Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate
- Price: $103.68
- GBP 66.04
-
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offer ends JUN 30 '12 - Price after Rebate: $93.68
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The Manfrotto 498RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Quick Release and 200PL-14 QR Plate is constructed of die-cast aluminum, strong enough to support an SLR camera with a medium lens, and light medium format cameras. It has a single repositionable locking lever for 360° panoramic rotation and ±90° tilt movements, plus a friction control for precise positioning. Cameras are attached to the ball head with the 200PL-14 Plate and RC2 Quick Release with 1/4'' male threads. The head to tripod attachment has 3/8'' female threads. Additionally, the Quick Release has a safety system to prevent an accidental detaching from the head.
| Load Capacity | 17.64 lb (8 kg) |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Quick Release | RC2 |
| Spirit Level | No |
| Tension Control | Yes |
| Rotating Head | 360° |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size |
3/8" female thread (bottom) 1/4" screw (attachment) |
| Plate | 200PL-14 |
| Height | 4.92" (124.96mm) |
| Tilt | Lateral: ±90° |
| Weight | 1.34 lb (0.61 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 228 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attaches firmly (203)
- Stable (201)
- Large range of motion (193)
- Strong clamp (169)
- Smooth operation (3)
Cons
- Heavy (38)
- Complicated controls (6)
- Small range (4)
- Unstable (3)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (192)
- Night shots (159)
- Portraits (137)
- Home (114)
- Wildlife (105)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (132), Semi-pro photographer (60), Casual photographer (16), Pro photographer (16)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (166), Yes (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Value for the Money
The 498 works very well. It has all of the features of more expensive ballheads, but at a very reasonable price. The friction knob can be loosened or tightened to provide adjust movement depending...Read complete review
The 498 works very well. It has all of the features of more expensive ballheads, but at a very reasonable price. The friction knob can be loosened or tightened to provide adjust movement depending on what camera / lens you are using. My XSI with a 17-50 lens and battery grip were held securely and didn't flop around when the ball lock lever was loose. The friction allowed me to position my camera and once happy with how the shot was framed, lock the camera in place. One nice note is that the lock that prevents the release lever from opening accidentally has been redesigned. You used to be able to turn the safety on or off, which sometimes meant that one could forget to engage the safety. Now, the safety lever is spring loaded and always engaged, so there's no way to forget to engage it.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Worked well... at first
I have owned this ballhead for just a little over 4 months. From the time of my purchase and until just recently this head had worked flawlessly. Operation was very smooth. The locking mechanism...Read complete review
I have owned this ballhead for just a little over 4 months. From the time of my purchase and until just recently this head had worked flawlessly. Operation was very smooth. The locking mechanism was rock solid with the QR plate. Not once did my camera ever slide even with my longest lens (70-200.)
Within the past week my ball head's main tightening lever has failed. The reason it has failed is because the innards of the lever are made of a plastic material.
If only the manufacturer had made this product entirely out of aluminum then possibly this problem would not have arisen.
Reviewed by 228 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Works very well, very smooth and just plain feels good to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Purchased with 055xprob. Feel very solid and smooth.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Good quality, very strong grip and yet very easy for small adjustment
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- High quality construction
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Couple this ball head with the 055XB tripod legs, and you have one the most stable tripods made. Manfrotto is really worth the price from a high quality construction and stability point of view. You won't be disappointed with this combination put together by B&H...my go to people for camera equipment and accessories.
Don't be fooled by less expensive alternatives. I have 3 other tripods which I am now going to sell them after purchasing this combination.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This ball head mates perfectly with my 3021BPro tripod and provides an excellent platform for my Pentax camera & lenses. The load capacity of this combo is great enough that I will not need to replace it when I add longer, heavier lenses or upgrade to a full frame or medium format body.
The QR plate snaps in easily, the clamp is strong and the controls are easy to use. There is no wobble or looseness in the QR plate or the head when everything is locked down. The safety lever prevents accidental undocking and the azimuth registration marks are a great help when taking panoramic shots that will be stitched together.
The only drawback is that the head is large, heavy and the combination with the 3021BPro legs is really heavy. This is NOT the best choice of you're planning to do a lot of backpacking or hiking.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Use with Manfrotto 679B Three Section Monopod (Black)
Took a while to attached camera to QR plate (only con)
Like the rotational head
- 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
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Nice head
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
The first thing I noticed was the heft of this ballhead, and I mean that as a compliment; It feels extremely solid.
I've been using this ball head on top of the 055xprob and have been very happy overall. It's hard to imagine a better ball head for the hobby photographer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Simple controls
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I'm very impressed with the performance and easiness of use of this ball head.Very good combo with 055XPROB tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- No complaints
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- No complaints
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
It does what it's engineered to do.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great when it works
Cons
- Not built to last
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
At first I was very happy with this head. But it didn't take long at all before the friction control screw failed to have any effect and shortly afterwards it was no longer able to lock securely enough to hold any camera in position. Of course, this is a disappointment considering the purported quality of this brand's hardware.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro
- Night Shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This ball head is an upgrade to an old 3262QR I have been using for years. The old head was not quite strong enough to hold my newer camera and lens (gripped 60D and 70-300L- this lens doesn't come with a tripod foot so it is a little off-balance on the tripod). This head locks quickly and firmly, with no sag. I like the friction control as well- it's nice to have a little more control over how much resistence there is.
Not recommended for video (the separate pan lock makes it a little better than my older ball head, but still quite jerky).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- 055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs, Padded tripod bag
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This is my first tripod head, purchased to go with Manfrotto 055XPROB Aluminum Tripod Legs. I'm using a Canon D7 with 18-135mm IS lens. The ball head adjustment is smooth and stays put when you tighten it up. Quick-release plate takes a little getting used to, but stays put once you snap it in place. Definitely saves a lot of time. Recommend purchasing an extra plate for every camera you plan to use, in order to save time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
The friction control and locking mechanism is outstanding !
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Perfect match to 055xprob tripod. should last lifetime with a little care.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This ball head i have put on my 055CXPRO4 and i am so happy with it so i never put it of... Its easy to use i like the way QR Plate works.. Perfect...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I debated between this one and the 496RC2. After reading lot of reviews I decided to buy this ballhead and I am completely satisfied with its performance. Its functions and features are amazing. Its a sturdy and solid ballhead.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I went with the 498RC2 as I like the separate panoramic lock for doing panos. Stable ballhead that is a great starter for a decent price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I am an avid photographer and love to do all kinds of photography include nature and macro photography. After doing some research , I decided to give this Ball head a try. I made the right decision to buy this product. It has good quality at a decent price. I love the QR plate. Also, when you lock it in a position it stays pretty firm. The panning feature is also pretty appealing. The best part is I can tilt it to any angle - good to shoot the sky or the ground.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 498RC2 Midi Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
For those of you who debated like I did: I decided on this ball head with the RC2 instead of the larger RC4 after reading many reviews (on other sites) that said the RC4 was more for medium format cameras. I mounted my Canon 60D with 70-200 IS USM II lens on it and am more than happy. It's the right size and holds the camera and lens firmly in place. Adjustments are very quick if you don't need pinpoint precision.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Quick Release Plates
- Price: $59.00
- GBP 37.58
Quick Release Adapters
- Price: $39.00
- GBP 24.84
General Tripod Accessories
-
- Original: $32.95
- Save: $2.63
- Price: $30.32
- GBP 19.31
What's in the Box
- 200PL-14 Rectangular Quick Release Plate with 1/4"-20 Screw
- 1-Year Limited Warranty + 3-Year Extension (Free After Registration)
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