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Thread started 07 Jul 2008 (Monday) 20:22
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Tripod Ball Question - Compare as we dare

 
gdl357
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Jul 07, 2008 20:22 |  #1

I would like to know how a Manfrotto 488RC2 compares to a Benro KS-1 or KS-2.

Is the 488 stronger. I need real life siituation not what's written on paper.

I plan on getting a 300mm L IS with a 5d MKII and grip and would like to know if it can handle it when having the combo tilted a little.

Any other setup recommended out there? There is this Q3 ball, but $300 is out of my budget. Willing to go for a $175 max.

Thx


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JohnJ80
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Jul 07, 2008 22:04 |  #2

gdl357 wrote in post #5868475 (external link)
I would like to know how a Manfrotto 488RC2 compares to a Benro KS-1 or KS-2.

Is the 488 stronger. I need real life siituation not what's written on paper.

I plan on getting a 300mm L IS with a 5d MKII and grip and would like to know if it can handle it when having the combo tilted a little.

Any other setup recommended out there? There is this Q3 ball, but $300 is out of my budget. Willing to go for a $175 max.

Thx

Well, maybe this will answer your question:

http://www.tomwebsterp​hoto.com/Essays/Benro/​benroks2.htm (external link)

Personally, I wouldn't touch the Benro.

J.


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gdl357
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Jul 07, 2008 22:10 as a reply to  @ JohnJ80's post |  #3

Thank You. You saved me $180.00 worth of pain!

I liked the fact that the Benro has a knob for tension which the 488 lacks.


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JohnJ80
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Jul 07, 2008 22:25 |  #4

A tension knob is a good idea, but their implementation leaves much to be desired.

If you can defer the purchase a bit, then hold out for the Markins. Is this going to be for the 300mm f/4L IS or the f/2.8L IS? Either way, going cheap on the stability piece at 300mm is not recommended.

J.


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jrsforums
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Jul 07, 2008 22:27 |  #5

gdl357 wrote in post #5869124 (external link)
Thank You. You saved me $180.00 worth of pain!

I liked the fact that the Benro has a knob for tension which the 488 lacks.

A little more, but if you are into Bogen/Manfotto RC2 clamps, the 468MGRC2 is a very good head.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&basicSubmit=Su​bmit+Query (external link)

Not quite as smooth (or costly) as the Markins and A-S clamps....but you would not be unhappy.


John

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gdl357
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Jul 07, 2008 22:36 as a reply to  @ jrsforums's post |  #6

Ok the about 300mm, actually it looks like this will be in the year to come and by then I would probably look at the 100-400, so I can always get another ballhead.

My setup will be the 5D,grip,70-200 F4 IS, 1.4 TC.

I was thinking of going with the Manfrotto 055XPRO tripod and the head in question.

I will look into the 468 as another user said that the RC2 looks rather weak and should go with a A-S type plate.

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.


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jrsforums
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Jul 07, 2008 22:54 |  #7

gdl357 wrote in post #5869296 (external link)
I will look into the 468 as another user said that the RC2 looks rather weak and should go with a A-S type plate.

If money is not a problem, I suggest you look at the Markins heads with RRS lever clamps and plates.


John

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gdl357
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Jul 07, 2008 22:57 |  #8

jrsforums wrote in post #5869405 (external link)
If money is not a problem, I suggest you look at the Markins heads with RRS lever clamps and plates.

yup. I see that at $269 the Q3 is worth it over the $244 468RC, both are over my budget. With shipping and duties, I will be in the $325.00 range.

But how come almost everyone has a 488RC2?


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louwphotography
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Jul 07, 2008 23:04 |  #9

Try this thread too: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=284431

I quite happily have a Markins Q3


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gdl357
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Jul 08, 2008 00:15 as a reply to  @ louwphotography's post |  #10

Well, Like I mentioned, I would have liked to keep this under $175 but as i now see, that is peanuts when it comes to ballheads.

There is one hope left as I end the 4 hours of post reading...Giottos MH3300-658!

I will read some revies of this tomorrow. At $165.00 it seems like a steal!

http://www.giottos.com​/MH-3.htm (external link)


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René ­ Damkot
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Jul 08, 2008 03:28 |  #11

gdl357 wrote in post #5869412 (external link)
But how come almost everyone has a 488RC2?

  • Manfrotto is well known
  • It's a decent ball head
  • It's not too expensive
That being said: I prefer the Markins :)

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tdodd
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Jul 08, 2008 03:38 |  #12

If you're interested in a Manfrotto 468MGRC2 then you might like to look at this thread....

https://photography-on-the.net …520790&highligh​t=468mgrc2

FWIW I've decided to stick with what I've got, for now, but I will be taking a hands off approach to shutter release when using my longer lens. At the moment that has to be with the self-timer, but I shall be getting a remote release in due course.




  
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SuzyView
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Jul 08, 2008 10:59 |  #13

I use the 488RC and it does hold the 40D with grip and 100-400, no probs. I recommend that one.


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jrsforums
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Jul 09, 2008 09:00 |  #14

gdl357 wrote in post #5869412 (external link)
yup. I see that at $269 the Q3 is worth it over the $244 468RC, both are over my budget. With shipping and duties, I will be in the $325.00 range.

But how come almost everyone has a 488RC2?

Because the 488 is a solid head...no tension control, but you can get close by adjusting the "clamping", which is what the tension control is....just easier, and with Markins, much smoother. The RC2 QRs, while not quite as good as the A-S system perform well. And the overall system is resonably priced.

If cost is a concern, I would go that way. The 488RC2 will always be able to recover ~75% of it's cost on resale if you ever decide to make the move.

BTW....if you go that direction....PM me, I think I still have a number of RC2 parts (mostly QR stuff) that I sell ya for ~50% on B&H price.


John

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gdl357
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Jul 09, 2008 18:11 as a reply to  @ jrsforums's post |  #15

I ended up buying the Giottos MH-3300 Ballhead at $200 shipped.

thx


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Tripod Ball Question - Compare as we dare
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