Which tripod head for landscapes

videonastie

videonastie

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I've been doing research into a a new tripod head for my Manfrotto 055CXPRO4.

I mainly want to have ease of use when doing landscapes, which I found a ball-head didn't give me.

The main ones I like the look of are the....

Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head
Manfrotto 327RC2/324RC2

Are there any others that would be recommended by anyone else?
 
Intereesting comment. I am in the same boat but going the other way. I have the 3 way head on my Manfrotto 055 and it drives me bonkers, i am just getting a ball head.

I mainly shoot buildings and landscapes
 
Manfrotto 229 3D Pro Head was my favourite.

I had a Manfrotto 808 RC4 but found the RC4 plates a pain as i had other RC2 stuff.

I currently have the large Manfrotto 498 RC2 but am looking to go back to a 3 way.

For a long time I had a problem leaving me with one good arm and found the Manfrotto 322 grip handy.

I've had a play with a Vanguard GH-100 and that is a pleasure to use.
 
Recently bought myself a 410 and it's great! Not as fast as a trigger type ball head but after fiddling to get both aimed correctly, there's only a second or 2 in it - and the geared head stays exactly where it's pointed. To keep the QR the same as all my other supports, I have a converter plate bolted oto the 410's QR plate. Adds a little to the cost but worth every penny IMO.
 
daugirdas said:
I'd say 410. I'm going to buy one eventually. Fine adjustments can make a real difference
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They do! Being able to place the rim of the moon in the middle of my HS30's AF sensor enabled it to get AF. Unfortunately, it was bleedin' cold so I had to shut the door while I got the manual - I had forgotten which button to press to toggle between shutter speed and aperture in M mode (memory [and, at the moment, skull!] like a sieve...). Got a couple hand held when I had achieved a refresher but far easier on the tripod (the 720mm makes finding the subject awkward - always easier to frame roughly at 200mm or so, then zoom in and adjust the head when the subject's getting too close to the edge.)
 
dinners said:
Manfrotto 229 3D Pro Head was my favourite.
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The 229 looks really big, plus there's not much info about this head. How does it work?
 
I have a 410 and whilst it's possible to get the positioning I want I can't say that I enjoy using it, in fact I find it literally a pain. I find that the controls can be stiff and stick and then suddenly free themselves resulting in a stubbed finger, multiple times, it's worse in the cold weather. I have a ball head too and it is quick and easy to use but suffers the dreaded drop. I usually get it as near as possible and then fine adjust by sliding the tripod leg height.

The best head I've had, all things considered, was a three way but sadly I gave it away when I bought the 410. I find tripods a necessary evil, I don't like using them and if I can avoid them I will.
 
Another vote for the 410, although I accept it's limitations it is a very accurate head.
For instance, it makes aligning for FoCal a dawdle. (AFMA software).
 
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I've got both 405 and 410 geared heads.

If you don't mind the weight the 405 is a lot nicer to use than the 410, bigger smoother controls which are easy to use with gloves on.

I have Arca clamps on mine, a proper Hejnar one on the 410 and a Kirk clamp attached to the standard QR plate on the 405. Both work well and allow me to use an L bracket.

A geared head and an L bracket are a combination I don't think can be beaten for landscapes.
 
videonastie said:
How does the release plate work on the 410?
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To release, press the big silver button on the lever and pull the lever away from the camera until the lever clicks behind the pin. To replace, align the plate on the platform and press gently until the pin releases the lever, To ensure proper clamping and rigidity, push lever gently towards the camera. Camera or plate adaptor is screwed on using either the 1/4" or 3/8" Whiworth machine screws provided - the unused one can be screwed into the bottom of the QR platform for safe keeping.
 
Nod said:
To release, press the big silver button on the lever and pull the lever away from the camera until the lever clicks behind the pin. To replace, align the plate on the platform and press gently until the pin releases the lever, To ensure proper clamping and rigidity, push lever gently towards the camera. Camera or plate adaptor is screwed on using either the 1/4" or 3/8" Whiworth machine screws provided - the unused one can be screwed into the bottom of the QR platform for safe keeping.
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Thanks bud, so it works like most generic quick release plates. :thumbs:
 
Nod said:
To keep the QR the same as all my other supports, I have a converter plate bolted oto the 410's QR plate. Adds a little to the cost but worth every penny IMO.
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I don't suppose you post a pic of that conversion?
 
ive got the 324rc2....

very easily for positioning etc + you can alter the sensitivity of the movement with a dial under the hand held part too..

if your planning on taking photos and stitching them together i dont think there will be any benefit in this lens over others unless you've got a steady hand, but then you'd have one of them with the other heads too...

manfrotto does a dedicated panoramic head if this was you intention, but they arent cheap
 
videonastie said:
Top man, thanks.
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No problem. The adaptor plate can probably be found cheaper but the DCC are my local specialist shop and I have them in my favourites, so less effort than searching for the cheapest supplier! (I'm in there about twice a week and have spent literally thousands with them over the years).
 
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