Manfrotto 498rc2 review

[skulleton]

ballhead lol

[SuperMangn]

Does it still work ?

[elbeasto71]

Do you think this would still be a decent head to get today?

Cheers :)

[cuffbertt]

Awesome review buddy! Just purchased one of these online about 20 mins ago, got a wedding to shoot in a few days and now at least I know I can count on my equipment! Lol

[edlguz]

Thank you for the video. I just bought Manfrotto 498rc2 ball head. It looks like on my sample "ball locking lever" is not doing anything. If friction knob is not tighten "ball locking lever" does not lock the ball at all. The ball still moves freely even after "ball locking lever" is in the locked position. The only way to lock the ball is to tighten the friction knob. In your video "ball locking lever" actually locks the ball. Looks like I got a defective product.

[GhostShadowXII]

This is what you call photography porn!

[appacana]

this is a very nice ball head but its so expensive

[appacana]

Good video

[charphotographer]

Really nice review. I was researching alot before picking up a new head and this is the one I chose. You know it may not be to hard to tap two small divots into the base so you could use the locking screws on tripod. I may try that on mine and let you know how it turns out

[cindyjosef]

nice review...short yet informative. thanks.

[vadimggg]

I didnt like this head, returned it to the shop.

PROs: solid quality

CONs: very awkward (and dangerous) as friction control is not constant throughout (at high point the head is very stiff and you have to tug your camera to move and as it goes at lower angles it just accelerates and drops down slamming camera and expensive lens).

OVERAL: could be ok if u using fairly light SLR with light lense.

I've tested it with canon 5D2 + 70-200 2.8 is ii with x2 extender... can be hazardous

[eagle1423]

You can buy the 498RC2 and RC4 at Teds and Camera House. We bought our 498 RC4 at camera house.

[mantrasiva]

wow thanks

is there a bubble in this head?

thanks

[eagle1423]

@mantrasiva There is no bubble level for the RC2 but with the RC4 it comes with Vertical and Horizonal Bubble Levels

[xXSinsearXx]

Very informative. Nice video.

[RockNGoalStar]

Thanks a lot for the review :-)

[hoad47]

good onya bloke.. nice review

[DownUnderVids]

Great review, how are you finding the new unlocking mechanism with the quick release plate. Do you need both hands to unlock it? I'd be worried about not having a hand on the camera at that stage. Cheers

[msowsun]

@DownUnderVids

As it is designed, it is difficult to open the release with one hand. If you have a big thumb ,you could do it with one motion. Alternatively you could force the little secondary lever past it's normal stop in either direction, and that WILL allow one handed operation. I went to the trouble of modifying the housing around the little lever so that it locks open in the "Unsafe" mode like the older RC2's.

[GAVIOLITOM]

Thanks for the review, interesting.

[zingboom01]

Really helpful review. Thanks for taking the time.

[ashluagri]

It's an amazing video. I was researching on which ball head to purchase but after seeing your video I decided to go for it and didn't even care to read the manual on how to use it coz you covered all of it. Thanks so much Philbie :D

[martinaee]

Introverder... I don't know that the 496rc2 is "faster" really than the 498, just somewhat smaller. Maybe cheaper too so if you know you NEVER will use the panning feature then get it over the 498, but I think having more ability is always good. You can actually do a lot with panning.

[robroyman1980]

Thanks mate, great review!

[imamturlu]

thank you very much

[thewanderingslaters]

Thanks for the review. I live in the country and it is hard sometimes to get an idea about products. I had been tossing up about getting this one with a manfrotto tripod. Think its a goer.

[Introverder]

Thanks anyways. I think that I give a shot Benro B-2, as it is based on the best ballheads on the market like Markins and seems to have better stability and functionality (for half a price, maybe not as stable as Markins but seems to be fair enough for the price).

[cl1973]

Thanks for the review. This is exactly what I needed to know. I'm pairing this head with the Gitzo 1541 Traveler tripod. I think it'll be a good setup.

[Introverder]

Thanks - firstly - I was going to buy this ballhead BUT after thinking that the panning-knob would be more like the pain in the ass (and that I would rarely use it either) I think that I go now for 496RC2, which is lighter, much faster and cheaper (but in this case it's not the primary matter, as I can also get 498RC2, just the convenience matters..).

BUT still I consider if buying KJ-0 wouldn't be a good solution for me, any experience?

[philbie000]

No idea, actually -

[Shindigish]

Great review. Thanks alot.

[Introverder]

and of course I meant 0,895 kg, which is 895 g :);).

[Introverder]

Thank you very much for this review :).

How much weight do you think it can handle (I mean to sustain stability and comfortness of usage)?

50D + 70-300 IS or Sigma 150 Macro (0,895g) won't be a problem to use?

And also have you put C 100-400 4.5-5.6L or 400/5.6L on it?

[philbie000]

a 50d with a 70-300 lens , no problems at all. I run the canon version and it works a treat. I also had the battery pack on it too.

A 100-400 should also be fine, however I haven't tested it.

[Tweak589]

This will be very similar to the setup I am buying soon. I have a manfrotto tripod with the standard 3-way tilt which I've absolutely loved, however adjusting gets to be a step-by-step process and I really wish I had purchased this ball head instead. It will greatly help me with the freedom of movement, especially for panning shots and movie making. Thanks for this review. Appreciated.

[AIexM]

Thanks for the review! got mine today and i love it :P

[spearmintmonkey]

Nice review.

Just purchased the 322RC2 and this is the next one I'll order.

[go278]

Excellent product demo. Thanks! 498rc2 is a new product and I couldn't find any good review over the internet.

I just ordered "Manfrotto Bogen 190XPROB Tripod W/ 498RC2 & 190 Bag Kit" from eBay.

[canadianpower1]

Very good review. Thanks a lot for sharing. ;-)