Product Description

With its solid aluminum construction and phenolic resin ball, this head is the ideal support for all traditional or digital small or medium format cameras. It features a separate fast action ratchet lever for the 360° pan and an easy to grip locking knob for +90 -90° tilt movements. This Version Comes equipped with a quick release 3157N camera plate system with a secondary safety catch. Camera plate has 1/4-20" male thread. Head to tripod attachment is 3/8"female.

Product Details

• Brand: Bogen
• Model: 488RC2
• Released on: 2006-04-14
• Dimensions: 4.00" h x 4.00" w x 7.00" l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• Ideal for all medium format, 35mm and digital cameras
• Solid aluminum construction and phenolic resin ball, equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate
• Double-groove for rapid side-to-side movement
• Separate fast-action ratchet lever for 360-degree pan
• Easy to grip locking knob for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements

From the Manufacturer
The Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head answers the needs of the medium format user. It is the same as the 488 but equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate with a secondary safety catch. With its solid aluminum construction and phenolic resin ball, this head is also ideal for all 35mm and digital cameras. The 488RC2 features a double-groove for rapid side-to-side movement, and a separate fast-action ratchet lever for 360-degree pan and easy to grip locking knob for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements. Camera attachment is via a 2-inch platform with a 1/4-20-inch male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 3/8-inch female. Optional Plates: 200PL-38, 200 PLARCH-14, 200 PLARCH-38.

Features include:

• Sturdy all-metal construction.
• The double 90-degree groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up.
• The compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads.
• This head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully.
• A repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mechanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob.
• A separate lock on the panoramic axis allows for rotation adjustment or panning to be carried out without losing framing.

Customer Reviews

Excellent (Preferred this to 322rc2)
I have this on top of a Manfrotto 055cxpro3 tripod, and it's a terrific combination. The head is very steady, easy to adjust, and has a separate pan adjustment (v. useful when doing panoramas). I love the RC2 quick release head (and I have the same one on my monopod, so it's very convenient).

I tried a Manfrotto 322rc2 as well, which people on Amazon really seem to love. I wasn't crazy about it. The effort to adjust it was considerable, and it was freaking huge. Much lighter than it looks, though.

I use the 488rc2 with a Nikon D300 + 18-200mm Nikkor. Word to the wise: get a cable release. You can do wonderful long exposure shots with a tripod and this head, but your finger on the button will add just a little camera shake.

Very good ballhead in this price range
I've been using this ballhead for more than a year now, and really like it for most uses. It is easy to control, no slipping when tightened, and the RC2 is really easy to connect and disconnect.

Apart from obvious use in panning, the separate panning control also allows you to reposition the head so that the knob is at a convenient position after you've placed the tripod down - the ground may dictate where the legs need to go.

It's not ideal for frame filling macros, or when you need to compose exactly what is in the frame and the camera is not very close to upright. There is a slight sag when releasing the camera after tightening the knob. This is not the same as slipping - it sags, then remain stable. You have to learn to compensate for it. I find that wriggling the camera after it has attached to the QR before positioning helps somewhat, indicating some of the fault lies with the QR.

RC2 is inexpensive and quite sturdy, but it is obviously not an Arca Swiss. It's stable enough - just make sure that it is attached properly before letting go - but it is not as confidence inspiring as an Arca Swiss QR. On the other hand, plates are a lot cheaper and it is very easy to attach and remove. I do miss the camera specific normal and L plates that are available for Arca Swiss QR though.

High in quality and value
Excellent value for the dollar on this head. Having a separate pan adjustment solves the "creeping panorama" problem. The head is lightweight and small enough to not overpower your tripod legs. Total keeper.