Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head with Quick Release (Black)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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?

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.

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.

This is a jewel and if you are looking for a joystick to mount anything less than 7.5lbs worth of camera equipment, you are in good hands with the Manfrotto 324RC2! I mounted this to a 190XPROB and have fallen in love with its ease of use and great motion. To note, its probably not a good solution for video as it would be too wobbly during panning. Also, YOU CAN switch this from RIGHT HANDED to LEFT HANDED operation. The directions are located on youtube ([...]) and its easy to perform. I have had around 5 lbs worth of equipment on top of this head and placed in some very hard angles and there was no drift. Great joystick head!

Adds more weight to a monopod (which is what I needed it for). The joystick head is great, but still not as fluid as I would hope. I would rely on this more for photography and get something else for video needs. Not happy that Amazon is selling this twenty dollars cheaper from a few months ago, but typical.

There's a reason why this was highly rated in a photography magazine - it works! Excellent control. No sagging after locking it in position. Easy to use.
My only problem is that I needed to purchase an adapter (1/4" to 3/8") for it to fit onto my older tripod, but this is a minor concern.

I use this joystick with my Canon EOS 7D and 24-105 L series lens. It handles everything with ease on my Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. Just press the trigger and set it how you want it for pictures or press and hold the trigger to scan for videos.

This is one of the best innovations to come along in a long time. I've gone through a lot of tripods and heads over the years and this is the only way to go. Solid with no slippage, extremely fast and a decent weight. Outstanding. I might consider the more costly version at some point in the future for some larger, heavier lens/body combos that I will end up with; but for now, this is working GREAT.

The first Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Head I received had a minor problem -- it was missing one of the screws securing the camera stage to the joystick. Since the camera stage was held by only one screw instead of two, there was no way to be confident that the camera was properly secured. I almost kept the head, but decided it would take too much time to hunt down the specialized fastener, plus single screw sales annoy industrial parts suppliers, who usually require a minimum purchase. I'd have to buy 50 to get the one I needed.

Amazon promptly sent a replacement. But the second joystick head also had a minor assembly error - the bubble level was never glued in place, only inserted into the head without any adhesive.

Obviously, Manfrotto is having manufacturing problems. Both heads suffered problems not with the design, but due to careless assembly.

I'd recommend this product, but would caution a very close inspection. Neither of the issues above were apparent upon unboxing the product. In fact, I had to go dumpster diving to retrieve the packaging in order to return the first unit.

Failure to glue in the bubble level seems like no big deal, but it is essential because leveling the camera is the entire purpose of this device. I decided to keep the second head, but I may regret it later if I don't have the right glue, have to drive across town to buy something, fight holiday traffic, then mess up application and smudge glue on the parts or else ruin my clothes. Minor issues like this too often take on a life all their own.

Apart from the manufacturing problems, if there is anything to wish for in this device, it would be including of a separate riser. As you can see from the photo, the base mounting point of the joystick head is not very tall. For most applications on a tripod, this is probably OK. But it would help to have an optional spacer to insure full range motion in the joystick in all applications.

In my case, I am not mounting on a tripod, but rather on a cheeseplate platform on a small tabletop camera dolly used for video. This head is certainly strong enough for a DSLR, and very nicely designed. The parts are strong and nicely finished -- highly recommended other than reservations about careless assembly.

This is a good product. If you hadn't anything to compare it against, you'd probably be ok with it; however, Manfrotto makes a better product...the 322. Yes, you have to pack an extra HALF pound around, and yes it costs like 10 bucks more or something, but the 322 is so much SMOOTHER (not even close...I mean NOT-EVEN-CLOSE to the 324), and it is also a lot more solid when the trigger is let go.

This product, the 324 is small, compact, light, and will get the job done for most photographers who don't need to constantly pan horizontally or rotate vertically to follow something. If you are setting up to shoot sunsets, flowers, perched birds etc. etc. this ball head may be just the ticket for you and the half pound savings would probably be worth it. It is very solid and I expect it will handle all but the very biggest camera/lens combos. So my issue is with the movement, not the steadiness. I bought this for a spotting scope. Since I constantly pan and rotate the scope, when I unboxed the 324 and played with it, my heart sank. I have the Brunton version of the 322 and it is far smoother. I can tell it wasn't a lube problem with the 324. It was sticky, jerky, and plain rough. I tried the adjustment hex screw and it didn't solve the problem. Tried the friction knob...no luck. What finally worked for me?...I ordered a 322 (accepting the 0.5 lb increase, sigh) and it is the most amazingly smooth but solid joystick head I've ever handled...even better than my Brunton clone of the 322.

Final recommendation...this is a very good head, and for many this will be plenty nice enough with the lower cost and benefit of lower weight. For me, hands down the 322 is a far better head. I would like to try the 327 but expect that since it uses the same ball as the 324, I would be perhaps wasting my time. Thrilled with my new 322. Thank you amazon for taking back my 324.