The latest addition to the family- a Mitchell Mini- geared head.
Although a bit of a fading tradition, these systems provide accuracy and elegance to camera moves.
Today, the “wheels” are one of three options when it comes to camera- operating, and the default rig when using motion control and remote heads. The other two options are the joystick and the “pan-bar” ( a fluid head that is mirrored to te operators pan and tilt).
Apparently the British Society of Cinematographers still require that their trainees learn how to ‘write’ their names using the geared head.