Quote Originally Posted by neuroanatomist View Post
The other issue with both Gitzo and Manfrotto heads is they come with clamps that use their own, proprietary plate systems. .
This is a good point. Unless you only use one tripod, preferably also one body directly mounted, this will cause some irritation. Fixing the clamp to the Gitzo head is also somewhat cumbersome, with a flip lock, with a lock adjustment and a well hidden button underneath. The clamp can only be slided in from one side also. But when that is done, the head operates very well and it holds on to whatever I have loaded it with. I can carry it over my shoulder in rough terrain, with a Canon 1DX and 70-200mm f2.8 and 2x extender, without any slippage. The sales person convinced me, but if I were to buy a new head, I would go for one with a standard clamp/plate solution.

Eldar