Manfrotto Junior Geared Tripod Head, for Camera Tripods, High-Precision Fluid Head, Photography Equipment, Camera, for Professional Photographers

This is an excellent tripod head, well made, solid, probably the best value for money for macro and landscapes where precision is more important than speed . Do not waste your money on Arca Swiss Cube , this geared head does the same and costs ten times less ... Obviously this is not head for sports or action photography , but for "quiet" photography (macro, landscapes, studio,etc.) is extremely useful and is really a joy to use . I use it mainly for macro with heavy equipment , camera + bellows + heavy positioning stage + lens and flash occasionally , on a mini wooden tripod Berlebach and the set is rock solid , very important for macro photography and especially for large magnifications and when working with natural light and long exposures .In short, if you do sports and action photography, buy a good ball head, will be better for you, but if yours is the macro this is your head , believe me, not worth spending more money , this tripod head is sufficiently solid and flexible and also cheap, what more could you want? I recommend it 100% !

This head is very well made. The machining is very precise, the gear action very smooth and the locks and design very ergonomic.Given it's capability and size it is very light and is well proportioned on a normal size tripod. The knobs instead of leavers makes it much more compact than many 3-way heads and they are very easy to reach and adjust. The little spirit-level is very useful and efficient given it's size. I hadn't used a geared head before and no amount of marketing talk can help you understand how much better this system is from precise framing of landscape, macro, portraits etc. It is so much better than a normal 3 way head and gives the kind of precision you can never get from a ballhead.The only thing I don't like about it is the quick-release plate. It would be fine for anyone using a medium-format camera but apart from those still shooting film there aren't too many affordable medium format digital backs. Most of using are using 35mm dSLRs and the quick-release plate is way to big for such cameras as it tends to be much wider that the camera base itself. The manfrotto QR system is also quite poor as the only thing stopping the camera from twisting on the plate itself is the friction of the rubber pad underneath. The Arca Swiss system is much better as it allows the use of custom plates for your camera machined to fit the body and thus there is not twisting action. I decided to couple an arca swiss base plate on top of the manfrotto plate - it works but of course is a bit clunky.

I have various heads for my tripods but this is the one that will travel with me in future unless weight is a major problem. The ball heads that I have ( manfrotto & Giottos ) can move after setting making it difficult to get and maintain exact framing. Additionally they have a habit of loosening during adjustment so that the overall position of the camera is lost. A planned holiday to the arctic to photograph the Aurora led me to buy the geared head as I though that it would minimise fumbling in the dark and ease the framing issues - also its tight lock on a frame would allow remote (huddled against the wind with hands in pockets) operation of the camera once the original setup was done.In practice the head realised all of my expectations. It is sturdy, allowed quick initial positioning followed by precise alignment and problem free movement of the frame in all 3 axes. The geared controls worked easily with gloves in temperatures down to -10degrees C. This is called a "Junior Head" and I worried that it might be lightly made or the gearing be sloppy - not so! It is extermely solid and well built with no backlash on the gearing. I was using the relatively weighty combination of a Nikon D300 with an 18-200 Nikkor lens and never felt any need for a sturdier platform ( when combined with Velbon Sherpa 6300 tripod ). Some reviews have commented that the head does not allow you point the camera at high elevations - just extent the centre pole of the tripod a little and mount the camera on on the base-plate the opposite way from that indicated and Bob's your proverbial. NB This head is referred to as the "Junior Geared Head" or the Manfrotto 410 geared head head - both terms now seem to refer to the same product. It is an excellent buy.

The Manfrotto 410 Geared Head is a massive asset to both the keen macro photographer, and like me, the budding novice astrophotographer. Allowing manipulation of rotation around all 3 axis with precise control helps to align and position anything mounted on the sturdy quick release plate. Well built with good fine control, however through a telescope there is very very slight play on the controls but this is no big deal really. Well worth the price and arrived super quick via Calumet Photography.. Just wish the British weather was as reliable and as controlable as this product..

It's all I hoped it would be. Far superior to ball head used previously. Easy to set up and use. Fast action with pin-point accuracy and control. In use with a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod. Combined weight 3 kg. Feels rock solid.My main camera system is a lightweight Sony A6000 but has a (relatively) hefty Sony SEL18-200mm hanging off the front of it. But the max load of the tripod/head was never going to be seriously challenged with my kit.Only had it a couple of weeks and been out two whole days with it so far. Cannot therefore comment on durability, but can see no reason to be concerned as the mechanisms are smooth and the entire item gives the impression of being sturdily built to last. I'm a keen amateur and it's unlikely to be tested by me in the most rugged circumstances. Nevertheless, for those interested, I've protected it and the tripod with a Manfrotto 80 cm padded bag. Also a very worthwhile high quality finished item. My combined tripod and head assembly fits easily and well into this bag with room for packing soft clothing or snacks/ bottled water should it be required. Very impressed with both these purchases so far. Love it.