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

by Manfrotto
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)

List Price: $100.00
Price: $88.19 & FREE Shipping. Details
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Only 15 left in stock.
Sold by bakya's and Fulfilled by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.
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  • 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.

Frequently Bought Together

Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2 + Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod + VidPro TC-27 Padded Tripod Bag carries 27-Inch Long Tripods
Price for all three: $270.46

Buy the selected items together



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  • Buy Used and Save: Get the "Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Repl..." for a lot less. Amazon Warehouse Deals offers deep discounts on open-box or used versions of this item. Products are eligible for Amazon's 30-day returns policy and Prime or Super Saver Shipping. See all Used offers from Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Product Details

  • Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches ; 15.2 ounces
  • 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 (99 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • 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

I would definitely recommend this tripod head for sports photography. JL Wilkinson  |  13 reviewers made a similar statement
Awesome ball head that fits securely on my Manfrotto 055xprob pro tripod. Darrell Wagoner  |  17 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
112 of 114 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Impecable italian quality January 15, 2010
By Pger
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.
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56 of 58 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tripod head January 27, 2010
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).
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this head if.. April 9, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
Hi everybody!
Ok, right off the bat I have to say, I am a new photographer. I do not have years of experience yet, and this tripod and head are my first I have ever purchased. That being said, buy this thing! I bought this head, the Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release, to put on top of my 190XPRO-B tripod. This system supports my Nikon D90 and 55X200 mm lens rock solid in any position I have tried it. Granted I do not have the highest dollar, heaviest zooms yet, but all of the Manfrotto gear is very well made. I do not have any doubts that this head will serve me for years. I have been an Aerospace Machinist for many years, when I say it is well made I know:) It secures to the tripod very well, it is very simple to use. I seriously had never touched a tripod or a head before, ordered both and could not be happier. I cannot review the weight factor, I am extremely active and they feel like they weigh nothing to me! I think combined it is actually around 5-6 pounds or so. I bungee them to my bike, my pack or just my back and hike for miles with them. Buy this product!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Ball Head
I used this to hold a Spotting Scope to a pipe and a clamp set. I can now clamp the Scope to a vertical or horizontal item and have it stay without any movement.
Published 6 days ago by Midwest Shooter
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it on my Dolica ZX600B103
I bought my first CF tripod ZX600B103 from Costco and then later on replaced the ballhead with this one 496RC2. For the price I was really happy! ($60ish). Read more
Published 15 days ago by RexB
5.0 out of 5 stars Ball Head does not pan.
Was a little disappointed because it does not pan when locked down. This is a very good ball mount but will order another with the pan feature. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Rick Burnett
4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good.
Fit perfectly, of course, with my Manfrotto tripod (the legs). It seems to get loose after a while even when the plate is tightened hard. Read more
Published 1 month ago by duckyleigh1
5.0 out of 5 stars perfect
is just what I wanted to make a quality leap in my favorite hobby. The material is great and the product well cared for. Delivered in advance.
Published 1 month ago by Pentax
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Buy!!
I highly recommend this ball head for people looking to piece together a tripod for under $200.

I matched this with the Manfrotto 190X and it's worked wonderfully.
Published 1 month ago by Victor
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Head
I just confirmed that it is a very good head, Well, I was not waiting less that that from Manfrotto. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Eric Bercovich
3.0 out of 5 stars It have issues with RC2 plate
It's a great product, until you try to do Portrait photography. RC2 plate have a loose coupling to the ball head. Tighten the screw doesn't help. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Antonio Rodriguez
5.0 out of 5 stars Head
Excellent product, I ordered also the Manfrotto 190XPROB to match. Easy to use, lots of positions for your camera to move around; very easy to load and unload the camera. Read more
Published 1 month ago by francisco moll
4.0 out of 5 stars Had to repair
On the bottom of the ball head is a flange that is secured with 3 flat bladed, flush screws. 2 of them have already fallen out. Read more
Published 1 month ago by word***Mistress
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