masjah Posted January 10, 2007 Share #1 Posted January 10, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm currently using a Manfrotto 055MF4 Magfiber tripod, with the 488RC0 ball head (weight-wise, R8,R9, various lenses up to 180/2.8+2X converter, plus possible future DMR). Whilst I'm very happy with the legs, I'm coming to the conclusion that, for architectural photography, one of my major interests, a geared head would be much more suitable. So can I ask for people's recommendations please? Ideally I would like one whose QR plate has the extra pin to prevent rotation, since the camera baseplate has the appropriate hole. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 Hi masjah, Take a look here Geared Heads. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
johnwolf Posted January 12, 2007 Share #2 Posted January 12, 2007 John, I have the three section version of your tripod, but don't know much about gear heads. I noticed the lack of response to your post, and was thinking how the Customer forum doesn't get visited much in these digital times. Maybe you should consider posting on another forum. I think photo.net and fredmiranda.com have pretty active general gear forums. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 12, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted January 12, 2007 John ... or maybe not many people here use a geared head! Many thanks for the suggestion - I'll give it a whirl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 12, 2007 Share #4 Posted January 12, 2007 John, I have the Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head which handles my mf and 35 cameras very well. It is precise, but slow to use compared with the slickness of a bs head. Where I want precision it is first class. I tried the three different sizes at Focus 2006 and an enthusiast came up to me and gave me advice which I welcomed. I could easily have gone for a bigger version. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 12, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted January 12, 2007 John, I have the Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head which handles my mf and 35 cameras very well. It is precise, but slow to use compared with the slickness of a bs head. Where I want precision it is first class. I tried the three different sizes at Focus 2006 and an enthusiast came up to me and gave me advice which I welcomed. I could easily have gone for a bigger version. David David That is indeed good to know - many thanks. I was thinking in terms of this, and, now I know it's OK, I think this will be the one I shall get. The max loading is 5kg, which is very comfortably more than I would load on it. I'm happy to live with the slowness, since my architectural photography is a fairly slow and considered business anyway! Precision, and the ability to adjust the three dimensions separately, without the slight "post-adjustment sag" that b/s heads all seem to exhibit, are indeed my main priorities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 13, 2007 Share #6 Posted January 13, 2007 John, I am sure you will not regret your decision. One feature I forgot to mention: each control has a quick adjustment collar release which allows you to move the head roughly into position. Then you use the gears to fine tune. My main problem, after using the BS head, is forgetting which axis control I need to adjust. But that comes with frequent use, I guess. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted January 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) David Ah! I'd read about that particular feature in the Manfrotto catalogue, and wondered how it worked! Many thanks again for the help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted January 14, 2007 Share #8 Posted January 14, 2007 Manfrotto Junior gear head. Very fine controls with release for quick positioning. I sometimes use mine for my Zone IV 4x5 and my Leicas when precise position is needed. It is fairly heavy, so be sure you really need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted January 14, 2007 Manfrotto Junior gear head. Very fine controls with release for quick positioning. I sometimes use mine for my Zone IV 4x5 and my Leicas when precise position is needed. It is fairly heavy, so be sure you really need it. Tobey Many thanks - another recommendation for this head then. Yes, I've come to the conclusion that a gear head is for me, despite the weight and relatively slow adjustment process. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFi-Chaser Posted January 15, 2007 Share #10 Posted January 15, 2007 Tobey Many thanks - another recommendation for this head then. Yes, I've come to the conclusion that a gear head is for me, despite the weight and relatively slow adjustment process. Hello John (and to the international forum ), I used the 410 for many years. A friend used mine for a while and finally asked to buy it. I wanted to have an upgrade at that time, tested some bigger heads but finally got a new 410 again ... OK, I can't really trust its circular level, but I prefer watching the grids on the focussing screen anyway. Since the cork-material on the plate has changed to gum I don't really need an extra pin on the QR plate. Even when using very heavy tele(scope)-photo-lenses with R8 and Drive. But a thin coin or key is always at hand to turn the plate quickly at 180 degree in order to get my lens into positions higher than 35 degree (for example when doing architecture). However you won't regret it. But If you're already buing a 410, get an extra QR plate as well - for every body (or lens) you own. You will need it, and now it might be cheaper. Best regards from Mainz Torsten Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 15, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted January 15, 2007 Torsten Many thanks for the recommendation. Yes, I've already ordered a second plate because I've got two bodies (an R8 and R9). Good to hear that there is enough friction on the plate not to need the second pin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.