Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2
by Manfrotto
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Our Price: $73.79
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Buy Used: from $69.95 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ManfrottoModel: 496RC2
Color: Black
Product features:
- Supports up to 13 pounds
- Repositionable locking lever for most comfortable use.
- New ergonomic design.
- New friction control for better control.
- Quick release system features a new style secondary lock.
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2
Customer Review: Great after a slightly rough start.
Summary: 5 Stars
Got this Manfrotto 496RC2 to replace the Giottos MH-1002 head on my Giottos 9242 tripod legs. The old head had independant panning but was marginal support for my Canon T1i and 7D.
My copy of the 496RC2 attached to the legs beautifully and supported the 7D with ease, but then I noticed that when the locks were loose that rotation on the base was very rough and had a grinding feel. Later on the first day, the head stopped locking at all. No matter how hard I tightened the preload and the lock lever, the ball would flop around, although the head locked to the base. Bummer. I was prepared to contact Amazon for a replacement but decided to first have a good look at the unit. I ended up disassembling and cleaning it.
Warning: Disassembly voids your warranty, but if you must... Remove the lock lever screw and the conical insert that it holds and then the preload screw. Carefully remove the rectangular label so as not to bend it and remove the base retaining screw behind it (this is the crux of the disassenbly). Lift the ball housing off of the base reveals the ball locking components (note where the lock lever inserted. Remove the 4mm hex screw under the camera mount plate which allows the QR mechanism to be removed from the ball stem. The ball can then be removed. Inspection found a two areas within the ball housing that showed some galling (scratches). I used a little Micromesh sandpaper (400 grit and finer) to clean up most of it. The base locking mechanism didn't show any signs of abrasion so my guess is that foreign material somehow got into the assembly. I applied a little Trek synthetic grease to area where the galling was. This area doesn't come into play when the head is locked, but does when unlocked and you rotate the housing on the base. I put a little blue Loctite on the preload screw (which can be very loose when the ball is locked) and reassembled the unit. This clean, lube and adjustment completely cleared up the head rotation roughness and the non locking problem.
The head now has a silky smooth feel when rotating. It locks tightly and securely supports my 7D kit which can weigh as much as 6-7 pounds. I don't miss the panning base since I use reference points in the viewfinder to pan. I like the anti-catastrophe quick release which requires a deliberate move to unlock. The preload screw works very well, but as with any ball head, you need to hold the camera, or whatever, before you release the lock lever. I really like this ball head now, and I know how to maintain it if that ever becomes necessary. Not sure what caused my problem, but I'm sure its very very rare. Great ball head.
Description of Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2
This ball head has been total redesigned for better ease of use. A new design friction control knob allows the photographer to achieve superior control when handling the camera and making micro movements without having to totally lock and unlock the ball head. The knobs have been redesigned to be more ergonomic, easier to handle and more user-friendly. The ergonomic shape allows the user to better lock the ball securely. A repositionable Locking lever allows the user to place it in a comfortable position in order to use it in the most convenient way. Just pull it outwards, put it in the best working position and then release it. This model features a RC2 quick release plate including an additional safety system that prevents the accidental detaching of the camera from the head. The locking lever securely locks the head both in the +90° -90° ball positioning and in the 360° pan movements. This ball head is strong enough to hold a 35mm SLR camera with medium weight lenses and light medium format cameras up to 13 pounds. This replaces the Manfrotto 486RC2Tripod Heads
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