Need Help on choosing a Ball Head

[Calindy]

I currently have a Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. I have Lupus, and my hand joints swell, and I am having trouble gripping the 322RC2 due to the pain:(. So....I am thinking a different ball head would be easier for my painful hands. I do not want to spend more than $120 (I will have to sell the 322RC2), and I want to stay with a Manfrotto ball head. I have searched thru the forum and have read suggestions like the BOGEN MANFROTTO 3262 medium ball head (discontinued and new for $40 on eBay), 486rc2, and 496.

I need help, or at least my hands do!! Thanks!

[Saint728]

What about this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660321-REG/Manfrotto_496RC2_496RC2_Compact_Ball_Head.html#rev iews

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[Jon]

I'd say the 488RC2 or 498RC2. They're a bit heavier-duty than the 486/496 and they have a separate pan control which you'll probably find a real asset.

[Calindy]

Thanks Jon and Saint, those will be the ones I will look at. I got the 322 because I liked the idea of NOT having to secure the head, I just let it go and it stayed. Then my hands started hurting, and I started having trouble squeezing the darn thing! SO frustrating!!

[mzbarsk]

One thing I learned is that you do not want to skim on support. For full sized tripod GT3541LS I have RRS BH-55 and for travel GT1541T I have Markins Q3T ballhead. Both are amazing quality and work very smoothly.

[Jon]

Yeah - constantly having to squeeze the handle to reorient the head is what did the most to sour me on the 322. It sounds like a great idea, but in practice leaves much to be desired.