Often I get asked “I’m thinking about upgrading my video camera, what should I get?” To their surprise, my response is usually a fluid head tripod…. Hear me out on this one!
Unlike a ball head or 3-way head, a fluid head tripod is made for video and allows you to record buttery smooth transitions, pans, tilts, tracking shots and heaps more. Utilising these shoots adds a layer of professionalism and style to your videos at a fraction of the price!
Because of this, I have found 5 of the best fluid head tripods so you too can record like a pro!
What is a Fluid Head Tripod?
Fluid heads may sound like a bad Star Trek alien idea, but trust me, it’s a real thing in videography right here on Earth. A fluid head tripod has the movements dampened by hydraulic fluid, usually an oil or a synthetic oil. The specific movements we’re speaking of are the panning (left to right, horizontal) and tilting (up and down, vertical) motions.
A lightweight fluid head may have little resistance, but a heavier duty one will have a noticeable dampening effect. Some of the best fluid head tripods may have a variable adjustment for the drag as well. As with virtually everything, the more sophisticated the gear is, the more it is likely to cost.
However there is a huge range of fluid head tripods available, so as a creator, you won’t need to break the bank to find one that fits your needs while keeping in budget.
How a fluid head tripod can help improve your videography
ShakyCam. Goodness, how I loathe ShakyCam! In small doses, using that technique can add an artistic vision to a scene. But when an entire video is in constant movement, it makes me want to stop it and not watch anything else from that videographer.
In those instances, a regular tripod head adds in a new set of problems. Try as we might, it is difficult to smoothly pan over with most tripod heads. In still photography, that’s not a big deal because we aren’t moving the set up during a still exposure.
However with video, we need the movement to be smooth. That’s where the drag of the fluid in the head helps us out. The movement during the scene is slow, steady, and not jerky. With enough practice, the movement won’t even be noticed by many viewers. End result is buttery smooth footage.
Top 5 Best Fluid Head Tripods For Videographers, Movie Makers & YouTubers
Ravelli AVTP Professional Tripod with Fluid Drag Head (Editors Pick)
Ravelli AVTP Professional Tripod with Fluid Drag Head Specifications
Weight: 10.8 lbs
Collapsed Height: 28.5″
Extended Height: 54.5″
Maximum Load: 27 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Ravelli AVTP Professional Tripod with Fluid Drag Head Review
Out of all the models I tried for this article, the Ravelli AVTP Fluid Head easily deserved the number one spot! In a nutshell this fluid head tripod gave me professional grade functionally while still being competitively priced.
Setting up this tripod was very straight forward using the three segment interlocking crutch type design. It also had a mid-level spreader providing outstanding stability for video cameras up to 27lbs. This max load capacity is quite overkill, but nonetheless very good to have.
As for the fluid head, it features dual continuous drag fluid movement for both 360 degree pan and 180 degree tilt as well as dual handles for more precise control. There are also independent locks for both the pan and tilt axis which was a really nice touch!
When it came to the actual motion of the head in real use, it was as smooth as I was hoping. However I did notice some slight jerkiness within the first 20 minutes of operation. But this disappeared after some continual use and was very happy with the final results.
If you plan on recording with a larger video camera, this Ravelli AVTP tripod has also got you covered. It utilises a 75mm bowl mount allowing any 75mm video head to mounted. A true Swiss arm knife of fluid head tripods!
Overall this Ravelli AVTP was a joy to use and really is a great fluid head tripod for aspiring film makers or even the veteran videographer. Highly recommended!
Magnus VT-3000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head
Magnus VT-3000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head Specifications
Weight: 7.7 lbs
Collapsed Height: 28″
Extended Height: 61″
Maximum Load: 6.6 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Magnus VT-3000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head Review
Next on my list of the best fluid head tripods is the uber affordable Magnus VT-3000 tripod. This tripod is somewhat taller so I liked that right away (I’m 6′ 4″). Strangely enough this unit is close to half the weight of the above mentioned Ravelli, but the stability is still on par.
When it comes to the design, I really appreciated the crutch leg design which was good for stability and the legs locked nice and tight with the setting screws. There is also a bubble level on the head near the bowl so I could adjust the head to level even if the legs are a little bit off due to uneven ground or floor conditions.
However for me, the best part of this tripod definitely has to be ultra smooth fluid head. I’ve used a couple of Magnus tripods and they have all really surprised me. It’s movement is smooth in operation and clamps down securely when static shots are needed.
What? you might ask… Well, with different levels of drag, I could easily tell exactly what I was doing without thinking too much about it. This meant I could easily setup my shot and focus more on the composition instead of the settings of the tripod.
This Magnus VT-3000 also had an optional dolly which is well made and rolls smoothly on most surfaces. Overall I really liked the entire package and am comfortable including this tripod on my list of best fluid head video tripods.
Magnus VT-4000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head
Magnus VT-4000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head Specifications
Weight: 7.9 lbs
Collapsed Height: 27″
Extended Height: 59″
Maximum Load: 8.8 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Magnus VT-4000 Professional Tripod System with Fluid Head Review
Moving onto the next tripod on my list is the heavier duty version of the VT-3000 reviewed above. A little bit of extra weight can go a long way in a video tripod!
I talk about weight quite a bit when reviewing tripods. One of the pay offs of a heavier tripod over a lighter one is the dampening effect. After adjusting the tripod movements, a heavier tripod dampens out vibrations quicker than a lighter one.
Compared with the above Magnus, there are some subtle differences of the fluid head which you can see from the above photo. The first being the corked grip pad which I personally prefer and the addition of the bubble level. While only minor differences, it is worth noting.
This tripod is virtually the same as the VT-3000, just heavier and stronger over all. If stability is paramount, choose this one. If portability is more important, take home the lighter version above. Either one is a qualified candidate for the list of best fluid head tripods.
Fancier Studio Tripod with Fluid Drag Head FT9901
Fancier Studio Tripod with Fluid Drag Head FT9901 Specifications
Weight: 13 lbs
Collapsed Height: 27″
Extended Height: 60″
Maximum Load: 14 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Fancier Studio Tripod with Fluid Drag Head FT9901 Review
I was surprised when I received this tripod because it’s almost the spitting image of the Ravelli tripod reviewed above. A couple of major differences popped up though.
One difference is the vertical tilt angle. On this head, the head tilts 85 degrees up and down, where on the Ravelli, the vertical tilt is a full 90 degrees either way. The other difference is the level of drag in the movements. This head seemed stiffer to me. For some videographers, this is a plus. For others, the increased drag might cause a rougher pan or tilt during filming.
As with all the tripods in this list, this Fancier video tripod also has a substantial mounting plate which is suitable for most video cameras. Using the mounting bowl, I could also adjust the position of the head by means of leveling the head of the bowl.
Overall this is a good unit that would suit a videography student or something who is on a high budget.
Manfrotto MVH502A Professional Fluid Video Tripod
Manfrotto MVH502A Professional Fluid Video Tripod Specifications
Weight: 8.8 lbs
Collapsed Height: 27″
Extended Height: 61″
Maximum Load: 15.4 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MVH502A Professional Fluid Video Tripod Review
Wow! What a nice tripod. As you might have guessed, Manfrotto + nice + fluid head = expensive! This Manfrotto MVH502A tripod is well over twice the price of any of the other four tripods in this review. Is it worth it? Well, that’s a subjective judgement call if there ever was one.
In my bullet points of how I chose the tripods, I included cost. If I have a high enough budget, cost is lower down on the totem pole than if I am on a budget. Seriously, how many of us have an unlimited budget? For many videographers, having a very good option for a lower price is important. As long as the quality is near the top, I am often tempted by the lower priced item every time.
But if you are willing to spend more for the best, this Manfrotto tripod and head are top quality, as one would expect from the Manfrotto brand. All the controls operate smoothly and lock securely in place as needed.
One accessory item I became fond of was the Easy Link connector system. This system allows wide variety of extras, such as an external monitor or other accessory equipment, to be fitted directly on the head. The Easy Link system is just going to get better with time, so if you are in the business of high end video recording, this Manfrotto product becomes a great choice for the best video tripod with fluid head for your needs.
How I found the best Fluid Head Tripods
Before I wrap up this article on the best fluid head tripods, I think I need to explain something. If you’ve noticed, I haven’t said a thing about extending the center columns to add height. That’s because a video or motion picture tripod doesn’t usually have one.
- Size: I like to match up the sizes of equipment. When using a small camcorder, a smaller fluid head is viable. If using a full frame DSLR with a top quality zoom or fast prime lens, the mount needs to be more substantial. Even with a smaller APS-C or MFT DSLR or mirrorless ILC, if I’m using matt boxes or other accessories that add bulk, a heavier duty head becomes a priority.
- Smooth operation: The tracking movements in all my mentioned
- Adjustability: Some fluid heads have separate adjustments each axis of movement. A nice feature, but it adds to cost.
- Quick release: In video, quick release mounts can greatly increase a videographer’s versatility. On a job, being able to switch from still to video rapidly is often necessary.
- Cost: I am not opposed to spending money, but I always look for the best values.
The rest of the story
As far as tripods go, video tripods are one of the more specialized niches. The tripods that I just reviewed are all fantastic choices. These tools are an important part of any videographer’s gear.
Thats a wrap!