Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System

by Bogen

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 4 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009R6MQ
• Item model number: 486RC2
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head is the same as the 486 but equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate. The 486RC2 is a direct replacement of the 3413QR and 3055S ProBall and Heavy-Duty Double Action Ball Heads. A strong die-cast construction, precision machined aluminum housing, and an extremely hard phenolic resin ball provides smooth movements across all tilt positions. The 486RC2 features a single ratchet locking knob for 360-degree pan and a double groove for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements. Camera plate has a 1/4-20-inch male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 3/8-inch female. Optional Plates: 200PL-38, 200PLARCH-14, 200PLARCH-38.

Features include:

• Sturdy all-metal construction
• The double 90-degree groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up
• The compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads
• This head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully
• A repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mechanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob
• A convenient single locking mechanism blocks or frees movement on all axes for greater speed of use

Product Description

Same as the 486 but equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate. The 486RC2 is a direct replacement of the 3413QR and 3055S ProBall and Heavy-Duty Double Action Ball Heads.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good head for the price, June 10, 2006

By 

thunderunderkilt (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (Electronics)

I bought this head because it was a good price, and it had the weight carrying capacity to hold my panoramic head, a 70-200mm zoom lens and my DSLR. Also, I was looking for a head with a quick release system which allows me to quickly remove and attach my camera to the ball head. The 486RC2 meets these requirements admirably.

I only have one complaint. There is only one nob to do three tasks

1. Release the ball so that the camera can be repositioned.

2. Set the tension for how much pressure is required to move the ball head.

3. Set the tension for rotating the base of the ball head.

This means that when I loosen the tension nob to do any one of the above tasks, the other two can happen without me wanting them to. As a result, I have to be careful when loosening the ball-head to make sure that the camera goes where I want it to. This isn't too big of an issue for regular shots, but once I have my panoramic head mounted, it takes longer than I'd like to get my system level.

So would I buy this head again? You betcha! For the price I was willing to pay, it's been a great head so far.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple, effective ballhead with no frills for a low price, January 9, 2007

By 

A. Rush "Seriously amateur" (Forest Hill, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (Electronics)

I will start by saying this is my first serious tripod purchase (this ballhead combined with B-M 3021PRO legs) so I only have consumer-grade tripods to compare it to. That being said, the jump in quality and stability is absolutely stunning. I have several tripods, none of which were more than $30, and I cannot believe that I made it this long without a decent tripod, or even knowing what a decent tripod is.

Given the price, this ballhead is definitely entry-level, and that's apparent with usage. However, don't mistake that statement to mean that the 486RC2 is inadequate or of poor quality. As a compact ballhead, it performs perfectly, and it locks mostly firmly and moves smoothly. I like the slots for vertical alignment. I have had no trouble attaching or removing my camera (a Konica-Minolta Maxxum 7D), and the build quality is excellent overall. It is very compact.

Now, to the limitations. It is entry-level, as I mentioned, so it is very no frills. I wish it had bubble levels to ensure it's exactly even, though they can be added to your camera for low cost from a hardware store. Also, the locking/release lever is not easy to manipulate for precision, though with practice it becomes easier. When I release the camera with a larger lens mounted (the 7D is quite heavy to begin with), I find that the lever needs to be forced very tightly to not move slightly. Beyond that, there's not much to address because that's all there is.

Bottomline, you'll get more features with other models, but you'll pay more. Until you know what you need in a ballhead and know the brands and models, the 486RC2 is a great place to start to pair with some quality legs.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meets quality expectations of Bogen/Manfrotto!, January 23, 2008

By 

Bogus Exception (Norwich, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (Electronics)

Don't believe the reviews that say it is "so-so", or not worth the $.

I got this for Bogen's MF4 tripod (18.5"), after finding it way too difficult to use with their 3 piece monopod (they have a better, lighter, 1-axis head for that!).

What a surprise. The nice thing is the RC2 disconnect. This is a fabulous mount for my dSLR (Canon 40D), as it is shallow enough to let me leave it on full time, regardless of the bag. The mount also has a small feature that allows the locking arm to be locked in the 'locked' position. This is so when a shutter cable or strap catches it by mistake, the release isn't activated and I watch $4k go into the pavement! Thanks Bogen!

Another thing not evident in the descriptions and reviews is that the single lock also allows the head to rotate in the Z axis. Why would you need this with a ball? Because the locking knob needs to move when you move the camera! This way, the locking knob can be in the right position when you reposition the camera. The dual 90 degree indentations for portrait orientation allow for the knob to be on the left or right side!

Feature-wise, even the locking knob has a trick! Even after you lock it, you can pull it out (spring loaded) and rotate it-without loosening the ball! This way you can always have the knob in the right position for your hand without looking.

Enough about features. There is one thing I completely didn't expect: the ball doesn't move when locked. Not even a _little_! When I frame the shot, I reach for the knob with my eye still in the finder, lock it in, and release my hand. No movement, settling, wiggling-nothing. Perhaps the fact that it is mated to a Bogen tripod makes this possible, but this is the first tripod/head arrangement I've used that is of this high a build quality. The parts being single molded pieces probably has a lot to do with that-no bolts, screws or welds. Sweet.

I'm using a Canon 40D and the biggest lens is my 28-135mm. I feel that the 484 would be a little too small for this camera. It might work, but I wouldn't trust my stuff on that small a ball.

Great value for under $100!