Vinten System Vision blue3 FT MS

Featuring continuously adjustable counterbalance and tilt drag, the Vinten Vision blue3 Fluid Head is a suitable companion to cameras weighing from 6.6 to 14.6 pounds. Counterbalance and tilt drag can be set precisely to your setup so you don’t have to deal with “almost” perfect balance. Cameras down to 4.6 pounds are supported with the separately available blueBridge accessory.

Using the 75mm standard ball mount, this head can be balanced atop a tripod with a 75mm bowl. Using bubble level, you can properly frame your horizon lines for perfect horizontal panning. The bubble level itself is illuminated for visibility in dim environments. One press of the bubble level yields 15 seconds of illumination to save battery.

The sliding balance plate included with this head is compatible with the included 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 screws for locking down DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, or camcorders. A safety catch ensures that your camera won’t fall off the head while the plate is loose. For controlling the head, a fixed-length pan handle is included, and it can be mounted on either side of the head on locking rosettes.

The Vinten Flowtech 75 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Mid-Level Spreader and Rubber Feet eschews the common single or double carbon fiber tube design and instead has redesigned the shape of the legs for improved torsional strength. The legs weigh under 7 pounds yet they can support a payload of up to 44 pounds, and extend from a minimum height of 24″ to a maximum height of 61″ when using the included removable mid-level spreader. Each leg features a single clamping lever that locks and unlocks the sections.

Each leg extends or retracts independently from the other two, and when it is detached from the spreader each leg can pivot without affecting the other legs. This is especially useful when working on rough or uneven terrain. You can remove the spreader completely and lock each leg in one of three positions, so you can work without a spreader if you wish. This enables you to spread the legs extremely wide for low shots, while the tripod legs maintain their torsional stability. The dual spikes at the end of each leg provide extra grip when working on softer ground, and you can snap rubber feet onto the dual spikes for better grip when working on hard or delicate surfaces.