The Manfrotto 608 Nitrotech Video Head & Aluminum Tripodis a flat base fluid video head designed for the versatility needs of the independent content creator who's engaged in different types of projects. Thanks to its flat base with a 3/8"-16 mounting thread, as well as its relatively compact and lightweight design, the head can easily be moved between a compatible tripod and a slider, jib, monopod, and various other gear. One of the key features of the 608 Nitrotech is its Nitrogen gas piston counterbalance mechanism (hence, Nitrotech), which allows continuous counterbalance adjustment—as opposed to stepped or fixed—for the head's full payload range of 0 to 17.6 lb. Additionally, an upgraded fluid technology significantly improves continuously variable drag performance and enables smooth and judder-free pan and tilt movements.

Providing further flexibility, the head's camera plate system features a side-lock mechanism that allows for quicker and safer mounting of your camera plate and camera load. Instead of having to align and slide in your camera plate from the rear, you're able to conveniently tuck in one side of the plate from the top and then push and click on the other side.

The 608 Nitrotech offers two rosette mounts for attaching the included pan bar on either the left or right side. These rosettes also feature Manfrotto's Easy Link system for mounting accessories via an articulating arm. Each rosette has a 3/8"-16 port in the center and both Manfrotto and ARRI anti-rotation slots surrounding the mounting port. The Easy Link system is designed to support Manfrotto articulating arms equipped with anti-rotation pins or those with ARRI locating pins to prevent twisting. At the same time, standard articulating arms can also be attached.

Other features of the 608 Nitrotech include improved resistance to lower operating temperatures in comparison to previous Nitrotech models and improved ergonomics and materials used for the different knobs.

Flat Base Head; Half Ball Included    Nitrogen Piston Counterbalance Mechanism    Continuous Counterbalance up to 17.6 lb    Continuous Variable Pan and Tilt Drag    3-Section Tripod, Removable Spreader    66" Maximum Height / 29" Minimum Height    Twin Spiked Feet with Rubber Overshoes    Side Lock Camera Plate System    Rosette Mounts with 3/8"-16 Port    Manfrotto and ARRI Anti-Rotation Slots

• Flat base with 3/8"-16 mounting thread allowing for use on tripods, sliders, jibs, monopods, and other support gear
• Nitrogen gas piston counterbalance mechanism allows for continuous counterbalance adjustment for the full payload range of 0 to 17.6 lb
• Upgraded fluid technology enabling smooth and judder-free pan and tilt movements via continuously variable drag performance
• Easier, safer side-lock camera plate mechanism
• Two rosette mounts with a 3/8"-16 port and Manfrotto and ARRI anti-rotation slots for attaching the included pan bar and a standard or anti-twist articulating arm
• 5.9" height

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. I have read in forums that Manfrotto fluid heads created in the last few years were not designed to be real fluid heads, instead I have been told that they are friction heads. Does the new fluid technology mentioned in the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 and 612 mean that the heads use actual fluid for smoother panning along with a better counter balance system with the nitrogen piston technology?

A: Yes, this head does have fluid in it. Manfrotto has informed us that this head does use fluid and that the viscosity of the fluid is one of the things they have improved. This leads to it working much better in lower temperatures.

Q: 2. What is the height of this head?

A: This head is 5.9" / 15 cm tall.

Q: 3. I just got my tripod with this head delivered. The tilt grag only turns about 3/4 turn from max drag to min. drag. When set to minimum drag, the head still bounces back up (with Nitrogen piston at minimum all--about 9 turns on that dial). Is something wrong with my head? Is there someway to get the drag fully loosened? I can't set the camera to not bounce back to level when I let go.

A: You have three adjustments. Two are for resistance which has nothing to do with stability of your camera. Resistance settings are only for resistance during a move. These are pan and tilt. When setting up the camera you should set these as loose as you can get them. Counter Clockwise is more resistance and Clockwise less resistance. The Nitrogen Piston setting is based on the weight of the camera. Again you need to set the Piston setting. Again clockwise tightens and counter clockwise loosens. Whe setting up the camera you need to be as clockwise as possible and then make sure that the camera plate and camera are balanced (not falling forward or backward). Once you have the camera balanced the turn the Nitrogen Piston Knob all the way counter clockwise and then back it off until your camera stablizes its position no mater what angle it is in. Then you can adjust the resistance to your preference. We have a rigging kit with follow focus and barn doors, so we had to add weight to the back of the rig for balancing. Normally you won't need to do this. If you have questions you can give us a call. 720-493-9966. Hope this helps. Bjarne Blume AVCOM Media Production

Q: 4. What is different about this from the Manfrotto Nitrotech N8?

A: The load capacity and many other features are the same as the N8. However this model offers upgraded fluid technology which enables smooth and judder-free pan and tilt movements thanks to a continuously variable drag performance.

Q: 5. Does it have a minimum balance weight?

A: Yes it does. This head has a load capacity between 8.8 to 26.4 pounds.

Q: 6. is this compatible with sachtler flowtech75?

A: Just as long as you have a 75mm Half Ball Adapter, like B&H # MA520BALL, you will be able to fit this head on a tripod with a 75mm Bowl. https://bhpho.to/2hQRMbo

Q: 7. Will this work with manfrotto mt055 legs?

A: Yes it will. This will work with legs such as the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod, B&H # MAMT055XPRO. https://bhpho.to/2gp8yO1

Q: 8. Is the N8 head compatable with the Manfrotto carbon legs 755CX3? N8 flat plate is 75mm diameter and the legs have a 50mm top plate. N8 will screw on OK, but ....

A: Yes, this head will work with the Manfrotto 755CX3 legs. Those legs have a 3/8"-16 Stud which will allow this head to connect to it.

Q: 9. What's the difference between this and the Manfrotto 612 head? Both look very similar. Thanks!

A: The Manfrotto 612 Nitrotech Fluid Video Head is an updated and improved design tripod head that maintains the same specs of the N12 head. Improvements are most notable in the adjustment dial on the right hand side which has controls for fluid drag, in the center dial, and the tilt brake in the larger dial.

Q: 10. Can the N8 video head be mounted on tripod with 3/8' screw?

A: Yes, this head will mount on a tripod with a 3/8"-16 Stud. It has a 3/8"-16 Thread.