Editorial Review:Product Description:The Compact Ball Head is strong enough to take 35mm SLR cameras with medium lenses, and light medium format cameras. It has a single ratchet locking knob for 360° pan and +90° -90° tilt movements. Head to tripod attachment is 3/8' female. All aluminum construction and black finish. This versatile head is fitted with quick release 3157N camera plate system with a secondary safety catch.
Accessories:
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Accessories:- Manfrotto BOGEN 3157N Quick Release Connect Plate RC2
- Manfrotto 200PLARCH-14 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 1/4-Inch 20 Screw (Gray)
- Manfrotto 200PLARCH-38 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 3/8-Inch Screw (Gray)
- Bogen - Manfrotto Rapid Connect Mounting Plate 3/8" replaces 3157A and 3266A QR Plates. For 3030, 3130, 3130G, 3160, 3229, 3265, 3265G, 3262QR, 3299, 2916QR, 3435QR, 3407, 3413QR, 3437 and 3405 Tripod (Spare)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Great little ballhead
Highly recommended. I use this with a Manfrotto carbon-fiber tripod and Cannon 40D, it works very well. Great ballhead for the money.
Rating: 
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486RC2 for the Serious Amatuer.
I puchased the 486RC2 for my D60 coupled with the Nikkor 55-200mm VR. I coupled the head with the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs.
Pros:
- Super smooth movement of the ball head
- One lever release allows for quick and easy adjustment
- The head will securely hold my D60 and 55-200mm VR in the upright/normal position when 055XPROB tripod neck is placed in horizontal arrangement
- Sturdy design, well built
- RC2 quick release system allows easy/quick dismounting of camera for hand-held shots
- Grooves in the swivel base allow for quick and secure vertical positioning of the camera
Cons:
- Does not allow for accurate fine tuned adjustments, would need to go with a geared head instead
- A little heavy, at 3lbs, which adds to the already heavy 055XPROB Tripod Legs
Summary:
I love this head, almost as much as I love the Tripod/Head combination. I am more than satisfied with my purchase.
Rating: -
Great for motorcycles.
I bought this to mount a video camera to my motorcycle. Works well, and I can take camera easily when I stop. Very rugged and heavy.
Rating: -
A bargain - perfect first ball head
This ball head is highly-reviewed by so many people because it truly delivers a LOT of value for the money. I looked into it after reading suggestions in Scott Kelby's excellent "The Digital Photography Book".
My tripod came with a pan head - a very good one - but I wanted to find out if I would prefer ball heads. Didn't want to spend a fortune (expensive ones run upwards of $200-300), but wanted one that was solid enough that I could really decide if ball heads were for me.
As it turns out, the 486RC2 was perfect for this task. It is solid and easily holds my 40D with even a 70-200mm lens without sagging. And for my style, a ball head seemed easier than a pan head atop my tripod.
The RC2 quick release plate is solid and reassuring, and I do like the mechanism. You won't accidentally release the plate and drop your camera onto the floor - the little latching lock is excellent in this regard. I will look for a similar plate on my next ball head.
The only improvement I would ask for is the step up to the 488RC2, which has a separate release for panning/rotating. I want to do some basic panoramas, and it's just a bit easier to have a separate release for horizontal motion. Had I known I would be a ball head guy rather than a pan head guy, I'd have bought the 488RC2 right away. But since I didn't know and wanted to make sure, I got this one first. Even when I eventually get the 488RC2, I'll keep this one to put atop my second tripod; that way it's easy to swap cameras around, as both cameras and both ball heads will have the RC2 system.
For the excellent price, you get a SOLID ball head and a great quick release system - you'll appreciate it.
Rating: -
An excellent Ball Head for the money..
A little on the heavy side which makes it an excellent choice for those on a budget, Choosing between this and the 488RC2, is the 488RC2 $40 better? probably, but the single ratchet locking knob's just fine for my needs right now. One thing i think Bogen forgot is the level, not a deal breaker but would be nice to include. All in all a must buy for those looking for an excellent priced ball head.
