Magnus GH-M1 Gimbal Head

Having read some of the other reviews, I was somewhat concerned about the operation of this head, but my fears were laid to rest with my first few shots. I'm using an inexpensive tripod with an inexpensive head, and it was nice and solid while I was photographing bald eagles. Operation was smooth with one caveat, if the horizontal panning screw isn't loosed sufficiently, it seems to cause drag in a few specific spots. This is simply resolved by giving it an extra 1/4 turn out, then it pans smooth as butter. Tilting is very smooth and I had no problem balancing my Tamron 150-600 G2 and my Z6II. It locks up nice and tight when you want as well, and I had no issues tightening it down and moving my camera and tripod together. There are obviously cost saving measures on an inexpensive head like this, but they seem minor such as the rubber ring around the knob for tightening the arca-swiss style mount feels cheap and loose. The mount itself doesn't open wide enough to drop my lens foot into either, I have to slide it in, but all in all, for the money, it's very good. For photographers that don't want to spend $300+ on a head, I would say I'm very happy with mine and would absolutely recommend it.

Essential in my pack to hold my telescopic lens. Sturdy flexible. Intelligent design. I’d be lost without.

I don't regret purchasing this gimbal, considering the costs of name brand gimbals. But be warned, you will want to modify the assembly. The grease that the manufacturer uses is incredibility thick. As such, smooth motion of the gimbal can be difficult, especially on cool days. Almost all reviewers recommend a DIY breakdown and regreasing. I totally agree. I did it and it's changed everything. It's super easy and there are lots of videos on YouTube teaching you how to do this. This is a solid, heavy gimbal that will hold up to all sorts of outdoor wind conditions and abuse, but you'll want to do the mod. It's quick, it's easy, and it'll save you a lot of money..

This gimbal feels rugged enough and will absolutely hold a camera and be capable of moving, but even with the set screws backed all the way out, it is too stiff to actually move with any lens under 5lbs. It basically becomes a glorified video head, which for the price isnt terrible, it just does not balance due to its stiffness and mostly defeats my needs for an actual gimbal head, which is unfortunate because the other reviews seem extremely positive, mine could be defective, or there is a misunderstanding of what a gimbal head is supposed to do.

Perfect for the Coolpix P1000. Replaced the head of my vanguard tripod. Loosen the three screws with an Allen wrench and unscrew the head.I used a 15cm quick release extension to help balance the camera.

Excellent value for the price, the product looks perfectly fine. Holds the lens well, can be aimed easily, I find the product very useful for me with large and heavy lenses

I will update this review in the future if the replacement I receive works as intended. That said, I received what was clearly a used, defective item. It had several scratches. The top pivot had so much slop that the only way to get rid of it was to tighten the handle down all the way (obviously making this useless). The camera/lens assembly was not sitting level because the slop in the pivot was that loose.I’ve requested a replacement (new this time I hope or it will be going right back) and we will see how that turns out. I was attracted to this head because of its lighter weight compared to other heads. Hopefully, that doesn’t also mean it won’t last at all. I understand this is a budget head, and I’m sacrificing that buttery smoothness some more expensive heads have (the drag was very heavy on this one) but I would still expect it to last a few years.

You gotta get one of these! I have never used a gimbal head but this thing is way less expensive than the benifits I get from it. Extremely smooth with my 70 - 200 f2.8 and no reason to think it wouldn't work with heavier glass. I did have to invest in quick releases for the tripod and for the gimbal itself but at these Amazon prices it wasn't bad