The Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release is a sturdy, professional ball head with separate controls for tilt, pan, and friction that enable precise positioning. With a 26.5 lb load capacity, the durable head is suitable for just about any camera.
The 055 head's lateral tilt ranges from -100° to +40°, and pan is a full 360°. With the head's independent pan lock, its state-of-the-art materials & technology that enable smooth movements, plus the degree markers around the base, the 055 is well-suited for precise panoramic photography.
The head's quick-release mechanism is the innovative Q2 system, which offers excellent ergonomics & speed as well as light weight.
| Load Capacity | 26.5 lb (12 kg) |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Quick Release | Yes, Q2 system |
| Camera Mount Plate | 200PL-14 quick-release plate with 1/4"-20 screw |
| Spirit Level | Yes, 2 |
| Tension Control | Yes |
| Separate Panning Lock | Yes |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 3/8"-16 |
| Tilt Range | -100° to +40° lateral tilt |
| Pan Range | 360° |
| Material | Magnesium |
| Color | Smoke |
| Height | 5.2" (13.1 cm) |
| Maximum Diameter | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Weight | 2.03 lb (0.92 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Reviewed by 13 customers
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Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Bought this to go with my Manfrotto 055 tripod. Had a fluid head and wanted a ball head also.
Very solid easy to use head. Like the quick release plate. Not too heavy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Just purchased the ball head after years of using a three way pan head on my 055 Pro B.Much easier to control than I anticipated - I'd expected adjusting it to be tricky.Flexibility is great, but, boy, is it heavy!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I recently bought this ball head to work with a Manfrotto Super Clamp for use on an African photo safari later this year. I will use it with a Canon 60D and a Canon 100-400L lens, so I am not stressing the maximum load capacity of 26.5 pounds. Right now (winter time) I have it set up on a tripod inside to start working with it. The camera feels very secure on the ball head with the Q2 quick release. It is a little heavier and bigger than I anticipated – my fault having bought sight unseen from B+H. But that's not a bad thing, as it gives me confidence that my camera isn't going anywhere while mounted on it – very stable. In hindsight I could have purchased the 054 w/Q2 but the prices were about the same, so I bought up. It's about 5¼ inches tall and about 4 inches at its widest point between knobs. The barrel of the ball head is about 2⅝ inches at its midpoint. The base is marked in degrees at 30 degree intervals for reference. The controls are very easy to operate and intuitive. Motion is very smooth. You can adjust the azimuth and ball knobs angle by pulling them out and rotating/repositioning them as desired. Quality, fit and finish are excellent. As my first Manfrotto purchase, I am impressed.
The supplied instructions are in several different languages and apply to 054, 055 and 057 heads w/o a quick release and to the 054 and 055 with the Q2 quick release. It consists of both drawings and text.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I replaced a video head on my Manfrotto 3021BN sticks. This head works perfectly with my older model sticks. Solid pairing. After a week of using this ball head, I'm very happy. I've been shooting outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, and I find it very easy to release and lock down. It stays in place with the weight of a Nikon D700 and wide angle lens. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is the the quick release clip levers seem a little cheap.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I don't know why I have not had one od these forever!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Very solid and stable, rotates very smooth and precise. A little bulky and heavy for my taste but not too much to regret buying it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
easy to use
great for any usages: wildlife and landscape
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I got this head along with the 055xprob legs. This is the first tripod/head I've owned so I don't have anything to compare it to, but here's my opinion anyway.
Together, they make for a great combo. The quick release plate is easy to operate and locks securely. The ball moves smoothly and the pan and the portrait mode function really comes in handy.
Although I spent a bit more than I would have liked on this head, I have no regrets and after having used it for a while, I would say that it was well worth the price.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I think this is a good product, but i noticed a slight drop of my focus point after securing the screw. I had a rather heavy lens on my camera at the time, so I exchanged this head for a Manfrotto Magnesium Ball Head with Q5--adjustable head.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
very stable. solid product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Installed on a 055cxprob3 and of course it fits perfectly on a 055 Tripod. Larger than the 054 its size is a determination of the weight you deem is required for your camera body and lens weight. I like that you can set your own custom control positions and the controls are well designed and can be operated without looking. The grip is firm and gives confidence. Well designed ...well made.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Mounted this ball head on my Manfrotto 3401B tripod and this combination is solid as a rock. Have a Nikon D200 with vertical grip ( 2 batteries. ) and a 24-120 f4 VR lens attached and the head stays in the position its locked with absolutely no movement. The separate adjustment and pan knobs are easy to use and positioned perfectly. The fit and finish on this head are flawless.
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
This head is the same quality as the 054 series but bigger. In fact the base of the head is bigger than the 055 tripod mount. So after installing it it doesn't seem to look and feel very good. I am kind of surprised that this head is designed for 055 tripods. The 054 head fits the 055 tripods perfectly so I am staying with the 054 head.
Displaying reviews 1-13
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-13
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Bought this to go with my Manfrotto 055 tripod. Had a fluid head and wanted a ball head also.
Very solid easy to use head. Like the quick release plate. Not too heavy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Just purchased the ball head after years of using a three way pan head on my 055 Pro B.Much easier to control than I anticipated - I'd expected adjusting it to be tricky.Flexibility is great, but, boy, is it heavy!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I recently bought this ball head to work with a Manfrotto Super Clamp for use on an African photo safari later this year. I will use it with a Canon 60D and a Canon 100-400L lens, so I am not stressing the maximum load capacity of 26.5 pounds. Right now (winter time) I have it set up on a tripod inside to start working with it. The camera feels very secure on the ball head with the Q2 quick release. It is a little heavier and bigger than I anticipated – my fault having bought sight unseen from B+H. But that's not a bad thing, as it gives me confidence that my camera isn't going anywhere while mounted on it – very stable. In hindsight I could have purchased the 054 w/Q2 but the prices were about the same, so I bought up. It's about 5¼ inches tall and about 4 inches at its widest point between knobs. The barrel of the ball head is about 2⅝ inches at its midpoint. The base is marked in degrees at 30 degree intervals for reference. The controls are very easy to operate and intuitive. Motion is very smooth. You can adjust the azimuth and ball knobs angle by pulling them out and rotating/repositioning them as desired. Quality, fit and finish are excellent. As my first Manfrotto purchase, I am impressed.
The supplied instructions are in several different languages and apply to 054, 055 and 057 heads w/o a quick release and to the 054 and 055 with the Q2 quick release. It consists of both drawings and text.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I replaced a video head on my Manfrotto 3021BN sticks. This head works perfectly with my older model sticks. Solid pairing. After a week of using this ball head, I'm very happy. I've been shooting outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, and I find it very easy to release and lock down. It stays in place with the weight of a Nikon D700 and wide angle lens. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is the the quick release clip levers seem a little cheap.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I don't know why I have not had one od these forever!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Very solid and stable, rotates very smooth and precise. A little bulky and heavy for my taste but not too much to regret buying it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
easy to use
great for any usages: wildlife and landscape
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I got this head along with the 055xprob legs. This is the first tripod/head I've owned so I don't have anything to compare it to, but here's my opinion anyway.
Together, they make for a great combo. The quick release plate is easy to operate and locks securely. The ball moves smoothly and the pan and the portrait mode function really comes in handy.
Although I spent a bit more than I would have liked on this head, I have no regrets and after having used it for a while, I would say that it was well worth the price.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
I think this is a good product, but i noticed a slight drop of my focus point after securing the screw. I had a rather heavy lens on my camera at the time, so I exchanged this head for a Manfrotto Magnesium Ball Head with Q5--adjustable head.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
very stable. solid product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Installed on a 055cxprob3 and of course it fits perfectly on a 055 Tripod. Larger than the 054 its size is a determination of the weight you deem is required for your camera body and lens weight. I like that you can set your own custom control positions and the controls are well designed and can be operated without looking. The grip is firm and gives confidence. Well designed ...well made.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
Mounted this ball head on my Manfrotto 3401B tripod and this combination is solid as a rock. Have a Nikon D200 with vertical grip ( 2 batteries. ) and a 24-120 f4 VR lens attached and the head stays in the position its locked with absolutely no movement. The separate adjustment and pan knobs are easy to use and positioned perfectly. The fit and finish on this head are flawless.
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release:
This head is the same quality as the 054 series but bigger. In fact the base of the head is bigger than the 055 tripod mount. So after installing it it doesn't seem to look and feel very good. I am kind of surprised that this head is designed for 055 tripods. The 054 head fits the 055 tripods perfectly so I am staying with the 054 head.
Displaying reviews 1-13