Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System by Manfrotto
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Our Price: $68.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System
Digital camera Review: Very solid ball head
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really nice ball head that can hold a lot of weight. I am able to use this head with large four pound telephoto lenses and the head shows absolutely no signs of stressing to hold everything solidly in place. The single lever to control tightness of the ball and rotation of the head is dead simple to use, and clamps down hard with ease...you can easily use one finger to clamp down enough to hold firm.
My only minor complaint is that the RapidConnect plate has a little bit of play in it when locked into the head. It's not enough to move on it's own, but you can definitely wiggle it if you try. The plate is the perfect size to fit a tripod ring on a telephoto lens, and can go relatively un-noticed when mounted directly to the camera body. The little lock lever to prevent you from releasing the quick release accidentally is a nice feature, but I always forget which direction is locked, and which is open. It would also be nice to have a bubble level on the mounting plate of the ball head, but it's not that big of a deal to just look through the finder and compose your shot on your own.
This is a very sturdy ball head, as evidenced by it's heft, weighing in at around 1 pound. It gets the job done, and seems to be able to hold up to trail abuse quite well...I see no signs of grinding or other wear caused by dust from hiking.
Digital camera Review: Well made but has Downside
Summary: 3 Stars
This product is sturdy and well made. However, as both the vertical and horizontal setting are controlled by one lever, it is difficult to really make sure your shots are level horizontally - independent of the tripod which oftentimes has a bubble setting to assure horizontal alignment.
Also, I have a EOS 1D Mark III plus a zoom lens, if you want to take vertical shots (as in turning the camera to its side), it seems that no matter how hard you secure the lever, the camera will droop down.
Digital camera Review: What I wanted!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is exactly what I wanted. Easy to set up and easier to use!!!! It was for my wife and she loved it!!! Thanks for the Merry Christmas!!!!Digital camera Review: Wonderfull Tripod Head, and works great with my 190XPROB tripod!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this item when i purchased it, but what I got was an excellent head for my 190XPROB tripod. My previous tripod was an ancient Bogen with a very strange head with levers and junk, and this was a relief on how simple it was to operate. I can simply release the tripod and move the camera to the exact angle that I need. It works excellent. Although it was much larger than I had expected, the head works great for keeping everything as compact as possible. My only issue with it is when i release the lever, everything moves, so if i just want to adjust the "vertical" placement of the camera, everything gets out of whack. But, this isn't that big of an issue.Digital camera Review: Worth the money
Summary: 4 Stars
I upgraded my tripod to a Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 and needed a head. I knew that I wanted a ball head with the RC2 connector plate. I chose this one and am glad that I did. It holds the camera like a rock on the top of the tripod.
First, you attach the mounting plate to your camera. I would suggest getting extra plates if you have multiple cameras, or have zooms with their own mounts. The RC2 locking plate attached quickly. There is a release lever, and then a second small safety lever. When the safety is engaged, the quick release lever will not move. This will prevent the lever from snagging and your camera releasing at an unplanned moment.
There is only a single lever on the ballhead. Release it a little, and the entire head will rotate on the base. This will allow you to take a panoramic shot. Release it more, and the ball will have less resistance and the camera can be positioned. Lock it down, and the camera is rock steady. I did not detect any movement with the camera when locking down the head.
Overall I'm pleased with this purchase. I would have liked to seen a separate release for panoramic shots (available on the next model up). A couple of accessories that you may need/want would be extra quick release plates. Useful if you have multiple cameras or zooms with their own mounts. Also would be a hotshoe mount level. I level the head, but I have no way of knowing if the camera is level.