Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

This product is sturdy and well made. However, as both the vertical and horizontal setting are controlled by one lever, it is difficult to really make sure your shots are level horizontally - independent of the tripod which oftentimes has a bubble setting to assure horizontal alignment.
Also, I have a EOS 1D Mark III plus a zoom lens, if you want to take vertical shots (as in turning the camera to its side), it seems that no matter how hard you secure the lever, the camera will droop down.

I purchased this 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with my new Bogen Menfrotto 190XPROB. I really like this ball head. As a wildlife photographer I needed a ball head I could adjust quickly in any direction. It works very well even with my Canon EOS 30D and EF 100-400mm lens. It will hold my camera in any position I set it. I really like the ability to tilt my camera 90 degrees forward or back without having to turn the mount 180 degrees like with other ball heads.

This is a very solid thing. Its larger and heavier than it looks in the picture and it fits best on on a full sized tripod.

Its "entry level" only because it lacks a separate knob for tension control. For the price, this is a super value.

I wanted to point out that for any of the modern, compact dSLR's, with almost any lens, probably even a 300mm 2.8 prime one, this will still hold it.

If you want a head for light traveling, and you only have consumer lenses, look at the mini ball version. Also solid though it wont lock down as strong. Don't listen to the arca groupies...

I picked up this ball head with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021B Pro tripod. I have been shooting on a department store cheapo for years and decided to get a real tripod and ball head.

After days of researching different brand names in the ball head field I decided to go with this model because of it's simplicity and price. After using it I'm convinced that even the Bogen/Manfrotto entry-level ball heads are quality made and not lacking in durability.

This unit is very simple to use and maneuver, it also fits perfectly on my Bogen/Manfrotto 3021B tripod. For under $70.00 this is one of the better ball heads in the entry-level field.

This is a great and affordable all-purpose ball head. Best used with shorter lenses, although it can handle the weight of larger ones. I used it with a Canon 5D and 100-400L attached, but it's a bit unwieldy with that load. Note: it is not for panoramas. Get the 486MGRC2 if you want that additional option.

After reading all of the reviews for compact ball heads, I decided to give the Bogen-Manfrotto 486C2 with rapid connect system a shot. I have mated this head with my Bogen-Manfrotto Three Section Monopod, Black Anodized.. In my opinion these two items are the perfect match. This compact ball head is very high quality, and the rapid connect system is simply awesome! I have attached my Canon 40D digital SLR camera, with a Canon 580EX flash and a Canon 70-300mm IS/USM zoom lens, and the 486RC2 holds it all in place firmly. It takes a little adjustment, to set the friction adjustment for the ball head, to allow just the right amount of adjustability, but once you have it set it performs flawlessly. There are grooves in the head mechanism, which allow for easy transition from horizontal to verticle camera placement. I especially like the added safety feature, for releasing the quick connect camera platform, which prevents you from accidentally bumping the release lever and sending your expensive SLR camera on a death dive to the ground.

Although not cheap, this Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head is a solid 5-star product. It is made of heavy duty, high quality materials, and I am confident that it will last for many years to come. It may be a little overkill for a point and shoot camera, or even for a lightweight video camera, but if you use heavy SLR equipment with fairly large lenses, then a solid performer like the 486RC2 is a must. Go ahead and buy it today. Your camera is worth it!

Concerning the ball head:
This head is built like a tank. The ball itself is at least an inch in diameter, and the tightening lever is large, making it easy to adjust, even with gloves. The head can drop to portrait orientation on either side, giving you more flexibility without having to move the tripod.

Concerning the RC2 system:
The release lever has a safety that is easily toggled, yet will still keep you from accidentally releasing the camera. But when you want to release the camera, it pops off quickly. When you put it back on, the level locks it into place automatically.