Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2

by Manfrotto

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002WN212I
• Item model number: 496RC2
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #7 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Heads
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 10, 2009

Product Description

This ball head has been total redesigned for better ease of use. A new design friction control knob allows the photographer to achieve superior control when handling the camera and making micro movements without having to totally lock and unlock the ball head. The knobs have been redesigned to be more ergonomic, easier to handle and more user-friendly. The ergonomic shape allows the user to better lock the ball securely. A repositionable Locking lever allows the user to place it in a comfortable position in order to use it in the most convenient way. Just pull it outwards, put it in the best working position and then release it. This model features a RC2 quick release plate including an additional safety system that prevents the accidental detaching of the camera from the head. The locking lever securely locks the head both in the +90° -90° ball positioning and in the 360° pan movements. This ball head is strong enough to hold a 35mm SLR camera with medium weight lenses and light medium format cameras up to 13 pounds. This replaces the Manfrotto 486RC2

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impecable italian quality, January 15, 2010

By 

Pger (San Jose, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2 (Electronics)

I got this from J&R NY through Amazon, along with a Manfrotto 055xprob tripod from Adorama. Excellent service from all parts involved and items arrived earlier than expected. These top notch Manhattan establishments have never dissapointed me (along with B&H).

Originally I was going for the 486RC2 but then I found out that this model was replaced by the 496RC2. Main addition is the friction control knob and I gotta tell you this was an awesome addition. The quality of this head and the Manfrotto tripod is outstanding, you do feel the quality components when you touch them. Friction control is great because you can fine tune it depending on the weight of your camera lens.

I was a little worried about not having a separate panning knob like the 498RC2 but the friction control allows me to have just enough friction so I can pan easily with the main knob without changing the vertical alignment of the camera so its a non issue.

Grazie mille Manfrotto per questo produtto, mi piace moltisssimo!!!

Update 01/19: after some use I just want to comment. This ballhead is all I wanted it to be! However, if you do a lot of panoramas do get the 498 model which has a separate panning head. I found out I don't miss one as I don't do a lot of panoramas, plus I have it on top of a Manfrotto 055xprob which is very tall so I don't need to extend the center column. This allows me to loosen the center column nob a little when I need to pan so it serves me as a panning knob. Also you can do it be releasing a little the friction control knob as I stated above.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tripod head, January 27, 2010

By 

Mike From Mesa "MikeFromMesa" (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2 (Electronics)

I recently purchased a Manfrotto monopod and, with it, the Manfrotto 234RC head. I found the head to be so well-made and the quick-release plate to hold so well that I decided to buy the 496RC2 for my tripod.

Right out of the box I could feel how well-made the head is. It rotates very smoothly and the ball head moves so easily when the Friction and Lock knobs are open that it is a delight to use. In addition it holds my camera and lens (Canon T1i and 18-200 mm lens) very snugly. The Friction knob allows me to position the camera and then lock it with the Lock knob. When the camera is horizontal I can take extended time exposures (10 seconds or more) with no fear of camera movement. I have seen some camera movement when the ball head is turned so that the camera is vertical, but very little and it is not noticable unless I view the picture 1:1. Considering that my camera and lens together probably weigh 4 pounds and that the tripod I am using is not particularly good, I consider that to be acceptable. I expect to upgrade my tripod anyway and believe even the vertical movement will disappear when I do so.

One word of caution. The 496RC2 does not come with a thread adapter so it will not fit a 1/4 inch screw. I had to take the adapter from my 234RC (which did come with one) and use it on the 496RC2. I also bought an extra one from Amazon so I would have both. If your tripod uses a 1/4 screw you will have to buy an adapter (Gitzo GS5000 - $4.00 from Amazon).

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buy the 488/498 Instead, July 14, 2010

By 

approach - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2 (Electronics)

This head is certainly lighter than my 488rc2, but with the QR plate folded over, it's only about .25" shorter. So, from a packing perspective, it's nothing to write home about.

The new friction knob is OK. I suspect that if I was keeping this head, I'd come to like it.

The show stopper for me is the panning, which is non-existent. Yes, I know there's no panning knob, but from the reviews and Amazon's description ("the 360° pan movements") I was hoping to be able to carefully pan. But that just wasn't happening with the one Amazon shipped me.

There is a "bearing" between the body and the bottom plate of the head, but it was VERY stiff. So stiff that I ended up moving the ball in the socket instead of rotating the whole head.

If you don't care to make panoramas, this is a decent head. I'd be inclined, however, to look at the 494rc2 instead. It's quite a bit smaller, and significantly smaller than my 488rc2.