Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
by Manfrotto
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ManfrottoRelease Date: 2006-04-14
Model: 484RC2
Product features:
- Versatile head fitted with a 3157N quick-release camera plate and a secondary safety catch
- Perfect for 35mm SLR cameras with medium lenses, and light medium format cameras
- Strong die-cast construction, precision machined aluminum housing
- Extremely hard phenolic resin ball which provides smoother movements across all tilt positions
- Single indexed ratchet locking knob for 360-degree pan and a double groove for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
Customer Review: Good, lightweight ball head
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this ball head to mount on a Gitzo G1298 Basalt tripod. I do a lot of backpacking and wanted a tripod system that was very lightweight but rugged enough for a digital SLR and occasional 4x5 field camera work. I also wanted a ball head with the quick-release capability. The combination works very well, weighing in at a total of 4 lbs 1 oz (of which the ball head contributes 11 oz). The ball head moves fluidly and allows me to easily position the camera however I want. It is definitely sturdy enough to hold either my digital SLR or my Tachihara wooden view camera and lens.
There are a couple of things to be aware of. First, a single lever controls both pan and tilt, which means it is pretty difficult to do only a pan without also ending up with tilt. This makes it a little more difficult to stitch together a series of horizontal shots into a single panorama. More expensive (and heavier) ball heads give you a separate lever to control pan without affecting tilt. In my case, I didn't want the extra weight and I'm willing to live with the compromise.
The second issue was a bit of a surprise. I have used Manfrotto tripods for awhile now, and have a collection of camera mounting plates the same size as the one that comes with the ball head, so I had expected them to work with it. The problem is that, even though they are physically the same outline, the plate for the ball head has had some machining done to it to allow it to fit into a slightly different receptacle. So while the new plate fits on my old tripod, the old plates don't fit on the new ball head. Half an hour on a milling machine fixed the problem (you have to mill off a little from each side of the old plate), but I was quite surprised that Manfrotto did this. I guess they want to sell plenty of new mounting plates.
These two minor inconveniences aside, if you're looking for a solidly-built ball head that's a good tradeoff between weight and features, you can't go wrong with this one. Note it comes with a 3/8-in thread, so if your tripod only has 1/4-20 threads, you'll need an adapter. And by the way, although Amazon doesn't yet sell the G1298 Basalt tripod (they sell smaller versions), it is a real keeper, 5 stars for sure. (Update 4/17/06: Amazon now sells the G1298 Basalt tripod. I've entered a detailed review there.)
Description of Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
This versatile head is fitted with a 3157N quick-release camera plate with a secondary safety catch. This head is perfect for 35mm SLR cameras with medium lenses, and light medium format cameras. A direct replacement of the 3262QR Midi Ball Head, the 484RC2 features a strong die-cast construction, precision machined aluminum housing, and an extremely hard phenolic resin ball which provides smoother movements across all tilt positions. It has a single indexed ratchet locking knob for 360deg. pan and a double groove for +90deg.-90deg. tilt movements. Camera plate has a 1/4-20 male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 3/8 female.Digital Camera Accessories
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