Interesting assessment. Had my 405 for over 10 years of daily use and it is the single best tripod head I have ever owned in my 45 years as a pro - sorry it didn't work for this user.
@@simonp4598 I definitely didn't do that the first time and manfrotto took my money lol. It's a great head for precise movements. I couldn't do what I do with out it.
I have a 405 that soon after I received it started having trouble with the fine-tuning knob on the leveling axis. The large outer ring would disengage the gears fully as expected, but when I would release the outer ring to re-engage the gears the fine tuning knob would work smoothly for almost a full turn and then tighten down. I could still keep turning it to power through the rotation, but it was difficult for maybe 10-degrees of rotation, then it would free up again until I reached almost another 360 degrees of rotation - then it will repeat. It has the same behavior clockwise and counter-clockwise. Last night I tried pulling out the outer ring just barely while at the same time turning the fine-tuning knob and it was smooth through the full 360-degrees! So, it "feels" to me like the inner ring-gear that the worm gear meshes with is maybe out-of-round - at least that is what it "feels" like. It feels like the teeth of the gears are just meshing too tight ever so many turns, then opens up to allow smooth operation, then repeats? I sent the unit back under warranty for the same problem, but their fix only lasted for about an hour of use. Any idea what part I may need to replace?
Thanks for posting. I "kind of" fixed my 405. the fine tune adjustment isn't very good, but it has some functionality. I'm still searching for the complete breakdown & repair video. This is a good start, thanks again.
no problem.. if you watch my video a couple of times its not to hard to understand how the unit comes apart. If you go to the Manfrotto website they sell each part for it.
Good to know. Thanks for the vid. I just checked the Manfrotto website for the parts of the 405 head and if you buy the entirety of the pieces needed to create a 405 head it will cost you $1,100!! I recently purchased this Hejnar (Arca Swiss style) converted head along with a Manfrotto 161MK2 for about $1,000 and am happy but there is a little play on the pan axis of the tripod due to the geared telescoping neck and also the 405 has a very small amount of play on all axis. In retrospect I feel I should have bit the bullet and gone with a carbon Gitzo GT5563GS Giant and Arch Swiss D4 geared head. It would have cost more than 2.5x the price but the combo would have weighed 10 pounds instead of 22 and had zero play, greater durability and higher weight capacity.
yes, I don't know why you would buy part by part lol Just got to eBay and get a used one. Well, mine is still working well. And actually I use it more now than ever, I do commercial work and the fine tune knobs work amazingly when aiming, you can finesse the shot real well.
Thank You for sharing! I think, Manfrotto has to say something about, how can be broken in a box :)))) without using it :) Btw, looks to me good and smart construction. But why they are not using a metal plate with two tiny screw instead stickers? Bit shame, because You can order parts for it and You can repair, replace adjust whatever... Stickers hehe :) on a 500 dollar head...
+BMR Studio I think they updated the head with a new model. Hopefully the new one is not as bad about breaking. Ever since I fixed it this time it has not broken again. Hopefully it will hold up. Thanks for watching and sorry for the improvised video lol I was just frustrated with it breaking all the time.
Hi, thank you for this video. Before I dismantled my I want to ask you something, my is woobling in the 3 axis. Do I need to apart the all head or just turn the screw under the manfrotto sticker, the 3's? Thank you so much for your help. Greatings from Portugal.
The spring assembly with the thick washer and the silver screw is very odd. The whole thing could be replaced by a single solid piece (with no need for the washer or the screw), with the spring going directly into the metal part. The way it's designed, if you undo the screw while the head is assembled, the spring will lose its tension and the only way to fix it is to detach the tilt assembly from the rest of the head, tension the spring with the knob, and then assemble it again. Very strange design. I wonder if it's because they're trying to re-use parts from other heads.
thank you for the video.i had to service my manfrotto 405 on all its planes (3 of them ) admittedly its a good product but badly assembled by the manufacturer. however once I serviced it that particular gearing is as good as "it should be" since it was already crap when it came new!!!!!!!!
You're welcome, I know its not the best video explanation. I wanted to make a better video if it ever broke down again, but it's worked amazingly since I fixed it. I haven't had one single problem with it.
Hi Jafet. Thanks for the video. I bought one of these heads used and the handle that controls the left to right (roll) angle of the head gets tighter and tighter as you keep turning it clockwise. Does this sound like an issue I could fix myself following your instructions please ? Thanks.
Hello Ian, It sounds like the opposite of what I experienced with mine. In my case it would just get completely loose and not lock at all. However if I was you I'd still open it and clean it off, add fresh grease and make sure all parts are in the right place. If you noticed at the end of the disassembly there is a bolt that holds threads that must align in the center of the opening so that the lever can lock. From what you mention it sounds like this bolt is not centered and thus when it gets to the end it might be hitting the side of the wall at the end of the opening causing it to tighten. :-) hope you get it fixed. Mine is still working as of today 2 years after I repaired it.
Hello R Clarke, ever since I repaired it I have never had any more issues. I will add though I went back and added loctite threadlocker to the little stopping screws that way when I turned the knobs it would not loosen them. As I mentioned in another comment, Manfrotto released an updated head. If you are shooting products or anything close up this is the way to go since it can micro adjust. I was extremely frustrated with it 5 years ago since I had sent it in for repair twice at 180 dollars each time it was getting to be better to just buy a new one.
I dont get this at all. You have never used it yet its broken twice? once sent back to Manfrotto which we can image came back like new, serviced etc and then you broke it again (without using it) can you explain ????
NOOOOO Darn it!! I never used it. It sat on a dam box. Then took it out to use and it broke or it was broken. Send it to Manfrotto they supposedly fixed it. I threw it in a box again. Sat in the damn box again (because I was shooting portraits mostly, imagine shooting portraits with this. Its better to use a ball head.) Then I took it out for a commercial shoot and guess WHAAAATTTTTTTTTT the damn thing was broken!!!!!!!! and the service warranty period was over. I couldn't send it back, so rather than throwing it away, I opened it either I was going to ruin it for good or I was going to learn something. I've been shooting with it for about a year now and I have never had a single issue with it again. I don't know if I said it on the video or not but there are locking bolts on each knob (kind of like the ones that lock under the tripod/head, to hold the gripping mechanism, the knobs are plastic and I think they were not tight enough and also I added locktite. Sooooooo there I never used it..... you've never bought something and stashed it away in a box and not used it?????
