Manfrotto 486RC2 - Cabeça de Esfera Compacta com Sistema Rapid Connect

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Reasonably priced ballhead which is more then enough for many photographers. I bought mine 5 years ago when I got my first 'real' tripod figuring it was cheaper then an arca-swiss...but I'd invest the money in the tripod and buy a new head next year. 5 years later I'm finally replacing it, creeps too much with a 300 f2.8...but it's also not meant to handle that load.

Overall very smooth, plates stay where they should and the locking mechanism works..not to mention it's light.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Quick lock and unlock. Rapid connect is fast and easy.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Very strong construction and able to control my 50D with 18-200mm lense with ease.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

This is a solid and steady ballhead, well worth the investment. I use it with my Nikon d90, and the heaviest load it frequently carries would be my 18-105 VR lens (I have a seldom-used 70-300mm, which it still copes well with), coupled with a set of carbon fibre Slik legs. The quick-release plate holds the weight of the camera securely, and releases/reattaches with ease. The rotation of the ballhead is smooth, but it also locks in securely when tightened. This is a robust tripod head - unfortunately it is on the heavy side, but as I use it in combination with carbon fibre legs I consider this a good trade off.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Used the first time for baby portraits. The head did all I ask of it and nerver once moved or worried me about the quick release dropping the camera. Easy and quick to go from digital to film by unlocking the two levers. One lever insures no accidental release. Great product, afforable price and mounted perfectly on my older bogen tripod.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I purchased this ballhead with my Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod, and they make a great combination. The head allows very quick and easy adjustment of the camera position, requiring the user to only loosen one lever, then you can flip the lever out of the way when it is locked in position. The ball rotates smoothly in the cup and lets you position the camera exactly where you want it. I really like the second safety lever to release the camera from the head, as it helps to make sure you don't accidentally release the camera, which could be an expensive mistake. I know the latest rage is the larger diameter ballheads, but I can't imagine the benefits justifying the added cost and weight they require.

This is a tool that is built to last a long time!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

After trying a number of balls heads over the years, this is decidedly one of the best. I'd like it so well that I just bought 2 more for my other tripods so I would have to move them around. It's stable enough for my 1DS-MKIII and a 70-200 2.8 IS lens.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

This ball head locks up solid, and should easily hold most SLR's. The quick connect has a little lock on it to keep it from being popped loose by accident. Typical excellent Manfrotto quality.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I am using for macro photography. It is very stable. It takes a little getting use to adjusting but I like it. It is a little heavy. I use it with light weight legs so it is not to bad. I leave the base on the camera but it is easy to remove if necessary.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I use this for every day photography indoors and out. It's well built, excellent machining allows for smooth operation. The quick release with the safety works great. There is not a thing about it that I do not like. For the price, you will love it!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

The product adds about a pound. Easy to use and manipulate safely. The safety is needed. Rotates and can be adjusted in multiple angle. Will support L Lens, flash, camera body without difficulties. Just what I needed. Oh, fits easily on top of s sunpak pro724m. Great Performance[...]

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I laugh that someone put a con as "heavy". The whole point of a ballhead is to stabilize your gear.

Excellent ball head. It can stand to my abuse. Was shooting on the beach back in July and had some sand get into it, still works well against the elements.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

This was my first ballhead. I didn't want to spend a large amount of money until I could decide what I really wanted in a ballhead, so I purchased this one. It's a really good ballhead for the price and it was extremely easy to use. I have a Nikon D90 with a batter grip and it held it great with my 18-105mm Nikkor lens. However, when I used my 70-300mm Nikkor lens extended to 300mm it couldn't quite hold the camera and the lens tightly. It slowly pulled in a downward motion. I was at the maximum weight recommended for this ballhead, so I don't think it was any type of malfunction...I just wanted to mention that at it's maximum capacity it does move a little. Overall it's a great ballhead, especially for the price!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

This is a great ballhead for the field or the studio. The quick release connector that attaches to the bottom of your camera makes using this ballhead so much easier and efficient. Once the ballhead is mounted on your tripod, and the quick connector plate is on the bottom of your camera (it screws into the bottom of the camera's tripod connector) it's a matter of (1) setting the plate on the ballhead) and (2) flipping the locking lever to hold the camera in place. It's that simple. Just reverse the process and the camera is off the tripod and in your hands to catch those tough high-speed shots or irregular angled shots. The ballhead is heavy due to the materials used to make it so sturdy, durable and functional. This is a great product and a great buy.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

This ball-head easily holds my DSLR w/70-300 but I haven't tried it with the weight of a 300 prime.

When clamped tight enough to prevent your camera from falling over but loose enough to re-frame shots, its single-clamp design doesn't allow the ball to move smoothly. However, I'm not aware of any ball-head in this price range that will do this.

It is heavy; there are lighter heads on the market but my research showed they are either more expensive or potentially weaker.

When you're framing a vertical shot, the clamp ends up either facing directly toward you or is on the other side of the ball-head away from you. I didn't have any problem with this but others may.

Overall, I could not find another ball-head this solid with any better features in the <$100 range. Vanguard has a potentially interesting product but I coundn't find enough user feedback to feel confident buying it sight unseen.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Very easy to manipulate and good, solid construction. The quick-disconnect is a very handy feature. This is a great ballhead for the money!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I already own one of these but I got tired of changing it back and forth from my tripod and monopod. It works well even with my Sigma 120-300 lens.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

I use this with C 40D 85 and 18-55

Rely good head, you dont suppose to think about 2 way-3 way head. I had 2 way head and forgot about this. Very sturdy, easy to use.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

The ballhead is easy to use and with the quick release, I can take the camera off the tripod w/o too much effort. I use this primarily for landscape and macro photography. It holds well with my D200 and even larger lenses.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 486RC2 Compact Ballhead w/Rapid Connect System:

Great for everything. My main use is for Portrait shots. It's easy to mount. easy to adjust and very stable.Things that aren't so great, I have not found any yet. If you want a ball head at a reasonable price and will serve all of you need, this is it.