Manfrotto 468MGRC2 - Cabeça de Esfera Hidrostática com Liberação Rápida RC2 - Suporta 22lb (10kg)

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I use this product for landscape photography, it is a compromise size that is good for traveling on airlines and backpacking to remote areas. It has a panoramic scale on the base that is handy for making computer stitched composites. It is a a good match for my graphite tripod. The locking clamp is very large and a big plus for old or cold hands, with the friction adjustment knob incorporated to prevent accidental flopping of your camera.It is reasonably stable with an extended 100-400 zoom.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This is a great ball head and a major upgrade from the 322RC2 ball head I have been using. It allows for very accurate positioning and locks solidly with a slight twist of the knob. I also like the ability to rotate around the vertical axis (pan) while the main ball is locked in place.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I just bought this Manfrotto to add to my arsenal of heads for use with my DSLR's (I was using a pistol grip head for most of my shooting). Once I pulled this out of the box and attached it to my tripod or dolly....I was amazed at it's ease of use. I can postiion the head in any direction(on my dolly I have limited space for the head so sometimes I need to loosen the base to rotate it to get the exact position but this is done easily and quickly). Buy this head....you won't be disappointed.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I like this ballhead a lot. It has very smooth and precise movement, which is important in my photography work.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I used Arca Mono Ball Head for more than five years, but from this year, it become not so smooth and easy fall down after turning tighten. so, I switch to this model of Manfrotto, I am pretty much like the one touch design with security and I like the precision turning design.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This works great even with a 500mm lens on it.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I use this ball head primarily for portraits, but it has come in useful for landscape and panos also. It feels incredibly solid and very well built. Making adjustments on it is very easy.

My only complaint would be the amount that it seems to settle when mated to a long heavy lens. For instance, I was shooting pics of the moon with my 7D and a 100-400L lens (fully extended), and every time I re-adjusted the camera would "settle" a little. It didn't seem like the ball was moving, but the frame was not perfectly still directly after an adjustment. However it did not continue to creep once "settled in". As this is my first ball head I don't know if this is an issue with all ball heads or just this one. It was also consistent in the amount that it would shift (I assume due to the weight of the extended lens) which made it easy to compensate for.

Overall I think this is an awesome head.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

easy to use with one knob to control everything. hold is rock solid. I use it at work and decided that I had to buy one for myself.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I don't often bother with these reviews (who has the time?), BUT this product deserves recognition. What sold me on this ballhead rather than the 498RC Midi (at almost half the cost and rave reviews) was the comment from a longtime Pro with arthritis, who enjoyed the ease of use. No, I don't yet have arthritis, but I can concur with how easily the gear locks down SECURELY.

I am using a Canon 5D with the 24-105L, a 16-35L, and a Sigma 100-300APO, with most of my work being landscapes. First thing I did was test the 468GRC2 with the 5D, the Sigma 100-300, and my Canon 580EXII flash unit. This combination always challenged former ballheads to keep everything steady during those longer, mirror lock-up exposures(the Manfrotto 322RC2 among them). Many shots came back slightly blurred, even with the other lenses and no flash.

I just returned from a week of heavy shooting in Acadia National Park, Maine, and I can report no shakes with this ballhead, even with plenty of wind at times. In all fairness, I should also mention having recently replaced my older Manfrotto aluminum tripod with the 055CxPRO3 (carbon fiber), so that probably helps stabilize the gear as well. This has been a great combination for me thus far, and oh what a pleasure that big rubbery knob is to use- so little effort and no sag!

Some have mentioned "heavy", but I'm guessing a lack of experience with ballheads. Heck, my older one weighs as much with maybe half the capacity and stability. Guess I'm accustomed to the pound and a quarter roosting on top.

Perhaps a bigger chunk of cash will get you a more sofisticated and "smoother" mechanism to brag about, but this ballhead has made the experience of photography alot more fun again-like it should be!

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

The hydrostatic head is superior in every way over conventional locking varieties. It's nice to have a separate rotating function, but the down side is, it may require two separate adjusters to achieve full flexibility. The work around is no big deal if needed. Slightly heavier but worth it.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

Supports up to 22lbs. For the camera-lens combinations I use it's perfect. I have lost 2 previous tripods to structural defects and both of them were <$100. This time I sprung for the little more expensive lens and ballhead combination and I am extremely happy.
It is sturdy, attaches and releases quickly, 360 degree pan movement and 90 degree tilt movement. Must have!!

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This is a beautiful tripod head, smooth, quick, strong and with a great locking mechanism. Makes it so quick and easy to get set up, specially when combined with the Neotec legs which are very fast also.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This ball head works very well! Nice smooth movement. It is a little heavy but to me it makes it feel more secure.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I am very pleased with the design and construction of this ball head. I also like the quick-release plate, which is small, unobtrusive, and easy to use. My previous ball head had a very large release plate, and I found it bulky and cumbersome. This ball head is a fine compliment to Manfrotto tripods, as well as other brands.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This is easily one of the best ballheads you can get, until you head into the stratospheric price point.

The mounting plate secures very well, and I seriously doubt that once mounted properly, I'll ever have to worry about a mishap there.

With a half-turn of the locking knob, it'll hold my gripped D300s with an 80-200mm f2.8 lens & flash mounted, at any angle. The only "sag" at all is caused by the compression of the rubber padding on the bottom of the mounting plate and that on the camera itself.

The tension adjustment is accomplished simply, and is very consistant. It is also more useful than I thought it would be, allowing me to tune the tension differently, depending on which lens and/or flash unit I have mounted.

Honestly, there's nothing about this ballhead that I would rate at less than "excellent".

Cons, cons, let's see...

Well, it doesn't aim the camera for you. That's about all I can think of, sorry.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

After becoming frustrated with handle tripod heads I decided to give ballheads a try. The head is much easier to manuever the camera on and locks quickly. It occasionally drops when I mount the long lens but overall I am pleased with the product. Count me a Manfrotto/Gitzo fan.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

Great all around tripod ballhead!! It Holds and it Holds very nicely...A+

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

like the hydrostatic ballhead. it holds my gear without slipping. i was using 3265 with the joy stick grip. this ballhead just couldn't hold the weight of my 5d mark 2 and 24-70. over time the grip of the ballhead started to slide.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

This is an excellent product. The action is very smooth, the friction and locking knob mechanisms are very easy to use, and it locks solidly with a D700 w/grip and 70-200 f/2.8 on it. I have compared it against the 322RC2 and the newer 327RC2 and this is my favorite.

The panorama feature is nice, but there is one small problem with it. If the panorama lock lever (small lever at bottom) is in the unlocked position, the camera will tilt *very* slightly upon tightening the main hydraulic lock. To get around it you just reframe and keep the pano lock lever in the unlocked position as you shoot your sequence. Not a big deal, but it's worth mentioning.

For me the flexibility of a ballhead was paramount, and the panorama feature secondary. I gave it five stars because it met my needs perfectly.

Comments about Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg):

I had a 3 way head for years. Thank goodness I broke my tripod. I cannot believe how much easier it is to work with Manfrotto's hydrostatic ballhead. It's fast, easy, and stable.