Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

This product is being used to allow our production to mount HD Portable LCD monitor on location for producers and clients to watch from the side. It's great for all angels as it rotates. It also come in handy for extra portable lights, still photographers and other equipment that needs to be mounted. Great mutli-purpose tool to have in a production

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I returned the 494 ball head because I left off the CR2 from the part# when I ordered it. I currently have a 484CR2. So I want to be able to move my camera between a tripod and a monopod. The new 494CR2 will be mounted to a SLIK Pro340DX tripod. Great combination.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

The Manfrotto 494 is a study, no-frills ball head. It has everything I need and nothing I don't.
I also own a 482 micro ball head (current model 492) which is strong but a bit small for a digital SLR. The 494 has a larger ball, a separate friction adjustment and is easier to adjust.
On the other hand, the 494 is a solid chunk of metal (mass 220 g) and I wish it was a bit lighter. I bought Manfrotto again for dependable quality.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Simple, easy to use and good choice if you have weight restrictions during travel. Good for both cameras and video

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

i put this on my neotec monopod, works GREAT!

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Guess there's not much to expect from a ball head. It should lock and unlock quickly and easily, and have the friction control - well, this one does it all. A neat, quality product.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Pro
Consistent with Manfrotto quality;
Strong enough for my girlfriends D90 w/ grip and 24mm F/2.8; also my D7000 w/ grip and 24-70 F/2.8
Simple easy, not too big heavy or expensive.

Con
No pan.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Bought to go with a recent purchase of a monopod, works great.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I purchased this for my monopod and custom built dolly. It's perfect size and weight and holds well too.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

We use this head in several applications with a DSLR w/Zoom lens, tightens down very easy and stays tight.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Bought as a B&H kit with a Manfrotto 190XDB tripod. Great cost effective combination.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I bought the 494 Mini Ball head to use on my 680B monopod and 3121B sticks. When asked in store if I thought I'd need a bigger head, the salesman locked the ball-head off and proceeded to lean his full weight on it. The head didn't move at all.

I'm using this with a Canon 5D Mark II, battery grip, and so far the biggest lens is my 24-105mm ƒ4L, and I haven't had any problems. I can leave it locked for quite some time, during long exposure shots at night, and be fine. We have yet to see if this will decline over years of use, but I'm optimistic it won't.

I would have liked the 494 to have come with some kind of threading adapter, though--I have a smaller monopod that is lighter and just a little taller, but it has a 1/4-20 screw on it.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

To be used with monopod for wildlife photography.Well made .
Stable.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

The 494 is a great basic head for lightweight cameras/lenses. The ball is held very securely when tightened and is easy to reposition due to the adjustable tension. Like all low-end Manfrotto heads, the ball movement is less than smooth, but this is offset by the unit's light weight. Lateral movement is more limited than on some competitor's products, though it is still possible to attain most shooting positions by leveraging the front and back vertical grooves.

The simple spin-on camera platform is easier to use than may be first apparent. Simply loosen the head and tension controls, tilt the platform over, and spin the screw into the base of the camera. In my opinion this makes much more sense with lighter gear than using a mini QR plate. My only negative comment is that Manfrotto should put some sort of knurling or rubberized grip on the edge of the camera platform to assist in snugging the platform to the camera.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Nice and easy to use

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

As the pan head of the monitor putting out, it is a just good size, and because weight is not felt too much, it uses it very much. I think that strength of the tension is also wonderful.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

Perfect for casual photographer. Easy to use but almost no feature. No mark. Nothing. For non-pro use.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I got this to replace a clunky pan head on a Sunpak 3300. This head and the tripod are quite adequate for the few times that I use a tripod. I don't need a separate attachment plate. Holds a 400mm lens and Pentax K10D without movement. [...]

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I use this with my Manfrotto 679B Mono Pod and it works great. I have used my Nikon D700 with several lenses with this combination with no issues at all.

Great product and a great price.

Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head:

I bought this especially to use with a Giotto's monopod and they make a great combination at a fantastic price.