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Manfrotto 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head with Select Quick Release Plates

BH #MA400 • MFR #400
Manfrotto 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head with Select Quick Release Plates
Key Features
  • Load Capacity: 22.1 lb
  • 3 Independent Movements
  • Incremental, Geared Movements
  • 90° Forwards & 30° Backwards Tilt
This 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head from Manfrotto has a load capacity of 22.1 pounds and can be attached to studio stands, tripods, or other support systems that feature a 3/8"-16 screw mount. The head provides 360° of rotation, 90° of forwards and 30° of backwards tilt, as well as 7.5° of left or right tilt. Each of these three movements function independently of each other and have individual control knobs that utilize incremental geared adjustments, which help to ensure that any device mounted to this 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head is precisely positioned relative to the subject.
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Manfrotto 400 Overview

This 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head from Manfrotto has a load capacity of 22.1 pounds and can be attached to studio stands, tripods, or other support systems that feature a 3/8"-16 screw mount. The head provides 360° of rotation, 90° of forwards and 30° of backwards tilt, as well as 7.5° of left or right tilt. Each of these three movements function independently of each other and have individual control knobs that utilize incremental geared adjustments, which help to ensure that any device mounted to this 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head is precisely positioned relative to the subject.

The knob for the 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head's forwards and backwards tilt is located along its rear, while the knob that controls rotation rests along the head's base. When fully turned, either of those knobs applies 8.6° of adjustment. Both knobs also feature a folding crank handle for enhanced control and reduce needed space during storage or transport.

Cameras or accessories that are compatible with a 1/4"-20 or 3/16"-20 screw mount can be connected to one of three included quick release plates. An integrated, quick release cam lock enables a quick release plate's removal from the top of the head by pulling the lock's spring-loaded lever, which also allows the plate to be instantly reattached. The quick release plates measure 13, 23, or 42mm tall and are designed to be selected based on the minimum height needed for the attached camera or accessory not to interfere with the ability to move the rear control knob while its crank handle is deployed. Opposite the knob at the 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head's base and along its cam lock is an easy-to-grip rubberized knob that when turned, applies a left or right tilt directly to the attached quick release plate and the device placed on it.

To promote fast and repeatable device positioning, this 400 3-Way Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head also includes a dedicated angle scale for forwards and backwards tilt movements that is designed for easy visibility.

  • 22.1-pound load capacity
  • Compatible with tripods or support systems that feature a 3/8"-16 screw mount
  • Can be rotated 360°, tilted 90° forwards or 30° backwards, and provides up to 7.5° of tilt, left or right
  • Rotation, forwards and backwards tilt, as well as left and right tilt each function independently of each other and have individual control knobs that utilize incremental geared adjustments
  • Both control knobs for forwards and backwards tilt, as well as rotation, apply 8.6° of adjustment when fully turned
  • Control knobs for forwards and backwards tilt, as well as rotation, feature a folding crank handle for enhanced control and reduce needed space during storage or transport
  • Cameras or accessories that are compatible with a 1/4"-20 or 3/16"-20 mount can be connected to one of three included quick release plates
  • Integrated quick release cam lock enables a quick release plate's removal from and reattachment to the top of the head
  • Quick release plates measure 13, 23, or 42mm tall and are designed to be selected based on the minimum height needed for the attached camera or accessory not to interfere with the ability to move the forwards and backwards tilt control knob while its crank handle is deployed
  • Rubberized, easy-to-grip knob for left or right tilt applies movement directly to quick release plate
  • Dedicated angle scale for forwards and backwards tilt movements is positioned for easy visibility, which helps promote fast and repeatable device positioning
  • Built-in bubble level
  • Durable, aluminum-alloy construction
UPC: 719821287674

Manfrotto 400 Specs

Head
Head TypeGeared Head
Base Mount3/8"-16 Female
Camera Mounting Screw1/4"-20 Male, 3/8"-16 Male
Quick Release Plate TypeProprietary
Number of Bubble Levels1
Friction ControlNo
Independent Pan LockYes
Pan & Tilt Range
Lateral Tilt-8° to +8°
Vertical Tilt+90° to -30°
Panning Range360°
General
Load Capacity22.05 lb / 10 kg
Diameter2.91" / 7.39 cm
MaterialsAluminum Alloy
Weight6.61 lb / 3 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight9.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)11.5 x 10.1 x 8.85"

Manfrotto 400 Reviews

Stability not Speed

By Charles
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-25

Great provided you accept it's limitations. Mine lives on studio stand using P1 XF shooting still life/jewellery/products. Stability is everything. Engineered and operates like an 8 naval gun so lacks the grace of Arca, but sheer weight and bulk provides great inertia for cameras of any type. Various (3) mounting pedestals worth investing in along with purchase to avoid surprise issues with clearance for lens rings/flanges/body overhang. Very limited horizontal tilt rarely a problem but ennervating when arises. Operationally it's ponderous and when camera mounted and aligned with the 3D movement controls the quick release flange is located directly beneath the XF's grip (so 180 wrong!). Thus great caution & time needed when un-mounting body with lenses or accessories (probably includes Leica S, Blad H & Pentax 645Z users ?) SO .. if there's a chance you may need to quickly reset or re-frame, use the 405. Otherwise, you'll love the assurance it gives and the results you get.

Heavy Duty!

By Edgar
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-03-09

Heavy duty indeed in all respects. Excellent control and precision. Excellent for celestial work. The controls are stiff but are loosening up nicely. Holds my d850 with the 200-400 2.8 as it were a cellphone. Love it! I've tried ball heads, hybrids, swivels, you name it, this is the 800 pound gorilla.

400 Deluxe Geared Head (

By Paul R
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2015-08-05

I use this with a Nikon 35 mm camera .Perfect for Macro work where small movement are required in any direction Holds camera solid without any movement

Rock solid, panzer feeling.

By Anonymous
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2013-05-25

Use it for my Sinar P2 mounted on a column stand. Cast in stone stability. For smaller camera you will need an l bracket for Portait mode. The flip mechanism is replaced with micro horizontal adjustments wich gives maximum precision for those moment when the client wants you to match this exact angle. Highly recommended for large format photography.

Not for Hasselblad H

By Jinming
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2013-05-19

This head is super high quality without doubt, but I am having issues with the quick release plates. It seems to me that it is a design flaw, I've try all the combinations of screws and positions, but still could not firmly mount my Hasselblad H5D onto it, the anti-twist screw is just 2mm away from the hole on my camera. I have no such problem with Gitzo products. So I decided to return this and try the Manfrotto 405 Geared Head.

The best heavy duty head for LF cameras

By Gray Owl
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2011-01-27

I use this head on Berlebach heavy duty and Gitzo 5530s tripods with both Sinar P2 and Linhof Kardan GTL cameras. And I feel myself much more comfortable with it than even with Linhof 77mm Levelling Pan/Tilt Head. The Manfrotto 400 Geared Head - has very smoothly movements and really easy supporting LR view cameras, as above. It's very useful for me in all kind of studio works especially I enjoy it at macro shooting. In a present time I think about buying one more Manfrotto 400.

Perfect geared head for studio

By Leon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-27

This geared head has cut down on the time it takes me to reposition my camera for studio work. I was previously using a ball head. Definitely money well spent!!!

The Best Head

By Willie
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-08

This is my 2nd time owning this head. I 1st bought it for 8x10 large format in 2000. It was great. I sold it after converting over to digital in 2009. Now I'm using it for my Nikon DSLR, a much smaller format. It adds sturdiness and control that just isn't in a ball head. I'll never part with it again.

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Asked by: Mike
Due to the mechanism/strength required to crank the Manfrotto 400 geared head, it might not be viable as a cinematic/video head. It rotates very slow, but also might vibrate from the motion of turning the gears depending on the strength exerted. Your results may vary.
Answered by: Jeremy
Date published: 2021-09-19

How accurate is the movement? Can it tilt/pan ...

How accurate is the movement? Can it tilt/pan 0.1deg or 0.5deg?
Asked by: igor
The motions on the Manfrotto 400 geared head are not as refined and it might be a tad bit harder to nail down very slight adjustments. Your results may vary!
Answered by: Jeremy
Date published: 2021-08-23

question

The specs say that this unit will tilt to -90 deg. Is -90 deg straight down, or is it straight up?
Asked by: James
By default down.But you can mount your camera rotated 180 degrees and the you can go 90 deg up.
Answered by: Petr O.
Date published: 2021-02-20
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