The Professional's Source 866.276.1435 / 212.502.6357

Holiday Closing

We are not accepting orders at this time. Online ordering will resume Monday, May 28th at 9:45PM EDT. Our SuperStore and offices are currently closed and will reopen on Tuesday, May 29th at 9:00AM EDT.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patronage.

Please note: Online ordering is unavailable until Monday 9:45 PM EDT (in 1 hour(s) and 19 minutes). Feel free to browse our site and add items to your cart or wishlist. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage.

Manfrotto 701RC2 Video Fluid Head (RC2 Quick Release) - Supports 9 lb (4 kg)

  • No Longer Available
  • B&H # MA701RC2
  • Mfr# 701RC2

What item is right for you?

Ask our Experts!

866.276.1435
Live Chat

Small and lightweight, the Bogen 701RC2 Video Fluid Head is capable of accommodating payloads up to 9-lbs, and was designed principally to support the latest digital video equipment, including Mini DV and prosumer/professional grade DVCAMs camcorders. In addition, the 701RC2 is well-suited for still photography cameras with medium and long telephoto lenses.

The 701RC2 has a fixed length pan bar with a soft handle and separate locking mechanisms. It is also equipped with a sliding quick-release video plate system and a fixed counter-balance spring to perfectly position uneven loads.

Sliding quick-release video plate system
Fixed counter-balance spring to perfectly position uneven loads
Separate pan and tilt locks
Maximum load capacity of: 9-lbs
Load Capacity 9 lbs (4.08 kg)
Diameter/Thread 3/8" Female Thread
Counter Balance System Fixed counter-balance spring
Counter Balance Range Not applicable
Center of Gravity Not specified by manufacturer
Quick Release/Wedge Plate Yes (#3157N)
Balance Plate Fixed, 1/4" Screw and Locating Pin
Tilt Drag 1 Fixed
Tilt Range -70/+75°
Tilt Lock Yes
Spring Loaded Counter Bal 1 Fixed
Pan Range 360°
Pan Lock Yes
Leveling Bubble/Illuminated Yes / No
Temperature Range -10°C / 60°C
Weight 1.85 lbs (0.84 kg)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head
 
4.1

(based on 11 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

82%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Stable (10)
  • Attaches firmly (6)
  • Large range of motion (6)
  • Strong clamp (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Stabilization (5)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Semi-pro photographer (4)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Smooth Fluid Head with 200PL QR system

    I bought this video head to try video on my Canon 5D Mk2 DSLR. I chose this over the other similarly priced Manfrotto video head (which has more horizontal movement) as I already have...Read complete review

    I bought this video head to try video on my Canon 5D Mk2 DSLR. I chose this over the other similarly priced Manfrotto video head (which has more horizontal movement) as I already have the 200PL quick release system.

    Its very smooth for use on my Manfrotto Neotec legs. It is fine for short lens or with a tripod mount collar with longer lens (eg 70-200). With zoom lens like the 24-70f2.8 or 24-105f4 when the lens is extended, it doesn't allow enough backward horizontal movement to balance the lens/SLR combination. Possibly the other Manfrotto video head with a different quick release system will work better if you require this.

    Its got horizontal and vertical friction control and the pan bar angle is adjustable/removable. It also adds a bit of weight if you need to be on the move and carry a photo ball head as well.

    Way better than a 3 way photo head if you need fluid panning and balancing of your small video/SLR setup.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Doesn't Stay Level

    For the money, this is not a bad fluid-action pan/tilt head, and at first it seems to be made with high precision and strength, which of course is great.

    B...Read complete review

    For the money, this is not a bad fluid-action pan/tilt head, and at first it seems to be made with high precision and strength, which of course is great.

    BUT, after using it for more than a year, and having constant problems levelling my camera, I realized that the head goes out of level when you pan it! Seriously, I set the tripod/head/camera to perfectly level (which is often a several-minute procedure) then pan 90 degrees, and it's out of level! If you watch closely as you pan, you can see that the mechanism is not flat.

    Big flaw in an otherwise fantastic head.

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 11 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-11

    Back to top

     
    1.0

    Does not remain level

    By MichaelinItaly

    from Amalfi coast Italy

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Pros

    • Attaches Firmly
    • Fluid movement
    • Good Stability
    • Large Range of Motion
    • Strong Clamp

    Cons

    • Does not stay level

    Best Uses

    • As a door stop

    Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

    Spent alot of money (for me) on this head and a 755xb tripod. Wish I had read some of the comments below. If you can get both levels (head & tripod) to match (which is impossible) once you move the head, they level on the head goes out of level before you even move the head to the right or the left a few inches. If you reverse your movments, the head still does not come back to level. The head really needs to have a side level as you can have the base level and the camera can be pointing up or down and you would never know it.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Comment on this review

     
    4.0

    Smooth Fluid Head with 200PL QR system

    By Chi - CK Photographics

    from Brisbane, Australia

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attaches Firmly
    • Good Stability
    • Uses 200PLRC2 QR system

    Cons

    • Small Range

    Best Uses

    • Video Panning

    Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

    I bought this video head to try video on my Canon 5D Mk2 DSLR. I chose this over the other similarly priced Manfrotto video head (which has more horizontal movement) as I already have the 200PL quick release system.

    Its very smooth for use on my Manfrotto Neotec legs. It is fine for short lens or with a tripod mount collar with longer lens (eg 70-200). With zoom lens like the 24-70f2.8 or 24-105f4 when the lens is extended, it doesn't allow enough backward horizontal movement to balance the lens/SLR combination. Possibly the other Manfrotto video head with a different quick release system will work better if you require this.

    Its got horizontal and vertical friction control and the pan bar angle is adjustable/removable. It also adds a bit of weight if you need to be on the move and carry a photo ball head as well.

    Way better than a 3 way photo head if you need fluid panning and balancing of your small video/SLR setup.

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Great with a mid-sized mini DV

    By Norb

    from Elk River, MN

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Holds position
    • Large Range of Motion
    • RC-2 clamps interchange

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Mid-sized DV cams
      • Spotting Scopes
      • Stabilization

      Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

      I debated between this head and the 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head. I already use many RC-2 plates and the rebate clinched the deal. I haven't been disappointed. I've also used this with a spotting scope. Pans smoothly and hold it's position without too much force.

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      Great Head!

      By mikerowe81

      from Beckley, WV

      About Me Photo Enthusiast

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Attaches Firmly
      • Good Stability
      • Large Range of Motion
      • Simple

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Video

        Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

        This is the first "pro" video head I have purchased. I got it to use with Canon GL2 and the counter balance works perfectly with the camera. Making minor changes in the movement is not as smooth as I had hoped, but that may just be because I'm videoing 100ft away zoomed all the way in so any fraction of movement has a pretty big effect.

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        Perfect Video Head

        By JB

        from Omaha, NE

        About Me Photo Enthusiast

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Attaches Firmly
        • Good Stability
        • Large Range of Motion
        • Quick release
        • Smooth Movement
        • Strong Clamp

        Cons

        • Price

        Best Uses

        • Pan and Tilt
        • Video

        Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

        I use this with a Canon HG10 video camera and a Canon 30D camera. It is the perfect tripod head for me. I love its fluid movement and its ability to capture video. It is not the best for stills because it doesn't go vertical. Other than that, stop looking because it is perfect for the pro-sumer digital video cameras.

        Also, I thought it would be bulky but it is not. The top of the head is about the size of my blackberry curve. I paired it with the 055xprob. I bought my sister the lighter shorter 190xprob. Both are a perfect fit for this head. The quick release option is nice as well.

        Comment on this review

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Great Movement

        By The Video Guy

        from Maryville, TN

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Attaches Firmly
        • Good Stability
        • Large Range of Motion
        • Strong Clamp

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Stabilization

          Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

          We use it for field video. Light weight and good design and very fluid movement. Positive locking mechanisms.

          Comment on this review

           
          2.0

          Doesn't Stay Level

          By Kablamo

          from New York, NY

          About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

          Pros

          • Attaches Firmly
          • Good Stability
          • Large Range of Motion
          • Strong Clamp

          Cons

          • Doesn't Stay Level

          Best Uses

            Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

            For the money, this is not a bad fluid-action pan/tilt head, and at first it seems to be made with high precision and strength, which of course is great.

            BUT, after using it for more than a year, and having constant problems levelling my camera, I realized that the head goes out of level when you pan it! Seriously, I set the tripod/head/camera to perfectly level (which is often a several-minute procedure) then pan 90 degrees, and it's out of level! If you watch closely as you pan, you can see that the mechanism is not flat.

            Big flaw in an otherwise fantastic head.

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            Nice head for binocular astronomy

            By BJN

            from Salt Lake City, UT

            About Me Tech Savvy

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Flexible configuration
            • Good Stability

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Stabilization

              Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

              I'm using this head with some large binoculars for stargazing. The head works best for this application facing backwards to allow the greatest elevation range. The handle is very adjustable and can be used from either normal or backwards configuration. The platform's adjustment makes balancing the load easy. The fluid action isn't perfect but it's good, especially for the price.

              Comment on this review

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              Excellent Product

              By Gregg

              from Colleyville, TX

              About Me Bird Watcher

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Good Stability
              • Lightweight
              • Smooth operation
              • Unfolds Quickly

              Cons

              • as noted above

              Best Uses

              • Spotting Sope
              • Stabilization

              Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

              I use this head with my Swarovshi Spoting scope. In this application it works extremely well. The slight tension on the vertical and lateral movements makes it smooth to follow a action. The only issue I have with it is that the tension on the lateral movement is strong enough that on some tripods without the 3 screw lock between the head and the tripod base, the haed will come loose when moved laterally. If used on a Manfrotto tripod with the 3 screw lock, this is not a problem.

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              Using The HD Canon HV30

              By V

              from Cincinnati, OH

              About Me Tech Savvy

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Folds Small
              • Good Stability
              • Lightweight
              • Unfolds Quickly

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Movies
                • Photography
                • Stabilization

                Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

                Perfect for all occasions!

                Comment on this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                good product

                By AI Photo

                from maui, HI

                About Me Aspiring Film Maker

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Folds Small
                • Good Stability

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Movies

                  Comments about Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 701RC2 Video Fluid Head:

                  for the price great head. its the first that I bought and it works great

                  Comment on this review

                  Displaying reviews 1-11

                  Back to top

                  Recommended Accessories

                  Manfrotto -  200PLARCH-14 Architectural Anti-Twist Quick Release Plate with 1/4" Screw
                    • Original: $24.90
                    • Save: $2.01
                  • Price: $22.89
                  • GBP 14.61
                   
                  Manfrotto -  341 Junior Elbow Bracket with 1/4-20" Screw for RC2 (3157N) Q.R. System
                  • Price: $63.95
                  • GBP 40.83
                   
                  Manfrotto -  438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg)
                    • Original: $92.96
                    • Save: $17.17
                  • Price: $75.79
                  • GBP 48.39
                   

                  What's in the Box

                  Manfrotto 701RC2 Video Fluid Head (RC2 Quick Release) - Supports 9 lb (4 kg)
                   
                   
                  See any errors on this page? Let us know.

                  Close

                  Close