Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head with Quick Release (Black)

by Manfrotto

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003AM7UZS
• Item model number: 324RC2
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #85 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Heads
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 31, 2010

Product Description

The 324RC2 is built to satisfy the needs of photographers who are improving their skills. Very light, compact and easy to carry, the 324RC2's ergonomics have been tuned for comfort during use. This model features a new type of ball joint: an innovative hollow sphere made of stainless steel. This new manufacture technique was specifically developed to improve the lightness, accuracy and locking strength of the head. Weight reduction, improved performance and optimized ergonomics set this new head well above competitors' models and offer photographers products which are lightweight, compact and easy to carry, intuitive and easy to use, yet also extremely precise and sturdy. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Height 3.98"; Weight .95lbs; Maximum Capacity 7.7 lbs; Pan 360deg.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great improvement and a worthy purchase, August 15, 2010

By 

Anthony Loh (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head with Quick Release (Black) (Electronics)

I also owned a Manfrotto 322 Joystick head, and my review will be based on the comparison between the two.

1.) Function/weight. If you are already familiar with the 322, the 324 works exactly the same way as the 322, only is much lighter. It will fit better with a lighter weight tripod (e.g., a Manfrotto 190 models/Benro Travel Angel/Gitzo, etc).

2.) Quality. The 322 is made up solid steel which can take the roughest handling. The 324 seems quite solid in its own right, but it is definitely not made of solid steel, and I have my doubt whether it could be used as the same way as the 322.

3.) Ergonomic. The handle in 322 is quite flat; while the 324 has a much better ergonomic. The holding of the 324 feels better than the 322. Having said that, however, the 322 has it advantage of being "flat". Both side of the 322 have holes to allow you to change the "plate holder" by unscrewing it and screwed it on the other side; hence, allowing you to have the option to navigate the joystick head with either you right (default) or left hand (if you decided to change it). The 324, however, takes away that option. With the 324m, you are now limited to only squeezing the "trigger" with you right hand.

4.) Weight capacity. The 322 can take much heavier weight and thus heavier lenses. The 324 is for smaller lenses. Nonetheless, it handles the combo of Nikon D300S and the Nikkor 70-200mm VR II (the heaviest pair that I own) with a combined weight of more than 2kgs (4.4 Ibs) without problem at all. I don't know how would it performs with camera/lenses heavier than the Nikon D300S/Nikkor 70-200mm VR II combo, but I don't think it wouldn't have much problem with up to a 3kg load. Anything heavier than that you will want to use either 327, or stick with the 322.

To me, it is a worthy purchase and it makes the reason a lightweight tripod more justifiable - what's the point of buying a tripod that weight less than 1kg (2.2 Ibs) but paired it with a joystick head, such as the 322, which weight almost the same weight as the tripod?

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid, well-constructed, useful, June 29, 2010

By 

Eric Falsken (SF Bay Area, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head with Quick Release (Black) (Electronics)

Unfortunately, I'm in the process of up-sizing my camera (Nikon D90 with an AF-S 24-70 1:2.8G ED) so this grip is a little small. That said, it's able to hold my entire camera/lens in position without any drift, even in a vertical position (with the camera mounted on a horizontal arm). The handle is very easy to grip and manipulate, but if your lens has any weight (shifting the center of balance too far out from the body) you'll need to keep a hand on your camera while using the other to manipulate the grip. Definitely NOT GOOD for smooth panoramic shots. The ball has to be lubricated with some sort of oil or grease (how often probably depends on how/where you use it). Unfortunately, my fingers seem to always stray too near the ball and I get the oil on my fingers because one side of the ball is open/exposed so that it can be easily rotated into a portrait orientation. In addition to the ball movement, it's hard to see in the pictures, but the grip also allows the entire mount to rotate around the handle's collar (elevation), useful for pointing the camera straight down without the need for a horizontal arm or bracket.

As for the value, I'm still getting into photography, and $150 is a lot for a tripod head (even before buying the tripod), but rest assured that this head is very well constructed and worth every penny if a ball-head grip is what you're looking for. For most photographers, I think I'd still recommend Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release as a better starter head.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Manfrotto 324RC2 Lives Up To Expectations, May 1, 2011

By 

Gino - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head with Quick Release (Black) (Electronics)

After doing much research, I decided that a ball head with a single control joystick grip was what I wanted. The difficult choice was between the heavy duty 327RC2 or this one, but after reading some other reviews, I decided that the 324RC2 was sufficient for my purposes. While vacationing in California, I did several hikes in the Coachella Valley and Mojave Desert national and state parks, not to mention taking the scenic route back home through Arizona and Utah. The head worked perfectly in tandem with my carbon fiber tripod. The grip was extremely easy to use and for the most part, the control knob to adjust the tightness of the grip was set on low. Even when my D300 was coupled with a Sigma 20-200mm f2.8 zoom, the weight was not a problem for the grip. While I was doing some heavy duty climbing at Anzo Borrego State Park, I accidentally dropped the tripod & grip against some rocks. The bubble level apparently popped out of its mooring, but I didn't discover this until much later into the hike. I called the company that handles Manfrotto equipment in my area, and was told that sometimes, the glue and O-ring isn't always effectively inserted during assembly. After all, the impact wasn't that hard, but somehow, both bubble and O-ring came out. Fortunately, the replacement pieces will only cost me $12, which was a relief. Overall, I'm very happy with my new investment and strongly recommend the 324RC2.