I have a 4x5 Technical camera and would like to mount it on my gitzo tripod. I would like to carry the camera attached to the tripod.!! What would be the best head and locking system so I don't have to worry about the camera falling off????? Thanks Jim Rose
Arca-Swiss or Ries
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
-Francis Bacon
Most quick release heads have a second (safety) catch.
For the TC and my other gear I like the Manfrotto 410 geared head for its fine adjustability when leveling.
If you want to have a heavier geared head they have the 405 and 400.
Mind you: there is nothing "Junior" about the 410: it holds my RB67 with ease.
Peter
Get a used Gitzo Rational Series 5 head. It has a large platform and slot. At the back of the slot, there's about 1/2" of metal. Use a hack saw to cut that off, which is really easy. Now take the tripod screw and screw it into the camera just until the threads disappear. The screw will now slide right onto the head. Tighten and the camera is very secure. If your camera has two mounting holes, then put a camera screw in both and slide them on the head. That way there's no chance of the camera spinning.
The ARCA style quick release is really nice, as John has already mentioned. I recommend one of the Giotto's ARCA-style clamps. Their big one runs about $60, including a nice plate.
See:
http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-QR-Ada.../dp/B001941WGW
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
I was actually looking for a new head for my tripod as well. I have the Manfrotto 3221 with a proball 308RC, needless to say that I really don't want the ball any longer. I can live with the quick release because it makes for a faster break down. Any thoughts on the head I should get. I was looking at a 3 way but also think I should get a larger plate since I will be using it with the 4x5 field camera.
Any thought would be helpful.
santo
The perfect head for your 4x5 field is the Manfrotto 410 geared head.
Large mounting plate and a lot heavier than their description "Junior" ......
I bought one from a cathalogue and had it send to me to Brazil to use it with some heavy DSLR.
When it finaly arrived it seemed to be a bit too heavy for what I had in mind.
It works great with a RB67 and it will with your camera.
Peter
Thanks Peter. Does the 410 have the second saftey latch? Jim
Thanks Peter. Jim, I think there is a quick release for this head but I could not find out for sure. Here is the link for the head.
http://www.manfrotto.com/page3752.html
It sells for about $200.
More than I really wanted to spend, but hey you only live once. I'll check it out on tuesday when I'm at BH. I'll let you know whats the down low on the head.
santo
I also have a 410. It's a nice head, although I don't like the quick release system. An Arca-style clamp solves that problem.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
It has a large (8,5x6,5 cm) quick release plate with second safety latch.
It comes with 2 camera screws: one 1/4 and one 3/8, either of them can be stored below the quick release plate holder.
Peter
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