Recently purchased the 808RC4 head to place on my Berlebach tripod, after several years of using a 3047 head and wanted to post an update after a couple of full days of shooting with the 808RC4.
Overall impression is Very Good. This head was a dream to use with the B&J 5x7. Had it mounted on a Berlebach wood tripod, and shooting inside/outside of some churches and adjustments were quite easy. The vertical and horizontal movements have a 3lb spring to help keep movements smoother, and I would say they worked quite well (the tension can be "turned off" if you want). Besides the levels for V&H movements there is a bullseye level for when you filp the camera on it's side (used this shooting with a Mamiya 645). The larger footprint of the quick release plates and the manner it locks in place are much better than the older 3047 QR plates IMO.
Have not used it with the 8x10 Korona, but expect performance to be equal to the B&J since they are very close to the same weight. If you like the QR plates used by the 410 or 405 geared heads, but still like the function of the 3047 pan head, this would be a good head to look at. Or if you like the 3047 this is the replacement for it, and IMO a Very Good replacement.
Overall impression is Very Good. This head was a dream to use with the B&J 5x7. Had it mounted on a Berlebach wood tripod, and shooting inside/outside of some churches and adjustments were quite easy. The vertical and horizontal movements have a 3lb spring to help keep movements smoother, and I would say they worked quite well (the tension can be "turned off" if you want). Besides the levels for V&H movements there is a bullseye level for when you filp the camera on it's side (used this shooting with a Mamiya 645). The larger footprint of the quick release plates and the manner it locks in place are much better than the older 3047 QR plates IMO.
Have not used it with the 8x10 Korona, but expect performance to be equal to the B&J since they are very close to the same weight. If you like the QR plates used by the 410 or 405 geared heads, but still like the function of the 3047 pan head, this would be a good head to look at. Or if you like the 3047 this is the replacement for it, and IMO a Very Good replacement.
