I recently bought Bogen's new magensium pan/tilt head, which, combined with the Bogen quick release system weighs only 1.1 lbs. I have used it for two weeks now and am very pleased with it and the price (about $85). It isn't nearly as sturdy as my Linhof 3 way levelling head; but it's sturdy enough for my Horseman 6 x 9 (about 4 lbs) and lenses up to 240 mm in length. It's great for backpacking/long hikes with my Gitzo 1228 tripod. The quick release system, while not as nice as the Arca Swiss system I have on my Linhof head, is more than adequate and seems very secure. If you're looking for a very light pan tilt head for backpacking for use with a light field camera, you should consider this head. Although the specs say it's maximum weight support is 6.6 lbs., I'd rate it at a bit more than that. Field cameras are also very balance in their weight distribution, much more so than typical 35 mm cameras. Just thought I'd share a good find with you.

-- Howard Slavitt (info@naturelandscape.com), April 10, 2000

Answers

Howard, does that head use Bogen's hexagonal q-r plate? Just wondering, as I already have a couple of other good Bogen heads that use the hexagon.

-- Simon (fourthpres@aol.com), April 10, 2000.

No it's not a hex plate; it's a rectangular plate.

-- Howard Slavitt (info@naturelandscape.com), April 10, 2000.