Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate
The Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head RC2 Quick Release with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate is constructed of die-cast aluminum, strong enough to support SLR or DSLR cameras with a medium lens, and light medium format cameras. It has a single repositionable locking lever for 360° panoramic rotation, ±90° tilt movement, plus a friction control for precise positioning. Cameras are attached to the ball head with the 200PL-14 Plate 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 | 13.23 lb (6.0 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 |
| Plate | 200PL-14 |
| Height | 3.94" (100.07mm) |
| Tilt | Lateral: ±90° |
| Weight | 0,93 lb (0.42 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 257 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (230)
- Attaches firmly (226)
- Large range of motion (200)
- Strong clamp (191)
- Quick release (3)
Cons
- Heavy (19)
- Complicated controls (8)
- Small range (5)
- Weak clamp (4)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (203)
- Night shots (166)
- Portraits (155)
- Travel (132)
- Wildlife (115)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (141), Semi-pro photographer (56), Casual photographer (31), Pro photographer (26)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (162), Yes (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
First Pro-Rated Tripod Head
This is the first time I had to purchase a tripod head. It's been great and easy to work with since I got it. It is a solid construction, easy to manipulate positions, ...Read complete review
This is the first time I had to purchase a tripod head. It's been great and easy to work with since I got it. It is a solid construction, easy to manipulate positions, and stable. It attaches to my Manfrotto tripod snuggly and makes it appear they are just one piece. It's a great addition if you're working with a camera setup thats under 8lbs. I have mounted a Nikon D300s with battery pack (MB-D10), SB-800, and 70-200mm VR II and it didn't strain to hold it up at all.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Effective and fair, but not graceful
One thing to note about the 496RC2 is that the bottom plate, which is what affixes to the tripod, DOES NOT have space for the additional screws used to help hold the base of ...Read complete review
One thing to note about the 496RC2 is that the bottom plate, which is what affixes to the tripod, DOES NOT have space for the additional screws used to help hold the base of the ball head still. The only thing connecting the ball head to the tripod is the standard screw socket. Having said that, this ball head is not necessarily loose in regards to the tripod. You will just need to make sure you have attached it quite firmly. If this concerns you, disregard this ball head.
I use this ball head for landscape photography while traveling. This ball head is sufficiently sturdy to allow for one to utilize its range of motion (which is more than enough) without worry. The lock holds the camera still, but will sag very slightly if not locked firmly enough with proper friction. Not really a problem but something you will want to keep in mind while using the head. The sagging is not continuous. It ceases shortly after it starts.
The QR plate is simple and easy to figure out. One thing I will note here is that the plate can be jiggled slightly while locked to the mount. This does not really affect usage, but can cause alarm at first. This problem may be limited to my particular ball head.
Bottom line:
Good ball head, but clamp can be questionable and thus generate low confidence in performance when initially setting up for a shot. I recommend this only to those on a limited budget.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 257 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This product is superb quality!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- All
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
This turned out to be the perfect ball head for my needs. It is sturdy, easy to release and still quite light. As with all Manfrotto products, the quality is very good and it feels like it will last a long time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Difficult to angle
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
The ball head comes in handy for creating varying angles for your shot, but it can also be tough to perfectly line up your shot.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Bought this ball head for my new Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. It is very secure and easy to use for my 7D and moderately (~1.5 lb) heavy lenses.
It is very easy to attach / detach the camera.
Works great
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
Cons
- Small Range
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Relatively good head but a major drawback is that it is useless for panoramic shots.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
For the money, this is a very good budget ball. It's not ArcaSwiss or the like, but then, it costs about as much as a single plate for those (I have one of those too). It's decent. But it would be unfair to compare it to a head costing five times as much.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Hard release
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I'm used to using a stationary head for my tripods, but transitioning to this ball head makes me realize what I have been missing. It was very easy to use and I'm extremely happy with the product. Even though I feel the quick release isn't really quick, I have to realize that's probably a good thing and ensures the stability of the camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I purchased this head for the 055XB legs. The head is very solid and I have no worries about mounting my Nikon D5000 with a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens on it. The only complaint I have about it is there is not a hole to bolt the head onto the legs.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
The best thing about this Ball Head is that it has tilt so you can take horizontal or vertical shots with ease. It's very easy to attach to a tripod. The only thing I noticed was that I can get it back off the tripod but as this is my first ball head and tripod this could just be my error. My camera is very secure and stable on the head and doesn't appear to move at all. The ball head also has the locking mechanism that makes it very difficult for your camera to ever fall off.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I needed a new head for my monopod and this is a perfect match...small, lightweight and can hold my 70-200 F2.8 without any issue. For the money..you can't beat it!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
comfortable to use, seems very sturdy, will find out over few years using
- 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 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I love this tripod head!!
it's fast to adjust and the quick release is very comfortable!
it's a bit unstable with my nikon 70-300 vr but i assume that it's more related to the fact that the head is connected to the camera and not to the lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Night Shots
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Easy to move, adjust and lock in place. Not too big or bulky. Good range of motion. Great for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Fine tuning
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Monopod
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
The build quality on this ball head seems to be good. I suppose I was expecting a bit more smoothness and "fine" control. I bought it knowing it didn't have a bubble level; I might have liked one... It does the job of being a decent small ball head. Quick release good; I like the safety lever on it. I used it to change out the factory head on my Canon monopod; made the monopod MUCH nicer, if not a little top-heavy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I mounted this on a Glidetrack HD - 30" (0.75m) to make quick release easier and it works really well. Whether I use this with my 7D or my EX-1 it hold tight and firm.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I am using this ball head on a 055cxpro3 tripod and find it holds my D300 with MB-D10 grip and 17-55 lens very solid. I have not noticed any movement at all when locked down. I would reccomend this ball head to anyone especially for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
I use it with monopod. It´s easy and handy. It´s perfekt.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Very easy to use. Clamp cannot self-open; requires two hands to release.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Measurements is very suitable compensates for a lot of expensive ball heads.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Speed of Setup Excellent
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR Plate:
Having had a lighter weight Manfrotto Tripod with limited movement previously I find the Compact Ball Head more finely tunable to my needs as a pro Photographer. It assists with the speed and flexibilty of my capture options so much better. Excellent!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Reducing/Enlarging Bushings
- Price: $2.49
Quick Release Plates
- Price: $13.95
Quick Release Adapters
- Price: $39.00
Miscellaneous
- Price: $34.95
General Tripod Accessories
- Price: $26.99
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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