Exciting First Impressions of the Sunwayfoto GH-Pro 2 Plus Geared Tripod Head

Sunwayfoto GH-Pro 2 Plus as viewed by the user behind the tripod

Geared
tripod heads have been a staple for studio photographers for many years, but these larger, heavier, and pricier heads aren’t ideal for photography on the move.

This has led to the rise in popularity of compact three-way heads and, more recently, ball heads for landscape and location photography.

The issue with ball heads is that when you loosen the locking lever, the camera can shift in any direction freely. This can complicate precise composition, especially when using a long lens where even minor movements can have a significant impact.

Similarly, both three-way and ball heads can suffer from droop or creep since it’s necessary to support the camera and lens while making adjustments, only to have to guess how much the framing settles when you release the head.

A geared head resolves these issues by making tilt, level, and pan adjustments while the weight of the camera and lens is already in place, eliminating framing shifts post-adjustment.

Sunwayfoto, based in Guangzhou, China, has offered its GH-Pro geared head for several years. While the basic design has remained consistent, it has undergone various updates.

After reading several positive reviews online, I decided to purchase one. I ordered it from Amazon Australia in the morning and received it the same day in Sydney at a cost of AUD390.

My first impressions are favorable. The product is well packaged in a custom box with foam padding, and its main components are made of metal. The movements feel smooth with no noticeable free play.

Main specifications

The Manfrotto/Benro style geared heads tend to be larger than the Sunway model, with their mounting plate positioned off the center column of the tripod. They also feature de-clutch wheels for making quick adjustments. In contrast, the Sunway positions the mounting plate directly above the center column, which enhances stability and is better for panning and creating panoramas. Rather than using de-clutch wheels, the Sunway head features flip-out winding handles for tilt and level adjustments, minimizing size, weight, and complexity.

The GH-Pro 2 (without the Plus version) has an un-geared panning top plate. In this [Plus] version being reviewed, the GC-01 top module enables both free and geared panning. Both versions maintain un-geared (free) panning at the bottom. You can toggle between the top or bottom module for panning. If the bottom module is uneven, you can level the top one with the tilt and level adjustments along with the incorporated spirit level or the camera’s level gauge.

The side-to-side level provides about +/- 45 degrees of movement, while the tilt offers around 100 degrees. This allows you to tilt the camera forwards or backwards when in landscape mode or flip it for portrait orientation, making the main side-to-side knob control panning and the upper module controls tilt.

For better handling in portrait mode, utilizing an L bracket on the camera instead of the standard mounting plate is recommended. This keeps the camera centered over the tripod’s center column. I bought an L bracket from the Sunwayfoto shop on eBay for AUD84.

Sunwayfoto%20L%20bracket%20for%20Canon%20EOS%20R7%20at%20JPG%206

Sunwayfoto L Bracket. This provides the best method to secure the camera in portrait mode. The bracket features a flip-out captive D ring for camera attachment and connects to the head through an Arca Swiss style clamp in both landscape and portrait orientations. All movements of the flippy screen are achievable with the camera and L bracket detached.

The camera connects using an Arca-Swiss style clamp, providing a secure hold. Unfortunately, the supplied plate lacks a captive D ring, requiring use of an Allen key for attachment. While this method works, Allen keys can be easily misplaced and are tricky to handle. I modified mine to a mini-driver by attaching plywood to it, making it more functional and harder to lose.

Conclusion

The Sunwayfoto GH-Pro 2 Plus geared head is a great addition to the range of tripod heads available. It is especially appealing to photographers who want the benefits of a geared head without the bulk, weight, and cost associated with traditional options.