Geared heads that are good enough for 4 kg MFD cameras

[torger]

Geared heads are expensive, but eventually I got tired of the play of my Manfrotto 410 (it shifted positions slightly every time I slided in the sliding back on my Linhof Techno) so I eventually got an Arca-Swiss D4 and lived happily ever after.

A friend of mine needs to upgrade the 410 sooner or later and the question is what alternatives there are out there today.

Arca-Swiss Cube
Linhof 3D Micro (less flexible cube, but also a bit less costly, at least in Europe)
PhotoClam Multiflex (AS Cube ripoff, almost as expensive as the original)
Arca-Swiss D4
KPS T5 (geared ballhead, unique(?) design)

Sunwayfoto GH-Pro (lighter D4 copy)
Manfrotto 410 (quite heavy, has issues with play)
Manfrotto 405 (very heavy, no good for field use)
...plus probably a bunch of super-heavy studio stuff, but interested in heads for field use here 1.5kgs or lighter

As far as I know the first five are up to the task of handling the weight of a view camera with sliding back, but all of those are also rather expensive. The Sunwayfoto GH-Pro is the most interesting budget alternative as it seems, but I haven't been able to find any information on how well it really handles the heavier cameras. Anyone who knows?

Also, I'd like to know if there are any more heads to add to the list above.

 

[Kolor-Pikker]

I have a Man. 405 on my Gitzo and it's fine with my 645Z, no trouble using it outside the studio, but I think I'd want something a little higher-end for a camera that weighs nearly twice as much as the Z.

 

[Paul2660]

I use the Arca D4 geared head, on both my DF+, and rm3di, no problems. Also use it with Nikon bodies and large glass.

Paul C

 

[torger]

I have a Man. 405 on my Gitzo and it's fine with my 645Z, no trouble using it outside the studio, but I think I'd want something a little higher-end for a camera that weighs nearly twice as much as the Z.

Maybe the 405 could work, but at 1600 grams I think it would be a bit heavy to carry around mounted on top of the tripod. All these heads are on the heavy side, I don't remember exactly what my D4 is weighing I think it's something like 900 grams with clamp, and that was a significant improvement in "tripod balance" when carrying compared to my 410 which is 1400 grams, or probably a bit more since I added a Hejnar photo arca clamp to it.

The GH-Pro is even lighter than the D4 which makes it attractive from that aspect, but as said I don't really know if it's up to the task.

 

[vjbelle]

The Cube, for sure, is up to the task. Its also a lot lighter than 1.5kg. Not meant for harsh conditions though.

Victor

 

[mjr]

Anders, did you buy your D4 in Sweden?

Mat

 

[torger]

The TPS K5 is maybe the cheapest you can get sub 1400grams that is up for the task? It costs about $900 and weights 820 grams.

The GH-Pro is $500 and 670 grams, but I've seen comments saying that it has considerable "backlash", as a non-native English speaker I'm not sure what that means but I assume it means that it has play and/or it would slightly shift position when you slide in the sliding back for example, like my 410 did.

I've also noted quite some sample variation concerning play between different 410 heads, and that is also one thing to consider. Arca-Swiss is top notch quality of course, but it comes at a price.

I'm not talking about someone that's bought a IQ350 back an Alpa and Rodie 32 here, but instead my friend got the whole camera for $3800 (MF-two + sliding back, and a old hassy back already owned), and then spending $1700 for a A/S Cube can feel a bit hefty

 

[torger]

Anders, did you buy your D4 in Sweden?

Mat

No I ordered it on the web from Arca-Shop.de . It seems that and Robert White - Specialist Photographic Suppliers are the two main places Swedes order their D4's and Cubes (both within EU, ie no import tax), but they're always out of stock... so you have to wait many weeks before you get it :-/

I guess you can order it directly from the "source" Bienvenue sur Arca-Swiss-magasin.com but I think few does that as it's easier to talk to the actual shops.

 

[Kolor-Pikker]

Maybe the 405 could work, but at 1600 grams I think it would be a bit heavy to carry around mounted on top of the tripod. All these heads are on the heavy side, I don't remember exactly what my D4 is weighing I think it's something like 900 grams with clamp, and that was a significant improvement in "tripod balance" when carrying compared to my 410 which is 1400 grams, or probably a bit more since I added a Hejnar photo arca clamp to it.

The GH-Pro is even lighter than the D4 which makes it attractive from that aspect, but as said I don't really know if it's up to the task.

The 405 definitely makes the balance lopsided on a carbon-fiber tripod, but it's not bothersome to me, the whole thing still weighs around the same as my old Mann aluminum tripod that was both smaller and considerably less stable.
It has a very tall profile due to it being a pan/tilt design, compared to a D4 or Cube that rotate around an axis closer to the base.

 

[archivue]

The Cube is better for table top photography... otherwise the D4 is fine !

 

[dougpeterson]

I guess you can order it directly from the "source" Bienvenue sur Arca-Swiss-magasin.com but I think few does that as it's easier to talk to the actual shops.

There is no official Arca Swiss website. That is a dealer's website.

We carry the D4 and Cube and it's definitely my recommendation for geared heads.

 

[torger]

There is no official Arca Swiss website. That is a dealer's website.

Thanks for pointing that out, I did not know.

 

[torger]

We carry the D4 and Cube and it's definitely my recommendation for geared heads.

Have you tried the GH-Pro or the KPS T5 so you know how they perform? I think those two are the most interesting in terms of price/performance. Everyone knows the D4 and Cube are great, but they're also very expensive, and also quite difficult to get.

When the D4 was new, the Manfrotto 410 was the number one budget alternative, and sure it works but it has some issues with sample variation and play and it's heavy. Now there are some new(ish) products and it would be interesting to know if any of those could step in is as a higher quality but still budget (or at least somewhat cheaper) alternative to the excellent Arca products.

 

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

I found resistance was futile and was assimilated several years ago by The Cube. It easily handles Phase One body, back and their heaviest lenses. Apart from having to replace a couple of the knobs' rubber grips (thank you, Rod!) it has performed flawlessly in heat and snow and ice!

 

[tjv]

I bought a demo unit, old style Linhof 3D head from Paula at an insane discount a while back. Was about the same price as the Manfrotto. Maybe she has some stock left?

 

[fotophil]

I’ll cast another vote for the geared D4. It’s very hard to beat the convenience of the geared drives for precision adjustments and the quick unlock clutches for gross adjustments. The D4 is an amazing head in the field and has replaced my Cube for everything except for heavy Better Light Scan Back setups with RZ67 and view cameras.

 

[GrahamWelland]

For geared heads the D4 and Cube are my choice. I actually use the D4 more now than the Cube as I've also run into the issue of the rubber knob coverings wearing/breaking eventually plus the D4 has the releasable locks and so a little quicker to adjust, especially if it's cold (when the Cube can get 'stiff'). The D4 is a little less top heavy on a CF tripod - the Cube is fine on the Gitzo SGT but a little unbalanced on my RRS 34.

If it's just weight that you are concerned about taming then any Arca ball head will handle this albeit without the fine control of a geared head.

I've looked at the KPS-T5 and it also seems to work well. I don't own one myself but others think highly of it.

 

[danlindberg]

I have used a Linhof 3D Micro for many years now and find it a good solid companion.
My, by far, heaviest configuration is Hblad Cfi 40 IF - Alpa Max - Alpa FPS - Credo 60 and this the Linhof can handle without problems.
The limited tilting actually never cause frustration since I extend the legs so that the head is roughly level and then just finetune it.
The only minus I can think of is that the smaller knobs that fasten the pano movement are too small. You need to tighten them rather hard to prevent a heavy cam to move sideways.

 

[torger]

The only minus I can think of is that the smaller knobs that fasten the pano movement are too small. You need to tighten them rather hard to prevent a heavy cam to move sideways.

That is actually a minor problem with the D4 too (and Cube). I work with the camera perpendicular to the ground sometimes, and then you need to use the top pano to adjust the leveling of the camera, which is not really ideal especially with a camera with a sliding back which makes it unbalanced (it wants to tip to one side), but it's acceptable as I don't do it often. The Manfrottos are actually better in this particular use case as all three axis are geared. I like the 410 except for the quality issues, if it had existed in an A/S type of quality I may have preferred that design, but weight is important to me too though and the Manfrottos are really heavy.

 

[torger]

I have some slim hope that the GH-Pro may be a useful upgrade to the 410 for my friend, but I'd like to hear from someone that's tested the head.

I suspect though that it's not much of an improvement and it will be better for him to stay on the 410 until he forgets about how much the latest batch of photo gear shopping costed and then take the jump to some of the established high ends. I will then recommend the D4...