p.1 #1 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
It is a great piece of equipment, until one tries to pan with the geared panning feature, if the top isn't perfectly level.
I recently purchased an Arca-Swiss D4 geared head with geared panning from the USA distributor.
The quality is quite nice. Not readily apparent or intuitive from pictures or diagrams is a lever on the geared panning section that allows it to rotate freely, or tighten (slide) it to use the knob to rotate. When the lever is loosened to allow free motion, there is some side to side play.
I also have a Manfrotto 405, and have had it for years and now needs some refurbishment or replacement. This one has the geared panning on the bottom.
This is a critical difference that is not very intuitive.
I level the tripod.
It is not uncommon for me to have some up or down inclination.
This up or down inclination (or side tilt) is a problem with the Arca-Swiss D4 in combination with the geared panning feature on top because the rotation is about a tilted axis. This will be true for any of these heads with the geared or main panning feature on top.
The Manfrotto (and similar) with the geared panning (or main panning feature) on the bottom doesn't behave the same, as long as the tripod is leveled first. I can tilt the camera up or down, and it will rotate in a level plane. If the camera is tilted, that same tilt is maintained as the rotation occurs on the bottom- assuming that the tripod apex is level. A little camera tilt left/right (roll) is not unusual to level it horizontally according to the camera display. I have found that the bubble levels included on many of these bits of photography kit to not be accurate. Given a level tripod apex, the pitch and roll adjustments on the Manfrotto (and similar) tripod heads will not be thrown off by the panning feature.
The only workaround for the D4 is to install it upside down, which puts the geared panning feature on the bottom. And then some extra parts are needed.
There is an additional free rotation panning feature on the D4, but I specifically wanted the geared panning feature. It works great, but the top of the head has to be level for it to work. Or, install it upside down.
A gimbal head may work better for me for horizontal panoramas, but I don't really want to carry around two tripod heads. The Manfrotto 405 isn't exactly lightweight, but it has worked well. I have not looked into any of the knockoffs.
I did buy a Leofoto G4, and it is not even close in fit, finish and quality compared to the Arca-Swiss D4. USA website also claims a 5lb weight limit for the Leofoto. With relatively little force, it is possible to force it to move.
The Arca-Swiss D4 is otherwise mostly rock solid. It does not move once it is adjusted. The inclination and tilt adjustment knobs do not get "tight" once the teardrop tension knobs are tightened, however, it does not take much loosening of those same tension knobs for free motion to occur.
p.1 #2 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
I've had the K&F Concept CD3W geared head for about a year now. It Has the Arca Swiss Camera mount with release levers on each axes behind the geared adjust knob. They spring return to the geared motion when released, and there is no play anywhere in the head. I've never had it slip position on me. It all works as expected, and I don't need to use it upside down, but probably could if I wanted to. The camera attach point is Arca Swiss too.
I usually have it attached to one of my 6' 6" camera stands, as it gets used for frequent "Still Life" and "Macro" shoots here in my studio. "Stability and precise adjustment" are critical when doing macro, even more than when doing still life and focus stacking. The camera stands give me much more stability and have wheel brakes to allow locking them in place. They consume much less floor space in my small studio than tripods with long extended legs that become trip hazards, a significant safety concern with tripods, as I am 83 now and becoming very careful to reduce tripping hazards whenever I can.
Find a K&F Concept CD3W and give it a try. I'm certain that you will buy it. I'm a satisfied customer and have no connection whatsoever with K&F Concepts, other than being a very satisfied customer.
It's the first geared head that I have owned and seems well built and compact. As you already know, it costs a lot less than the Arca Swiss geared models. The LH-40GR has a pano function, but that control isn't geared which isn't important for me. The LH-40GR will work great for level single row panos. Just level the top plate using either the ball head or geared movements and rotate for your pano using the top pano portion of the head.
However, like you, I frequently do my panos with some tilt/pitch. You can't do this when using the top pano plate on the LH-40GR as the rotational axis will be tilted (same problem that I think you were having with the Arca Swiss). You can do it using the bottom rotational plate, but it takes more effort. In my situation, I'd need to use a leveling base between the tripod and LH-40GR. My tripod doesn't have a built in spirit level so I can't just try to level with the legs. Once the base is leveled with the leveling base, then you want to make sure the assembly above the ball head portion is straight up and not tilted. I can do that looking at the spirit level on the clamp or with the spirit level app on my phone. Once everything is leveled and vertically aligned, then I just use the geared movement for tilt and rotate using the pano function at the base of the head (not the one below the clamp).
If I'm just going to be doing panos with tilt, my Acratech Pano head with leveling base which has been my default head for a few years will be a lot quicker. If I want precise adjustments, the Leofoto is looking like the better solution. BTW, as far as weight:
Leofoto LH-40GR is 656g, the Acratech Pano Head + Acratech leveling base is 697g.
p.1 #7 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
Leofoto LH-40GR
This just looks like a fiddly contraption, and the fundamental issue that the top rotating part needs to be level still remains.
I have a leveling bowl, and if the panning is done on top, the top needs to be level.
This problem 100% goes away if the panning part is on the bottom (given a level tripod apex). I cobbled together a setup with the D4 and mounted it "upside down" so that the geared part was on the bottom, and it worked just fine for me, but that is a crappy solution considering the cost. I really didn't care about the plain rotating part on the base of the D4, I wanted to use the geared part.
I have seen, but not used, the rotating bases with the built-in click stops. Probably the only manufacturer I would trust or take a chance on is Novoflex, and those bases are not inexpensive.
I ordered the Leofoto geared panning adapter, and it did not "lock down", despite using a lot of force tightening it. The free rotating part on the bottom of the D4 locked down with minimal effort on the teardrop knob, and the geared part would not turn if the lever was slid to the locking position (but it would move if the gear knob was turned).
As a ballhead replacement, there is nothing wrong with the D4, but I found the geared panning part to be pretty much useless for something other than minor yaw adjustments because it is not level.
In hindsight, the proliferation of these geared heads with the panning base on top is interesting, because they are useless for panning if the top is not level. Their animation even shows the camera rotating on a tilted axis.
So I will have to stick with the Manfrotto style geared head, or something that has the panning feature on the bottom. I did order a K&F from Amazon, so I'll see how it is built shortly.
If you have a smartphone, there are leveling apps, and one is called, simply enough, "Bubble". Those built-in spirit levels are not accurate, at least as far as I have observed with my equipment.
p.1 #8 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
danski0224 wrote:
Leofoto LH-40GR
This just looks like a fiddly contraption, and the fundamental issue that the top rotating part needs to be level still remains.
I have a leveling bowl, and if the panning is done on top, the top needs to be level.
This problem 100% goes away if the panning part is on the bottom (given a level tripod apex). I cobbled together a setup with the D4 and mounted it "upside down" so that the geared part was on the bottom, and it worked just fine for me, but that is a crappy solution considering the cost. I really didn't care about the plain rotating part on the base of the D4, I wanted to use the geared part.
I have seen, but not used, the rotating bases with the built-in click stops. Probably the only manufacturer I would trust or take a chance on is Novoflex, and those bases are not inexpensive.
I ordered the Leofoto geared panning adapter, and it did not "lock down", despite using a lot of force tightening it. The free rotating part on the bottom of the D4 locked down with minimal effort on the teardrop knob, and the geared part would not turn if the lever was slid to the locking position (but it would move if the gear knob was turned).
As a ballhead replacement, there is nothing wrong with the D4, but I found the geared panning part to be pretty much useless for something other than minor yaw adjustments because it is not level.
In hindsight, the proliferation of these geared heads with the panning base on top is interesting, because they are useless for panning if the top is not level. Their animation even shows the camera rotating on a tilted axis.
So I will have to stick with the Manfrotto style geared head, or something that has the panning feature on the bottom. I did order a K&F from Amazon, so I'll see how it is built shortly.
If you have a smartphone, there are leveling apps, and one is called, simply enough, "Bubble". Those built-in spirit levels are not accurate, at least as far as I have observed with my equipment....Show more →
The LH-40GR has a panning/rotating function both at the top and at the base. Agreed that the top panning function is useless if you aren't doing a level pano. But the base panning function works fine if you have a leveling base and keep the ball "post" vertical.
I've also found the built-in spirit levels are not that accurate. I just started using an app called "Bubble Level" and it works fine.
p.1 #9 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
Agreed on the Leofoto G4, bought the G4Pro and it was quickly returned because it would drift despite how tight the teardrop levers were. Additionally, as I turned the gear knobs there was a noticeable wobble which meant the gear shaft was bent or the gear knobs are not mounted perpendicular to the shaft axis.
Do you really need geared panning though? If you are doing panos then overlap in the viewfinder using a grid overlay might solve that issue with the post process stitching.
p.1 #10 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
JBPhotog wrote:
Do you really need geared panning though? If you are doing panos then overlap in the viewfinder using a grid overlay might solve that issue with the post process stitching.
I have become used to the geared panning and like it. With the Manfrotto 405, the gear function can be bypassed with the larger outer knob, but that is awkward and not easily repeatable. I have had the 405 for a long time and really haven't used a ballhead in many years.
I tried just using the rotating base on the (now returned) D4, and with an older Custom Brackets gimbal that I haven't used for a while, and do not prefer the free motion panning. Although, the use of a gimbal may be preferred for some stuff. The tension adjustments on the CB gimbal have always been so-so, and it doesn't really "lock down" at all. A model from a different manufacturer may be better.
I have a grid pattern set up on the screen and use it.
Given a choice, I would rather turn the knob. And/or a better gimbal.
p.1 #11 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
JBPhotog wrote:
quickly returned because it would drift despite how tight the teardrop levers were.
I know I tried something similar, but from a different name, and it would not lock down at all. I wonder how many different companies are making these similar appearing designs/copies.
The Leofoto one at least would not move (tilt/roll) with moderate force applied, but the yaw (rotation) would move despite considerable effort in tightening the lever.
There is no comparison to the Arca_Swiss D4 though. That one would not move, even with considerable force applied, and it is rated for 66 lbs (IIRC). I would have liked a little more tension on the round adjusting knobs, and of course, the geared panning on the bottom. It also "felt" significantly more substantial in the hand compared to the Leofoto copy.
p.1 #14 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
The Manfrotto spacer helps, because it is smaller than the tripod apex diameter, but the "roll" knob hits the spacer instead of the tripod base. Stacking two Manfrotto spacers won't help.
Would have to dive into tripod head spacers. Acratech has one, but if the OD is the same as the Manfrotto, the problem will still exist.
I haven't taken it out and actually used it yet outside. The adjustment knobs are OK, seem to be a bit on the small side compared to what I have used in the past.
The clamp release knob seems quite close to a 1/4 turn release- loosening happens quickly.
The orange "knobs" that allow for quick adjustment are difficult to turn and the "grips" are a bit uncomfortable- they need to be larger. I do not have weak hands or baby skin. The Manfrotto 405 quick adjustment knobs are much better. The similar looking Benro geared head has a slightly different design for their quick adjustment knobs.
The 405 foam knob covers can apparently loosen.
It seems to be reasonably well made, but only time will be the judge on that one. Mine has a stiff point in the tilt knob adjustment right around the 0º mark. I'll have to check the return/exchange policy.
I do wish that it was a bit larger.
It is certainly a winner as far as a price point goes, but I may eventually just buy another Manfrotto 405 at some point and try to fix the one I have.
p.1 #15 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
I have a Sunwayfoto GH-Pro II with GC-01 geared pano head on top. it's not for heavy setups though and the GC-01 in particular doesn't lock down very tight. Not a problem if you're level though. We use it for reproduction to perfectly level our camera and it's great with an A7r4 and Sigma 70mm macro on it.
p.1 #16 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
A few years ago I began photographing fruit and vegtables on my kitchen table. I was using a 105 macro and cMe to the realization I needed a geared head to get precise small camera adjustments. I did some research on geared heads and bought a new Arca Swiss D4 head. I’ve been doing photography, and a bit of film work, for over 50 years and never had spent so much on a tripod head.
After using it .the first time I was impressed and had no regrets. I’ve never used a still camera head that did not need a lock and allowed such positioning precision.
If I wanted a head that I could pan with I would buy a good fluid head made for film work.
p.1 #17 · Arca-Swiss D4 geared tripod head observations (and others with geared panning on top)
Since you have to level the base anyway, then all you need is just a single tilt stage with a geared pan base. For your described usage, looks like the following simple setup is all you need. It is made of a single stage Novoflex Goniometer, and Sunwayfoto geared pan clamp.
