once the head is on sticks?
Can you reach the levers without looking?
Does the image shift/shake when you engage the levers at the start stop of a motion?
Can you execute s smooth start and stop on a pan?
Can you execute a smooth start and stop on a tilt?
Can you track a diagonal line smoothly? (eg close up of someone on an escalator)
Other bonus attributes:
variable pan speed and tilt resistance
Camera can stay stationary in any tilt angle without lever lock or hand holding
Safety catch to prevent camera from sliding off the stage
Anti-twist pin on the provided baseplate

 

[windspirit9]

Thks bamboopictures,go several time and shop at funan & penisula to test all small head currently selling in shop.
final is i bought same Velbon FHD-51QN at TK-foto today,jz wat i need to replace manfrotto 701hdv which is bulky for travel.

 

[Bamboopictures]

This mini leveling base from Benro looks like the perfect companion for the 51QN
[video=youtube;DsUkDdx5BTE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsUkDdx5BTE[/video]