Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 410PL Quick Release Plate

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Quite Confident with this Head
I prefer pan-tilts over ball heads. This one holds a 5D Mark II with a 28-300mm lens, a fairly heavy combination. I've not yet had it on field trips, but indoors it has performed at or above expectations. I'm sometime quite low to the ground so I could use a little more than a 30-degree tilt. A little imagination with the tripod corrects this.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fine Product
This geared pan-tilt head is supported by a set of focusing rails. The combination yields precision camera placement in the two dimensions of the rails plus the three dimensions of the head. I'ts hard to get better than that. The combination is somewhat taller than anticipated. Even so, the unit is stable and without camera shake, so long exposure times are available when needed. With accurate placement micro-panoramas in the 1:1 reproduction range are possible. Time lapse sequences are also possible.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Smooth & Sturdy
This is a great 3-way head. It rotates smoothly and tightens down easily. It is big and relatively heavy, but I feel confident in the support it provides.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid and steady
I really love this head. The controls are smooth and precise and the counter weighting make controlling my camera/lens combos a breeze. The only word of advice I would give is make sure your sticks are as stable as this head. It's heavy and with really accentuate any weakness in your tripod legs. It locks down rock solid so if your sticks aren't solid you'll know it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Safety first.
I use this aluminum 808RC4 to be the base for my Toyo-Field 45AII - a 4x5 camera which weighs in at around six pounds, but when a newer style (bulkier) Symmar or similar lens is added, plus lens shade/compendium, filter, BTZS dark cloth and film holder, the dead weight is closer to ten pounds or more. I was using a very good 'famous name' ball head (which is great for my MF cameras), but I quickly tired of the lack of control when aligning the ca... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Precision & Quality meet at a good price
Great Manfrotto engineering. Holds a full body and long lens without creeping. Tried using the ball heads and joystick options... All were good, but the 3-way pan gave me the most versatility and accuracy for Macro shots. Very happy with it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great construction.
I am so used to my old '70's tripod it is wonderful having something this well constructed and be so smooth. Tighten the handles and it stays. Superior quality in manufacturing. Very pleased.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good Starter Unit
Great unit if you've never used a pan head. I graduated to this unit from a joystick grip. It's a bit of an adjustment going from what I was used to (one handle adjustment) to three handles, but the control is so much better. I bought this unit before launching into the really expensive pan heads to ensure I liked it and to get accustomed to using it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent multi-format head/quick releas
This head is very durable and sturdy albeit a little heavy (but I've hauled it all over the rockies). It also has a quick release plate that supports 35mm, medium format, and even 4x5. I use this head for both 35mm and medium format and find it very stable, even for heavier telephotos, due at least in part to the good sized quick release plate platform. Even though the platform has a large surface area, it is low profile and light weight. Unlike ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best head you'll ever get!
The Manfrotto head is preatty much the best you can buy for your money. I recently graduated from college, and we had Manfrotto heads with Calument legs, and those tripods literally got beaten up student after student and they never failed, and now, it hasn't failed me. Great product!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I would recommend this item..
Putting the camera back on the head with qiuck release is a pain... just got to get used to it I hope)..
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Perfect stability but heavy
I bought this because it gives you good stability at a very affordable price. It is heavy but its really good for any use.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
What a difference!
This is a very reliable and strong head. I have no worries mounting my camera with grip, long lens and flash all at once. If you're looking for a panhead you can't do much better than this, especially at this price. It is heavy but I can hardly consider that a con. I knew it would be heavy when I purchased it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great for 7D
Love this tripod head. It is lightweight and easy to use. The quick release plate is amazing, easy to take it on and off. The plate also allows for access to the battery without having to take off the plate.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
qualtiy tripod head
This is a quality tripod head. It is sturdy and very easy to assemble and use. I have no worries placing my expensive camera and lens on this head. I am glad I spent a little more and went with this one.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good head at a good proce
I bought this head to support my Calumet C1 8x10 camera. I have since sold the 8x10 but sill have my Pentax 6x7 and Bronica and it handles these like a champ. Both are heavy cameras and I need a head tripod and head to handle this weight and this one works well. Some issues I have with this head are: The quick connect plate is good but you better have a coin in your pocket in order to attach the plate to the camera. Once attached it holds very we... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Bigger than expected
I use this product for stills and close-up photography, but I believe the product is weight rated for bigger products like video cameras. I think I over-estimated the weight-rating that I needed, since I only use the head for photography, but (optimistically-speaking) I may further my avocation into videography...
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great head
I use this head on the Manfroto 055XPRO tripod. It is a great combo. Rock Solid. It took a little bit of getting used to the stiff adjustments and quick release, but that only took about 30 minutes to become second nature. Very smoot panning.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
rugged
4 stars not tested . i like the quick release seems to work better than last model .easy to use so far
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not very users friendly
You have to tighten the handle knobs VERY firmly to achieve a secured lock at any particular position. ..... Don't know whether this is the normal feature of this head !! ....... I have returned this head and purchased the ball head.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid + reliable + well made 3-way head
Used as a base for digital cameras (Nikon D300 and D700) for studio and landscape work. Very solid + reliable, and easy to adjust. Not particularly small so not well suited to field work requiring a lot of carrying given the overall size / weight, but extremely reliable and does an excellent job providing a firm base for long exposure landscape shots. Also works very well as a base for panoramic shots either alone (using the built in bubble level... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent panning tool
I use this head mostly during airshows with my long lenses (+300mm) when I need quick panning capability. Typical Manfrotto build quality is excellent, and provides a sturdy platform for my Sigma 50-500 superzoom--which is truly a heavy lens. One day, though, Manfrotto will have the vision to make a hybrid head; one that adds the micro adjustment qualities of their 410 mini-gearhead into the 808RC4. I already do this by simply mounting a 410 on top of the 808. It's a heavy setup, but it really does the job of swiftly spotting and acquiring far off, fast moving subjects like aircraft.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing
I use it for my Large Format camera, a Cambo CSX. It's very smooth, and easy to operate. Yet the quick release take a bit to release. Other than that it's wonderful. I only use this head for the LF.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding Features w/ Quick Release!
What more can I say, this Pan/Tilt head is just simply Awesome! This is my first professional quality Pan/Tilt head and I have to say I'm completely pleased. I made a trip out to the local state park were hugh flocks of Canadian snow geese gather for wintering. After missing my first oppurtunity to photograph the flock since they flew away as I entered the parking area. I setup and watched for their return. After freezing my tail off in 10 degree... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video