Looking for a Tilt Pan Head for MF

brian steinberger · Dec 16, 2009

I currently have a Bogen 239 tilt pan head that has loosened on me. This is the second Bogen head that has loosened on me. Loosened meaning you have to crank so hard on the handles to get it tight and even then you can still move it. So I'm in the market for a new tilt pan head, but not Bogen.

I've narrowed it down to two, The Benro HD-28 and the Giottos MH-5001. Both heads look similar. The Benro has the quick release on the rear of the head as opposed to the right on the Giottos which I find awkward as I'm used to grabbing the camera with my right hand and releasing on the left.

Anyway, I shoot medium format rangefinders. Anyone have any experience with either of the above mentioned heads or recommendations of their own?

Slixtiesix · Dec 16, 2009

Gitzo G2270m ist a joy to use! This head has super smooth movements and the locking is pretty easy, you do not need much effort. This is the best pan/tilt-head and best head in general that I have used so far. Do not own one myself, but intensely used one a friend had allowed me to use. Unfortunately it felt a little bit too small for my SL66 and I finally went for the bigger G1570m, which is not that smooth but I feel more comfortable with it. The smaller G2270m would be well suited for your rangefinder I suppose. I have used the version with the large plate, but there is also one with quick-release.

Best regards, Benjamin

brian steinberger · Dec 16, 2009

Thanks Benjamin. I did look at the Gitzo heads. There is one downside though, they are very expensive! I wasn't looking to spend that much money.

Q.G. · Dec 16, 2009

Look for an old, used Gitzo head. A Rationelle 3 or 4.
You can get them for very little money. And these things are indestructable.
Perhaps need a fresh set of rubbers on top (still available as spare parts, again for not a lot). And a clean. But that's it.

Rolleiflexible · Dec 17, 2009

Q.G. said:
Look for an old, used Gitzo head. A Rationelle 3 or 4.
You can get them for very little money. And these things are indestructable.
Perhaps need a fresh set of rubbers on top (still available as spare parts, again for not a lot). And a clean. But that's it.

I too love the old Gitzo heads. But they
are NOT indestructible, alas: the fitting
that connects the base to the moving
parts is a plastic bolt, and it will break, as
I recently found to my chagrin. :-(

Richard Wasserman · Dec 17, 2009

Brian,

I don't have any experience with the heads you mentioned, but I recently bought a Bogen/Manfrotto 804RC2 head which I use with an SL66 and a Horseman FA. It is relatively light, works very well, and doesn't cost a fortune. http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/BG13235/features

rwboyer · Dec 17, 2009

Just a thought - Why not try a ball head? With MF they are really quick to operate. I have a couple of Gitzo that have lasted me 10-15 years with no issues yet and my biggest one could hold my 8x10 field camera if I really wanted it to.

RB

brian steinberger · Dec 17, 2009

Richard, I have a hard time trusting Bogen anymore. Like I said both previous heads, one was a ballhead, loosened on me. I don't want to purchase another.

RB, I have used ballheads in the past. For my type of photography a tilt pan works wonderfully. I like being able to adjust one axis at a time. I also use a shoe mounted level that aids as well.

Looking for a Tilt Pan Head for MF

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