Recommend 486RC2 for 20D with large lenses?

Is the Manfrotto 486C2 suffice for the 20D with lets say a 24-70mm lense or even a 70-200mm lense?

Or should I go with the larger 488RC2. I would like to use the 486 if possible because it will save me a few bucks.

And this will be used on a tripod.

I think that you'd be significantly happier with the 488RC2 when using the bigger lenses. I had a 486RC2 for my tripods, and replaced it with a 488RC2. The 486RC2 now sits on my monopod, and there it is just fine.

I only use ballheads on my monopods, where overall weight is a factor. The 486RC2 does just fine there, even with a 400mm.

I have been tempted by the features of the 488, but as I said, weight is a factor, and that big dog is significantly heavier, so it is not for me.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,

For the two lens that you've mentioned the 486 is fine. That's what I use right now and even on a windy day at the beach it worked great. It's rated for 13.2 lbs, and the a 20D with the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS with a battery grip and the 580 flash weigh about 7 lbs. .

Another reason to look at the 488RC2 instead of the 486RC2 - for tripod use - is the fact that the 488 has a separate release lever for horizontal panning without releasing the ball (allowing the camera to totally flop around). To do any static panning (as in a sequence of shots to be later stitched together into a panoramic shot) with a simple ballhead like the 486RC2 is very difficult, to say the least, because you have to release the ball, reposition, then relock the ball. You have to ensure that the camera is level for each position - not something that is very easy.

I went for the 488rc2. I also went for the sturdier legs (055), so weight became less of an issue. The larger balls are smoother I imagine.

One thing to note though, at least on my 10d with the battery grip, is that there is still a good deal of play. It's most likely the less strong construction of the grip. And no matter how much you tighten up the quick release plate, it comes loose (I don't want to destroy the grip altogether by over-tightening it).

I guess I could remove the grip, but I'd rather not. I don't know if the 20d grip is better in that regard. It is quite frustrating because you have to allow the camera to drop once you tighten it - as much as 5mm, which makes it less that useful if you are trying to focus on a particular point if doing something like packaging.

Graham

How about the 488 vs. 490(w/QR)

Well, I topped my 3021BN legs with a 490QR. We'll see how I like it.

I know a guy with a 20D and 100-400L on a Bogen 3011BN / 486RC2 setup.
He loves it and says it is great. I got the same tripod setup and plan to put
a 350D/RebXT and 100-400L on it. Just waiting on the "L" part right now

The 486RC2 can take upto 13lbs if I remember right. The max weight I have subjected it to is my Drebel + 70-200F4. Didnt seem to make the slightest of differences to it!!

A choice between the 486 and 488 seems to be pretty popular....

on BH there's a bunch of different variants of the 488. They have different quick connects on the various configurations. How do I know which one I should purchase?

The ...RC2 is the one I like. It is compact, but works quite well with everything I use on it - my 20D and BIG lenses, a 60X spotting scope, etc. Some of the other options have really huge QR (quick release) plates which would not be nice on my 20D.