Used Giottos MH-5001 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release

2012-12-30T19:00:00

I've been using the Giotto MH-5001 for a couple of weeks now in my home studio. It's easy to use and locks in well even for a fairly heavy setup like my Nikon D800 with 24-70 f2.8 lens. I've found it to be stable and easy to adjust for a budget tripod head.

DAVID R.

2012-03-04T19:00:00

Although this pan head is a bit heavy its pretty sturdy. If your looking to backpack the Appalachian trail with it then forget about it and buy a lighter ball head. If you want a sturdy nicely priced pan head for long exposure shots this one works great. The double locking quick connect works nicely and the handles screw into each other for easier transport. It was bigger than anticipated, but that just adds to the height of my tripod so its a win.

Brandon

2011-03-07T19:00:00

I use this for my Nikon D90 with a Tamron 18-270 Zoom and a Canon HV20 Video Cam.It is very stable and works smoothly. I selected this unit because of its weight bearing capacity and I'm happy I used overkill.

Jcartonsr

2010-04-27T21:00:00

I bought this 3 way head MH-5001 for my Giottis Tripod as a replacement to a very heavy Bogen 3 way head I was using. Seemed a good match, but upon receiving, I noticed the way the top of the head is arranged, it does not allow the user to use the bubble level and quick release properly with the camera mounted in the normal position so that the user can flip between vert and hz with full range of motion. This seems to be a serious design flaw which I am now stuck with.

photojag

2010-01-09T19:00:00

Ideal combination of light weight, stability and ease of use. The reason for a 4 (not a 5) is that I have a very limited range of comparison. It may deserve a 5.

CARL M.

2009-10-29T21:00:00

I have this 3-way on my 9251B tripod. It is great. Secures the camera with no play and the range is unbelievable. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MIKE S.

2009-02-17T19:00:00

I like pan heads for architectural work. This one is cheap but thats all that recommends it. The bubble level broke (fluid drained) within months of purchase and the quick release lever is balky and sometimes difficult to move. Thinking about replacing it.

Andrew S.

2008-09-23T21:00:00

I like this head is nice and sturdy, Just right for my use. I use it with my Giottos Professional Aluminum tripod I have to remove the handles to store the tripod in the case, but this is not a big problem Very solid for a very good price Id buy it again

borism

2008-08-23T21:00:00

the head is a great buy for the value. Its what you get for what you paid. Not over priced like the other head in the market. Strong steady and solid. But there is a design flaw were the handles, the quick release lever and the camera grip are place awkwardly. Being that when the camera is mounted your right hand is on the camera grip and that useing your left hand to pull the quick release lever would be ideal but this is not the case in this design. The QRL and the camera grip is positioned on the right side. You can turn the head backwards and mount it that way. Making the QRL on the left hand and the camera grip right. But this would offset the heads handles. Would I still recommend it to a freind? Yes given that its the least expensive head around with quality to it. Can you justify paying double the price for a better design in the handles? Thats up to you.

Jim r.

2008-08-10T21:00:00

smooth movement. Covers all the angles. Steady design. A little bit on the haevy side. And have to remove one handle to fit in the tripod bag.

JASON W.

2007-10-12T21:00:00

One handle can be removed and stored in the back of the other to make the unit fit nicely in a tripod case

JOHN C.

2007-07-13T21:00:00

Rock solid design that will support just about anything you throw at it. The smooth movement is excellent!! Buy one!!!

JL P.

2007-07-11T21:00:00

This is a very solid head with rapid release. It works well with my 4x5 Tachihara LF and Pentax 67 MF cameras. The weight is reasonable, although you could spend much more money and get something slightly lighter. This head folds up compactly on the tripod (one arm attaches to the other), another plus.

Gary H.

2007-02-26T19:00:00

This pan head is rock solid. I purchased this pan head to mount a 20x100 pair of binoculars on a Slik pro 700dx tripod that I own. The binocs weigh 8.5 pounds. Vibration free. I am very pleased with this item. I have not used this yet for photography but I cannot find any angle that would not work. This is a real bargin for the price. One review I read stated that it was on the heavy side. Personally, for the weight I'm mounting on it, I think the weight of this pan head is light for the weight I am expecting it to carry and be vibration free.

213terry

2007-02-11T19:00:00

The MH-5001 is extremely stable, it rotates smoothly, and there hasn't been an angle that I haven't been able to shoot from with my camera on it. It is heavy, but it's not much heavier that some of the more highly price heads out there.

Eric