Manfrotto 488 series tripod heads

[Leong23]

Thanks for your input.

You mean if i pan using 486rc2 head, the head will either get screw out or the whole tripod will move, whereas if a 488rc2 head is used, panning will not cause the head to get screw out or the whole tripod to move, as it has an individual rotation mechanism?

Yes, 488RC2 has an individual rotation mechanism for panning.

If compare between 486RC2 and 488RC2, the later is more value for money.

 

[psychobiologist]

Between the 2 manfrotto heads, I chose the 488RC2 over the 486RC2.
3 main reasons, though its ~$50-60 more ex.
- 488RC2 has a panning head, which will be useful on the XPRO manfrotto tripods' horizontal setting of the centre column.

Do you know elaborating more on the horizontal thing?

Thanks

the 486locks with one lever, one lever locking both the ball, and the head panning rotation. to pan with the 486 you have to tighten the ball very very accurately, so that it doesnt slip but allow you to pan at the same time, quite pointless. i use the 486 only on a monopod as its much more flexible and easy to set, unlike a friction head.


the 488 has a friction knob together with a locking lever, the 486 dont have friction. so 488 when you release the locking mechanism, the friction keeps the camera set up in place, thus you can pan and rotate.

 

[Henessy]

the 486locks with one lever, one lever locking both the ball, and the head panning rotation. to pan with the 486 you have to tighten the ball very very accurately, so that it doesnt slip but allow you to pan at the same time, quite pointless. i use the 486 only on a monopod as its much more flexible and easy to set, unlike a friction head.


the 488 has a friction knob together with a locking lever, the 486 dont have friction. so 488 when you release the locking mechanism, the friction keeps the camera set up in place, thus you can pan and rotate.

So the friction knob is to lock the tripod head in position, whereas the locking lever is use to pan?

Thanks

 

[psychobiologist]

So the friction knob is to lock the tripod head in position, whereas the locking lever is use to pan?

Thanks

the friction knob is to provide enough friction, so that your camera and lens set up can be adjusted easily, but when you let go, it doesnt slip

the locking lever is for you to tighten and lock the whole set up in position.

when the locking lever is released, the friction is still there, so your set up remains in position, but adjustable. panning can be done only when the locking lever is released.

 

[Henessy]

the friction knob is to provide enough friction, so that your camera and lens set up can be adjusted easily, but when you let go, it doesnt slip

the locking lever is for you to tighten and lock the whole set up in position.

when the locking lever is released, the friction is still there, so your set up remains in position, but adjustable. panning can be done only when the locking lever is released.

That means the friction must be very strong if it can hold a heavy set up in place when the locking lever is release.

So I presume the locking lever is the one used to lock your tripod head in your wanted horizontal and vertical level?

 

[psychobiologist]

That means the friction must be very strong if it can hold a heavy set up in place when the locking lever is release.

So I presume the locking lever is the one used to lock your tripod head in your wanted horizontal and vertical level?

the lock is to lock both the pan, and the ball head rigidly.

yes, friction has to be strong to hold a heavy set up in place. its possble. i use a manfrotto 468 on tripod, good friction.

 

[Henessy]

the lock is to lock both the pan, and the ball head rigidly.

yes, friction has to be strong to hold a heavy set up in place. its possble. i use a manfrotto 468 on tripod, good friction.

The friction knob is the one that is circular?

Sorry, got so many question.

Actually thought of getting the FOBA bento-m1, but it is too ex.

Not sure whether I have made the right decision in getting this 488rc2 ball head

 

[Leong23]

The friction knob is the one that is circular?

Sorry, got so many question.

Actually thought of getting the FOBA bento-m1, but it is too ex.

Not sure whether I have made the right decision in getting this 488rc2 ball head

Used to own a 488RC2, the big knob is for the ball friction. There is another small knob solely for panning.

 

[denniskee]

i think best you go down to cp and ask for help. it seems you got no clue as to the ball head's operation.

for a start, only 490series and 468series(hydrostatic) ball head are equip with an additional friction control on the ball movement to give just the right resistance and smoothness with minimum effort, even with varying weight of equipment on board.

simply put it, user to set a certain amount of pre-tension to the ball head, so incase the ball is accidentally loosen while user is not holding the camera, the camera will not "free fall" to the side (ball head can rotates in any direction).

imo, this is good to have but not a must have. i have been using 488rc0, no problem so far. users just have to be more careful.

i find when using 300mm lens with 488series, the ball head moves abit when tightening.

 

[Dithiolium]

Some of the tripods allow you to change the center column to horizontal position, forming an unusual T-shape, can be used for macros or creative positions. You can see a pic on Manfrotto webby or CP webby.
Now if you mount a 488RC2, the panning ability allows you to change the position 90° 'portrait' position lock. This gives you a ton of flexibility.
Whereas with a 486RC2 the 90° 'portrait' position lock is fixed and cannot be changed.

I like manfrotto heads cos its a good compromise of price and stability. Generic heads will have a lot of movement 'slack' after locking. Manfrotto is more stable, but still has a little 'slack'. More stable heads will cost $400+, test them and you will know the difference!

With this amount of information, you should print this thread and go to CP today to test out for yourself. Note that CP is closed Sundays

Cheers

 

[Leong23]

I like manfrotto heads cos its a good compromise of price and stability. Generic heads will have a lot of movement 'slack' after locking. Manfrotto is more stable, but still has a little 'slack'. More stable heads will cost $400+, test them and you will know the difference!

With this amount of information, you should print this thread and go to CP today to test out for yourself. Note that CP is closed Sundays

Cheers

Yes, unless you are doing lots of macro or your lens is 300mm and above, the 'slack' shouldn't be much problem.
The reason for me to sell away my 488RC2 to a better head which cost around $500 is because of the 'slack' as macro is my main focus.

As Dithiolium had mention, the best is to go down to CP and try it, CP had more shop space to try the equipment, but end of the day, you can choose to buy from other shop after trying at CP.