Rob wrote:
> Why do you hate the 460 so?
For numerous reasons. I wanted a lightweight head and figured out that 460MG should
fit the bill. Living far away from any well supplied shop there was no way I could try
before buying. I didn't study the images of the head closely enough...
The main problem is that the head is hinged off axis. This means that if you are going
to level the horizon you're also lifting the camera to a higher position because the
hinge is not located underneath the camera body as on most other pan-tilt heads, but
to the left of it; ie. you are both lifting the camera while rotating it. Also, the
up/down control (that is whether you want the camera to point up or down) is also
located aff axis, this time in front of the camera . This means that also while
adjusting this angle you are lifting the camera as well. It doesn't matter that much
for this angle...
Since both axial movements are hinged off axis the head also experience flop; a
"feature" so far only found in ball heads.
Adjustment is not done while grabbing a handle. Adjustement is done by grabbing the
camera and point it in the desired directions after loosening the control(s). However,
the locking controls are reached with your right hand which happens to be the hand you
grab the camera with as well. Unless you use both hands, which will be awkward either
way since neither the camera nor the head controls are easy to operate with your left
hand, the camera will flop while loosening the controls. Nedless to say, its an
ergonomic nightmare.
Whats worse is that its totally incomprehensible design principle means that all the
weight the head is supposed to support is cantilevered which means it can't take much
weight at all. It can't hold a 200mm lens. This one is to avoid and it the worst
spent $150 (with 4 extra quick release plates) I've ever spent. Its basically useless.
A pan-tilt head where you can't adjust one angle at the time ......what a concept!
P�l
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