Hi, Carl here for ProAV TV.
And today we are looking at two new budget tripods from E-Image.
This is the EG-04 tripod which is a completely new design for E-Image.
And this is the GH03 head which itself has been around for a while, but we now bundle
it with these nice new solo legs from E-Image which makes a big difference.
Now both of these tripods come in at almost exactly the same price at around the 2 hundred
pound mark.
For exact up to date pricing take a look at the links in the description below, but they
are essentiality the same price.
So I thought I’d make a video to talk you through the differences and help you decide
which one is right for you.
The first big obvious difference is the legs.
With the EG04 you get traditional video style legs with a mid level spreader.
Large locking knobs for each section of the legs, and feet which can attach to a ground
spreader or dolly.
The GH03 on the other hand normally comes with legs like these, but here we are looking
at a bundle package that comes with the 760AT, aluminium solo legs.
The main reason to use solo legs like these is that make it very easy to get the tripod
down very low or very high nice and quickly.
Most people who have used both have a preference as to which they prefer.
For example, personally I like using solo legs like these as I find they give me a bit
more freedom, but it really does come down to personal preference.
For the most part they are very similar in performance, apart from how low down they
can go.
The traditional legs on the EG04 have a minimum height of 77.5 cm, but these solo legs will
go down to 30 cm.
So its a big difference.
You do miss out though when it comes to maximum height, with 170 cm here, and 141 cm here.
There is a slightly pricer version of these legs the 761AT legs which has the same minimum
height but goes up to 177cm, so if maximum height is important to you you might want
to upgrade to those legs.
So lets look at the heads now.
Both the GH03 and GH04 have a fixed friction setting.
So you can't add or take away friction depending on the shot and the camera your using.
This is one of the main reasons to step up to higher spec tripods like the GH06.
They also have a fixed counterbalance setting, so you cant fine tune it to your cameras exact
weight.
This is very common at tripods this level, but the set fluid movement you get on these
heads is one of the better systems I've seen on a budget tripod like this.
Especially the newer GH04.
For me, the GH04 is easier to pan and tilt smoothly with than the GH03 is.
Theres also a difference in the payload, 4KG max on the GH03 and 6KG on the GH04.
So that means really that the 03 is for mirrorless cameras or small camcorders, whereas the 04
head can handle slightly bigger cameras.
An fs5 or C100 perhaps.
Although at that level I really do recommend stepping up to a better quality tripod with
counterbalance and friction control.
But its good to know the EG-04 can handle cameras like that if needed.
They both take a manfrotto style plate which is useful.
And they both have a 1/4 inch screw thread on the side for mounting accessories like
monitors too.
Personally I think the 04 is the better head, but theres not much in it.
So these are the two kits, GH03 head with Solo style 760AT legs, or the EG04 complete
system.
If your looking for an entry level simple video tripod, either of these would be a solid
choice.
I’m also going to be taking a look at some tripods higher up in E-Image’s range so
keep an eye out for that.
My advice is always really the same with tripods at this level, I always recommend to step
up to a midrange tripod.
Tripods like the GH06 with solo legs from E-Image which i’ll be looking at on this
channel soon are well worth spending a bit extra on when compared to these.
But if you are on a very tight budget, you cant go wrong with either the EG04, or GH03
with 760AT legs.
Let me know which one of these two tripods you would pick in the comments section below.
Thanks for watching, and i’ll see you in the next video.