Difference in Bogen / Manfrotto 488 series Ball Head

I have been looking at the Bogen / Manfrotto 488RC4 Midi Ball Head and noticed there is also the Bogen / Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head and Bogen / Manfrotto 488RC0 Midi Ball Head. Looks like each one is the same ball head but has a different quick connect system. Does anyone know the difference with these systems would be and if there is any one I would want over another to go with my gear (see sig). Thanks.

it has to do with the shape of the quick release plate (square or wierd hexagon). i personally own the RC2 versions of the 486 and 488. works fine for all my lenses up to and including the 300 2.8.

I'd suggest the RC2 as well. RC4's a better fit for the MF cameras.

RC2 is easy to use and cheap to get additional plates for.

Go with RC2
The second best QR system out there, and the 2nd most expandable.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #2409035
Go with RC2
The second best QR system out there, and the 2nd most expandable.

lol and what pretell is the first? arcaswiss?

All roads lead to Arca my boy!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #2409144
All roads lead to Arca my boy!

thats whati figured lol. tarpontim got his gimbal type II and gitzo in the other day... and i of course made the mistake of strapping my 300 2.8 and extender on it. man that setup is sexy... now i just have to fine $1300 to buy it with. or follow around belmondo and wait for him to leave one somewhere again.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2409170
..... or follow around belmondo and wait for him to leave one somewhere again.

Always a sound strategy.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2409008
it has to do with the shape of the quick release plate (square or wierd hexagon). i personally own the RC2 versions of the 486 and 488. works fine for all my lenses up to and including the 300 2.8.

Hey Hey! I agree 100%, and not only because I have the exact same heads and also use the RC2 plates

I love my bogen gear.

Another vote for the 488 RC2. I love mine.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #2409207
Always a sound strategy.

lol im sorry, all respect to the big man, but i find it quite hard to miss that fact you dont have your giant ten pound tripod over your shoulder when you leave a shoot!

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2409008
it has to do with the shape of the quick release plate (square or wierd hexagon). i personally own the RC2 versions of the 486 and 488. works fine for all my lenses up to and including the 300 2.8.

So whats the difference between the 486 and 488? I will be getting the RC2 for a monopod which might be a MagFiber if not the the 680/681. Any suggestions?

ungx0013 wrote in post #2409926
So whats the difference between the 486 and 488? I will be getting the RC2 for a monopod which might be a MagFiber if not the the 680/681. Any suggestions?

the 468 is a bit smaller and lighter a head, with less load capacity. the 488 is beefier, but its main attraction is a seperate knob to allow the head to pan without affecting the ball movement. this is especially handy on a tripod, and next to pointless on a monopod (since the whole monopod can turn easy enough on its own). since i own both i use the 486 on the magfiber monopod, the 488 on the tripod, and i screw my 681 monopod into the bottom of my 300 2.8 directly most of the time, although i could use either ballhead aswell. so basically, if its for a monopod the lightness and compactness of the 486 is a real advantage (especially for any lens that isnt a super tele). the 488 is a better tripod ball head, but is just way to heavy for a monopod, especially a magfiber.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2409952
the 468 is a bit smaller and lighter a head, with less load capacity. the 488 is beefier, but its main attraction is a seperate knob to allow the head to pan without affecting the ball movement. this is especially handy on a tripod, and next to pointless on a monopod (since the whole monopod can turn easy enough on its own). since i own both i use the 486 on the magfiber monopod, the 488 on the tripod, and i screw my 681 monopod into the bottom of my 300 2.8 directly most of the time, although i could use either ballhead aswell. so basically, if its for a monopod the lightness and compactness of the 486 is a real advantage (especially for any lens that isnt a super tele). the 488 is a better tripod ball head, but is just way to heavy for a monopod, especially a magfiber.

Thanks for the info, just what I was looking for.