Manfrotto 322RC2 Ball Head with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate and 322RA Quick Release Adapter
UPC's:
Outshines them all
I give the MT190CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod the highest rating. I have used aluminum and other carbon fiber tripods in the past and this tripod outshines them all. I shoot mainly landscapes and sometimes want my camera view at ground level. This tripod is quick and easy to adjust covering all heights. I use it with my Nikon D800E and Nikon's AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED, and AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best support you could have
I recently lost a piece to my previous ball head from a different brand. Although I liked my last one it did have some issues like it not completely holding your camera in place or perfectly steady even when locked. I bought this one to finish a school project but since it's much smaller I was not sure it was up for the job. Was I ever wrong! After receiving the Manfrotto ball head in the mail I immediately went out to take pictures for my projec... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
First Ballhead. Very pleased
This is my first ballhead mount. I stepped into more serious photography and I was tired of using a $40 tripod/head combo. I wanted something new. I heard really good things about Ballheads and really good things about Manfrotto gear. After reading reviews I purchased this head and could not be happier. I don't have to much heavy gear so I haven't put it to its limit but I am positive it can hold up to what Manfrotto claims. The ball is smooth th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Useful Product with the 190XDB Tripod
I originally purchased the 190XDB tripod kit with the 494 mini ball head. However, the 494 head diameter is too narrow to engage the three set-screws on the tripod head mounting plate. According to the Manfrotto website selector guide, the 190 series tripod is paired with the 496 ball head. I exchanged the 494 mini ball for the 496 head and the tripod combination works great ( the exchange whet very smooth). I use the 496 head on the 190XDB tripo... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid Tripod, High Quality
I ordered this tripod for use in landscape photography, as it appeared quite durable, was a well known brand, and was priced right. When it arrived, I was more than pleased with my choice. The build quality is nicer than any tripod I had used before. The leg locks are tight and adjustment is easy. I elected to use a Markins Q3i Emille Ballhead, which fit these legs perfectly. I was shocked to see how much flexibility this tripod offers - you can ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great tripod head!
Bought this to replace the ball head on my Giotto. The ball head just did not work well with my Nikon D750 with heavy lens. This new pan/tilt head is just right. It's very well built, actually better than I had expected. The friction knobs allow you to precisely dial in the amount of resistance you desire and the handles work well in controlling the pan/tilt of the camera. I seem to be able to move the camera into position and lock it down withou... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not quite as compact as I was hoping
This is a sturdy ball head but not quite as small as I was hoping for. I have a Manfrotto 468MGRC2 head for my large tripod but was looking for something smaller but still sturdy for my travel tripod. The 496RC2 fits the bill for sturdiness (even with my 5D Mark III with battery grip and a 70-200 f2.8L lens) but maybe I'll try the 494 instead for a smaller size. Probably the biggest drawback is that it absolutely does not work well for panning. I... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Limited Functionality - sold it
Well built and holds my 5D MKII w/70-200 2.8 IS really well. But... In the side configuration (as in photo), you can't rock the camera over one way as the grip stops you cold. You can live with this by flipping back the other way, but it is annoying as heck (to me at least). So, I reinstalled it in its upright position which works but... to rock the camera over or down, you must spin the bezel to align the notch. The bezel is smooth and difficult... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Strong, cool features, small faults.
I purchased this tripod with Manfrotto's new 3-way head and I love it despite a couple small issues. When adjusting the Q90 center post to the horizontal position you MUST be very mindful of the C ring. This ring acts as a stopper for the clamshell sleeve that slides up before the center post will rotate 90 degrees. If this ring becomes dislodged from its factory position the clamshell sleeve will slide completely out and come apart. I was shooti... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Dont let the aluminum fool you...
Being a nature and wildlife photographer, I wanted something that was light weight and easy to use. I also had a budet to stick to and the carbon fibre model was out of my price range. For years I had been using (and replacing almost annually) what ever was the cheapest tripod at @ or @. This time I decided to get a pro level tripod and Manfrotto delivered the goods!Even though its aluminum, it comes in at about 4lbs, but when shoot with my Tamro... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Head; Only Two Small Gripes
I have had this head on my Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 tripod for several months, and it is excellent. The friction adjustments allow you to fine-tune just how much resistance there is in the head. It is extremely stable even with a Canon EOS 80D, and a Canon 100 - 400 L series telephoto mounted. Manfrotto thought their engineering out with this one. The handles retract to make it more compact for travel, and the lever that holds the mount stays locked... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Head Up!
I have been using a Manfrotto tripod since the first year of the millenium. My tripod is a special serie built for the company 15th year anniversary. The head was a joystick ball serie and needed to be replaced while the other parts of the tripod are still in good health and kicking. The tripod was bought in Italy, where I was living at that time. So my problem was about the size of the 3/8 screw that connects the head to the tripod, cause we use... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Follows the reputation
So in the interest of time, my setup is: 7D2, 24-105 f/4, CustomSLR Pro plate, hand/neck strap, and Gorillapods Focus mount... I decided to get the 496RC2 for the portable tripod in order to use the quick mounting of the Pro Plate and to allow for future extension into other larger tripods. It's not that light...it's made of many metal components, and definitely feels anything from cheap plastic. The ball head is smooth, and I am able to get accu... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Something Besides A Ball Head
There is an endless list of ball heads for tripods but I find them awkward for my uses I like to precisely control my camera on a axis and lock it down then do the same with the next axis of movement. That is difficult to do with a ball head. This head is well made, has good adjustments for locking setting that even handle my large heavy super tele zoom. No bobble or wobble. It has proven to be rock solid also in using it for macro photography. I... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Addition
Excellent stability and ease of use. I had an older aluminum 055 with the screw type leg locks and the flips locks are a huge time saver. I went with the 4 section since I travel often and this is more compact than the 3 section. The level indicator rotates which comes in handy when setting up for pano shots. I use a 410 gear head combined with this tripod works well for me. Very stable and precise for architecture. This is my forth tripod and ho... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Advanced mechanical engineering.
Compared to my old Manfrotto 3021 from the 90s, this thing is lightyears ahead. So many countless improvements. This is the tallest 055 model I believe. Got the aluminum because I would not carry a tripod of this size around anyway and with a tiny half body dslr or mirrorless in the studio, the weight of it feels good and sturdy. The real achievement here is the horizontal column. By far the most convertible and quickest to deploy compared to oth... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A Great Tripod for long zooms
I have a long zoom lens that I bought for my Pentax camera. The combined weight was to much for my Slik U212 that I have loved and used for years. So this combined with the Monfrotto 3 axis head was a perfect replacement. It is rock solid stead, has many features for a variety of uses, is easy to use. It is a little heavier than My U 212 so that is something to get use to. I do a wide array of photography so the ability to get as low as 3 inches ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Quick, Easy and Well Engineered
This grip was recommended over another grip by a salesperson. I can't thank him enough, this grip is outstanding.I was impressed the moment the grip arrived. It is engineered so that you can customize the grip for right or left-handed use. In both cases you can use your camera in a horizontal or vertical position. You can also customize the grip so that the grip is vertical and your camera sits horizontally, much the way you would hold a joystick... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Can't hold weight of camera & flash
This grip is good for landscape photography, but I had issues with portrait (vertical) shoots.My grip could not hold the weight of my Canon EOS 5D and 580 Flash in the portrait position without clamping down the tension to the maximum setting, which defeats the purpose of having a one hand operation (because it requires two hands to adjust the tension, etc). I don't know if mine is defective or not, but I'm planning on returning it and just going... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
All I hoped it would be
As a nature photographer, the pan/tilt tripod head I was using took too long to adjust and could lead to awkward hand positions. I was intending to buy a traditional ballhead for my Bogen/Manfrotto 055MF legs when this grip action ballhead caught my eye. It seemed the best solution for the problems I'd been having, especially in bird photography, and it is. The grip does not require an undue amount of hand strength and the movement is smooth, eas... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
EXCELLENT Ballhead!!!
I am a pro wedding photographer, use a Canon 5D mark II and various lenses (one of which is the 70mm-200mm L) and have up till recently been using fairly cheap tripods bought at amateur photography stores ($100 or less). I've always hated having to use tripods due to the setup and adjusting time. When my most recent tripod's maneuvering bracket snapped off (for no apparent reason), I decided it was time to upgrade to something nice. I was NOT dis... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid quick deploy tripod
I was looking to replace my Manfrotto 55XPro that had faithfully served me the last 8 years but was getting long in the tooth. I first bought a carbon fiber version as I thought nice and light...easy on the old bones BUT it was awful, legs didn't drop by themselves and the clasps drew blood when they pinched so I returned and went with this unit. Perfect... legs drop by themselves and that helps keep me from having to lift the tripod and alter th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sturdy and a good bang for the buck
This is my primary tripod for architectural and studio product photography. It is very beefy and solid. It's great for long exposure and multiple exposure work. The center column can be easily rotated to the horizontal. I use this feature occasionally to easily position my camera over a product without the tripod legs getting in the way. I've used the older model of this tripod and the new leg quick-locks are a definite improvement in both ease o... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Built like a tank!
After all these years I finally bought a good tripod! It finally dawned on me that having $3k plus of equipment on a cheap lightweight tripod probably wasnt a great idea! First off, this isnt one Id take on a long hike. Its pretty heavy and thats what I was looking for, something stable. I really like the pull out handles for tilt and pan. My old cheap ones from the past had a crank to raise and lower the center post. This one does not. Howev... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
