Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release
- Price: $259.99
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # MAMH055M0Q5
- Mfr# MH055M0-Q5
Product Highlights
- Separate Tilt, Pan & Friction Controls
- Lightweight Magnesium Construction
- 90-100° Portrait Angle
- Quick-Release System Compatible with RC5
- Includes 501PL Sliding Plate
- Sturdy & Precise with Smooth Movements
- Weighs 2.2 lb
- Supports Loads Up to 26.5 lb
The Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 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 and a sliding camera plate with 3/8"-16 & 1/4"-20 screws, 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 Q5 system, which offers excellent ergonomics & speed as well as light weight. The 055 head includes a 501PL sliding plate that enables precise weight balance for cameras with long lenses and other heavy equipment. The plate has a location pin, making it suitable for video cameras.
- Perfect companion for Manfrotto 055 carbon-fiber tripods
- Innovative RC5 quick-release system is ideal for heavy equipment and cameras with long lenses
- Portrait angle selector (90-100°) for finer control over positioning
- Three spirit levels for precise levelling in both portrait & landscape orientations
- Constructed of lightweight magnesium (weighs 2.2 lb)
- Patent-pending design
| Load Capacity | 26.5 lb (12 kg) |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Quick Release | Yes, Q5 system |
| Camera Mount Plate | 501PL sliding quick-release plate with 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 screws |
| 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 | 5.3" (13.5 cm) |
| Maximum Diameter | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Weight | 2.2 lb (1 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 9 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attaches firmly (8)
- Large range of motion (8)
- Stable (8)
- Strong clamp (8)
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (6)
- Portraits (5)
- Home (4)
- Wildlife (4)
- Night shots (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (9)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 9 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-9
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Great product for serious photographer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Wished I had not bought the three pan and tilt, ball head is so much better.
Looks and feels like it will last forever. The panning 360 is stiff even when the locking knob is fully loosened and, as another reviewer had remarked, the tighten knob on the Q5 quick release block seems awkwardly positioned - works great on a long lens mount but prevents you from centering the camera body on the mounting plate (the body gets in the way) but not a problem if mounting the camera to the edge of the bracket.
This is definitely the way to go. Three way pans are great for stills and landscapes when you've the luxury to fiddle with three handles; but this ball head will do it all and quickly. I also love the true 90 degree portrait tilt - No L bracket needed.
I use a 70-200mm and not much tension was needed to keep it in position.
I prefer this Q5 system over the other models - just feels like more metal to rely on and that much safer.
I simply love it!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Easy to use, reliable, sturdy, smooth action, quick camera/lens mounting with Q5 Quick Release.
Works very well with my new Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
I purchased this ball head to support my Canon 500mm f4 IS L lens. I considered a gimbal head but decided against it for several reasons. I thought a gimbal might be more susceptible to vibration, I did not want to be changing heads when I am not using longer lenses, and I thought a gimbal would be award to pack while hiking. The compact design of a ball head seemed to address my concerns. The lens and camera balance well and the ball design allows free pan and tilt movements and just enough friction to stabilize the lens and camera. I wish the mounting plate were slightly longer but it is just long enough to attach two screws to the foot of the lens if the rubber stopper is removed. The head is strong enough to be locked down at any angle and remain rock solid. Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by dan
Sandhill Cranes Manfrotto Q5 ball head
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Built like a tank. Fits my gitzo 3 series pretty well. I had to return the q5 version for rc4 since q5 quick release seem to work for video camera better.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Sturdy, easy to use, reliable, smooth action, quick camera/lens mounting with Q5 Quick Release
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
- Well Made
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
this product is very sturdy and easy to use. i like that i can adjust the position of the camera on the head especially when we use a heavier lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
Manfrotto does tend to cost a lot more than other brands but its always guaranteed to work as advertised. This ball head supports my Nikon D300 attached to an extended battery and a 70-200mm VR II lens. That is a lot of weight to hold when I position the camera lens pointing down at the floor to shoot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 055 Magnesium Ball Head with Q5 Quick Release:
We are a Pro Video prod. co. Use Manfrotto stix and fluid heads based on bang / buck. Needed a ball head for DSLR vertical shots (ever notice how you can't turn a DSLR vertical on a fluid head?).
This piece is built like a tank and almost as heavy (good thing its mag. not steel!) Takes real getting used to if youre used to fluid heads. Eventually learned how to get fine adjustments. There are only plastic friction plates so no use at all for video ... but that's not why we bought it. The top plate is interchangeable with the 501 fluid head so we love the entire line.
If we knew more about ball heads maybe this one gets 5 stars ... but we find it a bit stiff and hard to adjust ... still can't figure out two knobs!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-9
Quick Release Plates
- Price: $24.95
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