Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head
The Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head is constructed of magnesium, providing superior performance and durability, making it the best choice for advanced users with high-end and full frame cameras. The joystick design offers a uniquely ergonomic way of quickly unlocking, moving and blocking your camera. You can frame and reposition the head freely and frequently to get the perfect photo: grip the head to move the camera and as soon as you release, it locks securely in place.
The Joystick Head has a single locking lever, making control of all movements fast. The head features 360° panoramic rotation, -3°/ +90° lateral, and -90°/ +90° front tilt. 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. This 1.4 lbs (0.62kg) lightweight head has a 12.13 lbs (5.5kg) load capacity.
- Friction control permits fine framing adjustment and improved camera safety
- Stainless steel ball made using a "deep drawing" process which produces a strong, thin-walled, hollow sphere, reducing weight and increasing locking power
- Ergonomic design guarantees comfort and precision
| Load Capacity | 12.13 lbs (5.5kg) |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Quick Release | Yes |
| Spirit Level | Yes, One |
| Tension Control | Yes |
| Rotating Head | 360° |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size |
3/8" female thread (bottom) 1/4" screw (attachment) |
| Plate | 200PL-14 |
| Height | 10.1" (256.54mm) |
| Tilt | Lateral: -3°/ +90°, Front: -90°/ +90° |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (0.62kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 84 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (81)
- Attaches firmly (74)
- Strong clamp (71)
- Large range of motion (70)
Cons
- Heavy (18)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (69)
- Night shots (59)
- Portraits (57)
- Wildlife (45)
- Weddings (31)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (32), Photo enthusiast (30), Pro photographer (14), Casual photographer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (61), Yes (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Manfrotto really got it right
As a full time professional photographer this ball head is totally great it supports my Nikon camera and a 70 to 200 zoom with no problems you can go from landscape to protrait so darn ...Read complete review
As a full time professional photographer this ball head is totally great it supports my Nikon camera and a 70 to 200 zoom with no problems you can go from landscape to protrait so darn fast and it grips well. I have it on a carbon tripod and now I can take great time exposures using cable release and this thing is totally steady for natural light weddings I never have liked those other brackets because they bounce so much when rotated. I know this is a special order from our good friends and they took care of me well. It is worth it. Go on manfrottos web and see the clip. I am a left handed person this bayby will convert. for those doing copy work like my self it tilts down to the floor in a snap. This has replaced my old joy stick model and the flipflop bracket.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good, except ...
This is a nice head but I wanted to use it with a flash on a Stroboframe bracket, the camera rotating type. The ball socket seems to take the weight but there's another "...Read complete review
This is a nice head but I wanted to use it with a flash on a Stroboframe bracket, the camera rotating type. The ball socket seems to take the weight but there's another "joint" that will not take that kind of rotational force. The best way to explain this is to think of the joystick as a motorcycle throttle. You twist the handle to add power. THAT'S the joint, it can't be locked, and it won't support a Canon 5D, a 24-105 and a 580EXII flash, all on the bracket.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 84 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
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
It's ease of use is great. The quick release plate is very convienent & locks in for a secure fit, and a 2 point release prevents camera breakage. A strong, well built head. Low to the legs, this head will not be top heavy with a long lense. Left or right handed.
- 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 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I should have bought this years ago. I am very pleased with this product.I have been using the vertical ballhead clamp for a few years now and really love it,But the horizontal seems more stable and is easier to use when changing from vertical to horizontal (portrait to landscape) positions on the 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
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
This head was to replace my old three way pan and tilt head.
Mostly I use a tripod when shooting landscapes. A rock solid tripod head is a must. Especially if multiple exposures are required for blended focus or HDR (never overdue HDR it becomes it's own cliché) Also I'm asked by local artists to copy their paintings and provide pictures of sculptures for their websites and folios.. Again a solid tripod is a must.
Joystick heads are the perfect solution. All pan and tilt functions are achieved by grabbing the joystick squeezing the release and moving your camera. No more tightening the pan, then adjusting tilt tightening that off, and then fine tuning the pan again. It's all one fluid movement. Friction on the ball head is adjustable to suit your own choice.
The quick release plate allows you to work out where you want to shoot from and then attach your camera to your tripod instead of having to move everything all the time.
A quick adjustment with the hex key allows the head to be flipped for left handers and the top plate to be reversed for extra long lenses with tripod brackets.
A slightly fiddly extra safety catch for the quick release head is on this head. At first I found this annoying but it's now working practice. It means I don't detach my camera by accident.
My only niggle is that it has one level on the top. I'd like to have had two horizontal levels. As my camera has an artificial horizon that can be viewed in the LCD this doesn't bother me too much.
- 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
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
The grip feels very natural to hold, squeeze and it is nice to have all the control by only having to squeeze the "trigger". It is well made and very rugged. The only gripe I have is that there is no way to lock the head to just pan, but with practice I'll get over it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
A great head for anyone looking to make quick and reliable adjustments on your tripod. Very well built and holds my Canon 30D w/ Batt. Grip plus lens.
- 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
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I love this tripod head. It is rock solid and very easy to adjust. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because unlike the 322RC head, the contour of the handle is not the same on both sides and it makes the handle feel a little odd when flipped over for left handed use. Other than that, the head is perfect.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I like the improvements made to this Monfrotto 377RC2 Head,,. I have the previous model(6 yrs) and found the tension to be getting a bit tired so I decided to upgrade and this one supports my 70-200 and a D700 DSLR quite well(close to eight lbs with the grip),,. Handy and quick to set!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I started using it just a week ago and found it easy to use, and maneuver. I think the tension wheel could be a little tighter. I was pleased hauling it around a couple of states and with it's overall construction.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
Use on my monopod
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- easy to use
- Good Stability
- Smooth Operation
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I prefer the pistol grips heads because they are much easier and quicker to use than other ball heads. This is my first one and I'm very pleased with it. It has no problems supporting a 7d with 24-70mm lens
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Fast
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Home
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I use this with a EOS 1Ds MII and some very heavy lenses that total up to around 10lbs. It's solid, quick and easy to use. Plenty of adjustments for friction control and just a stellar device. I think this might be the most innovative procuct in my collection. As I think about the cons I would imagine for someone with smaller hands it might not be ideal since the leverage on the grip relies on pulling across the whole width to release; outside of that I can find none. If your total weight range will fit I highly recommend this product!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
This is for attaching to my 055CXPRO Tripod, and they are fantastic together.
Chose this one because it will work fine with my D7000, even with a Sigma 50-500mm attached to the D7000.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Rock-steady
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I purchased this with the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. These two work hand-in-glove together!! The head can be set for either left or right-handed photographers, maintains rock-steady grip at any angle with a Nikon D200 with an MD200 (power) and a Nikon 70mm-300mm lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
excellent product. just awsome.[...]
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
Great for shooting pictures, doesn't get much easier.
I switched mine around for left-handed so I could keep on hand on the stick and the other on the camera shutter button.
- 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
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
Having 327RC2 Joystick Head, I don't need a third hand to align my camera and taking pictures instantaneously. This Joystick Head will provide good stability while taking the pictures of airshow of surfing etc.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
reposition your camera easily.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
Once I received it. I was suprise at its huge size. However, it is very easy to mount.
It attaches firmly even with a 18-200mm len, a flash and a heavy main body (total about 2000g).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
I do mostly nature photography, including a lot of macro work. I wanted a tripod head that would let me adjust position in all directions with ease. The Manfrotto 327RC2 does just that, and it can handle the weight of a large lens. It should also be useful for the video capabilities of my new Canon, once I get some experience using it. It's downside for me is the weight of the head plus aluminum Manfrotto legs.
- 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
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick Head:
easy to use, sturdy, ergonomically friendly. Hard to pan accurately.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Quick Release Adapters
- Price: $39.00
What's in the Box
- Plate 200PL-14
- 2-Year Warranty + Additional 3-Years after Registering On-line
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