Equivalent to 488RC2 Ball Head ?

[Khaled]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are any other brands that make Ball Heads as good as the Manftotto 488RC2.

The 488RC2 is way too expensive here in Australia especially that I f I want to buy a good Tripod with it.

What would be a good Tripod + Ball Head as good as the 488RC2 ?

Thank you all for your help :)

[Lowner]

Khaled,

You are going to hate me for saying this I know. I think the Manfrotto range are at the lower end of acceptable heads, at least based on my own 486RC2 experience. They lock down perfectly well, so no need to worry about that, but do "droop" as you lock down and theres no "sweet spot" like you get with the Markins range.

The latest Manfrotto line up might be better, so feel free to ignore me thus far. However I'd suggest that even if you choose the 488, go for an Arca-Swiss style quick release system. I always worried that the RC2 system would dump my expensive kit onto the floor. It never did, but it was always on my mind.

From what I've read, all the major tripod manufacturers make acceptable heads. Giotto (have I spelt that right?) seem to be the market leader in this kit, but Kirk, Markins, RRS and one or two others whos names escape me all get regular recommendations here. ALL are far too expensive it has to be said, but thats life.

Richard

Richard

[Gliderparentntn]

I have the 488 and I can say from experience by using my 40D with grip and the 400 prime that it droops once locked down. so there's a guessing game as to how much to allow for droop once locked.

As for an equal to your question I don't know either. I know I wouldn't want an equal but something much better and this is why I chose the markins M10 to replace my 488RC2
Expensive yes they are 340.00 then you have to buy the camera or lens plate to go with it.

[jmik26]

I have the 488 and I can say from experience by using my 40D with grip and the 400 prime that it droops once locked down. so there's a guessing game as to how much to allow for droop once locked.

+1 on the drooping of the 488rc2.

I just purchased a gt5540ls and BH-55 head. I debated the Markins M20 and BH-55 for a long time. Both are great heads and very expensive. What sealed the deal for me is I email both companies, Markins never responded and RRS did. I then followed up with a call to RRS and they were great. One thing that I read somewhere which also hit home was: "a good tripod and head is the only thing in photography that can improve your images instantly".

If I had to get another ball head in the 488rc2 price range I would maybe look at the Benro KB-2 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=284431&highlight=benro+teardown)? Hope this helps....Jeff

[René Damkot]

Markins never responded

I've had prompt response (next business day) when I sent an e-mail...

[jmik26]

I just looked through my inbox, junk folder, and spam folder, nothing... I am sure both companies have great service and I still have not counted Markins out. If I am not 110% satisfied (which I expect to be) then I will sell the BH-55 and try a Markins. From what I saw ball heads have great resale value which is another plus.

Khaled - Did you have a chance to look through the Benro KB-2 teardown thread?

[Gliderparentntn]

I just looked through my inbox, junk folder, and spam folder, nothing... I am sure both companies have great service and I still have not counted Markins out. If I am not 110% satisfied (which I expect to be) then I will sell the BH-55 and try a Markins. From what I saw ball heads have great resale value which is another plus.

Khaled - Did you have a chance to look through the Benro KB-2 teardown thread?


I had gotten a reply back from markins within an hr of sending them a e-mail. I responded and less than an hr I got another reply, then I made a Purchase and within 2 hrs I had a tracking number from them showing my purchase had shipped.

[RPCrowe]

Khaled,

From what I've read, all the major tripod manufacturers make acceptable heads. Giotto (have I spelt that right?) seem to be the market leader in this kit, but Kirk, Markins, RRS and one or two others whos names escape me all get regular recommendations here. ALL are far too expensive it has to be said, but thats life.

Richard

Richard

I like my Giottos MH-1300 Ball Head very much except for the MH-657 Quick Release system. The MH-657 system is NOT TOTALLY ARCA COMPATIBLE.

The safety stud on the MH-657 base slides to the photographers right when the safety button at the rear of the base is depressed. This stud will prevent some non-Giottos ARCA Compatible plates from sliding into the base channels.

As an example, I cannot slide either my Really Right Stuff 30D Arca Compatible L-Plate or my Kirk Enterprises 3" plate (which is also Arca Compatible) into the base channels.

I can use the RRS L-Plate by opening the Giottos base knob all the way and dropping the L-Plate in from the top. However, the base doesn't open wide enough for the Kirk Enterprises plate to be dropped in this way.

I have a Giottos MH-655 Quick Release which will not fit either the RRS or the Kirk plates.

I can modify the plates by cutting a channel to allow the safety stub free access when slipping in the plate or by removing the base safety stud altogether (which may not be the safest thing to do). However, when a unit is advertised as "ARCA Compatible" it should not need modification to be used with ARCA Compatible equipment from other manufacturers - that is the advantage of the ARCA system.

It must be said that Giottos supplies a variety of plates (at a less expensive price) which will fit their Quick release Systems. This includes their own type of L-Plate. The Giottos L-Plate, however, is generic and doesn't conform to the contours of the camera like the RRS L-Plate does. The advantage of the RRS L-Plate is that you can shoot your camera hand-held with the plate attached and not be encumbered by the plate.

Regarding the Benro KB-2: Although I have no experience with this unit, I have read two posts (on other various forums) of the attachment screws on the Benro failing and resulting in the dropping of camera and lens. These might have been isolated instances but, I would not want to replicate the problem with my camera and lens.

Benro is made in Communist China while Giottos is a product of Nationalist China (Formosa). While that would not be the main reason for selecting Giottos over Benro, it makes me feel good that my dollars went to "the good guys".

Finally - IMO, there is nothing like a gimbal mount when using a long, relatively heavy, lens. There are many different type mounts ranging from the astronomically expensive Full Wimberton model to inxpensive Chinese Rip Offs. I use a Bogen-Manfrotto 3421 Gimbal camera Mount on my Giottos 8180 tripod to support my 30D with 400mm f/5.6L prime. This combination works wonderfully.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/393_1.html

[Khaled]

Thank you all for your great support and valuable replies.

I understand that some brands are good and some are acceptable, but it seems that even the not-so-great brands are beyond how much I can afford.

Most of you are working enthusiast. I'm, unfortunately, full-time student enthusiast, so my budget is very very limited.

I ended up winning an auction for Amvona's ATH-A04 Ball Head. Now, I should start the hunt for decent (not so expensive) tripod legs.

Thank you all again :)

[Khaled]

After having enough of search and looking for tripod legs and ball head, I ended up ordering the Manfrotto Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 from B&H.
I told my wife and she hasn't said anything yet :|

P.S. I didn't pay for the Amvona as the shipping cost is $50.