Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

What can I say, the best heavy duty rigid Locking, and I mean it LOCKS, around? There's enough spirit levels on this thing, as even a pro can get lost in composition and regret it later. Not too many of us will admit it.

There is no such thing as too rigid. You will never know how good your glass is until it is dead still. I do landscapes on this head with a medium format film camera, often with the lens stopped down to f32 or smaller. I often sell 30" x 40" prints, and things just have to be dead still plus the head cannot slip (that's what happens when you try to save money and weight). For you serious amateurs and enthusiasts, yes thousands of dollars have been sold in prints doing things the right way. Just a friendly note to you guys this is the way to go!

I'm replacing an underrated junior head with this and fell in love with the lack of hassle and ease of use.

I cannot stress the point enough that if you love photography, buy smart and rigid. Some of my setups with camera, lens and sometimes flash can exceed 10 lbs. Don't hesitate to buy this for 35mm or digital either. The purpose of the review is to point out the head. Personally I shoot fine grain professional medium format film, and the comparison in digital terms of the size of the negative vs. grain and digital cannot coincide in detail. Pro film can easily yield an equivalent to 60 mega-pixels or greater on medium format, and there are no digital gradation steps. So much for the lecture, the detail is in the details and this head is that good, period.

I use this head on the 055XWNB Legs, and have no regrets whatsoever.

I use 35mm and digital when appropriate, and on this setup. The spring stabilizer release feature with the much lighter cameras is very useful in the "Portrait" position flipped on the side (the springs are strong, and it helps or hinders depending).

If you need a head that folds very compact, this might not be the best choice for travel. In that case, the compact geared heads are as compact as you can get, I have the the 410, and the 405 would be your best bets.

However for the purist, this is the ONE. And if you wonder about the quick release, don't even worry, please. I trust over 10 grand in the back and the lenses on mine. It won't fall off, you have to press a secondary lever to release, and its not accidental. Buy extra plates if you have more than one camera, you will be stoked on how quick you can setup.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

This allows for good movement after focus to compose. A bit awkward at first...took a little time, but don't get this if you are looking for something lightweight. Haven't tried it any for panning to this point, but should work well for that also.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

This tripod head is great. It has one minor problem that is easily compensated for. The degrees on the vertical tilt access are off by a few degrees when everything is leveled up.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

Use this head with a 400mm telephoto primarily to photograph whales. Makes shooting and getting great photos a breeze. Safety release prevents accidental dropping of valuable gear.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

I'm pretty satisfied with it's build quality and flexibility. Flawless combo when paired w/ Manfrotto's 055XPROB.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

I use for nature photography. The head provides a very solid foundation but is definitely bulky and heavy. The adjustment arms really don't collapse much and so when you take this with you, you really have to want to take it with you.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

Very good product , slightly heavier than I thought. Well Designed.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

Bogen-Manfrotto hit another home run with this head. This is a very solid piece of heavy-duty equipment. Paired with the Bogen-Manfrotto 410PL Accessory Plate 1/4 3/8"F/410 and the Bogen-Manfrotto 055XWNB Wilderness Tripod Legs, you have a very solid and versatile foundation for your camera gear. It is hard to find a better setup, and that is why I bought one for my wife.

If you are new into photography, I suggest you get the same gear that I mentioned and it will be the last time you will need to get a tripod setup. I have many friends that tried all kinds of cheaper combinations, and they all ended up spending more money than I did due to them having to upgrade to better gear because the old gear did not get the job done. Now the majority of them have the exact same setup I have been preaching for a while.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

This is a great tripod head, movements are smooth and locks firmly in place. Can't say anything bad about this product.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

I bought the 808RC4 to support a 400mm lens. It took some getting use to adjusting it horizontally. It would move after I let go of the camera. I learned not to be holding the camera or lens while making the final adjustments. I only hold the horizontal clamp handle while tightening it down.

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

I am happy wiht this product

Comments about Bogen Imaging Bogen - Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release - Supports 17.6 lbs:

Nice and smooth