Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head with Quick Release - Supports 11.1 lbs (#3275)

by Bogen

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00009R6H9
• Item model number: 410
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

Extremely compact, the 410 offers geared movement in three directions, pan, tilt and side to side tilt. A unique feature is the ability to disengage the gear movements temporarily to rapidly set the camera in the general position required and then engage the geared movements for fine adjustment. Final adjustment is also made by simply rotating the control knobs.The head incorporates a quick-release camera plate system and is suitable for 35mm SLR and medium format cameras. 3/8" screw camera attachment included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Does all I wanted it to do, is solid with precise, no hassle adjustments, November 20, 2006

By 

Pete S (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head with Quick Release - Supports 11.1 lbs (#3275) (Electronics)

A couple of weeks ago I was trying to compose a shot using a run of the mill tripod with friction locked adjustments for side to side and vertical positioning. I was using a Canon 70-200 f2.8 with a 2x multiplier and a Rebel XTi. The object was small and rectangular and I wanted the sides and top of the photo to exactly align with the sides, top and bottom. Every attempt to rotate the lense in it's collar, or use the tripod's elevation clamp to set the top and bottom of the object resulted in overshoots or undershoots. Finally I gave up in frustration.

I envisioned some WWII artilleryman madly cranking his gun into position using hand wheels for traverse and elevation. That's what I need! Without knowing what to call it, I began looking for a photographic equivalent. Eventually, I found the Bogen-Manfrotto Geared Head and ordered one. It arrived just hours ago and I couldn't be happier! I took that 400mm shot without any trouble composing it. No more pushing, loosening, tightening, cussing. It's pure pleasure, especially if you've gotten as frustrated as I have with friction adjusted tripods. I don't know why anybody would buy a ball head for a tripod when they can buy this instead.

So, how does it work? The Bogen-Manfrotto 3275/410 mounts to the tripod plate using a standard 3/8 threaded hole. Once screwed down on the tripod mounting plate, the gear release knobs just behind the fine adjustment knobs allow large adjustments of side to side, up and down, and tilt. The fine adjustment knobs are sensitive enough to easily position the image in the frame without frustrating twisting and pushing of the tripod, lens or camera. Once in position, everything is so tight and solid that you can click the shutter button without a remote release and the picture still comes out great!

The quick release mounting plate is a little tricky. It has a lever with a button. To release the plate, pull the lever to the side, then push the button to let the lever go to the end of its full travel. The lever will lock into position and the plate will lift right off. When you go to remount the plate, just push down. It trips the lock on the release lever and it snaps into the the clamped position.

The mounting plate comes with both 1/4 and 3/8 studs to use either for the lens/camera or more equipment. A plastic/rubber insert prevents the studs from falling out, but allows the user to remove the stud they don't want to use. The studs have a slot large enough for a large coin or deadbolt house key, but are also knurled. I found finger tight was good enough for my initial trials.

So, there you have it. I'm grinning from ear to ear. AND, it was dirt cheap compared to some ball heads I've seen. You could buy this gear head, wear it out, and buy another for the price of some ball heads, and never have to deal with friction clamps ever again.

Why not 5 stars instead of 4? The gear release knobs have strong springs, and on my tripod head, one of them managed to catch my finger between it and the tripod head. This means I have a clearance problem between the lower gear knobs and my tripod head which limits the rotation to 350 degrees or so without tilting the head forward a little. If the base of the Bogen-Manfrotto 3275/410 were a 1/2 inch taller, I wouldn't have the clearance issue. The finish on the underside of the mounting plate looks a little crude, and gears need grease, I guess, and it gets on your hands. I would have given it four and a half stars, but Amazon's select list only allows 4 or 5, not something in between.

But it works like a champ! Buy it! Just keep a rag handy for wiping your hands.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stout and Precise, December 6, 2004

By 

gadgetmaster "gadgetmaster" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head with Quick Release - Supports 11.1 lbs (#3275) (Electronics)

Large and sturdy, but consequently heavy. May make your tripod too long for its case. Great for exact framing of stationary subjects. Is quickly adjustable once you learn which knob to turn. Use this and your long telephoto will never flop over and whack into a tripod leg again.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Precise control for panorama shots, February 20, 2007

By 

Jon H. Thompson (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head with Quick Release - Supports 11.1 lbs (#3275) (Electronics)

I bought the Manfrotto Compact Geared Head to help in leveling my camera for shooting 360 stitched panorama shots. It works well. These shots require a perfectly level setup, which is aided by the bubble level that is part of the head. Adjustments are a pleasure as you can "dial in" the exact setting, without having to worry about locking mechanisms. I use the quick release because I often shoot the same setup once with a digital camera and again with a film camera. I gave it 4 stars because of the quick release, which is not intuitive. More than once I have come away with a bloody knuckle. Still, there is no satisfaction like knowing you have the best tool for the job, and the Manfrotto Compact Geared Head is it.