Manfrotto 3-Way Head with Foldable Handles (MH293D3-Q2)

The 808RC4 is a heavy duty rig necessary to support heavier loads. I have a few heavy lenses that allow for droop because of load weight. This head eliminates that problem plus it is a smooth operating head. I have several heads, including one ball head and two pistol grips. They are alright for light to medium loads (3-6 lb loads) but just have difficulty in supporting the heavy stuff. I think a lot of buyers overlook this when buying tripods and heads.As for the head itself, it is well made and appears to be a long lasting part of my kit. The system is a multilane type allowing for panning,tilt and vertical movement. I have used it with camera, lens and lights exceeding 11 lbs.The head operates smoothly in all directions ands locks down perfectly when needed.AMAZON's price is great at $109.90. Nearest compitition I found was $170.00. I would recommend this item for those who want quality at a good price.

I am writing one review for my entire purchase - it just makes sense that you know about the entire setup.I bought the Manfrotto 808RC4 along with their 190XPROB Pro Tripod and the Manfrotto MB MSTRAP-1 Tripod Carrying Strap. All at Amazon. Here's why:This head gives you unlimited control in all directions. The large knurled handles allow you to grip and adjust the tension on the pivot points to any degree you want. I use it to pan video, I use it to do off center composure and metering. I love how rock steady this thing is when I am shooting my 60and 120 second exposures with my 300MM lens. Rock steady. And the rotation is greased smooth, nary a glitch.With a bubble level and two straight levels you always know where you are. And gradients to indicate -30 to +90 tilt for replication. Great for panning video or shooting stills for a panorama. There are two "softening springs" to slow the movement of the tilts as you reach either end. You can disengage them if you wish.I have friends that went with the ball heads. And regret it. They are fast, but not accurate, especially with a long lens. With this head you can adjust the tension and just ease the camera around without having to adjust it again.Now hear me on this. I see other reviewers not so happy with the way the shoe is a little tricky. Let me say that by practicing with the shoe mounted to your camera and paying close attention snap it onto the head three times and you know all you need to know. You may have to practice a few more times to get it in the dark but I tell you that you are going to love it. When you snap the camera onto the head it automatically engages and you have no worries. The double safety has stopped me from dropping my camera twice. Lesson learned at no cost.As to the tripod - sturdy is the word that comes to mind. And NOT overly weighty. Together the head and tripod are 7 lbs. With the strap - which I did not buy at first - this rig is rock solid and you won't even know you are carrying it. I don't even notice the combo. I hike several hours at a time and have been know to stop in a panic on the way out and feel on my back to see if the whole thing is still there! I think a big part of the "weight" issue is how it is carried. In your hands it feels hefty. On your hips, 7 lbs feels weighty. Across your shoulder diagonally, head down? It ain't even there!The tripod has a wonderfully steady center column assembly that comes up and tilts over to the horizontal - great for macro shots or simply needing to place the camera where you aren't. The legs are sturdy and the snap retainers have just the right tension - not too hard to snap open or closed, not so loose that you worry whether one might slide. I also like that the center column is not attached to the legs with the typical arms of lesser well made tripods. Makes for very easy folding and stowing. I love the leg angle presets - easy to use and not worried about them slipping. The rubber grips on two of the legs are a hand saver in chilly weather. Nice touch.So, in case you haven't figured it out, I love this rig. If I were going trekking across country for days I might want a little less weight, but for day long trips, portraiture or car trips this is the ticket.

I use it with a Nikon DSLR with a 300m lens on a Benro C-069m8 carbon fiber travel tripod for traveling. Works great. Typical Manfrotto quality, sturdiness and weight. Handle does not detach, which makes packing for travel a bit less compact than I'd like. Movement is very smooth for a non-fluid head. OK for still camera, but not video. Quick-release lever has no safety lock. But when closed firmly, it's flush so it won't catch on anything. Good companion with my Benro B-00 ball head. Too bad they don't share the same quick-release plate design.

I recently purchased the 391RC2 Junior Head to mount to a Manfrotto 680B monopod. So far the monopod and pan head seem to be working well as a basic and inexpensive monopod/pan head combo for my two lightweight Canon cameras: Vixia HF M31 movie; Power Shot SD790IS ELPH. The Manfrotto items appear and feel well made and are quality items.However...I notice on two reviews that others who have purchased the 391RC2 head have mentioned something about the Ouick Release Lever on the top Rapid Connect Mounting Plate platform when trying to secure the 200 PL-14 Plate have experienced the lever not closing fully to be flush with it's enclosure as when there is no 200 PL-14 mounting plate in use.When I insert the 200 PL-14 Connect Plate, the Quick Release Lever hits the 200 PL-14 Plate and stops about 1/2" short of fully closed. I can force it a slight bit more to close part way but am afraid I'll break the arm lever.One would think that Manfrotto would have designed the 200 PL-14 plate with a slight indentation in the 200 PL-14 plate flange to allow the arm lever cone to extend inward and fully close on the outside.Or do I just have a defective Rapid Connect Mounting Plate platform lever assembly?

It's nice and quality, like most products from Manfrotto, BUT why didn't they just include micro adjustments. We all need it, they know we need it for precise framing, so why not just add it? If I didn't miss my window, I would have returned it and bought one with micro adjustment.

I've never had a "fluid" but adjusted to your liking this pans very well. I needed a head I could use for photography, video, a spotting scope, and all of them together sometimes for astronomy. As one user wrote, it doesn't tilt back far enough for high sky astro shots unless you turn your device around on the plate, then you can take any angle shot you want but one of the head handles will be opposite. (You get used to it). Very strong, sturdy, and fluid. Also has a cool spring head you can turn off or on. I haven't fiddled with that yet.For new users note that the RC4 is 2-3 times bigger and stronger than the RC2. I have found it incompatible with any other adapters.For just photography in the field its a little much unless you have a specific use, or like me you're disabled so you go to a lot of your outdoor shoots by car. I'm planning on getting a ball head for lighter travel.

The movements are to sticky.I returned it for a geared tripod head.

Dopo aver rotto una vecchia testa Manfrotto molto ma molto più costosa di questa, ho acquistato il modello MH293D3-Q2 della serie 920 come ripiego in attesa di riprendere un modello più professionale come quello che ho accidentalmente distrutto. Quindi, l'imperativo era un rapporto qualità prezzo il più possibile vantaggioso. Ho guardato come sempre a Manfrotto, azienda da cui mi servo da oltre 30 anni per stativi e accessori e ho trovato qui su Amazon questa testa a costi davvero accessibili, dopo una rapida osservazione visto il costo ho deciso di acquistarla in attesa di riprendere qualcosa di più professionale appunto, ma quando è arrivata e ho cominciato a lavorarci ho scoperto che pur non essendo una top level fa il suo lavoro alla grande, è stabile, sicura, facile da movimentare e bloccare, comoda da riporre nello zaino, adotta la stessa basetta dell'altra insomma, merita ampiamente il logo Manfrotto sulla sua meccanica e ho deciso di usarla senza acquistarne un'altra PRO piò avanti.

Photographe amateur, je me sers de cette rotule avec un trépied Manfrotto 190go! et un Nikon D5200Je suis pleinement satisfait, on peut rapidement retirer ou clipser son APN dessus grâce au rail rapide,les manettes sont douces et facilement réglables.Cette rotule est bien évidemment à entretenir quand elle se rigidifie et perd en fluidité (personnellement je mets de la wd40 et c'est reparti)

très bonne tête pour appareil photo supportant 3.5 a 4.5 kg

Todo llego a tiempo y forma, recomendado, un cabezal excelente muy facil de usar con el quick release. gracias! 100%