Used Manfrotto 405 Pro Digital Geared Head with Quick Release - Supports 16.50 lb

2020-07-24T11:28:08

Well constructed, heavy, and rock solid. And after an Arca Swiss plate conversion, its everything I need for years to come. I love the bigger handle that lets you move the gears freely for rough adjustments, before using the end of the handle for fine adjustments. My only complaint is a big one. The precision handles are way too small and way to smooth. They're too small to wrap your hand around, which means you are using your fingertips to turn them. And for a fingertip adjustment, the handles are way too smooth and require a surprising amount of grip and torque to move the gears. Basically there's nothing to grab on to. A longer handle or some kind of ridged surface (like they have for the rough adjustment section) would have solved the problem.

DANE A.

2020-01-20T12:15:13

I decided to try this head to replace my much older Manfroto head. I love the precision geared features. Makes zeroing leveling so much easier and faster. I shoot architecture and this head will be an asset in my future.

PETER B.

2019-08-06T12:15:17

I don't know anyone who makes a better tripod head for precision placement. It's incredibly durable and the controls are very precise and easy, ergonomic. You get what you pay for here.

Peggy B.

2019-07-26T16:06:43

Great head for real estate photography! I would give it 5 stars but the caps for the dials came off the first day. I put skateboard tape on them and it works even better now. Still it’s pretty expensive to have to customize it out of the box.

CLIFF B.

2018-04-10T12:38:25

I used this geared head with a telescope to view the 2017 eclipse. Very easy to make small adjustment to keep the sun in the field of view. Well made.

DANNY M.

2018-03-25T21:21:33

There are a number of bad reviews out there saying this head is not stable enough. If I was shooting outside with wind, I would use my Manfrotto 405 head. For travel and interior shooting, this saves a few pounds (significant). If you use a Sony body with Canon Tilt Shift, the lens adapter had a place to mount the plate. It's very balanced and stable. Travel is a good reason to have this head plus the 405 geared head. This is 1.7 lbs compared to 5 lbs for the Manfrotto 405.

GERALD B.

2018-03-21T12:12:09

Easy to use and great for precision adjustments.

WOLFRAM L.

2017-03-20T17:01:51

I've used this head professionally for 3 1/2 years with no complaints. Woth every penny.

PERRY S.

2016-09-13T14:19:15

Could not live without. Especially for architectural & product photography. I like precision. Best head I've ever owned, worth the price. Just get it!

Diane P.

2013-10-14T21:00:00

This was the second one of these we bought for our test lab. It's super solid, quick to adjust, and just generally well-built.

R E.

2013-06-12T21:00:00

Great for macro photography with long lens and heavy DSLR. Solid build and precise control. Improved my results. Best use is in the lab or studio. But heavy. Not field equipment. Also, don't try to use this for action photography.

Mark M.

2012-12-02T19:00:00

i use it for my product photography

kiran

2012-04-01T21:00:00

I used the Junior version of this in my studio for years and loved it. Then one day I found this one and it's bigger knobs are softer and larger and easier to use with gloves on. The motion is just as smooth, but the quick release knob is larger too and also easier to operate. The only head I'll ever use in my studio. Came here today to buy another one.

GREG C.

2009-02-06T19:00:00

Do not believe the reviews that state that this is a delicate head. It is well constructed and should give you years of use.

M T.

2009-01-20T19:00:00

Great for fine tuning architectural compositions. It saves a lot of time and gives you precise control. The quick release feature on the fine tune adjustment knobs is brilliant.

Sam A.

2008-12-28T19:00:00

The best head going any time precise framing is required. Very smooth movements, and lots of bubble levels and degree wheels make this head a joy to use.

CHARLES C.

2008-12-28T19:00:00

I use this head for macro (Canon 40D+Tamron 180mm+macro rails), and movie projector on the side as well. An over kill for my purpose but works great for me. It does creek a little over time (as in movie projector's case, you can see the movie screen a little tilted after a few hours. But I've never have any problem for regular macro shootings. Considering the price, there might be better options out there. But I use quite a few Manfrottos at home, and I like their overall solid middle class way of doing things - reasonable priced, solid build with ease of use. I read some pros complained about creek for long exposures and used on large frame camera. Have no experience there myself. All I can say is for regular macro work, this thing is fantastic!

YUNMING C.

2008-01-26T19:00:00

The Pro-Digital Geared Head is a solid unit, with quick adjustments and geared adjustments with no backlash. It is a rugged unit and should last a very long time, at a price that is affordable compared to other heads. I found this unit especially useful in macro photography and portraits, allowing the ability for framing to be spot on, and reproducible if need be.

Fine P.