Product Description

A new material called Adapto specifically developed by Manfrotto for the use in our high end, professional imaging equipment makes the weight of the head 20% lighter. Adapto is a special technical polymer that is comparable to aluminum in strength but is 50% lighter. Compared to metals such as aluminum Adapto is an ideal material for photo imaging equipment as it has superb resistance to extreme temperatures and will not corrode or oxidize. Additionally, Adapto is an excellent vibration absorbing material making the 804RC2 head an ideal companion to a MagFibre tripod for the ultimate in vibration free shots.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Manfrotto
• Model: 804RC2
• Dimensions: 4.33" h x 4.72" w x 7.87" l, 1.98 pounds

Features

• Constructed from ultra-durable and lightweight technical polymer to withstand the use of the professional photographer.
• Unique spring feature compensate for heavier, off-center loads.
• Ergonomic handles fit comfortably in the hands.
• Built in quick release system.
• Supports up to 8.82 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Met my needs very well
To start ... I'm not a tripod head enthusiast, just an amateur user who's only prior experience is with a cheap Ambico version.

With that out of the way, I found this product met my expectations for a head that cost twice as much as my original tripod.

It is fairly stable - the knobs hold my camera in place well, and the three controls give me good flexibility in maneuvering the camera as needed. However, the knobs are definitely twiddly and not as generously proportioned as the 808RC4.

However, this does take up much less space and is much lighter, both of which weighed heavily in my decision to choose it. As experienced tripod reviewers say - the best tripod is the one that you have available - and weight was a huge consideration for me.

I found the quick release plate to work pretty well too.

I bought this along with the 190XPROB - at a bundle discount (currently $217 from Amazon).

You might want to check out my more detailed review on how that bundle works out for me.

somewhat big for the features it offers
This head is priced well for the features it offers. I still have mixed feelings about the multitude of handles and controls. On one side, I like being able to control each motion and adjustment separate from others, but at the same time, when you need to quickly make adjustments, this is not very accommodating. But, once you get some time in working with this head, you'll learn to manipulate the controls pretty easily.

Horrible replacement.
I'm really upset with Bogen/Manfrotto. They discontinued my personal favorite head, the 3030, and replaced it with this one. Obviously, they did not ask photographers before making the switch. I had to buy a new tripod for our studio. We have several 3030 heads but since they were discontinued, I purchased this one. Everybody hates it. Simply put, it's clunky and seems to be very convoluted. The handles are extremely diminuitive. The quick release has gone backwards in engineering. It's the red-headed stepchild tripod of our studio and is constantly being shunned. We won't buy anymore. In fact, I'm using eBay to buy the old 3030. Bogen, bring it back! It's similar to when Ford went from the '64 1/2 - '66 Mustang to the '67. Why??? You had a classic.

If you've never used this head's precurser, then you might like this head simply because you don't know how much of a step backwards it took.