Manfrotto MHXPRO-3WG XPRO Geared Quick Release Head, Black

I invested in a new tripod system recently and purchased a Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 Carbon tripod then I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what head to buy for it. After loads of research I eventually settled for this head with the adapto body and levers. I have to say that I am delighted with it. I am using a mirrorless camera system which is very lightweight so my new support system is extremely capable. I used the system recently to photograph a sunrise and couldnt have been happier with the way this head works, the adapto body levers allow for fast movement and then you can fine tune your composition using the micrometric knobs. I noticed quickly that having the option to fine tune your frame really makes you think more about the composition but having this level of "micro" control really makes a big difference. One thing that I read about when researching was that the tilt movement could only work 20 degrees when orientated from the normal operating position but this is easily overcome by turning the mounting plate on the camera and connecting it onto the head backwards. Which allows a 90 degree tilt...this alone will make a massive difference for lining up the stars and with the micrometric adjustment positioning those stars exactly where I want them should be enjoyable and easy. There are also levelling bubbles on every axis making squaring up your frame relatively easy. Another thing I read about this head prior to purchase ... that I can now comment on is the small issue of once you use the adjustment levers to make a large adjustment and then go on operate the micrometric knob you can feel the gears re engaging with a small sudden movement. What I have found with this is that you actually get a feel for when it is properly engaged after a large movement and when it is not. It is actually possible to engage it using the large lever once you are familiar with it. I dont really see this as a negative thing at all as it makes sense when you think about how the geared system works. The head is well made and feels good quality it is designed very nicely, easy and comfortable to use. As with all things Manfrotto looks quite smart too. Overall very happy with this piece of kit.

Lets dispense with the bad, that isn't really bad at all. Ok, it's true that this head doesn't have the highest payload, and is made of a large degree of rigid plastic. Consequently, it suffers from a small degree of "drift/flex" when attaching older Lee-filter styled attachments to a longer lens on a DSLR body. Simply put, it's hard for a light weight head to fight the forces of a lot of leverage forces on top of heavier loads. However, this is largely "a moot point" unless you're installing VERY dark ND filters after "dialing in" your precise position... and with that long lens leverage and jiggling the filter into place... you can't be sure that the head hasn't moved, and thus your composition might be a little off. We're not talking a lot, just a few degrees.. unless you're swinging from your camera lens.... Of course, if you happen to have the newer magnetically attached filters, (vastly reducing the forces on the head) or you can dial the live view on manual up to 30 second (or beyond) exposures... so that it CAN see through the filter... (I've done it with my R72 infrared filters, and even ND8 (0.9) easily enough) to readjust the head after the fact.... then these aren't really issues at all... and we can say from experience that this drift issue is worst with large and heavy DSLR rigs. Which is how we've tested it in "the worst situations".... But you might not need to worry if you use this head with any sense at all. Given that mirrorless cameras are getting lighter, and the longer mirrorless lenses coming out now are often 30% lighter and 25% shorter than their DSLR counterparts... (this of course varies) those with smaller/lighter rigs will notice that the payload/drift issue is reduced if not eliminated. Even if you were using a DSLR, you'd likely be using a wide angle lens in most architectural/real estate situations (probably the dominant styles of photography that use a geared head).. you're still WELL within the limits because the lenses are both lighter and shorter by their nature. So let's discuss what that plastic construction (despite it's issues) gains you: 1. Notably lighter than all of the Manfrotto geared head range. One of the lightest available... period. 2. Much lower price point (particularly on sale). 3. The easiest and fastest to use "clutch" system that has the least "side effects"... For point three, let me explain: Ok, geared heads are great for precision movements and composition, but for quick movements, you need to be able to "disengage the gears" otherwise you'll spend all day dialing in your shots. This head is unique in that the adjustment knobs are also levers. Simply squeeze the lever closer to the adjustment knob axis, and the gears disengage, move it around as you wish, then simply ease back the lever. No additional knobs to twist (that are quite hard on the hands), and I can assure you, spring-loaded knob clutches are RSI/MSD/arthritis aggravating (if not causing). I know this because I've used them... and I'm not getting any younger. ALL of the other brands (Benro, K & F, even the other Manfrotto heads) use secondary knobs which work well.. but if you're using it as a "work horse" head... the clutch knobs are notoriously "firm" to twist... that takes a toll doing it a hundred times a day. Who we are... and a few comparisons from our experiences with competing products: I've been a contract photographer for decades now, and my better half has added real estate and architectural photography into her "day to day" operations on top of her fashion/product/portrait/wildlife/pet specialities, and this head was my birthday present to her. She really likes it so far. My better half, doing sometimes upwards of 10 properties a day, some of them big houses (or estates)... has reported that she finds the Manfrotto X-pro (reviewed here) MUCH easier to use than the (technically heavier duty) Benro GD3WH that she was using earlier, and also appreciates the lighter weight of the X-Pro over the larger Manfrottos. I've owned the Manfrotto 405 and 410 geared heads (and worn them out over a decade or so of use each), but didn't replace them during the pandemic when the photography industry basically ground to a world-wide halt. I've since used the Benro GD3WH when I needed to... which is much cheaper and lighter than most of the aforementioned geared heads by Manfrotto, but the clutch of the Benro does hurt my wrist after a while. Also, the Benro uses an Arca Swiss plate that is NOT included with the head (so if you don't have an Arca Swiss plate already, this is an additional and annoying cost). Despite my affection for Manfrotto, I don't like the limited 7 degree sideways tilt (each way) of the Manfrotto 400 geared head, so I've rented one once.. and never again. The 405 and 410 are much more capable and usable. Finally, if you can afford the Arca Swiss D4 geared gead, with the insane 34Kg (75ish pounds) payload and "top of the line" status/insurance premiums... not to mentionthe necessary addition of an insane carbon fibre tripod to match the head's payload capacity... it's frankly... excessive for what I do.. but if you're doing medium format or precise long-range telephoto shots from a stationary vantage point.... then I highly recommend renting one before dropping the cash. It's really nice to use, but you can totally get by using cheaper geared heads for all but the largest setups. I hope this helps fellow photo gear heads... with your geared heads.

Muy buen producto. Para fotografía de interiores y arquitectura es una herramienta muy útil. Dependerá obviamente del equipo que uses, para mí que le monto una Nikon D810 y Nikkor 14-24 mm 2.8, va estupendamente. son unos 2kg y soporta hasta 4kg. No es pesada y los controladores tienen movimientos suaves. La recomiendo.

Prima volta che acquisto qualcosa dal Warehouse e devo ammettere che sono rimasto piacevolmente colpito: la descrizione parlava di una piccola ammaccatura sulla parte anteriore e della confezione in non perfetto stato... ...assolutamente nulla di questo mi è giunto: l'oggetto è perfetto, senza alcunché, come è perfetta ca scatola originale. Complimenti, ottimo oggetto ad un buon prezzo. La testa funziona perfettamente, è solida e facile da regolare. Assolutamente una ottima scelta per sostituire quella precedente in mio possesso. ...la ricomprerei? Assolutamente si...

Et bien c'est la bonne conclusion. Cette rotule est parfaite pour de la macro (ou proxy), voir photo d'architecture. Superbe qualité de fabrication, on sent dès l'ouverture du carton que les mollettes vont nous accompagner un moment. Les pistolets pour l'approche et la molette à crémaillère pour la précision final est un vrai avantage pour ce type d'utilisation. Monté sur trépied, le travail est précis et la rapidité de positionnement est un vrai plus. Malgré le déport de l'axe et du support de l'appareil, l'ensemble avec EOS 5D Mark III est bien stable. Le seul défaut c'est l'accessibilité de certaines molettes en position bascule de la rotule, mais cela n'empêche que ce n'est pas inaccessible et l'avantage d'une rotule compacte. Un excellent produit que je recommande sans hésiter. Patrick