Manfrotto 460MG head

AndWhyNot

AndWhyNot

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Anyone using one, or ruled one out of a purchase decision?

I bought one back in September as I needed to replace a broken head at short notice and it was the only one in stock near me. It got me out of a hole at the time but the trouble now is I'm finding a couple of issues with it.

Firstly, the various joints always settle when I'm tightening up the thumbscrews, meaning that the camera position ends up noticeably different to how it was first composed. Nothing that a little rotation in PP won't fix but annoying nonetheless.

Secondly, and this is the bigger issue, over the course of a long exposure (30+ secs) there's always some movement. This is a big problem for me as almost all my leisure shooting and 50% of my commercial stuff is LE work at night. The net result is tiny little light trails from any light sources within the frame, and a demonstrable lack of sharpness around the subject.

So, anyone else experience this with a 460MG (or other head, so I know what to steer clear of), and which heads might you recommend to replace it, based on first-hand experience of their stability over long exposures? FWIW, legs are 055XPROB and camera ranges from D80 w/ 10-20 to D300 w/ 70-200 f/2.8 (I know, this last combo is a bit close to the rated weight).
 
AndWhyNot said:
Anyone using one, or ruled one out of a purchase decision?

I bought one back in September as I needed to replace a broken head at short notice and it was the only one in stock near me. It got me out of a hole at the time but the trouble now is I'm finding a couple of issues with it.

Firstly, the various joints always settle when I'm tightening up the thumbscrews, meaning that the camera position ends up noticeably different to how it was first composed. Nothing that a little rotation in PP won't fix but annoying nonetheless.

Secondly, and this is the bigger issue, over the course of a long exposure (30+ secs) there's always some movement. This is a big problem for me as almost all my leisure shooting and 50% of my commercial stuff is LE work at night. The net result is tiny little light trails from any light sources within the frame, and a demonstrable lack of sharpness around the subject.

So, anyone else experience this with a 460MG (or other head, so I know what to steer clear of), and which heads might you recommend to replace it, based on first-hand experience of their stability over long exposures? FWIW, legs are 055XPROB and camera ranges from D80 w/ 10-20 to D300 w/ 70-200 f/2.8 (I know, this last combo is a bit close to the rated weight).
Click to expand...

No experience with the head you mention..

What is your budget for a new head?

I use a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/gallery/BH55LR.png

Absolutely no chance of that creeping during long exposures, I can tell you!
 
markta said:
No experience with the head you mention..

What is your budget for a new head?

I use a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/gallery/BH55LR.png

Absolutely no chance of that creeping during long exposures, I can tell you!
Click to expand...

Budget, if I could get the job done for £100-120 I'd be happy. I'll be returning the 460MG as not fit for purpose - don't think it'll surprise the shop as I've already returned one in pieces :whistling:
 
AndWhyNot said:
FWIW, legs are 055XPROB and camera D300 w/ 70-200 f/2.8 (I know, this last combo is a bit close to the rated weight).
Click to expand...

That'll be your problem, I have the same combo and head, and it is too heavy for the MG. I mostly use it with the D300 and 50mm f1.4G.

I dont use the tripod much but bought the 460MG for it's light weight - I use it with the 190xProB - as i was travelling to NZ and wanted portability.

I was thinking of the oil damped ball head....
 
darrenb said:
That'll be your problem, I have the same combo and head, and it is too heavy for the MG. I mostly use it with the D300 and 50mm f1.4G.
Click to expand...

I know the D300 with a big lens is pushing it but the same happens with my lighter kit. Only advantage is that any slippage is less noticeable in the final image with a wide angle fitted.
 
AndWhyNot said:
I know the D300 with a big lens is pushing it but the same happens with my lighter kit. Only advantage is that any slippage is less noticeable in the final image with a wide angle fitted.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there's a small degree of unwanted flex in the MG, so i do know what you mean...have you decided on a replacement or narrowed it down to any choices yet...?
 
I also had this head, briefly. After a very short while I got rid and bought the 410 Junior geared head. Job done !! Never use anything else.
 
Key advantage the 410 has in framing is that all the adjustment is done with lens weight already on the gears; hence there is no slack, no flex, no settling. Perfect alignment every time. I was loaned a 410 for a play earlier in the year and bought one on the strength of that - wish I'd got it years ago.

P.S. No idea why it is called a junior head.
I was lent it by a landscape tog who uses with a field camera - it is capable of genuinely taking the equipment weight it is rated for.
It's also very robust - I was recently stood next to a tog who knocked their tripod over; mercifully their camera was not on at the time. 410 head was completely undamaged but the giotto legs snapped clean off between the top of the column and under the circular head mounting plate. Before anyone asks, sorry but I don't know which model, but they are supposed to be a pretty study and only bought about a year ago.
 
Blimey - I don't think I've ever seen the weight in print before - that's a lot - that's as much as my usual lens and body combined!!!!

I do know that when the 410 head is stuck on my 055CXPRO3 legs the balance point is just below the tripod head mounting plate which looks very very odd- now I know why!

Bloomin good head though!
 
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