Help me pick a tripod head to compliment 055XPRO

[BluewookieJim]

As the title states, I need help picking a tripod head to go along with Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPRO legs.

The 3 heads I've narrowed my selection down to are 488RC2, 804RC2, and 808RC4.

I really don't know which to go with, and my experience with tripods is very minimal. I've been borrowing a friends 3001BPRO with 3030 3-way head for the last week or so, and that is my only tripod experience.

Thanks.

[Jon]

First, forget the 808RC4 straight away. The RC4 release plate will be a nuisance when you're hand-holding your camera because it's so big. If you remove the release plate every time you take the camera off the tripod it defeats the purpose of the release plate.

Most people here find a ball head easier to work with than a 3-way head like the 804; also the 488RC2 has a higher load limit.

[ggibbs1971]

I had the 488, however I sold to it & bought a ball head. I got the Giotto MH-1000, it works great & costs about the same. In the meantime I found an old Schoon head, that is Arca compatible. I also bought the L bracket, plate & clamp from RRS. I just sent the Schoon off to be cleaned and have new knobs installed. When it comes back I am selling the Giotto for $95, it comes with an extra plate.

[Jon]

I had the 488, however I sold to it & bought a ball head. I got the Giotto MH-1000, it works great & costs about the same. In the meantime I found an old Schoon head, that is Arca compatible. I also bought the L bracket, plate & clamp from RRS. I just sent the Schoon off to be cleaned and have new knobs installed. When it comes back I am selling the Giotto for $95, it comes with an extra plate.
Um . . . the 488RC2 is a ball head.

[BluewookieJim]

Thanks.

I didn't realize the issue with the 808RC4.

I think I'm going to go with the 488RC2. I've never tried a ballhead, but worst case scenario, if I don't like it I can always get the less expensive 804RC2.

[Anke]

I got the 488RC2 with my 055, its a wonderful solid chunk of iron of a thing, its a great object and holds my Mark III with gusto.

[Pen6uiN]

i am using 055xpro & have experienced both heads extensively

488RC2 = ball head
easy to use
you can shoot something in less than 1 sec
if you need precision, buy one of those green cube leveller that you put on the hotshoe
fast response tripod head .. e.g. if you are trying to aim for something fast (e.g. flying bird, sports)

804RC2 = 3 way head
good for landscape / cityscape / anything that need precision
good for panning
if u dont need fast response in the way you handle tripod, this is the way to go (i.e. calibrating the precision part can be annoying sometime if you need to shoot quick quick quick)

hope that helps

[BluewookieJim]

i am using 055xpro & have experienced both heads extensively

488RC2 = ball head
easy to use
you can shoot something in less than 1 sec
if you need precision, buy one of those green cube leveller that you put on the hotshoe
fast response tripod head .. e.g. if you are trying to aim for something fast (e.g. flying bird, sports)

804RC2 = 3 way head
good for landscape / cityscape / anything that need precision
good for panning
if u dont need fast response in the way you handle tripod, this is the way to go (i.e. calibrating the precision part can be annoying sometime if you need to shoot quick quick quick)

hope that helps

The second part (804rc2) sounds more like the way I would be attempting to use mine, but then again I've never tried some of the stuff in the first part.

Would I be setting myself up for failure with the 488?

[Pen6uiN]

why don't u have a go at it in a camera shop & test it out ?

if you are not fussy, then both heads wont be a problem

if you are fussy & meticulous, then either you hate one or the other

personally i like 804 ...but i must admit that 488 comes handy some time, probably 10-15% of the time
i would still use 804 for most of the time

[sparcd]

I bought the 055XPRO and a 488RC2 from B&H and it's brilliant. So I vote for the 488RC2!!

[aridan]

488RC2

[bbbig]

Another vote for 488RC2 - handles my 1DsMkII + 24-70L|70-200 f/2.8L IS no prob.

[BluewookieJim]

I ordered the 055XPRO / 488RC2 combo from B&H this afternoon. Both 3-way and ball-heads are new to me at this point, so I don't feel like I have to have a particular one.

[JakubPhoto]

Definitely a great choice, you'll love it!

[Nick5]

[quote=Pen6uiN;5294773]i am using 055xpro & have experienced both heads extensively

488RC2 = ball head
easy to use
you can shoot something in less than 1 sec
if you need precision, buy one of those green cube leveller that you put on the hotshoe
fast response tripod head .. e.g. if you are trying to aim for something fast (e.g. flying bird, sports)

804RC2 = 3 way head
good for landscape / cityscape / anything that need precision
good for panning
if u dont need fast response in the way you handle tripod, this is the way to go (i.e. calibrating the precision part can be annoying sometime if you need to shoot quick quick quick) Quote}
Pen. We think alike.
I have both tripod heads you have for the reasons you stated above.
hope that helps

[sml]

Glad I found this thread!
However, what "family" is a gear head in...and is that advisable for 35mm cameras? The one I see on a package at B&H is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3275.
Otherwise, I'm leaning toward the ball head.
Thanks.

[pixel_junkie]

One more vote for the 055XPROB/488RC2 combo. The head is very easy to use and very convenient. Haven't been able to find a weak spot in the design.