Manfrotto ball head plates
- Thread starter Crabbegom
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dinners
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- Phil
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I used 498 RC2 - the plate system worked perfectly for me but I just decided to move away from a ball head
I had RC4 plates on a 808 RC4 way head. Again they were fine.
The big RC4 plates make a handy buffer when you want to lean on a wall or something with no tripod. There's also a grooved slot in the RC4 which allows some flexibility to position different cameras in slightly different possitions. The downside is you need a coin to screw them on/off unlike the RC2 which have the large metal eye you can tighten with your fingers.
If I was going back to a Manfrotto 498 - I'd probably stick with the RC2 version.
I had RC4 plates on a 808 RC4 way head. Again they were fine.
The big RC4 plates make a handy buffer when you want to lean on a wall or something with no tripod. There's also a grooved slot in the RC4 which allows some flexibility to position different cameras in slightly different possitions. The downside is you need a coin to screw them on/off unlike the RC2 which have the large metal eye you can tighten with your fingers.
If I was going back to a Manfrotto 498 - I'd probably stick with the RC2 version.
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- Bazza
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The head your looking at only allows for up/down movement by the look of it, you can't seem to be able to tip it sideways so you are stuck with the camera in the horizontal position. This is the problem with ball heads
Before you buy seriously take a look at the 804RC2 head for half the price. In my humble opinion it is a far better head than a ball head and can do a better job. This particular head allows for better pano shoots with the marked of scale -spirit level and easier to get and lock hard in any position. 90 degrees down and 30 degrees up as well as full sideways movement
has another scale on other side as well
Phil bless him shows his camera sideways, that is because the lens clamp ring allows for the camera to be put in that position, which is a little strange as the head he is using allows for that by the look of it. But it is Christmas and maybe the Christmas cheer made him forget.
Phil and I go back a long way on another site and know each other very well. I also moved away from a ball head just like Phil, I didn't feel the head clamped up securely enough, even though it might well have done.
I have had problems in the past with another make when the side walls of the ball didn't tighten up enough.
One difference between the one he uses and mine is mine has the ability to do 360 degree turn and scaled to allow for equal pano overlaps
I also have a pistol grip one which I now never use nothing actually wrong with it but it didn't get into every position I wanted. The base obstructed some of the movement (332RC2 Joystick type)
Link (Which is my setup) independent report
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/manfrotto-055x-pro---804-rc2-head--review-6067
Realspeed
Before you buy seriously take a look at the 804RC2 head for half the price. In my humble opinion it is a far better head than a ball head and can do a better job. This particular head allows for better pano shoots with the marked of scale -spirit level and easier to get and lock hard in any position. 90 degrees down and 30 degrees up as well as full sideways movement
has another scale on other side as well
Phil bless him shows his camera sideways, that is because the lens clamp ring allows for the camera to be put in that position, which is a little strange as the head he is using allows for that by the look of it. But it is Christmas and maybe the Christmas cheer made him forget.
Phil and I go back a long way on another site and know each other very well. I also moved away from a ball head just like Phil, I didn't feel the head clamped up securely enough, even though it might well have done.
I have had problems in the past with another make when the side walls of the ball didn't tighten up enough.
One difference between the one he uses and mine is mine has the ability to do 360 degree turn and scaled to allow for equal pano overlaps
I also have a pistol grip one which I now never use nothing actually wrong with it but it didn't get into every position I wanted. The base obstructed some of the movement (332RC2 Joystick type)
Link (Which is my setup) independent report
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/manfrotto-055x-pro---804-rc2-head--review-6067
Realspeed
Last edited:
Nod
Tootles
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- Nod (UK)
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One advantage of the RC2 system over the RC4 is the physical size. The RC2 plates sit within the footprint of an SLR's bottom, so if the unplated camera fits a space in the bag, a plated one will too.
Not sure if there's any marked price difference but if it's even just a couple of quid, that could add up if you want/need a few extra plates for other bodies/lenses etc.
Not sure if there's any marked price difference but if it's even just a couple of quid, that could add up if you want/need a few extra plates for other bodies/lenses etc.
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- John
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+1 for the 804RC2 head...cracking and reasonably priced!
JohnyT
JohnyT
dinners
In Memoriam
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- Phil
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I also had a 804 and along with the 808 would consider either if it was a 3 way you were after. The only thing to keep in mind with the 804 is the lower load capacity if you happen to have heavier gear.
Christmas cheer - I wish (it's an old pic)
It was just set up to take a picture of prior to selling.
Christmas cheer - I wish (it's an old pic)
It was just set up to take a picture of prior to selling.
Nod
Tootles
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Personally, I've never got on with 3-ways! I far prefer either balls for speed where accuracy isn't vital or geared where accuracy is more important and speed less so. In fact, I've just swapped a 3-way for a motorcycle jacket - the lady who now has the head wants if for keeping a spotting scope fixed on her bird table.
Just had a quick peek at comparitive prices of QR plates - the RC2 plates with the 1/4" Whitworth screw are £12.95 and the RC4 type are £14.95. Since all my heads apart from the 410 geared head use the RC2 system, I bolted a converter (Manfrotto 323 Rectangular Plate Adaptor, £29.95) onto the 410's supplied plate (Manfrotto 410PL) to standardise my system. The RC2 plate's part number/designation is Manfrotto 200PL-14 Rectangular Plate. All prices from the Devon Camera Centre's website.
Just had a quick peek at comparitive prices of QR plates - the RC2 plates with the 1/4" Whitworth screw are £12.95 and the RC4 type are £14.95. Since all my heads apart from the 410 geared head use the RC2 system, I bolted a converter (Manfrotto 323 Rectangular Plate Adaptor, £29.95) onto the 410's supplied plate (Manfrotto 410PL) to standardise my system. The RC2 plate's part number/designation is Manfrotto 200PL-14 Rectangular Plate. All prices from the Devon Camera Centre's website.
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- Andy
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Hello Bazza,
Remember the 'ball' swivels or pivots allowing the camera to vertical/portrait position. Your 322 operates this way too.
I also have a ballhead for speed, geared for accuracy and 323 adaptor ontop of the rc4 so I can keep the smaller rc2 on the camera. A bit extra cost but worth it for the convenience