Lighter weight and cheaper than Manfrotto 410 3 way head?

[rustyair]

Hi, I'm about to purchase the Manfrotto 410 3 way head if I can't find any other cheaper and lighter weight 3 way head. I'm using a Shen Hao 4x5 field camera.Please recommend me one. Thanks,

[Steve Barber]

I have not found anything smaller than the 400 that will come close to its performance on its heavier tripod. I have tried the 410 and 405 and did not care for either. The next step down for me is a Ries with a J-250 double tilt head. What I found and like for use with a lighter tripod is the 460MG I normally use for MF. I have it on a Gitzo G1228MK2 and it will support any camera and lens combination I have when they are capable of being adequately supported by that tripod. When conditions are more demanding, using longer, heavier lenses, it’s back to the Ries or the 400 on heavier tripods.

Manfrotto 460MG 3D Magnesium Head with RC2 Quick Release:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553704-REG/Manfrotto_460MG_460MG_3D_Magnesium_Head.html

[rustyair]

Thanks Steve, Have you tried the 460MG with 4x5? Any creeping problems? I have only two lenses, Schneider 75mm and 210mm.

[Steve Barber]

Thanks Steve, Have you tried the 460MG with 4x5? Any creeping problems? I have only two lenses, Schneider 75mm and 210mm.

The 4x5 I normally use with this tripod and head is a small non-folder that will accommodate a lens of up to a focal length of 180mm and, with a 135mm lens, weighs about 4 pounds. The 460MG does not creep, in fact, it is the only smaller head I have that does not have problems with a Canon EOS-1 Ds and its 100-400 zoom lens turned to position the camera for a vertical frame when using that lens. What it does have is a certain amount of “springiness” that I find objectionable using the larger 4x5 weighing about 7.5 pounds with a 150mm lens. I notice this when changing film holders. Everything settles down and I have had no sharpness issues with the smaller cameras, even with heavier lenses like a 90mm Super Angulon XL or the zoom lens extended to 400mm on the DSL. But, with the larger 4x5 and longer focal length lenses, I would be concerned about the longitudinal rocking motion being a problem.

[Ed Bray]

I have a 410 head and use it all the time with my Horseman LX with lenses up to a 300mm f5.6 Symmar-S and will be using it with a 360mm f9 Apo Ronar as well when it arrives later today. I have found the geared head to be exceptional when fine movements are called for and there is no creep at all once the allen bolts for each movement have been tightened. I use the head on either my Manfrotto 058 tripod (occasionally) or on my Gitzo 2530 lvl tripod (most of the time). I am going to pick another up when I have the cash to save having to change them over.

[rustyair]

Thanks guys. My Shen Hao and 210mm weights 6.49 pounds total. Since the 460mg supports 6.6 pounds and 410 weight 3 times more than 460mg, I think I should be Ok with the 460mg.

[Doremus Scudder]

I've been using a non-geared Junior 3D head with my Wista DXs and Horeseman Woodman cameras for years with great results. It's small, less than half the weight of the 400 but without quick release and gears. I like it because I can loosen all three movements and use it like a ball head, but also adjust one movement at a time.

See here http://www.manfrotto.com/3d-junior-camera-head

It handles up to 300mm lenses on my Wistas (Nikkor M on a top-hat board). Should be fine with your Shen Hao and 210mm.

Best,

Doremus