Gitzo Fluid Gimbal Head

A gimbal works by hanging the lens from its own centre of gravity, so a 600 mm prime can be swung with a fingertip and left anywhere without drifting. Gitzo added a fluid cartridge to the movement, which is the part most gimbals lack: the pan and tilt are damped, so a bird tracked across the frame does not arrive with a jolt at the end of the swing.

The frame is aluminium and magnesium at 1.35 kg on a 60 mm base, with a rated 8 kg safety payload. Panning is a full 360 degrees and front tilt runs -180 to +180 degrees. Friction is adjustable on both axes, and the lens plate is Arca-type compatible on a 1/4 inch screw, so most existing long-lens feet drop straight in.