Geared vs Pan head

[tiha]

What are advantages of geared head vs pan head? And is it worth the price difference? I'm considering Manfrotto 410 and it will be used mainly for macro and product photography.

[Hermes]

Geared heads are very precise - you can fine-tune effortlessly. There is no loosening & tightening as you would on a pan head so it's impossible for the camera position to slip under gravity/pressure. Good geared heads (like the 410) also have quick release collars for fast adjustment.

100% worth the price difference to me.

[bohdank]

Perfect for your intended use for the reasons listed previously.

[rdricks]

I have the 410 and love it. The geared is extremely precise. With the quick release you can quickly orient the camera, and then use the knobs to fine tune. For macro I think it is definitely worth the difference in price for the fine tuning ability, and knowing that when you let go of the gear knob the head is staying exactly where you set it.

[Wilt]

Geared heads are precise, work wonderfully for controlling heavy loads, but slow in large adjustments.

Pan heads are faster than geared, but do not well control heavy loads.

Ball heads are fastest, work well with light/balanced loads, even worse than pan heads with heavy loads.

I would prefer geared heads for work with large, heavy monorail view cameras in the studio, pan heads for movie/video work, ball heads for dSLRs and medium format SLRs, gimbal heads for dSLRs and SLRs with large, long telephoto lenses

[hyt]

A geared head like the 410 you are considering has a key advantage over all but the most expensive ball and pan heads in that once you've set your composition, it won't move. Low to mid range ball and pan heads tend to droop or drift very slightly when you tighten them down, and the resulting change in composition can be frustrating especially at macro and long telephoto magnification.

I've bought and sold a few 410's over the years, and keep coming back to it. The one I most recently bought (late 2009) had some metal shavings and rather sloppy greasing so you'll probably need some q-tips and a clean cloth for a wipe-down before using it. Something else I would consider looking into is the Arca-Swiss quick release system if you're looking to use a few different lenses and bodies on the head. It will make your life a little easier. Kirk makes a clamp that fits the 410:

http://www.kirkphoto.com/SQRC-3271_Manfrotto_3271_Quick_Release_Clamp.html

[tiha]

Thanks for your replies! I will most probably go for 410.

[RPCrowe]

One head will often not cover all the needs of a photographer, just as a single tripod will not always cover all the needs.

I have several heads and two tripods and will use the combinations then they are the best for the type of photography which I am shooting.

[hyt]

One head will often not cover all the needs of a photographer, just as a single tripod will not always cover all the needs.

I have several heads and two tripods and will use the combinations then they are the best for the type of photography which I am shooting.

Likewise (I have a Markins Q3, Arca-Swiss Z1 and Manfrotto 410). However the OP said he mainly needed it for product and macro. That's geared head territory, imo. YMMV.