Manfrotto 498 Vs Giottos MH1300 Vs Giottos MH3000

[Deejayry]

I'm about to take the plunge and buy a new tripod, i have decided on the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 legs but i'm not sure which head i should invest in.

Both the 498 and MH1300 are in my price range and i might stretch to a MH3000, but i'd like a little advice. I have seen the manfrotto 498RC2 and the MH1300-621 in the local camera shop, and if i'm honest i prefer the Giottos head, but i have heard a few bad reports on this head, whereas i havent found any bad reports of the 498.

Also i'm interested in which is the better QR mount system, am i right in thinking that the Giottos 621 & 658 are compatible with the Arca/RRS system? If they are then this would be ideal as in future i would like to invest in an RRS L plate, is the 658 much of an improvement over the 621? also how do the Giottos mounts compare with one from RRS?

How about the manfrotto camera mount systems, RC2, RC4 which would you choose?
I hear that the RC4 is quite chunky and not really suitable for leaving on the camera

[plasticmotif]

Photoclam...

[Beachcomber Joe]

I'm about to take the plunge and buy a new tripod, i have decided on the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 legs but i'm not sure which head i should invest in.

Excellent tripod!

Both the 498 and MH1300 are in my price range and i might stretch to a MH3000, but i'd like a little advice. I have seen the Manfrotto 498RC2 and the MH1300-621 in the local camera shop, and if i'm honest i prefer the Giottos head, but i have heard a few bad reports on this head, whereas i haven't found any bad reports of the 498.

The 498 is a relatively new replacement for the 488; that is one reason why you don't see many reports, pro or con, about it. I use a 498RC2 and am pleased with its performance.

Also i'm interested in which is the better QR mount system, am i right in thinking that the Giottos 621 & 658 are compatible with the Arca/RRS system? If they are then this would be ideal as in future i would like to invest in an RRS L plate, is the 658 much of an improvement over the 621? also how do the Giottos mounts compare with one from RRS?

The Giottos is an Arca Swiss style system. There is a"sticky" which discusses some of the differences between the patented Manfrotto system and the open Arca Swiss system. I have used both and, personally, find no incentive to change from my RC2 system to the more expensive Arca Swiss style.

How about the Manfrotto camera mount systems, RC2, RC4 which would you choose?
I hear that the RC4 is quite chunky and not really suitable for leaving on the camera

The RC4 system is quite clunky and better suited to the medium format and larger type cameras it is intended to be used with. The RC2 system works very well with DSLRs. My heaviest combination weighs about 7 lbs. 8 oz. and the RC2 system handles it without problems.

[Deejayry]

plasticmotif I have had a look at the Photoclam ball heads, they do look rather nice, but i have two issues, firstly i think i would prefer to have seperate control over lock and friction, this way it becomes almost impossible to release the lock too far and have the camera move uncontrolled.
also the price of the head is right on my top limit, then i expect i'll end up paying another £20-30 on import taxes ect. if there were a UK supplier then i'd certainly give the PhotoClam a bit more consideration.

Beachcomber Joe

Thanks for the info, I will have another good look at the 498RC2 next time i go to the camera shop and compare it (hopefully under load) with the Giottos. if i feel that the movement of the manfrotto outweighs the advantages of the Arca plate system then i'll probably go for the manfrotto, then maybe upgrade the mount plate to an Arca compatible system at a later date.

The biggest load i expect to have is a either a 10d or 50d (both with grip) and a 70-200 L 2.8 IS with 2x teleconverter.