GHF 2Way gitzo head (1 Viewer)

[pimpelmees]

i am planning to use this for my swarovski ATX 85 scope and on a gitzo 2532 tripod, but i have some questions ;
Can i balance the scope on the head so when the controls are loose i have no front and no back flop , and the plate has no pin , is this a problem ?
And when i tighten the controls , is the scope secured and the controls really tight ?

 

[Fripp]

i am planning to use this for my swarovski ATX 85 scope and on a gitzo 2532 tripod, but i have some questions ;
Can i balance the scope on the head so when the controls are loose i have no front and no back flop , and the plate has no pin , is this a problem ?
And when i tighten the controls , is the scope secured and the controls really tight ?

I use an ATX85 on the Gitzo GFH2W and find it perfectly smooth and stable with the minimum amount of counterbalancing added. With my BTX unit added, maximum counterbalance input is needed to address the eyepiece heavy bias of the setup and even then I have to tighten the tilt axis knob slightly to achieve balance but the tilt motion is still smooth.
The GFH2W does have a small locating pin on the plate which centres the ATX85 mount foot in the plate and is very solid when tightened up.
I find I have to tighten up the scope pan and tilt knobs quite hard to stop any movement before carrying with a Scopac. A result is that the rubber grip on the larger wheel has long since come away and a more robust homemade one is now in it's place.

 

[Tringa45]

I use an ATX85 on the Gitzo GFH2W and find it perfectly smooth and stable with the minimum amount of counterbalancing added. With my BTX unit added, maximum counterbalance input is needed to address the eyepiece heavy bias of the setup and even then I have to tighten the tilt axis knob slightly to achieve balance but the tilt motion is still smooth.
The GFH2W does have a small locating pin on the plate which centres the ATX85 mount foot in the plate and is very solid when tightened up.
I find I have to tighten up the scope pan and tilt knobs quite hard to stop any movement before carrying with a Scopac. A result is that the rubber grip on the larger wheel has long since come away and a more robust homemade one is now in it's place.

The solution to the balance issue is a long Arca-Swiss plate (>100 mm) extending rearwards. For safety retention the plate should either have a rebated underside to be compatible with the pin on the Gito head or have safety stopper screws front and rear on the underside. Some of the Kirk plates should do the job.

John

 

[Fripp]

The solution to the balance issue is a long Arca-Swiss plate (>100 mm) extending rearwards. For safety retention the plate should either have a rebated underside to be compatible with the pin on the Gito head or have safety stopper screws front and rear on the underside. Some of the Kirk plates should do the job.

John

Thanks John, this is a set up I have used on the GFH2W and my Manfrotto MVH500AH. On both heads, with an extended plate fitted, room for my hand under the ATX85 focus ring is limited which I find uncomfortable so I make do with max. counterbalance and tightening the tilt up a notch to balance.

 

[pimpelmees]

Thanks John, this is a set up I have used on the GFH2W and my Manfrotto MVH500AH. On both heads, with an extended plate fitted, room for my hand under the ATX85 focus ring is limited which I find uncomfortable so I make do with max. counterbalance and tightening the tilt up a notch to balance.

I don’t like also a long plate because the small space to put my hand underneath for focussing then …. Ideally I find the 1720 head from gitzo with a small plate but is it strong enough to carry the ATX 85 and for not flopping tje ATX

 

[Tringa45]

I don’t like also a long plate because the small space to put my hand underneath for focussing then ….

You can lead a horse to water............