How's the manfrotto 486RC2?

[jor]

Hi,

I have the 400D and the heaviest lens that I see myself buying is the sigma 70-200 f2.8 or canon 70-200 f4L

will this head be enough? 13.2 pounds....

[sjafari]

it should be. I use it with my 5D w/ grip, Sigma 180 Macro w/ ext tubes and it hold like a rock. I wouldnt worry about it unless you are thinking of getting a big prime at some point.

[PAFC2004]

I use it with the XT and 70-200 2.8 - holds fine.

[jor]

thanks!

how much did you guys pay? I found amazon is selling it for 65 shipped.

[JohnnyG]

I have used mine with my 100-400 which is a heavy lens and no problem.

[gjman]

Children:
Any lens that has a tripod mount ON THE LENS ITSELF will be well balanced on most ball heads. The $64,000 question is will the long/heavy lens sag when you have to mount the camera body/grip on the ballhead???? (e.g what happens when you mount a camera with the 24-105L? or 28-135??)

[sjafari]

Children:
Any lens that has a tripod mount ON THE LENS ITSELF will be well balanced on most ball heads. The $64,000 question is will the long/heavy lens sag when you have to mount the camera body/grip on the ballhead???? (e.g what happens when you mount a camera with the 24-105L? or 28-135??)

I meant when the tripod was attached to the camera, not the lens itself (i should have clarified in the original post).

[gjman]

You mean with your 24-105 on and the BG-E4 attached to the ballhead, it stays put with no lens sag...especially when composing super critical landscape pics (the 15-30 will not add much weight to front end and the 180 f/3.5 has a lens collar the lens balanced the rest of the body with the collar mount acting as the fulcrum)

[sjafari]

I meant with the 180 f/3.5 w/ ext tubes mounted on the 5D w/ grip at the camera base, not the tripod collar. I almost always mount it to the tripod collar on the lens, but have tested it with the camera mount as well (and thought that was more useful for the question at hand). In either case, the camera and lens are solid.

[Jon]

On a tripod I'd suggest getting the 488RC2 simply because it has a separate pan control, allowingtt you to pan without losing the ball mount's adjustment. However, if you've got a tripod ring on the lens, I'd almost always use that rather than the tripod socket on the boody or grip. An unbalanced load won't stay even if the total weight is less than the head's rated capacity. The only time I might see using the base mount rather than the tripod ring would be with a grip and external flash and a very light lens w/ tripod ring option, and then I'd go on the basis of what the combined system did on the head. I have one ball head (Linhof) that can't take the 20D (no grip) and 24-70. The weight's within bounds - the balance isn't.

[SkipD]

I agree 100% with Jon's post above. I have both the 486RC2 and the 488RC2. I found that the 486RC2 was not quite able to hold my 20D with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L mounted when turned 90° to the normal "landscape" position. The 488RC2, on the other hand, is solid as a rock. As Jon said, the separate panning release is quite benefical as well.

The 486RC2 has found a home on my monopod, and works extremely well in that application.

[StealthLude]

I agree 100% with Jon's post above. I have both the 486RC2 and the 488RC2. I found that the 486RC2 was not quite able to hold my 20D with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L mounted when turned 90° to the normal "landscape" position. The 488RC2, on the other hand, is solid as a rock. As Jon said, the separate panning release is quite benefical as well.

The 486RC2 has found a home on my monopod, and works extremely well in that application.


Same here, I use te 486 on my monopod and the 488 on my tripod. VERY happy with the ball heads.

You can get away with the 486 on a tripod, its still a really good head.

[sjafari]

i have it the same way.. 486 on the monopod, 488 on the tripod. The separate pan control is a nice feature.

[BearLeeAlive]

Me to with the 486 on the monopod, 488 on the tripod. Excellent heads at a great value.

[joegolf68]

thanks!

how much did you guys pay? I found amazon is selling it for 65 shipped.

I just ordered mine from BHphoto. I had it in my Amazon basket but when I hit purchase, it said out of stock, expected delivery was January 21st!!!!! OMG! BH was $70 including shipping. I am certain it will handle the equipment mentioned here, I will use with the 30D and 70-200 and not worry a bit.

[DocFrankenstein]

I know a good pro who has the 486 and says it's all he's ever gonna need. But his lenses aren't that heavy.

Because I have the sigma, I've decided to jump to the arca clamps and get an elliptical ballhead. They're flopless.

From what I've seen in the store, the 488 is the best value for 70-200 2.8 grip and flash mounted from the established headmakers.

[rklepper]

On a tripod I'd suggest getting the 488RC2 simply because it has a separate pan control, allowingtt you to pan without losing the ball mount's adjustment. However, if you've got a tripod ring on the lens, I'd almost always use that rather than the tripod socket on the boody or grip. An unbalanced load won't stay even if the total weight is less than the head's rated capacity. The only time I might see using the base mount rather than the tripod ring would be with a grip and external flash and a very light lens w/ tripod ring option, and then I'd go on the basis of what the combined system did on the head. I have one ball head (Linhof) that can't take the 20D (no grip) and 24-70. The weight's within bounds - the balance isn't.

I would make the same suggestion. I use the 486RC2 on a monopod and it works great. You will like the added flexibility of the 488RC2 on a tripod, however.

[Pete]

How do you guys use your 486RC2 on your monopods? I've got a 676B and the threads are different sizes. Is there an adapter you can get?

[BearLeeAlive]

How do you guys use your 486RC2 on your monopods? I've got a 676B and the threads are different sizes. Is there an adapter you can get?
Pete, the threaded stud on my monopod is reversible, and many are. 1/4" threads one way, 3/8" threads needed for the head the other way around. I am not familiar with your 676B though myself but would check it out.

[Pete]

Pete, the threaded stud on my monopod is reversible, and many are. 1/4" threads one way, 3/8" threads needed for the head the other way around. I am not familiar with your 676B though myself but would check it out.

RTFM then... Gotchya!! ;)

[Jon]

You can get a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 reducing bushing from B&H or most other photo stores for under $5.