Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System $59.95 Sturdy all-metal construction -The double 90-degree groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up -The compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads -This head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully -A repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mechanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob -A convenient single locking mechanism blocks or frees movement on all axes for greater speed of use
Maximum load capacity: 13.2 pounds Head height: 4 inches Pan: 360 degrees Tilt: -90 to +90 degrees Material: Aluminum Independent pan lock: No Quick release: Yes Secondary safety system: Yes Plate type: 200PL-14 Attachment (bottom): 3/8-inch female thread Attachment: 1/4-inch screw Weight: 1 pound
Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N) $94.95 -Sturdy all-metal construction. -The double 90-degree groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up. -The compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads. -This head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully. -A repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mechanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob. -A separate lock on the panoramic axis allows for rotation adjustment or panning to be carried out without losing framing.
Maximum load capacity: 17.6 pounds Head height: 4.25 inches Pan: 360 degrees Independent pan lock: Yes Tilt: -90 to +90 degrees Quick release: Yes Plate type: 200PL-14 Attachment (bottom): 3/8" female thread Attachment: 1/4" screw Weight: 1.48 pounds
johnny98 said: These are good heads (in this price range) for outdoor photography, but the prices are not hot. B&H has the same prices.
not defending the deal but the only thing i can think of is they both have instant rebates through the end of the year so they are cheaper than normal.
that makes the 486RC2 cheaper than the 484RC2. Why didnt they reduce the price on the 484RC2? Thats the one I needed. Should I just get the 486RC2? I'm concerned about the heavier weight. I want to replace the head on my Velbon 540 tripod that I got in a previous deal.
Ball heads work well for outdoor or action photography because they let you fix and lock the head position quickly. For video of moving subjects, pan-and-tilt heads are much easier to control smoothly.
littlepigs said: ordered one along with a 3/8 - 1/4 thread reducer to use for my velbon. thanks op.
Be careful of using a big head on a small tripod because: 1. heavy head may cause vibration on a lightweight tripod 2. small tripod may not have much space for the head on top (so the head can rest directly on the tripod legs with the controls easy to access)
Also, tripod heads often come with a reducer for use on amateur-grade tripods. I've never seen a 486 head, so don't really know how big it is or what accessories it comes with. The product description should have detailed specs.
Yeah I really wanted the 484rc2 but how can I pay full price? If the tripod gets shaky or too heavy I guess I'll return it. And is the 486 really considered "big"? It's their 2nd smallest ballhead.
MISURICK said: a-max said: Not useful for video, FYI.
where did you see a "video" reference?! This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
a-max said: This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
A good, stable tripod is valuable for: - Macro photography - Working with long zooms where the slightest movement is magnified and makes a shot unusable - Situations where you want the background to be the same in every frame, such as taking outdoor portraits of a youth sports team - Panorama shots where you will be stitching together multiple images
That said, I do agree with you somewhat that you don't need to spend a fortune on your tripod. But the cheap, lightweight aluminum ones are not worth it either. Find a good mid-priced setup like the Vanguard Alta series and you should be good to go.
Amateur photographers take almost all their photos in bright sunlight when a tripod is least useful. Pro photographers take almost all their photos in lower light situations like early morning, late evening, indoors, or in shaded forests. In these situations, a tripod can be very useful. Pro photographers generally use much bigger cameras (and bigger lenses) than amateurs, so a solid tripod head is especially useful.
i use my manfrotto for night shots, shots of fireworks, etc...anything that requires an exposure that I can't get handheld.
since most consumers are shooting with crop cameras, camera shake/motion blur happens much easier. 1/focal length x crop factor is the general rule with handholding. so a 200mm lens on a crop needs a shutter speed 1/320 or faster.
and the worse the conditions, the stronger the tripod needs to be. i use a Slik portable when traveling or in calm conditions the rest of the year. my manfrotto only comes out when it needs to.
I read somewhere, Stability, low price and light weight. You pick any 2.
rukkie
Tired Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2009 @ 5:51p
a-max said: MISURICK said: a-max said: Not useful for video, FYI.
where did you see a "video" reference?! This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
Tripods are tripods. They're designed to keep your camera steady, and keep your camera still. There are a lot of situations when you want your camera in place at least for me, a wedding photographer. For example, shooting all the way in the back of a church that will buy me many stops of light that translates to depth of field if I wanted wide, or if I am restricted to one area because of the church rules that's when I need a tripod to shoot 200mm or above. I do need it for macro photography - to ensure I nail the focus spot on, and to keep the camera in place when I adjust the positions of the subject, wedding rings for example. The tripod can keep the camera in place for group photos when I walk up to the crowd to direct, and a good and sturdy one can keep it from kids knocking it over easily and a good ball head can make life much easier when I need to make quick and fine adjustments. The tripod also enables you to do creative things, slowing the shutter and capturing motion with the background still and the subject moving, or even do that with rapid flash firing or capturing light movements.
I don't think I need to go further if we're talking about landscape or wildlife photographers... Tripods are tripods; vibration reduction (or image stabilization is image stabilization for Canon). They're designed for different purposes. =)
rukkie
Tired Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2009 @ 5:52p
I don't see it for $59.95 thou... I was going to buy another one to replace mine that's aging a little bit.
a-max said: MISURICK said: a-max said: Not useful for video, FYI.
where did you see a "video" reference?! This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
I'm guessing that you don't do much "still" photography. I rarely shoot anything that's not off of a tripod and I think you'll find that's not at all unusual among a variety of photographers who are concerned with getting the best possible image quality. About the only time that I don't is for candid shots and informal travel photos. As great as VR/IS is these days, and it is great for hand-held shots in lower light, it doesn't make up for everything and it just doesn't come close to crystal results that you get from a rock solid mount (and remote release, shutter delay, etc.). Once you get used to that level of clarity and detail, it's real hard to go back to not using one for any situations where you can. Pretty much, if it's worth bringing the cameras then it's worth bringing the tripod if I can manage it. And as others have said they are necessary for positioning the camera precisely and for maintaining positioning when doing macro, long lens, as well as other still work where that matters regardless of light and stabilization.
a-max said: MISURICK said: a-max said: Not useful for video, FYI.
where did you see a "video" reference?! This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
If you don't understand the utility of a tripod, you really shouldn't be offering an opinion on them. I'd offer that 99% of all still photos would benefit from the use of a good tripod.
skidmark said: a-max said: MISURICK said: a-max said: Not useful for video, FYI.
where did you see a "video" reference?! This will invite flames, but I fail to see the value of a high-priced tripod for still photography because (1) 99% of still photography doesn't need a tripod given advances in light sensitivity and optical+electronic image stabilization; (2) the real innovation in tripods has to do with fluid heads and embedded zoom, etc. controls -- no value to still photography there at all.
If these were carbon fiber tripods with super light weight, then I could see the appeal to still photographers, but you just don't need one of these for basically almost everything you snap photos of. I suspect that 0.1% of the buyers are serious wildlife photographers.
If you don't understand the utility of a tripod, you really shouldn't be offering an opinion on them. I'd offer that 99% of all still photos would benefit from the use of a good tripod.
Further, if someone uses a cheap, lightweight tripod, they will be highly upset when the tripod gets nudged or bumped, and the expensive camera with expensive lens hits a rock or the pavement on the way down. For me, a heavy tripod protects my investment in a $1400 DSLR and several thousand in lenses. Compared to that, the $250 I spent on the tripod+head isn't that much.
A heavy tripod will also not flinch if it's windy, and the lighter, thin aluminum ones can dent or bend very easily, as I discovered (that one now holds one of my flashes if I use it off-camera). I've smacked the dickens out of my Manfrotto (hiking, traveling), and it's still going strong.
yikes just received my 486rc2.. its feels alot heavier than I imagined. I knew it was 1 pound before I bought it but it just feels heavier in my hand. now i wish i got the 484rc2 instead. should have listened to you johnny98.
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