Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W, X-PRO 3 Way Head with Retractable Levers and Friction Controls, Aluminium, with Levelling Bubbles, for DSLR, CSC, Mirrorless, Black

I work overseas and my wife being stuck at home in the UK has used the time to develop her photography skills to well beyond what I can achieve. One of the things she has been concentrating on needs good control of the camera on her tripod which, is doeable with a ball head but this allows far, far better fine control. So, over to my wife for her opinion on this excellent bit of kit.This was a wedding anniversary present from my husband as flowers don't last and this is probably comparable in price to a decent size bouquet from Interflora. Nothing against flowers - they're just not my thing unless they are being photographed.I'm, I think, what you would call a keen amateur photographer, still learning and probably will be for a long time. Most photographers have an interest in a certain area and mine comes under the heading of 'faffing'. I'll never be an action photographer as I take too much time composing and thinking about my shots which, is why this was such an ideal present for me - my husband knows me just too darn well!Once I had got the existing ball head off my tripod (that was a little difficult) this gear head simply screwed on to the top plate - and it was probably at that moment I knew we were going to get along just fine.The shoe has a quick release so is very easily and swiftly attached and removed and once the camera is mounted feels very sturdy. There are three control handles for panning, levelling and tilting, the levelling and tilting handles pull out to make controlling the movement more precise, and push back in so the unit is compact when stored.I have used this with a Sony A6100, which, is a slightly compact camera in design and the insertion and removal of the SD card (as it is located at the bottom) can be hindered by other ball heads. The door can be blocked by the shoe and the camera has to be removed from the head in order to review footage. With this gear head I can remove the SD card without the need to remove the camera which, in turn means however I have set the camera up for a shot it remains intact whilst I am checking the SD card's contents.This gear head is a big step up for me from my previous pistol grip head and it enables me to make small adjustments when I am setting up a shot and has been very successful in the close up shots I like to faff with, where minute adjustments are needed. Due to lockdown, I haven't ventured far from my house for landscapes, but I can only imagine how much easier straightening the horizon will be with this gear head.There are way more expensive versions of this type of gear head, and like everything with photography, you can soon end up paying a small fortune for bits of kit. I'm not sure more expensive ones would perform any better than this, as for the cost, this one certainly seems to perform exactly as I wanted it to.So, there you have it from The Boss and I'll throw in some of her photos she has taken using this. I will say that I note when uploaded to Amazon they seem to have rotated which, I have no idea how to prevent. In my computer they are saved in the correct orientation. I would also add that my wife also has a Sony A7 which also works perfectly with this gear head even with a 200mm G lens on it. It's plenty roust enough for almost all camera/lens setups I would think.

Surprisingly simple to use - I've only ever used a ball head so this was all new for me, I had the camera attached and perfect level within seconds. It was equally easy to learn what the levers and knobs were for and I had the camera pointing up, down, sideways - in landscape mode, portrait mode, it supported my largest lens easily, a Sony fe 70200 f2.8 G lens, each time the camera was.lkcked and sturdy. Next.rime I may even remember to take the lens cap off.I don't think I'll use a ball head again.

Although heavy which i was aware of this tripod head is very well built, the action is as smooth as silk, expensive yes but I would expect it to last for many years.Would recommend.

Have just bought this head, to attach to my Manfrotto MT190XPRO tripod. It is a quality product, solidly constructed and well engineered. Generally, very easy to use. The quick release system seems secure (I'm not really a fan of quick release systems). The retractable handles are brilliant and are very effective at reducing the size of the head, without compromising on its functionality. I am a bit disappointed in the adjustable friction controls; on mine, they both have to be at the very highest setting, to have any impact. I had expected much finer control. Their shape does not lend itself to the level of force required at the far end of the adjustment either. The friction control on my Giottos ball head, is much finer and also easier to operate. However, I don't consider this warrants knocking a whole star off, so have still given 5 stars.Overall, a quality and well made product that I am happy to recommend.

This is a very well, but potentially over-engineered head. The action in all planes is silky smooth and the friction dials do a very good job of allowing you to get a low inertia movement in all the planes. It's heavy, but that's hardly surprising. If you're after a very precise pan & tilt head and can cope with some additional weight I recommend it.UpdateOne thing I have noticed is that if you want to use a lot of vertical angle (more Astro protography than nature), the mount will only move so far if you mount the camera or scope facing away from the handle you see on the top left in the product photo. If you mount in the other direction you can go almost vertical, but then the handle is out-front which is less intuitive to use. It's not detracted from my rating though, but worth bearing in mind.

I have owned this head for about 3 months now, I bought it to replace an 804RC2 head which was on my previous tripod. It is a well built, well designed head, which uses the Manfrotto RC2 quick release system. If your familiar with the RC2 system this is an easy change, if not it is easy to get used to, it can be fiddly at first, but once you have the hang of it, I have found it to work well over a number of years. The X Pro 3 way head is lighter than previous heads and very very compact with the levers retracted, they can be used both retracted or pulled out which is a bonus. The friction arrangements on the head allow you to set the friction to suit whatever rig you have attached, this in turn allows very precise positioning of the head, before you lock it off. I'm not sure what other reviewers have attached, but even the heaviest setups I have are catered for, this includes a Canon Eos 1Dx with 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens and 1.4x converter. The other really useful feature is a three way spirit level in the back corner of the head plate which makes it really easy to ensure the camera is level and saves the need to fit one to the hotshoe. Overall excellent

Aside from it's weight; this tripod head is rather limited in terms funtionality, and isn't at all fluid in operation- indeed it is rather clumpy and laborious in operation!The "Newer" branded GM30 head is far superior in terms price and functionality. It is also lighter and better constructed!