Manfrotto 488RC0 Midi Ball Head with 030- 14 RC0 Rapid Connect Plate

by Bogen

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.1 x 4.8 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009R6MW
• Item model number: 488RC0
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

A ball head gives great positionability, perfect for quick set up in the field or studio. Two spirit levels help to attain precise leveling on both vertical or horizontal axes. This Manfrotto Midi Ball Head features a built in quick release system for quick attachment and removal of your camera.. Camera attachment has 1/4” male thread. Head to tripod attachment is 3/8” female. Color: black; height: 5.28 in.; independent pan lock; - 90Degree / +90Degree tilt range; load capacity: 17.64 lbs.; material: aluminum; panoramic rotation: 360 Degree; plate type: 030- 14; secondary safety system; weight: 1.83 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This amateaur finds it great!, July 10, 2006

By 

Pratap (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 488RC0 Midi Ball Head with 030- 14 RC0 Rapid Connect Plate (Electronics)

This is my first 'pro' ball head. I have the SLIK 700DX Pro tripod legs, and I purchased this because it was the cheapest Manfrotto ball head I could find with the following functions:

1) Seperate controls for panning and tilting
2) Bubble level
3) Load capacity of 17.6 lbs (or 8 kg)
4) Quick release plate

I don't own heavy lens, so I cannot comment on how sturdy it is with those ultra zooms, but the overall build of this head is pretty damn good. The quick release mechanism takes a little while to get used to, but it is quite simple and needs no special skills. Some may find the hexagonal shaped plate a tad bit too big (especially when carrying it around), but I don't mind it. Those of you who plan to mount this on Manfrotto tripod legs would be happy to know that there is a special screw system on Manfrotto legs that help this head (and all of this variety) to 'lock on', without you having to keeping turning it to screw it tight. Screwing it too hard may damage the threading (so I have heard), so be careful when using it. All in all, I am very satisfied with the 488 w/ RC0 ball head!

One complaint I have, however, is that the circular degree markings on the circumference of the base (to aid in panning) wears off after a while.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but with a poorly designed quick release plate, November 26, 2006

By 

chromatic-aberration (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

Might not be appropriate for really huge field artillery sized telephoto lenses and large format cameras, but it works quite well with my SLR and 70-300. My only gripe about this setup is the screw / knob that protrudes out of the bottom of the quick release plate - it makes storage (or setting the camera on a flat surface) awkward. The whole point, IMHO, of the QR plate is to be able to leave it on the camera, and this design makes it impractical.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, February 13, 2008

By 

Nightwolf "Kai" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 488RC0 Midi Ball Head with 030- 14 RC0 Rapid Connect Plate (Electronics)

The tripod head works for any camera and is totality secure. I got it for my 4x5 camera and it does not move or juggle at ALL. So you can bet it will works for any camera you own.