Step up from 488RC2?

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

Okay, so, I'll take this as an omen.. hopefully a good one.

I went out this weekend on a hunt for a 488RC2, and NOBODY in the DFW area, Austin, or San Antonio area had it in stock. I called everybody that was open... and I mean EVERYBODY.

Fine. I'm on the internet hunt now. Wife says that I can buy a head for my tri-pod.. that means I can spend more than I would have if I had to buy it on my own and not let her notice...

Awesome.

So... whats the next step up? $200-250 range would be about where I'm looking... more if I think it's worth it, and I need the same features as the 488RC2.. is any of the RRS stuff 'cheap enough' to meet my needs? (doesn't look like it BH-55 LR is $455!) My needs are almost exactly what the 488RC2 is.. 20D with anything from a 10-22 to a 70-200 2.8 IS..

The head is going on a 3021Pro set of legs.

The Arcatech Ultimate and V2 look really cool. Any experience with either? The V2 looks like it would work better than the first.


Thanks for any input!

[blonde]

i have heard that the arcatech is not as good as the other big names as far as ease of use and load support. have you looked at the KIRK BH-3? it is in your pricce range and gets great reviews. however, don't forget that you will need to switch to the arca plates for the arcatech, kirk, RRS etc.. the arca plates are fantastic but they are not cheap. figure in about an extra $100-150 just for the plates...

[DocFrankenstein]

Acratech won't handle the 70-200

Good luck choosing.

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

What does a 468MGRC2 gain me over the 488RC2? I see that it's hydrolic, etc.. but, is it nothing more than better grip force?

[blonde]

it is actually quite a bit better. the hydrostatic is very similar to how the RRS feel which makes balancing and using the head alot smoother. the regular manfrottos have a problem which is the inability to find just the right tension that will hold the setup while still alowing you to move the camera.

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

I think that the KIRK BH-3, and the Markins Q-Ball M10 have my attention right now. The more I read, the less it seems that people 'prefer' any of the manfrotto heads.

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

thanks for the suggestions... between here and FM, I went with the Markins Q-Ball M10.

if anyone else is looking, they have free shipping this week... saved me about $12.

next is to re-order a arca-swiss camdapter...

[DavidEB]

Caution -- you can buy an ARCA head, but the cost of extra plates will put you out of your range. You'll need one plate for the camera body and one forthe 70-200 lens (tripod ring). The cheapest plates are from acratech, about $40-$50; the RRS plates include a 1/4-20 threaded hole but I've never missed that. You also might decide you like the L-brackets better than the flat plates & that can run you money.

Once you go ARCA, you're sunk. If you have a flash bracket you'll end up putting an ARCA clamp on it. If you have a monopod, you'll put an ARCA clamp on it. those clamps are $50+ each

I think ARCA is worth it -- works really well. but it is pricey.


Also, I disagree with DocF -- my acratech is fine with the 70-200 2.8 and a 1D, at any angle. the v2 does look nice.

good luck choosing,

[DocFrankenstein]

You can tighten the arcatech and it WILL hold even a 300/2.8, but it sags just a bit when tightening...

I didn't test it for too long, but I can imagine a lot of people tifinding it acceptable - you just have to give the knob a little extra force.