Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
 Nice head, but "Tilt Only" September 16, 2006
Dale Dellinger
63 out of 64 found this review helpful
This is a well made head constructed of solid metal with a nice finish. There are no plastic parts and even the rubber piece on the quick release plate is hard rubber. I have used it every week for about two years and have had no problems with it. I use it mainly attached to a monopod for sports photography and videography. The quick release has a clever locking mechanism to prevent accidental release. I bought an extra quick release plate so I can switch between two cameras.
Tilt only -- no swivel: Amazon (and others including Bogen) calls it a Swivel Tilt Head, but that seems to imply that it moves in two directions -- tilting (up and down) and swivelling (side to side or panning). This head only moves in the tilting direction which allows you to orient the camera in either landscape or portrait modes.
The tilting action could be improved if the head clicked into the upright position when you tilt it back to landscape. When you are going to the portrait mode, there's no problem since it stops at 90 degrees. However, when I want to go back to landscape, I have to hold it out and look at it to see if it's level. A subtle click to know I'm there would be nice.
Typical Bogen Quality January 14, 2007
granger (Ithaca, NY USA)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
This is really a special purpose head. Its best used for a monopod and not a tripod since you can get enough tilt range by tilting the mononpod. The only reasons you even use this on a monopod is for quick release or for vertical shots. Its just not flexible enough for a tripod. For a tripod use I'd suggest either the Bogen 486 or 488 ball heads, both of which offer good value and come with quick release.
In any case, note that this uses the RC2 quick release. If you use camera supports even 20% of the time, you can just keep the quick release attached to your SLR. I've got two other heads and all use the RC2 system. The adapter is always on my camera and I can easily attach it to any of my tripods/monopods. Its really easy to use and encourages me to set up the tripod/monopod when I might otherwise get too lazy.
Great Product July 9, 2006
Gary D. Townsend (Columbia, MD)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I've used this with two different monopods, a light-weight Manfrotto monopod that I use when I'm travelling, and a heavy-duty pro-grade Manfrotto that I use at home. This head works wonderfully and is exactly what you'd expect from a company with the reputation of Bogen.
Great addition to your monopod November 5, 2006
Brian J. Polkinghorne (Franklin, TN USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I purchased this Bogen (Manfrotto) swivel/tilt head with a Bogen (Manfrotto) monopod. I wanted something to stabilize my camera without having to carry a tripod. This head is great!!! It comes with a plate that attaches to the camera. Then you simply place the camera on the device and it snaps shut. It is easy to pull the lever and disconnect your camera. To prevent you from doing this accidentally, it has a safety lock that you can deploy with a flick of your thumb. I recommend this for other folks wishing to stabilize their camera and not having to lug a tripod around.
 Horrible Head August 6, 2007
Michael Morris (Glendale, AZ USA)
9 out of 14 found this review helpful
I own several Bogen-Manfrotto heads and tripods. I was convinced to purchase this one for a mono-pod and hate it. It takes so long to adjust the tilt back to horizontal after adjusting it that I always leave it set in the same place.
It is solid but no more useful than just using a quick-release plate. If I anticipate using the mono-pod a lot in the field, I take another head to use instead.
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