CactusJuice
Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release
Sorry for the crummy photo. I returned this for the Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 054 Magnesium Ball Head. It wasn't until after the return that I realized the photo could have been better. Ooops.
The Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head cost $74 new from Amazon. It's a decent entry level ball head. IMO you get what you pay for -- but nothing more. It feels sort of "unpolished" for lack of a better word. For example, the quick release lever is just unfinished aluminum. I think what disappointed me most was the ball itself. It seemed really small. And I detected some slight movement when locking down my camera (when it was mounted with a large lens). Also, the safety on the quick release was this tiny pin. The process of pressing the safety pulling on the quick release tab was awkward.
I had this mounted on the 190CXPRO3 carbon fiber tripod. The pieces looked mismatched; probably because they are from two different product generations.
Let me clear, this review is not to knock the 496RC2. It is a capable ball head for the price and size. For me though, I found I was happier (and poorer) having switched to the MH054M0-Q2.
Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release
Sorry for the crummy photo. I returned this for the Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 054 Magnesium Ball Head. It wasn't until after the return that I realized the photo could have been better. Ooops.
The Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head cost $74 new from Amazon. It's a decent entry level ball head. IMO you get what you pay for -- but nothing more. It feels sort of "unpolished" for lack of a better word. For example, the quick release lever is just unfinished aluminum. I think what disappointed me most was the ball itself. It seemed really small. And I detected some slight movement when locking down my camera (when it was mounted with a large lens). Also, the safety on the quick release was this tiny pin. The process of pressing the safety pulling on the quick release tab was awkward.
I had this mounted on the 190CXPRO3 carbon fiber tripod. The pieces looked mismatched; probably because they are from two different product generations.
Let me clear, this review is not to knock the 496RC2. It is a capable ball head for the price and size. For me though, I found I was happier (and poorer) having switched to the MH054M0-Q2.