Biff with Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head

[wtaccord]

Perhaps this is user error or just something I'm going to have to deal with. I just picked up a Bogen-Manfrotto 3021B and a Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Frip Action Ball Head. I have a Canon 30D with battery grip. The problem I'm having is on my 70-200mm and 300mm lenses with the tripod color I can't mount my camera with the quick release plate. The release lever when open hits the battery grip. I had to take the lens of the camera, mount the lens, and then attach the camera. Not a big deal I guess, but not ideal. One of these days with my luck I'll screw up the lens mount. Any suggestions?

[CyberDyneSystems]

It' not user error, it's a poor design from manfrotto, or at least a poor match with most Canon equipment...

I seem to recall being able to flip the RC2 mount on the grip head.. but it was so long ago I may be wrong about that.

The grip heads are really a bad idea for anything as heavy as your set up. You may want to seriously consider something else.

[wtaccord]

Yeah, I'll probably get just a regular ball head down the road. The grip idea is pretty cool though. I looked at it a little more after I posted this and it looks like I have a couple options. The easiest is losen the tripod collar and rotate it, mount the camera so its either sideways or upside down, then turn it back to normal and tighten the collar. The second option is it does appear that I could flip the mount around and flip the quick release plate. I have to find my hex wrenches first. :-) Thanks for the reply.

[gryphonslair99]

Easy sollution. Loosen the collar ring with the lens attached to the camera, turn the collar so the camera is in portrait mode, attach lens collar mount to 322RC2, lock in place and rotate camera body back to landscape mode, tighten collar ring.

[wtaccord]

Yup! That's what I ended up doing. Thanks for the tip. I tend to always make things more difficult than they really are. :-)

[Gadgetholic]

You can also undo the 2 hex head screws on the quick release base and turn the whole base around 180 degrees so the lever is now at the front of the grip. Then you have to remember to attach the quick release plate to your lens or camera spun around at 180 degrees too.

The lever is under the lens then, and a lot harder to get to, but it does work ok. I had the same problem on my 30D with grip, and 70-200 and it's what I did.
I am pretty sure this solution was in the instructions that came with the 322RC2..but the box is stored in the roof so I can't check right now. I may try the moving the tripod ring idea, just to see how it is. Altho I do like it in the normal position when shooting hand held.

[PacAce]

Perhaps this is user error or just something I'm going to have to deal with. I just picked up a Bogen-Manfrotto 3021B and a Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Frip Action Ball Head. I have a Canon 30D with battery grip. The problem I'm having is on my 70-200mm and 300mm lenses with the tripod color I can't mount my camera with the quick release plate. The release lever when open hits the battery grip. I had to take the lens of the camera, mount the lens, and then attach the camera. Not a big deal I guess, but not ideal. One of these days with my luck I'll screw up the lens mount. Any suggestions?
I've used RC2 plates before and never had any problem with them and wondered why other people (including non-grip users) have always complained about the same problem you're complaining about. Why can't you just take the plate and turn in 90 degrees so that the lever is at the side instead of at the back? Or is this a problem only particular to the grip? :confused:

[SkipD]

I've used RC2 plates before and never had any problem with them and wondered why other people (including non-grip users) have always complained about the same problem you're complaining about. Why can't you just take the plate and turn in 90 degrees so that the lever is at the side instead of at the back? Or is this a problem only particular to the grip? :confused:Leo, he's trying to use the 322 grip-action head, and it's probably the position of the grip that's a problem if the plate is rotated. That's one of the many reasons that I like the 488RC2 far better than the 322RC2 for everyday use.

[gryphonslair99]

Leo, he's trying to use the 322 grip-action head, and it's probably the position of the grip that's a problem if the plate is rotated. That's one of the many reasons that I like the 488RC2 far better than the 322RC2 for everyday use.


Owning both the 488RC2 and the 322RC2 I have experienced the good and the bad with both. They both are great heads for their intended purposes. I much prefer the 322 for studio/portrait type stuff. It is much quicker to accuraly position than the 488. I make up for the lack of the panning base by putting a Freisol P-70 base between the head and my 3021B pro legs.

For macro work I prefer the 488 topped with my macro focusing rail. I found it easier to use for landscapes, panaramas, macro etc. The right tool for the right job.

[PacAce]

Leo, he's trying to use the 322 grip-action head, and it's probably the position of the grip that's a problem if the plate is rotated. That's one of the many reasons that I like the 488RC2 far better than the 322RC2 for everyday use.
That's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure. Thanks for clarifying it for me, Skip.

[r.morales]

Try putting a flash bracket on . it raises / adds about 1/4 inch - 6mm - plenty of room for my fat fingers .

[wtaccord]

You can also undo the 2 hex head screws on the quick release base and turn the whole base around 180 degrees so the lever is now at the front of the grip. Then you have to remember to attach the quick release plate to your lens or camera spun around at 180 degrees too.

The lever is under the lens then, and a lot harder to get to, but it does work ok. I had the same problem on my 30D with grip, and 70-200 and it's what I did.
I am pretty sure this solution was in the instructions that came with the 322RC2..but the box is stored in the roof so I can't check right now. I may try the moving the tripod ring idea, just to see how it is. Altho I do like it in the normal position when shooting hand held.

Thanks, I'll give this a try and see if it works for me.

[wtaccord]

Try putting a flash bracket on . it raises / adds about 1/4 inch - 6mm - plenty of room for my fat fingers .

I actually have one on order and it should be here this week so I can try this as well. Great idea! Thanks.

[oldsquawk]

Get a good ball head (not Manfrotto) with Arca-Swiss mounting plates and quick release clamps and your problem is solved. :)

[wtaccord]

Ugh! More money?!?! It never ends.... hehe

[r.morales]

wtaccord - where do you get you gear ? locally ? I am a touchy - feely type

[wtaccord]

I'm an Amazon, Adorama, and B&H guy. I'm in IT so the number of hours I work dont usually allow me to get around much. At least not when the sun is up. hehe