Manfrotto head.. 488RC2 with Pan lock or 486 w/o pan but lighter?

[Deleted member 4644]

UPDATE: Bought the Cullmann 30, is that better than the 25 for most uses ya think?

http://www.edmamarketing.com/P...t%20brochure%20eng.pdf

I like to take tripods when I travel, including hikes and day trips around cities.

I am looking at the Manfrotto 4888RC2 and the 486RC2. The 488 has a pan lock which means I can independently lock horizontal panning of the head without moving the ball head.

The 486 does not have this. This means panoramic shots are hard/impossible. I do like out door landscape stuff, but I have not tried much real panoramic stuff yet.

The 488 is 1.5 lbs the 486 is 1.0 lbs. My tripod is about 3.9-4.0 lbs. System weight would thus be either 5.5 or 5.0 lbs with the heads, respectively.

So, what does everyone think is the best bet?

The 488 is about 30$ more, but I dont care about the 30$ if I get more use out of it.

I also have a 482 head that can support my camera with a light lens and only weighs .5lbs or so. I would take that on a hardcore hike unless I had a real reason for another setup/lens etc.

 

[jpeyton]

With ball-heads, the more locks, the better. Ideally any ball-head should have three main adjustments: ball lock, ball friction, and pan lock. So I would easily take the 488RC2 over the 486RC2 simply because two locks are better than one. Ball-heads offer a large degree of freedom in their movement, but when you're fine-tuning your framing, you want to lock the variables in the movement down one-by-one if possible.

If you're not trying to cash in on the Manfrotto rebate (for combined legs/head purchases), then look at some other options. The Cullmann Magnesit 30 NM (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...t_30_Nm_Ballhead.html) is $100, has all three locking mechanisms and has better load-bearing properties than the Manfrotto heads. You do need to add your own QR plate setup (you can pair it with a Cullmann QR plate or Manfrotto's RC2 system).

 

[virtuamike]

Arca compatible out of budget?

 

[aphex]

I had the 488RC2 and was very happy with how well it performed.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Arca compatible out of budget?

I think so... I am looking for something in the 100-150 range max I think... unless there is a massive and required performance increase (eg, .25 weight and much better holding).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
With ball-heads, the more locks, the better. Ideally any ball-head should have three main adjustments: ball lock, ball friction, and pan lock. So I would easily take the 488RC2 over the 486RC2 simply because two locks are better than one. Ball-heads offer a large degree of freedom in their movement, but when you're fine-tuning your framing, you want to lock the variables in the movement down one-by-one if possible.

If you're not trying to cash in on the Manfrotto rebate (for combined legs/head purchases), then look at some other options. The Cullmann Magnesit 30 NM (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...t_30_Nm_Ballhead.html) is $100, has all three locking mechanisms and has better load-bearing properties than the Manfrotto heads. You do need to add your own QR plate setup (you can pair it with a Cullmann QR plate or Manfrotto's RC2 system).

damn, I want to sell my 486RC2 now, haha. that whole fine tuning issue got me. Love the versatility, but when trying to do product shots, it was annoying.

I was thinking of getting a good pan and tilt head, but maybe this will work for me.

 

[AndrewR]

I would avoid the 486RC2, especially if you have a viable alternative for just a bit more money. I used that head (and still have it) for awhile, and it has some noticeable faults especially with larger lenses (ie., it doesn't grip firmly and will have some "play"). It's well made and works well as an inexpensive choice, and it's light-years ahead of the crappy consumer tripods out there.

Though I've never used one, I'd second the recommendation for the Cullmann. I came about two nanoseconds away from buying one before I found the Manfrotto grip-action ballhead for $95 last year (store closeout). I do need another ballhead though because the grip-action head won't do a high angle vertical shot (think: wideangle shot of a lighthouse from below). Maybe I'll finally grab that Cullmann.

 

[jpeyton]

The Magnesit 30 NM has the best performance/weight ratio of that line.

I picked up the 35 NM because weight was not a concern for me; it weighs about a pound more (but that includes their extra large QR assembly: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...xtra_Large_Quick.html) and costs about $35 more.

 

[Jawo]

I found Gitzo's GH1780QR on Craigslist for $170 when I was looking on a whim. Talked the guy down to $150 since he needed to sell it and his ebay auction did not meet his reserve. Its $250 at B&H and is an amazing ball head! I would look around to see if you can find a used one as well....all magnesium, and very light weight, but supports 11kg! GH1780QR at B&H

EDIT: just realized that there is a $40 MIR now on the head, which makes it a great price!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Howaboutthe25vthe30inthecullmanline?

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I ended up going with the cullman 30 and the rc2 plate. Thanks!! Should past me almost a lifetime.