Bogen 322RC2- having any problems?

[Espie]

I am thinking about buying the Bogen 3021 Pro with the Bogen 322RC2 joystick handle. It felt good at the store, maybe a little stiff, but has anyone has problems with this combo? Is there a better alternative? My purchase plans also include the 70-200, will this tri/head combo hold the weight?
TIA.

[SkipD]

I am thinking about buying the Bogen 3021 Pro with the Bogen 322RC2 joystick handle. It felt good at the store, maybe a little stiff, but has anyone has problems with this combo? Is there a better alternative? My purchase plans also include the 70-200, will this tri/head combo hold the weight?Some folks like the 322RC2, but I would find it much less easy to pack and carry than my 488RC2 ball head. I put my 3021BPro with 488RC2 into a case along with my monopod for travel. The handle of the 322RC2 would make that impractical without using a much larger case.

The 488RC2 ball head also has one feature that the 322RC2 does not. That is a separate release lever to allow the head to pan horizontally without releasing the primary ball.

The 488RC2 is only slightly heavier than the 322RC2, but can support half-again the weight. The specifications also show that at a 90° tilt, the capacity of the 322RC2 is cut in half. This is not the case with the 488RC2. If you are considering one of Canon's f/2.8 70-200's, they come with tripod mounts that can rotate. Thus, you would not need the 90° tilt. However, for any lens without a tripod mount you would need to tilt the head to get a "portrait" mode shot.

I have never felt that a grip handle would do anything for me that the 488RC2 (or other ball heads with similar controls) can do.

[blackviolet]

i love my 322RC2. it works well for pretty much all of my body lens combos

[Rumjungle]

The only time I had an issue was with my 1d/100-400/1.4x on a long exposure shot. There wasn't enough tension to hold it perfectly still for a long period of time. Other than that, it works fine.

[Az2Africa]

I have the 322RC and had problems with the first one. The ball movement was fine, but the twist portion was very stiff and hard to move. I sent it back and they sent me a new one that works great even with the long heavier lenses in my signature. The tension is adjustable. try that first.

[Espie]

Thanks for the replies, I wil be purchasing322RC2.