Manfrotto 322RC2 Ball Head with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate and 322RA Quick Release Adapter
UPC's:
solid support
Very good quality tripod. Great height without extension and is tall when extended. Perfect for me at 5' 11. When I need to use the extension (I know purists say its a no no) it is solid, I use the timer and I get the shot I need. The extension flips so you get many different perspectives of your subject which is very hand in landscape photography. It also lets you get low to the ground. The only downside is weight, I use it with a Kirk ball head... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid Tripod with versatile features
Very fairly priced and good utility. The leg locking feature is great - no turning/tightening - this makes for much faster setup if moving from location to location to shoot (like realestate interiors). We have the older version as well and while there are a few improvements here (rotating level, stiffer leg locks), the older version is easier to use - especially the leg angle buttons which on this new model are much harder to operate. We have Gi... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I'd definitely purchase this tripod again if the need arose
My previous tripod was a cheaper one that I was pretty happy with, but I was always crouching down a little to look through the viewfinder and frame my shots, even with the center column extended. This tripod is fantastic, as it's the perfect height for me - I'm 5'8 - without even raising the center column. Combination of the tripod, the head, and my Canon 6D is exactly the right height. And it feels super sturdy, which is really what you want in... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
WOW. i am in love.
this is a great ball head. you can do all your adjusting with one hand, it converts easily for left or right hand or even vertical. no knobs to tighten or loosen, just pull the grip. dont even have to take your eye off the view finder. i am right handed, but i switched the ball head to left hand operation, since my right hand is adjusting the camera settings. this thing is great for macro, portraits, kids, or action. moves quick with the pull of ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Pretty good.
I used to have the previous design that was straight up from the tripod. They seemed to wear out fast and the clamp would no longer hold the camera in place, it would slip. I thought this would be less likely to have that issue due to the different leverage point of the camera weight. Too early to tell on that, but there are a few minor complaints I have: 1. Range of motion is limited on the side that the grip is on, so I end up having to lower a... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent ball head, works perfectly!
As an aspiring semi-pro photographer I spend most of my time with hand-held shooting. However, a recent interest in night photography has required the use of a tripod. While exploring night photography I pulled out my cheapy tripod which made me nearly lose interest in night photography because it was so cumbersome. Knowing I was going to be taking a vacation last weekend, I ordered the manfrotto tripod several days ahead - it arrived just in tim... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Replacing the old
I purchased this tripod to replace my faithful Bogen 3046 which was stolen recently. My selection was partially based on the weight of support advertised. I use a Canon body, extra battery pack, and mostly a Canon 100-400 mm lens, and have been used to a very solid support with the older Bogen. I find the MT190 just a bit loose especially at full leg extension, and more so in windy conditions, which is common here. In order to minimize camera sha... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Made from cheap plastic
Don't buy this. Literally the first time we tried to pivot the center column to the 90 degree position, an internal plastic piece snapped and sent the center column, ball head, and $$worth of camera and lens flying out of the tripod legs. We thankfully had a firm grip on the center column, otherwise the camera would've mashed on the concrete floor.Manfrotto products are no longer what they used to be, and if the company started off today without ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Worth All The Research
I spent weeks researching different heads for my current tripod legs and considered ease of use, reputation, weight, functionality and value. Then made a trip to my local camera store to compare the winners side by side. The Manfrotto won hands down in all categories. It's rock solid even with my 70-300 lens and the ball is smooth as silk. I put this on top of my 30+ years old Vivitar tripod legs and it works great. I considered the 498RC for the... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Tripod
Excellent tripod. I am 6'4 tall, and this tripod can not only stand tall enough to have the camera at eye level for me (with an average sized ball head), but it can also collapse down to within a couple inches of the ground for macro shots, or whatever else the particular photo you're trying to get will require. To top it all off, it is very sturdy even with a full size DSLR and battery grip attached. The only drawback might be the weight, but th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
5 Years Later It Is Failing
This has been a decent tri-pod over the tears. Parts are failing now after almost 5 years. There is a plastic collar in the center post that cracked and dropped my camera to the ground. I would not recommend using the center post in the horizontal position. It is not stable and don't take the chance of it breaking like mine. Also the center post tightening knob stripped. This happened on a photo shoot were I was traveling far from home. I was abl... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It simply works like it's supposed to.
I come from a video background which uses a different kind of head so this was quite comfortable for me to adapt to. I didn't want to mess with dual knobs found on a lot of ball heads. (Note: it's not meant for smooth movement and panning). So far this has held everything I can mount on it stable - right out of the box. I haven't made any tension adjustments to it and it squeezes easily. (Reports of requiring a gorilla's grip are false). I love h... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Big and sturdy
I like to photograph wildlife and, as such, use a pretty heavy Tamron 150-600 mm lens. I needed something to handle the weight and this tripod does all that and more. I like that there are only three sections to deploy and really like the ability to move the center post into a horizontal position. The ability to lower this unit nearly to ground level and use the center post horizontally is great for wide angle landscape or macro work. Be aware th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Darn near idiot proof
I am using this under my Nikon D5000 using a 18-200mm Nikkor lens. There is absolutely no issue on the weight and movement of the grip head. I was worried that the head would flop around when tension was released but there is nice residual retention and the head is very smooth to use. Everything appears well thought out. The only thing that I am not 100% on is the lock for the adapter. It is simply a very small brass lever that is moved over. I w... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
MAKES YOUR TRIPOD EFFORTLESS AND PERFECT
This gadget actually holds the 11 pounds it is advertised and does it effortlessly. I have purchased another for use on my favorite monopod. I use an Olympus E3 dslr camera with a vertical battery grip on a Custom Brackets QRS-E3 bracket with a FL50R flash, the thing is just heavy. This device enables me to immediatly adjust the camera angle to get the shot I want every time. Never a ruined image from camera movement. The quick release is well en... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
You get what you pay for
This is a fantastic tripod! I upgraded from the 190XPROB I bought from Manfrotto a number of years ago. It's a little bit heavier and bulkier (which I actually like) than the 190 series and it's everything I expected from Manfrotto: awesome build quality, legs fall out quickly, and is as stable as it gets. I wouldn't buy a tripod from any other company than Manfrotto. If you're debating on whether to go with the carbon fiber or not with the MT055... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sturdy workhorse
I use the this tripod for wildlife, macro and landscape work. It's a solid piece of equipment that's very good in windy conditions where I do a lot of my work along the Hudson River. It is easy to deploy in a variety of configurations, once you get a feel for it. I would not consider it for travel or backpacking as it is large and bulky. But if you have the time to set up your shot and plan on any lengthy exposures, consider this unit. It's alumi... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very Good Pan/Tilt Head
I've needed a pro (or semi-pro) tripod head for some time and this one certainly filled the requirement beautifully. Pretty easy to set up right out of the box, very good sensitivity on all controls and very firm when locked down. Also very smooth and fluid for panning. I'll bet there are alot of more expensive ones like this out there, but if you're looking for a good compromise for the bucks, I have to think this one will work just fine. Shooti... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great tripod, subpar for price
I have used this same tripod for several years now via work. It's a wonderful tripod, incredibly durable and able to hold so much more weight than expected. Fairly lightweight. My biggest annoyance is with the packaging and included accessories : WHICH IS NONE. All other tripods come with a carrying case, potentially some ice pick adapters for the feet to be used on slippery surfaces, some allen keys......this is a tripod in a box folks. Luckily ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very solid build
I have owned this unit for about 2 weeks now and I am very happy with it. The Tripod and head are solidly built. Even though the tripod is carbon, it is not what I would call light weight. When my camera with 50mm lens is attached, it he held still for long duration shots. I have used it for 6 minute exposures so far but have not tested in the wind. I am confident that it will be usable in at least mild wind as it does seem to lock the unit in pl... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
So easy to adjust!!
This is a great tripod for portraits and landscapes! Moving and adjusting the camera has never been easier. You simply squeeze the trigger and aim! Please note that this tripod head is not good for macro photography. Get a geared head if you want micro adjustment for macro photography. When you release the trigger on the 322RC2, the head jerks a little when it tries to grip onto the head, so it doesn't point exactly where you want it to point. Th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great tripod
I use this mostly for landscape and nature, but also in a studio. Having total flexibility in placement of the legs and being able to move the center column to a parallel position are vey beneficial. I tend to use my camera's built in level, but it's nice to have even a small bubble level attached in case I shoot a different body. When I shoot more macro or low-level close-ups, I'm sure I'll use the 1/4-20 side mount for a flash bracket. The carb... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Ballhead for the price!
After using this for a couple weeks, I must say I absolutely love this ballhead. Very fluid movement, sturdy, and keeps the camera from moving once tightened. It works great for just about anything. I've done landscape, timelapse, video, and a multitude of other types of photography and everything turned out great. The quick release is great. I love how it has the second lever to ensure that the camera is not accidentally removed. For the price i... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Easy to use, even for a left-handers
I bought this head when I upgraded (from my 141RC and 190 head and tripod combination) to the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod, and have been very happy with the convenience and ease of use of this head. Being a left-hander, my first reaction was to switch the grip handle to the left, but I decided not to because it limited the angle of tilt and meant I needed to relearn how to zoom and focus the lens with my right hand (which was more difficult to do t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
