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Technical Details
- Supports up to 13 pounds
- Repositionable locking lever for most comfortable use.
- New ergonomic design.
- New friction control for better control.
- Quick release system features a new style secondary lock.
Product Details
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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
90 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
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).
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).
36 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent starter ball head
I have the 486RC2 which is the successor to this model and it served me well for over a year. It worked flawlessly with my D90 and D7000 cameras and most of my lenses. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Roland Penttila
no problems - holds tight
With the sony a55 and long lens g70-300 it holds nice and tight.
Mounted on the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod it is a great combination. Read more
Mounted on the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod it is a great combination. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Mr. Philip N. Bradley
just amazing
I own this ball head almost for a year with manfrotto tripod, i can shoot from any angle i want, camera stays always in place where i lock it, btw it pans, just no separate locking... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robas
A good ball head
A well made ball head which I'm using with a Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod. It will happily support my Nikon D80 with battery pack attached and a 70 - 300mm lens in both landscape and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nat L
Excellent Ballhead for D7000
I was looking for a ball head that would support a moderately heavy camera rig without sagging. I had purchased a Dolica tripod and ball head from Amazon when I first got into... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rick G
Smooth Action, Quick Release a Little Awkward, Heavy
I bought this to replace a Benro BR268 (no longer made and now I believe it has been replaced by the BH0). I will compare the two. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Guy A. Edson
Broke after a year
Great ballhead while it lasted. After a little less than a year, it refused to lock in the Quick Release plate rendering it completely useless. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Opihi
you need a ball head on your pod
tripod monopod does not matter. if not this model another one. Do not think of getting a regular head mount for your tripod. Read more
Published 2 months ago by John the Asian redneck
Capable Entry-Level Ball Head
The Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head cost $74 new from Amazon. It is a decent entry level ball head. IMO you get what you pay for -- but nothing more. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Cameron Scholtz
Awsome movement and control!
After 2 months of research I finally bought this head with a Manfrotto monopod and what a great buy it was. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nuno do Rosario
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