Manfrotto 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with RC4 System (Quick Release)

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Easy to use...use it on a tripod and sometimes on my monopod if I need to release my camera quickly.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

A light weight piece of kit. Easy to set up, easy to customize.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I'm using this head with a 190CX3 CARBON FIBER TRIPOD as part of my plein air pastel easel. I used the easel during a four-day workshop and loved it. However, by the third day, the hex nut that secures clamp to the head became loose and the my easel panned. I did not have a hex wrench with me so I made due. When I returned to the studio, I tightened the clamp and all is well. The wrench is now stored in with my tripod in case this happens again. If I had not had this problem, I'd give the head five stars.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

This is my second Manfrotto ballhead, by far the best I have used so far!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

responsive, stable, built to last for years to come.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

This ball head is great!
You can get any angle of shot you want and know your camera is not going anywhere.
I love the levelers on two sides, plus I bought the 055XPRO TRIPOD and with one more level on there, you can get a more accurate and level shot.
Unlike other reviews saying that the quick release plate is too big, I dont think so. I would rather know that my camera isnt going anywhere once I attach it. It doesnt get in my way hand holding either. The quick release is great.
Highly recommend, especially with the set up I chose.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

use it for lanscape and panorama . Very stable and easy to operate .

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Coupled with the 190CXPRO3 it is perfect. Some might think it is a bit heavy but I do not as it's quality construction and you will always have a bit of weight to go with that. Hope to be a proud owner for a very long time.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I use this head with a Benro A-298n6 HVC Flexpod for panoramas, and more. This head is a great value!

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I do portrait photography, sometimes 60 sitters in one hour. The pictures need to be taken fast and look good so it's essential that I have maximum stability when my camera and heavy lens are in the vertical position and speed to zip it off and back on the tripod when the subject's features require a special angle or height. This ball head doesn't budge once you fix it in place and the release is very handy and quick. My old trouble with a slipping tripod head is over. The panning feature is also a useful tool.

It's handy to have levels both in the horizontal and vertical camera position.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Great ballhead for the price. I expect this to last as long as I can use it. I use this head with my Bogen/Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs . I could tell right away that it held up my Canon EOS 50D with a long L lens a lot better than my previous Manfrotto by Bogen 222 Grip Action Ballhead . It is very smooth and quick with rotation. I like that it can lock into place and pan. I don't like that you need a coin to screw the quick release plate onto your camera as I take this backpacking and don't want the hassle of having to remember a coin wherever I take it. So I will be taping one to the tripod.I will be searching to see if they make a D bolt that fits. It comes with two different sized screws to fit into your camera tripod mount. Their is a place to keep the one you are not using on the bottom of the tripod,, however when I did that, it made the quick release plate wobble and it would not stay stable at all. I had to remove the screw from its holding place and put it in the box. I also do not like how the quick release plate connects and disconnects from the head. It is very combersome and takes some getting used to. I banged mine all up while trying with my husband to get it on and off the first few times.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Purchased this for my Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod. Work perfectly.

I like the bubble levels on both landscape and portrait mode.

Also the independent controls for rotation. This allows the ball section to stay locked as a rotate the camera for panoramic shots.

Very strong built for the price.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Easily supports a 300mm lens plus 1.4 extender without moving or drifting

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

A great head that allows me to quickly and easily get my camera into position. Locks the camera in any position very securely. Pans smoothly. Quality construction. I confidently expect to get many years of service from it.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I use this head with a D90 and 70-300mm lens and I feel very confident with the security of the Camera, I feel this head could handle much bigger loads and it is reasonably easy to operate one handed.

The quick release performs as it is intended, quickly and is a snap to put the camera back in. I leave the base on my camera it doesn't interfere with hand hold use.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I've been using this on a monopod to make camera/lens changes and orientation changes quickly and easily.
Pros: Solid quick change plate, strong ball clamp, easy to operate, degree markings for panorama shots.
Cons: A bit on the heavy side

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

I put this ball head on my Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod. It locks down rock solid with my D700 and 70-200mm lens on. The pan and tilt are smooth; the bubbles does help me to level my camera. The quick release 488RC4 is simple, easy to use, beautifully designed product with an affordable price.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

It is easy to use and very steady but little bit heave.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

This is my first ball head tripod mount, so I don't have much basis of comparison. Overall though, I'm extremely pleased.

PROS:
-Solid construction
-Easy to find and use adjustment knobs
-Multiple bubble levels
-Quick release system
-Holds a fair amount of weight without problem or sagging (dSLR w/ battery grip + 70-300 telezoom + speedlight)
-Easy Portrait orientation

CONS:
-Fairly heavy
-Mounting the camera onto the ball head can be a little tricky at times, you have to remember to move the release lever back to the locked position.

Overall I'm pleased with this guy. Solid construction, smooth panning action, and reasonable price.

Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4:

Great that it has two bubble levels. Is a very strong head that can easily handle my Nikon D80 with 18-105mm lens. Only potential downside is that the product is slightly heavier than another comparable model made by Velbon.