does the manfrotto 498RC2 have a bubble ?

lannes wrote in post #11495822
Lots of ball heads have bubble levels.

Really Right Stuff
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …x?code=Ballhead​40&key=cat

Markins
http://www.markinsamer​ica.com/MA5/category.p​hp?req=1

Photo Clam
http://photoclam.en.ec​21.com …ead--4521671_4521680.html

Vanguard
http://www.vanguardwor​ld.com …all+and+Pan+hea​d-145.html

Slik
http://www.thkphoto.co​m …ts/slik/slik-SBH-320.html

Slik are dumb enough to have 2

thanks a lot !
but you know i don't find here some brands like silk or berno
don't know why

mantra wrote in post #11495848
thanks a lot !
but you know i don't find here some brands like silk or berno
don't know why

buy on ebay it's cheaper.

http://shop.ebay.it …q&_nd1=See-All-Categories

http://shop.ebay.it …%2Bhead%26_arr%​3D1&_rdc=1

is there a way

SkedAddled wrote in post #11494696
The 488 head does not include a bubble level. At least, mine does not have one.
I'm fairly certain that the newer 498 head also does not include a bubble level.

thanks SkedAddled

is there a way in the 488 head to have the camera straight ?

If you want Manfrotto with bubble level, you need to look at the joystick type of ball head.

http://www.manfrotto.c​om ….31708.76901.0.​0/Joystick

mantra wrote in post #11495867
is there a way in the 488 head to have the camera straight ?

As long as you can make sure the center column of the tripod itself is vertical (typically by using a bubble level in the spyder of the tripod), it is really quite simple to level the camera with a head like Manfrotto's 488 and 498 series.

1. Level the tripod carefully.
   
2. Mount the camera and rough-level it by eye when you aim the camera at the scene.
   
3. Pick an object in the scene near the bottom or the top of the viewfinder.
   
4. Loosen the PAN LOCK (NOT the main ball) of the head so that you can swing the camera sideways.
   
5. Observe the object in the scene as you swing the camera from side to side. If the camera is level, that reference object will stay the same distance from the top or bottom of the viewfinder.
   
6. Tighten the pan lock knob.
   
7. If the camera is not quite level, adjust by loosening the main ball and repositioning the camera. Then repeat 4 through 6. That's all there is to it.

lannes wrote in post #11495876
If you want Manfrotto with bubble level, you need to look at the joystick type of ball head.

http://www.manfrotto.c​om …Heavy_Duty_Grip​_Ball_Head

The joystick heads are nowhere near as sturdy as the 498RC2 and are a lot more difficult to use in many situations. Before considering one, make sure you try it out in a store to confirm that it's what you want.

By the way - BOTH links in the post by lannes are the same. I presume that one was supposed to show the vertical joystick which is a lot worse than the horizontal in my opinion.

mantra wrote in post #11495867
thanks SkedAddled

is there a way in the 488 head to have the camera straight ?

Yes, of course:
I simply check the horizon line in my viewfinder.
I've found that this method is 100% accurate.

SkedAddled wrote in post #11501334
Yes, of course:
I simply check the horizon line in my viewfinder.
I've found that this method is 100% accurate.

thanks SkedAddled

but really don't understand what could cost to manfrotto add a bubble to this head ?
0.01$??

is normal ?

SkedAddled wrote in post #11501334
Yes, of course:
I simply check the horizon line in my viewfinder.
I've found that this method is 100% accurate.

SkipD wrote in post #11496293
The joystick heads are nowhere near as sturdy as the 498RC2 and are a lot more difficult to use in many situations. Before considering one, make sure you try it out in a store to confirm that it's what you want.

By the way - BOTH links in the post by lannes are the same. I presume that one was supposed to show the vertical joystick which is a lot worse than the horizontal in my opinion.

thanks
today i tried this head
camera 5d mk2 and 24-70 2.8 canon

and i set up the every levels tight (very tight) but when i tried to focus spot on on a small inscription (of a domestic product) the camera slip down a bit , not able to focus with accuracy on the letters

is it normal ?

thanks cheers

mantra wrote in post #11502841
thanks
today i tried this head
camera 5d mk2 and 24-70 2.8 canon

and i set up the every levels tight (very tight) but when i tried to focus spot on on a small inscription (of a domestic product) the camera slip down a bit , not able to focus with accuracy on the letters

is it normal ?

thanks cheers

Yes, this is normal. You simply need to aim a little high before tightening the knob.

If you must have absolute precision alignment of the camera, you should get a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head. It, unfortunately, is only available with the RC4 quick release system, but you won't need to use it often if you also use a 498RC2 for everyday use.

SkipD wrote in post #11503553
Yes, this is normal. You simply need to aim a little high before tightening the knob.

but the head is not very cheap
i found ball head for 20€
i expect from manfrotto just better

does the armi swiss have the same behavior ?
i guess they did invent the ball head

thanks a lot SkipD

but you did suggest that RC4 quick release system is not good for reflex .
so i should not conside that

thaks again

If you have a 7D, then you can turn the leveling indicate which shows fore and aft plus port and starboard. Again, for a single shot that is OK. But for shooting a pano series you likely want the tripod base level, then the clamp/body level...at least port and starboard. For some reason you want a bit of a lean fore and aft.

So you want a spirit level on the tripod base, and one on the clamp and/or sitting in the flash hotshoe....or built into the camera body.

mantra wrote in post #11501978
thanks SkedAddled

but really don't understand what could cost to manfrotto add a bubble to this head ?
0.01$??

More than that. The RC2 clamp used on the 498 is the basic RC2 clamp you'll get if you buy a separate 323 clamp assembly. There's basically nowhere you'd be able to put a bubble level on that clamp without it being either obscured by the camera or in the way of the clamp release mechanism. So to enable any kind of level on the 498RC2, they'd have to design a whole new clamp that would also accept (smoothly) the RC2 release plate while extending the bubble far enough out to be visible beyond the camera. And that would cost them disproportionally.

SkipD wrote in post #11503553
If you must have absolute precision alignment of the camera, you should get a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head. It, unfortunately, is only available with the RC4 quick release system, but you won't need to use it often if you also use a 498RC2 for everyday use.

mantra wrote in post #11503708
thanks a lot SkipD

but you did suggest that RC4 quick release system is not good for reflex .
so i should not conside that

I did mention that the RC4 system is not what I would normally want to use. However, if precision movement of the camera is the most important factor, the 410 geared head cannot be beaten. You'd just want to remove the QR plate when done with the session.

There are times when one must compromise.

The 498RC2 doesn't have an integral bubble level. However, the Manfrotto 190XProB legs do have a level. This works togther (for me) as a decent pair.

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