Manfrotto 322RC2 Ball Head with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate and 322RA Quick Release Adapter
UPC's:
Satisfied, but with exceptions
My only experience with tripods and heads before getting this one was with a video type with handles, and not a ball. This head is superior to that system for still cameras certainly, but I was disappointed to find that the quick release shoe wasn't the same as my other one. I assumed that they were standard for all tripods. My shooting calls for quick turns to vertical sometimes, and that's possible with this head, but if the slot allowing the t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The versitile catch-all tripod.
I'm not going to bore you with supliferous verbage in this review, instead I'm just going to lay it out there: I am quite happy with my recent purchase of a Manfrotto MT055XPRO3. The unique 90deg. swivil the center column has was a big draw, as it has allowed me to drop the tripod almost flat on the floor for unique low-angle shots. The spreadable legs have been nice in varied terrain and conditions. The section latches are very easy to use and s... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I use this on my TrekPod Go! Nice!
I had originally bought a Manfrotto 293A3-RC1 Aluminum 3-Way Head to fit on my TrekPod Go! however it was impossible to pan with, really! It was so tight to turn that it was useless and it had no lock on the pan and didn't need one, it was so stiff it was like they put loc-tite in it instead of grease. I returned that one and bought the 391RC2. The 391RC2 has a typical twist the handle to lock the tilt and is a bigger head than the 293, but it's ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Complete Garbage
Bought this on the Manfrotto name and the you get what you pay for philosophy. Just outside of the pathetic warranty period, my tilt gear ground to a halt. You can't stand on it to move it. And this is a head that isn't used very often - I mostly use ball heads. Contacted Manfrotto. After almost two weeks of silence, their automated email system bounced me around until it finally sent me a link (which didn't work) to a page that describes their w... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fabulous value - this is a great travel
I have pro tripods, light and background stands and was ready to spend $1,000 on a travel Gitzo head and legs. Turns out for 1/4 the price you get the same stability in a smaller package. The only penalty is 3oz more weight. Amazingly, I also bought the Sirui 1005x which is in every spec as good as the Gitzo for 1/5 the price! I know it's hard to believe, but do your research. I spent $ for a system that in every respect compares to a $1000 syste... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Rock Solid Quality
Bought this to replace aMagnusPV-7450M that broke and couldnt be happier. The build quality is light years beyond the Magnus and functions much better. I primarily use this for still-life macro work and it is excellent. The tripod is very stable. It supports the heavy 410 geared head, macro focusing rail, and DSLR with macro ring light with ease. The 90 degree center column feature is really awesome and very convenient. Wish it extended out a bit... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Smooth but Unstable
The 391RC2 pan and tilt movements are fine. It is easy to control the movement from a smooth firm feel to a sports quick reaction with a little practice. Tension controls have a good feel and make of very controlled adjustments over all. However, the platform which can be flipped for vertical use is weak. It does not lock firmly so the camera slides too far one way or the other. It does not sit flat on the tripod. The weight of the camera (Canon ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Nice Update From Old 055 Leg Set
My previous tripod was an aluminum Manfrotto 055 from the early '90s. I miss the way I could swivel the center column while it was loose on those old legs and I miss the beefier, more durable feel. On the other hand, you can hardly hold the more lightweight feel agains this new leg set, since that's part of the point of going with graphite. Time will tell how the nylon mechanical parts hold up. Truth of the matter is, many of the aluminum compone... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Versatile Ball Head
I recently had to replace my tripod and, having done a good bit of research, decided that the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 was the way to go (a decision I have been very, very happy with). After looking at various ballhead options I went with the 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. One of the selling points for me (in addition to a number of great reviews) was a youtube video which showed both types of ballheads in action. I liked the maneuverability of this par... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
When did you buy it?
Now I love this head, it still serves me very very well. However I bought it over a year ago and I guess back then (and when they first came out) they had a production problem. I am missing a few screws here and there, thats ok, but the head loosens itself over time. All of you should be on the look out for this. No matter how tight you wind the friction gauge it will get looser and looser to the point that eventually just the act of putting a bo... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Grip Action helpful with nature-wildlife
With nature-wildlife photography, I can pan onto a subject that could move at any moment, release the grip, locking on and shooting instantly, rather than fiddling with turning a knob to lock it. I find it best, being right handed, to use it in the left-hand position, keeping my right hand ready at the shutter release. I've used it with my five-pound Sigma 50-500 lens on a Nikon D200, and even with that weight, it locks solidly and quickly, even ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
So convenient and quick!
I've envied this 'pistol grip' ballhead for too long, atop the tripods of other photographers; finally visited the B&H NYC store in person, and this was the one thing I was determined to get on my short visit. I'm very happy with this ballhead. I have an Induro carbon-leg tripod and an Induro (tradtional) ballhead which I'd used for a few years. While that ballhead worked fine, I would invariably have to adjust all 3 knobs on it, repeatedly, duri... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best bang for the buck!
So far I have used this on many shoots. Ranging from my own portfolio work with clients to photography assignments I have in school. I have used this along with my 190xprob pro aluminum 3 section tripod with amazing success. This combination of these two quality pieces has yet to fail me. I used these two items with my D7000 and 80-200 2.8 Nikkor lens. The lens and camera weigh up to about 5 pounds and I haven't noticed one time where the head or... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic head
This is the 3rd head I have owned, and by far the best. I don't think the product literature does it justice. I was a little disappointed that the ball heads were out of my price range, but now I am glad I got this one instead. When you loosen up all the adjustments, this head can act a lot like a ball head, and you tighten down one axis at a time. Each of the axis controls are easy to use, and most importantly, they do not drift after you tighte... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
outstanding tripod
I just recently purchased this tripod primarily for the quick flip mechanism on the center column that allows easy close-to-ground camera placement. It replaces my older magnezium fiber Manfrotto 055 series tripod. I use it with a Gitzo ball head, and an Acratech leveling head. I spent two days photographing on the Pacific Northwest Coast and at Mt. Rainier NP. I LOVE this tripod. It is light, very sturdy, and very quick to set up. I LOVE th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
good while it lasted.
I am a amature photographer who focuses on wildlife, mainly birds. I typically used the tripod with a nikon D300 with Tamron 200-500mm and a Manfrotto 393 Heavy Telephoto Lens Support. The weight of these items falls well within the 19.8 capacity listed on this site. The tripod functioned very well with limited use for the first year I owned it.However while on vacation the piece that expands to hold the head mount to the top portion of the cente... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Stury and Flexible Exactly When Needed
Being fairly new to photography, I used to think that as long as I could adjust the legs of a tripod, I wouldn't need a ballhead whatsoever. As I started getting into situations where time was of the essence, the importance of a ballhead became increasingly clear to me. Twisting two knobs and moving the plate is infinitely better than fidgeting with the legs of your stabilization, and the 496RC2 allows for just that. What's more, the ballhead is ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great with a Monopod
I wanted a good match for my Manfrotto monopod, the one rated for 22 pounds. 3 key features of a ballhead - It moves freely, it locks solidly, and it won't flop. How can you get the 1st and 3rd feature in one ballhead? Manfrotto has a tension knob that you can set according to your camera/lens. I chose this model because it was the lightest that would hold my Canon 7d at whatever weird angle. I wanted to be able to pick up my monopod! ;^) This mo... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Well Engineered, But Needs Break-In Time
Manfrotto makes quality products, and the 496RC2 is no exception. The ballhead is built like a tank as evidenced by its durable materials and straight-forward design. The ballhead moves very smoothly at all reasonable friction levels (controlled by the small knob at the base), and the locking lever locks down my camera (Nikon D300s w/grip and 18-200mm lens) with ease and confidence. There is absolutely no creep. I use this for everything from mac... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not a Great Start
I bought this rig less than a month ago, and have used it on several occasions with great success. I've set it up as a normal tripod, and as a low level tripod, using the 90 degree arm. But I was stunned when I was setting up for a recent outdoors macro shoot; the center mast completely separated from the legs, and parts flew everywhere! I managed to locate all the parts for the central collar in the surrounding grass (there are only 4, though on... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Loving the flexible options with this!
This is a great lightweight tripod, especially for the cost given it's a Manfrotto it doesn't break the bank. I bought it for a second camera, a more mobile setup than my Manfrotto MVH502A Fluid Head and 546B Tripod (Which is my main and favorite) ... The legs fold out so this sets about 6 off the ground and goes just shy of verticle. There's a side mount that I have to figure out that does allow it to go 90 degrees if the camera will fit. It's l... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not impressed
I wanted a light compact head for my spotting scope and occasional light duty camera use. Ball heads do not work with a scope and my other heads were large and heavy. The tilt lock is so weak, even when gorilla tightened close to strippng the threads, my scope flops loose when I walk with it over my shoulder. I am afraid my scope will eventually be damaged. The tilt could not hold my middle weight 35mm camera just sitting there. My scope is well ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I'm planning on a long relationship with this company!
I am very happy with the Manfrotto carbon fiber legs so far. I have a great ball head I wanted to re-use and I'm glad there was no ball head included with this purchase. It would have ended up in a drawer. I look for lots of height in a tripod so I can use it comfortably when positioning the camera for vertical oriented shots. The stiffness is good. I shoot a lot of 3 shot high dynamic range images using the self timer and exposure bracketing. Th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
BEST TRIPOD EVER OWNED
I have owned a good number of tripods over the years, L(manufacturer)... , G(manufacturer)..., F(manufacturer)... Once again had to come back to Manfrotto. Search criteria: Light, easy to transport (I do a good amount of travelling) but most importantly extremely steady and of course best quality for the money. After spending many hours researching tripods the MT190CXPRO4 was by far the clear winner. The amount of adjustments of this unit are vir... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
