Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this ball head because my previous one had too much play in it--I'd set it and the lens would sag a little as I let go. For macro photography, that's a pain. This head does a very good job for the price. I did some tests with a Canon EOS 10D with a 300mm lens on a focusing rail extended all the way out. While there was a little movement when I set it, it was not problematic. It's a good solid choice for a serious photographer.

I switched from a 486rc2 to the 488rc2 due to the ease of rotating without loosening the ball. Well worth the expense and it holds my canon 30d with battery pack and a 100-400mm tele without any slippage.

This tripod head is a good value for photographers with consumer-grade cameras. My Nikon D40 SLR with 18-200 f/5.6 lens and flash attached weighs about 4.5 pounds. The Bogen 488 head locks down smoothly and securely with no drooping. I really hate it when cheaper heads droop a little after you've composed your scene, then you have to start all over again. The separate panning lock lever is a great feature.

The Bogen quick-release system works great, too. I have a Bogen quick-release plate permanently mounted on my camera and a quick-release head on my monopod, too.

This head is fairly large (4.5 inches tall and 2.5 inch diameter base) so make sure you have room on your tripod for it.

If you have a pro camera with a pro lens that weighs 3 times as much as my setup, you should probably be looking at pro tripod heads like Kirk or Markins that cost 3 times as much as Bogen. Most amateurs will be happy with the Bogen.

This ball head is great! Its movement is smooth, especially in the pan. There is a very small amount of settling after locking the ball, noticeable in close-up work, but it's not as bad as a plastic pan/tilt head. Considering the price and the ease of use of the ball head, I can live with it. It really isn't a problem and you shouldn't be dissuaded by it since you probably won't find a perfectly locking head without paying hundreds of dollars more. The pan function is very helpful for fine-tuning your composition. It's also a must have feature if you ever want to create panoramas from multiple exposures. The quick-release plate attaches very firmly to the camera and locks securely onto the head. There's even a small safety lock to keep you from accidentally releasing the plate from the head. I've been using a Nikon D80 with 18-200mm lens with no problems. The head holds the camera firmly in any position. It's rated for heavy SLRs and Medium Format cameras if matched with the right tripod legs. The knobs for the ball head and pan are smooth. The ball knob locks the head easily without the need to over-tighten, in fact all the locking parts on this head are smooth and effortless. There are no levels, but I've never used the levels on previous tripods anyway. I love this ball head compared to pan/tilt heads because of its easy, unlimited movement. I can tilt in any direction, and since there are notches on left and right, I can set it to a 90 degree vertical position on either side. I didn't set out looking to pay this much for my tripod needs, but after a lot of research this was the only affordable head with all the features I wanted: weight capacity, quick-release, and separate pan lock. And now after using it, I believe it was well-worth the investment.

I paired this up with a set of 055XPROB legs and all I can say is wow. This head easily handles any configuration I throw on it. It locks tight and doesn't show any creeping any way. The 3157N plates aren't expensive, so I have no qualms purchasing more for each telephoto I have. The pan function on the base is very useful, setup the shot/angle and you can pan left to right effortlessly! As another reviewer noted, the head is surprisingly heavy- but to me that says "build-quality." This head will be solid for many years to come.

I have this on top of a Manfrotto 055cxpro3 tripod, and it's a terrific combination. The head is very steady, easy to adjust, and has a separate pan adjustment (v. useful when doing panoramas). I love the RC2 quick release head (and I have the same one on my monopod, so it's very convenient).

I tried a Manfrotto 322rc2 as well, which people on Amazon really seem to love. I wasn't crazy about it. The effort to adjust it was considerable, and it was freaking huge. Much lighter than it looks, though.

I use the 488rc2 with a Nikon D300 + 18-200mm Nikkor. Word to the wise: get a cable release. You can do wonderful long exposure shots with a tripod and this head, but your finger on the button will add just a little camera shake.

This is a nice solid head with a good feel. I'm not a pro and I'll admit I was moving up from a cheaper tripod, but every time I handle this thing I get a little surge when I realize how easily it adjusts and how well it locks into position. I also really like having the second knob that gives you the option of horizontal only.

If I have any niggle, it's with the tiny gold safety lever that must be pushed down and turned in order to operate the main locking plate lever. The design works fine, but the lever is very small and I'd guess that in cold weather it might be a little hard to use. Still, it hasn't been a problem for me so far, and I have large hands. Definitely happy with the purchase.

The camera I've been using on the Bogen-Manfrotto 488R C2 Midi Ball Head is the KM Maxxum 7D, along with the KM Battery Pack/Vertical Grip. The Vertical Grip holds two batteries. My largest glass is a Sigma 70mm to 200mm 2.8, and the 488RC2 holds the camer steady.

The 488RC2 Ball Head works very good and holds my heavy camera up very well. This product is well made, and I'm happy that I've purchased the 488RC2. I recommend the Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head.

I also purchase the Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head, and I find that I personally like this one the best of the two. With the 322RC2 you don't have to tighten down knobs to hold in place. You just squeeze the hand grip and move to the position you want and let go of the grip and then take your photograph.

I've been using this ballhead for more than a year now, and really like it for most uses. It is easy to control, no slipping when tightened, and the RC2 is really easy to connect and disconnect.

Apart from obvious use in panning, the separate panning control also allows you to reposition the head so that the knob is at a convenient position after you've placed the tripod down - the ground may dictate where the legs need to go.

It's not ideal for frame filling macros, or when you need to compose exactly what is in the frame and the camera is not very close to upright. There is a slight sag when releasing the camera after tightening the knob. This is not the same as slipping - it sags, then remain stable. You have to learn to compensate for it. I find that wriggling the camera after it has attached to the QR before positioning helps somewhat, indicating some of the fault lies with the QR.

RC2 is inexpensive and quite sturdy, but it is obviously not an Arca Swiss. It's stable enough - just make sure that it is attached properly before letting go - but it is not as confidence inspiring as an Arca Swiss QR. On the other hand, plates are a lot cheaper and it is very easy to attach and remove. I do miss the camera specific normal and L plates that are available for Arca Swiss QR though.

Getting out of my former cheap tripod and into the Bogen-Manfrotto system has made shooting even more enjoyable. If you're serious about getting good results you need a good tripod system. Bought this head along with the 3021BPRO tripod. The operation is smooth and sturdy so far with my current camera body and lens. Have not put any big glass on it yet. I like the ballhead because there are so many ways to move the camera without having to deal with a lot of levers and knobs. The pan feature is nice as is the quick release system. I also like the heft and feel of this head, something says quality there