Manfrotto 324RC2 or 327RC2 to go with 055XPro B

NewbieNeil · 20 Feb 2011

I am thinking of upgrading my tripod to a decent one. Primary use will be home portraits, perhaps some macro work. I may use it for landscapes on a windy day but for long walks I can take a cheaper lighter Giottos tripod that I already own.

I think I have decided on the 055XProB having read the comparison reviews. I prefer a heavy duty tripod that I don't need to extend the central column on for portraits in order to minimise wobble. I'm not especially tall, and fully extended this tripod would be about my height.

But which head? I have narrowed it down to a ball head, and I fancy the look of those joystick ones because I think it will be faster and give me better control. According to the Manfrotto chooser guide online, the 324RC2 with the 055 legs will give me an 'unbalanced system' and it recommends that I go for the more expensive 327RC2. I assume that this is because the load of the head will better match the load of the legs (i.e. heavy) and that they reckon the 324 better matches the 190 series legs (too wobbly for me).

My camera is a Canon 7D with a 24-70 F2.8L, so it weighs in at around 2 kg. Not exactly a heavyweight. I also have a 70-200 F2.8L, but that's not exactly going to topple a tripod like this, is it?

Any advice on which head I should get? The difference is £80 for the 324 and £119 for the 327 - worth saving the cash IMO, all things considered.

Does anyone have experience of comparing the two heads, ideally on the 055 legs?

Thanks guys

Neil

the_womble · 20 Feb 2011

the 324 head is perfectfor landscape and macro work .. not so great if it was going to be used at an airshow or with birds in flight, it has some limitations.

is it definately a ball head you want?
i really like the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head .. once you get used to it, it's a really good solid and precise head. it can feel a bit 'tight' when you first use it, but you'll getused to it.

the 055xprob, although quite heavy, is a really good tripod .. when selling tripods thats the one i go to first, but always make sure the customer isn't intending carrying long distances.

vaizki · 20 Feb 2011

I have one of the heavy duty Manfrotto joystick heads, but just yesterday got a 468MG hydrostatic ball head... Wow. I think the joystick is getting sold pretty quick. The grip joysticks are a great idea but if you're constantly changing your view, it can get very tiresome very quickly squeezing the handle...

NewbieNeil · 21 Feb 2011

Thanks for the advice guys.

vaizki said:
The grip joysticks are a great idea but if you're constantly changing your view, it can get very tiresome very quickly squeezing the handle...

But surely no more tiresome than unscrewing the lever on a standard ball head? Or were you comparing it to a 3-way head, or the geared heads (which I am not familiar with)?

Thanks

Neil

vaizki · 21 Feb 2011

The 468MG head is very very smooth and the unlock/lock action is under quarter a turn on a big round knob. And I can leave it unlocked when tracking something, vs having a deathgrip on the joystick all the time.

The 468MG is also on the expensive side but I got it 50% off at a local brick & mortar store inventory dump (lucky for once!)

NewbieNeil · 22 Feb 2011

Ahhh, I see.

Thanks!

Any other opinions?

strumstrum · 22 Feb 2011

I prefer the upright/vertical joystick heads, my buddy has one(222 I think) and its like playing Star Wars when using it

and its great when lens mounting, he has a 70-200 2.8L IS USM and XXd body no problem.

AndyB1976 · 22 Feb 2011

I've got the 322rc2 - the older version albeit a bit heavier its capacity and price sits inbetween from what I can see.

It feels a very robust piece of kit. It is not as accurate as a geared or three way head yet it is quick to move into any position. I don't have any issue with the trigger strength on operation and there is a friction control wheel on this model too.

I operate the trigger on the right hand side therefore can position the camera and with my left hand zoom or manual focus. Ive also got a remote cable release plugged in and can fire the shutter with the left hand too.

Andy

NewbieNeil · 22 Feb 2011

Thanks Strumstrum and Andy

Looks like I will get the 055XProB legs and the 324RC joystick head then. I like the idea of the joystick being horizontal rather than vertical because I think it will be a bit easier to lever my 7D and a relatively heavy lens into the right position. On top of the joystick might feel a little top-heavy perhaps? But I do take your point though about it being quite fun like a computer game! :lol:

Now I just need to decide if the carbon legs are worth it... Have found them on ebay for £200 new, compared to £120 for the aluminium legs... :thinking:

And then there is the decision about the flashgun options... :shrug:

Thanks again

Neil

vaizki · 22 Feb 2011

AndyB1976 said:
I've got the 322rc2 - the older version albeit a bit heavier its capacity and price sits inbetween from what I can see.
Ive also got a remote cable release plugged in and can fire the shutter with the left hand too.

remote release I'd a great idea, that bugs me with the joystick - letting go to take a shot and then moving my hand back to the joystick. Pretty much impossible to shoot moving targets. They should integrate a trigger into the joystick like fighter jets

AndyB1976 · 22 Feb 2011

vaizki said:
remote release I'd a great idea, that bugs me with the joystick - letting go to take a shot and then moving my hand back to the joystick. Pretty much impossible to shoot moving targets. They should integrate a trigger into the joystick like fighter jets

Yeah...It would be a great idea. I know you can buy something from Manfrotto that adds a shutter release to the 322 but I couldn't see exactly how it worked from the images.. :lol:

NewbieNeil said:
Thanks Strumstrum and Andy

Looks like I will get the 055XProB legs and the 324RC joystick head then. I like the idea of the joystick being horizontal rather than vertical because I think it will be a bit easier to lever my 7D and a relatively heavy lens into the right position. On top of the joystick might feel a little top-heavy perhaps? But I do take your point though about it being quite fun like a computer game!

Neil

You can get a plate that attaches to the end of the 322rc2 so you can attach the camera to a vertically positioned grip - effectively having two places to position the camera on the one head.

vaizki · 22 Feb 2011

AndyB1976 said:
Yeah...It would be a great idea. I know you can buy something from Manfrotto that adds a shutter release to the 322 but I couldn't see exactly how it worked from the images..

Thanks for the tip!

Looks pretty good.. has a miniplug and you need to have/make a cable to attach to the remote release on the camera.

I just ordered one :lol:

although it was not exactly free at £41

but it should give the joystick a new lease on life.

vaizki · 9 Mar 2011

I finally received the 322RS.. haven't fitted it yet as I'm waiting for a cheap ebay trigger cable. The 322RS came from Amazon in a HUGE box full of padding and the tiny package inside. You could have shipped 30 of them in the box..

Not sure is the 322RS or even the 322 head is available any more though, looks like I grabbed the last one from Amazon at least