3047 head or 3057

[dan_3937]

I've been using a Manfrotto 3221 with a 3030 head for my smaller camera. I've recently purchased a Toyo 4x5 field camera and don't think the 3030 head is going to cut it. The quick release plate is very small. What I was wondering was whether I should replace it with a 3047 head or the 3057. The 3047 is where I am leaning since it might be a compromise between the large format camera and my Mamiya 645. However, if there is a question about the QR plate being too small for 4x5, I'd rather go with the 3057.

What do you think? Thanks. Dan

[Ralph Barker]

I use 3047 heads on both the 3221 and 3251 legs, with cameras up to and including 8x10. I think you'll find it adequate for your Toyo 4x5 field camera, and easy to use with smaller cameras, as well.

[Peter Witkop]

I use a 3047 head with my cambo 4x5, and it works just fine, the QR plate is stable. With my cambo the tripod mouting block is smaller than the area of the QR plate and with the rubber pad allowed for some movement, I just replaced the rubber pad with a mount board scrap cut to size. I haven't had to do tha with my field camera, since the mounting area of that camera is larger than the plate, so I suspect you wouldn't even deal with that problem with your toyo.

Peter

[Gem Singer]

Hi Dan,

I just checked the B&H website and notice that the Bogen/Manfrotto 3057 tripod head is no longer listed. It is possible that it has been discontinued.

My Toyo 45AII camera is mounted on a slightly heavier weight Bogen/Manfrotto 3233 leg set, with a 329 tripod head. The quick release plate on the 3030 head is about the same size as the QR plate on the 329 head. Even though it is small, it may work O.K. on your Toyo field camera. Try it out before you make the decision to get the larger, heavier 3047 tripod head.

I also have a 3021 leg set, and find that the combination of the 3021 (silver finish, instead of the black finish on your 3221) and the 3047 tripod head makes for a top heavy tripod set-up. Especially with the heavier Toyo 45AII camera mounted on it.

[Diane Maher]

I have a 3001 Bogen tripod and use a 3047 head on it for a Toyo 45AII. I also use the 3047 head for my Agfa/Ansco 8x10 (different tripod though), but I use the larger 4 in. quick release plate with that camera.

[Anthony J. Kohler]

Bogen still lists the 3057 head on their website. However, you might also give some consideration to the 3257 geared head. It's compact, precise and I found it a lot easier to use for LF than the 3047 pan-tilt head.

[Brian Ellis]

I'll second Anthony's suggestion with respect to the 3257. I used the 3047 on a Gitzo 1325 tripod for four or five years with several different 4x5 cameras weighing in the 6 pound range and IIRC also with an 8x10 Deardorff weighing 12 lbs. I liked the head fine for landscape but I became frustrated with my difficulty in geting lines perfectly straight with architecture. No matter how hard I tried I always seemed to be just the tiniest bit off. I replaced the 3047 with the 3257 geared head and it's been a dream to use, especially when I replaced the QR plate that comes with the head with a Kirk Arca Swiss adapter and then put the Kirk 4"x4" Arca style square plate on the camera. But whether you replace the standard plate or not, the 3257 is a real pleasure to use.