Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate
- Price: $56.16
- GBP 35.77
-
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-$10.00
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offer ends JUN 30 '12 - Price after Rebate: $46.16
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The Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate is a lightweight ball head that's perfect for smaller cameras (maximum load--8.82 lbs). It's got a quick-release plate, a newly designed friction control knob that allows micro movements without engaging the head-locking mechanism, and a locking mechanism that will lock the head in both the +90°/-90° tilt position and the 360° panning position.
- A new friction control knob allows micro movements without having to engage the head locking mechanism
- A smart ratcheting locking lever allows the user to place it in a comfortable position in order to use it in the most convenient way
- The locking lever securely locks the head both in the +90° and -90° ball positions and in the 360° pan movements
| Load Capacity | 8.82 lbs (4 kg) |
| Quick Release | Yes |
| Spirit Level | No |
| Separate Panning Lock | No |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 3/8" female thread |
| Height | 3.35" (8.5 cm) |
| Weight | 0.71 lbs (0.32 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 80 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attaches firmly (67)
- Stable (64)
- Large range of motion (54)
- Strong clamp (50)
- Lightweight (4)
Cons
- Small range (4)
- Complicated controls (3)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (41)
- Travel (37)
- Night shots (36)
- Portraits (30)
- Wildlife (27)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (41), Semi-pro photographer (21), Pro photographer (12), Casual photographer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (59)
Most Liked Positive Review
Simple and functional
Got this head for a set of Gitzo Mountaineer 1127 MK2 Sport Carbon Fiber legs. The 494 head is the perfect size for those legs. I love Manfrotto ball heads of this type because ...Read complete review
Got this head for a set of Gitzo Mountaineer 1127 MK2 Sport Carbon Fiber legs. The 494 head is the perfect size for those legs. I love Manfrotto ball heads of this type because of their simplicity; just one lever unlocks the ball, no large protruding handle like the grip heads. Made of sturdy materials and lightweight.
The only possible con would be the friction knob. The older generation of heads (488, 486, 484) didn't have this and I wish it wasn't added to Manfrotto's newer heads. It's an extra knob that just gets in the way. Not a big deal in the end since the knob is small.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Soon developed a loose QR locking lever
Mine developed a problem after only 3 or 4 days of use. First I noticed the plate was wiggling a little in the quick release seat. A little later I realized that this was ...Read complete review
Mine developed a problem after only 3 or 4 days of use. First I noticed the plate was wiggling a little in the quick release seat. A little later I realized that this was because the quick release locking lever was a little loose (it was able to move vertically a little). Not having experience with this type of QR system before, I continued to use it: being sure to lock down the lever with a little force seemed to keep the plate from moving. However, eventually the locking lever stopped springing into place as it should and I realized a had a real problem. On closer inspection the screw holding the locking lever to the head was loosening a little with each locking cycle. I tightened it but it kept loosening.
I will have to send it in for repair. Seems like a simply thing to keep this from happening, and I have not read anyone else who has had this problem. So maybe it was just a one time problem with my head.
Reviewed by 80 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
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
This was the head i was looking for. It is small but has a great range of motion. It is great for my travel tripod.
- 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 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Sturdy and well made.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- A Tripod!
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I purchased this ball head for use with a Manfrotto 294 monopod and they make a great pair. I use this with my D90 w/ battery grip and it has performed flawlessly. It has held solid when shooting horizontal and vertical and I have not experienced any issues. It can support the weight of the camera at all angles just fine. I was fortunate to buy this at the BH store when visiting NYC and the sales rep recommended this to me without hesitation. I'm glad he did, it is a great value for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- easy to use
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Good range of motion, good stability, easy to use, relatively budget-friendly
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I purchased this ball head for use with a monopod, the Manfrotto 694CX, and a Canon 7D (smaller lenses only). I am taking it on vacation to Italy, where I won't have the time and space for my tripod. In wandering around town, it has worked excellently: the head is excellently constructed, although that quality is a tad heavy for what I want to be carrying around.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I bought this small ball head (compared to the 496) to use with the 732CY tripod. The combination is perfect for my Leica M9-P. It felt very stable. I do not think it is good for a larger DSLR though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Lightweight
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- On a monopod
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Use this mini ball head on a monopod for sports pictures. Have a manfrotto 322rc2 ball head on my tripod. Both ball heads use the same release plate for easy exchange.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
A good ball head, but the adjustable retention is unnecessary and does not work evenly in all positions.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I use this in my vehicle for video cameras. It is small, compact, yet sturdy and easy to use. The friction dial lets me adjust the camera position with one hand, yet lets it remain stable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I bought this to use with a 732CY M-Y carbon fiber tripod. Both are lightweight and work well in combination. This isn't for a large camera/lens, but it's perfect for a smaller body (Pentax K-7/K-5) and a prime lens or even the heavier DA* 16-50 f/2.8.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro
- Night Shots
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Purchased this to replace the head on my tripod. It is a little sturdier the the original, and I needed to have a QR that would work with the monopod head I purchased. It seems very well made, although I've only used it around the yard, so far. It is not terribly smooth out of the box, but the more I use it, the smoother it seems to be getting. I was surprised/impressed with the extra locking mechanism, something I always worried about with my old head.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Manfrotto's smallest ball head with a quick release is a great choice for trekking or any other time you need to travel light. It's fine for a DX DSLR body equipped with a mostly plastic lens. The friction knob is the bee's knees. Once you've used it, you won't want to go back to a ball head that doesn't have it. Build quality for this Chinese head seems just as high as the older Italian ones.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
More compact than most ballheads, it can work very well. It is steady enough to lock right in with my Olympus E-PL2 with 40-150mm lens or with my Nikon D90 with 16-85mm lens. Put a 55-300mm lens on the D90 and zoom to 300mm and this head is starting to show the strain. It will slump a little bit, and exact aiming requires aiming a little high before locking it and releasing the camera. It works, and it is steady after having settled down, but a heftier head is looking desirable in that situation.
The absence of a separate azimuth adjustment saves weight and bulk, but it can sometimes be a little bit of an inconvenience. The choice of tripod matters. If, like my Benro, the center post does not rotate, then the inconvenience can be more noticeable. If the center post rotates, as it does on my Promaster T525P, then that can serve as my azimuth bearing, leaving me to enjoy the ease of transport.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I'm using this head on an Induro CM25 monopod, and it's been great. I use a Manfrotto 498-RC2 head on my primary tripod, and while the 494 doesn't have a dedicated pan ability or as much of a load capacity, it's perfect for the monopod.
This head fits the monopod's mounting bracket perfectly; the 498 head would be about half an inch too wide for the Induro mount, and the 494 feels right weight-wise. The head gives the monopod great versatility, and the adjustable tension makes it easy to loosen the head just a bit to adjust the camera without the camera flopping all over the place.
The only con is that there isn't a set screw that allows the head to permanently attach to the monopod head, but I haven't had a problem with it coming loose.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
- Small Range
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Good for relatively small setups like my Canon T2i with zoom lens of average size (18-50 say).
The quick release plate is a bit tricky...be careful as the there are two release arms and you need to press both of them at the same time. In addition the strong spring tends to recoil and the release lever hit my fingers a few times - and it hurts. I would really give it 3.5 stars if there was an option.
PS: as you can see there is no arm to pan....so it is no good for anything but still shots.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I use this ball mount on a monopod. the friction adjustment allow for safe movement of the camera with 1 hand. Without the friction adj the camera can fall when the clamp is loosend too much. With friction you have to move the camera with some force, it never flops around. Great function.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Holds a Nikon D7000 + 70-200 f2.8 + Flash which is what most people would need !
Great companion for a lightweight tripod as the Manfrotto 732CY ... ideal set for traveling.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
Manfrotto makes excellent products, and this one is no exception.
FYI - if you're using a DSLR with moderately heavy lenses, 70-200 etc, I would go with the heavier duty version of this head. Although the mini ball head is suitable, I think you're probably going to be better off with more support.
Pros
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I use it with a Nikon D5100 camera. The head holds the weight of the camera well.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Exellent Price
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Pro level
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Vesatile
Comments about Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate:
I've built a custom Stereo (3D) rig utilizing 2 DSLRs. It weighs nearly 7 lbs. which is a tough carry on an all day shoot. Using a mono pod with a stabilizer belt affords me an easy carry and the ability to shoot from eye level to way above 10'. The problem was my old ball head. The rigs weight made adjustment difficult with the ball loose enough and greater than intended camera movement occurred when the ball was tightened. And, occasionally the cameras flopped over... that's a little scary when the rigs fully extended.
Manfrotto's 494 Mini ball head takes the weight easily and the friction adjuster allows you to loosen the ball enough for micro adjustments without losing controllable friction. That eliminates unintended gross movement making adjustments quicker and more secure because it all locks solid.
The entire rig is designed around the RC2 QR system making it possible to change out cameras, flash, tripod, mono-pod, pistol grip, etc. etc. virtually instantly with repeatable position accuracy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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- Price: $59.00
- GBP 37.58
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- Price: $39.00
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General Tripod Accessories
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- Original: $32.95
- Save: $2.63
- Price: $30.32
- GBP 19.31
What's in the Box
- 2-Year Warranty + Additional 3 Years after Registering Online or by Mail
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