Tripod Head Recommendations for 4x5

[dbla]

Hello all,

I am looking to upgrade my tripod head, ideally to something geared. Getting into this I was hoping to spend < $400, but ultimately this path led me to a phone call to Rob Klukas and I'm not considering Arca-Swiss heads and that budget is looking less realistic.

I have a simple Manfrotto 190GO set of legs, but my old pan head is starting to give up the ghost. Last time I was out with it; it caused some serious pucker-factor when the up down pan handle stopped griping and my camera wound up pointing straight up to the sky. (it was fine)

Currently I am considering either the:

Arca Swiss P0 Hybrid (per Rod's suggestion)

or

Arca Swiss Leveler Classic 60 (per my research and lusting after the Cube, just not the Cube's price)

Both of these stretch my budget considerably, almost to the point of discomfort -- am I missing any other good options out there? I know you get what you pay for, and I'm okay with doing that if it's needed... but I figured a room poll would be wise first.

Thanks!

[Richard Wasserman]

Manfrotto 410

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ared_Head.html

[dbla]

Manfrotto 410

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ared_Head.html

I have one of these coming to try out tomorrow actually -- Was just raising my eyebrow at the 11lb capacity. My heaviest camera is just under 7lbs so I guess that'd be fine.

[EBJohnson]

There’s a Benro geared head (they inly have the one) that does a decent job. It could be a touch more robust, but when I bought it I had no interest in buying a $400 head also. Pretty sure the Bento is $200-250ish. It’s definitely serviceable.


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[Willie]

Velbon is a maker known for cheap junk. They do make a model PH-270 tripod head that is basically the older Husky Quick Set head - very solid and works well for 4x5 and 5x7. A bit light for 8x10. You have to find them on the used market.

[Kiwi7475]

The RSS BH-40 is about $400 with the screw knob. 18 lbs max load and weights 16 oz.

[dbla]

There’s a Benro geared head (they inly have the one) that does a decent job. It could be a touch more robust, but when I bought it I had no interest in buying a $400 head also. Pretty sure the Bento is $200-250ish. It’s definitely serviceable.


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I actually just returned this. The top-most knob actually prevented my Wista from mounting to the head itself.

[Drew Wiley]

Is this for field use? Note the weight of that Manfrotto head - more than half the weight of your camera itself!

[dbla]

Is this for field use? Note the weight of that Manfrotto head - more than half the weight of your camera itself!

Which one? Haha.

[EBJohnson]

I actually had to buy a really long Arca plate to make it work how I wanted... Since it would work, just enough clearance, after it was mounted... but didn't quite have the room to mount easily on my Canham... but I've used the head on Cambo SC and Crown Graphic...