Manfrotto Hydrostatic Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (468MGRC2)

I really like this ball head. I have used several mechanical type over the years but this is the first hydrostatic. I wanted a Markins or Arca Swiss but I just couldn't see spending that much more money for one of those brands. A friend of mine bought one of these first and he was in love so I bought one as well. It does feel a little "grainy" when you move it but overall it's still better than the others I've had.

I could not decide between this tripod head and the Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2. I ordered them both for comparison, and this is the one I will keep. My camera is a Canon 7D, and this head is built to accommodate my camera and the bigger models available. One of the things I don't like about the MH054M0-Q2 is that it has plastic parts built into the head. Also, the panoramic dial is mostly stuck and requires a lot of force to make it move. It has three adjustment knobs on it, and it is a little confusing as to which knobs do what. The lock for the camera plate seems a little bit insecure. The two ball heads seem to weigh about the same.Comparatively, the 468MGRC4 ball head is intuitively easier to use. It is also more adaptable to future use with different types of equipment. It comes with two different sizes of camera screws, and the camera mounting plate has a couple of places where you can screw other stuff onto it. Also, when you attach your camera to the plate, you can slide the plate forward and back to balance the camera/lens combo you are using. It does not have a handle on the screw that goes into the camera, and the screw is not as easy to use as the Q2 style. You must keep a quarter on you to tighten the camera screw when you mount it to the plate.The plate is easy to mount on the head, but requires some effort to unlock. There is a lever that unlocks the plate, and there is a locking button on the end of the lever. You must depress the locking button and push the lever at the same time, and when you do the plates pushes off straight up. This mechanism is pretty stiff, at least when new.The panorama swivel is relatively easy to operate, and the mechanism that operates the ball head is simple and straightforward to use. One simple twist releases the lock on the ball, and it is very easy to adjust the tension knob that is mounted right on the ball locking knob. The tension knob clicks between its settings and goes quickly from loose to firm. This is the knob that keeps the camera from drooping while you are changing its position, and when you find the right angle you just twist the locking knob about 1/4 turn to secure it, without changing your grip. You won't have to look at the head or go hunting for levers or knobs in order to use this head. There are two bubble levels on the head; one for landscape and one for portrait.I would recommend that you also purchase the Manfrotto L Bracket RC4 MS050M4-RC4 while you are setting up your rig. The 468MGRC4 ball head will allow you to reposition your camera to portrait position, but the camera will be off balance and the shot will be from a different viewpoint than it was when in landscape position. The L bracket makes it possible to simply snap your camera off the tripod head, then re-place it on top of the tripod at 90 degrees from its former position, with the lens centered in the same place, and the whole rig balanced and not prone to drooping. My former Manfrotto head drooped a bit in portrait position no matter what the tension on the ball.I am very pleased with this purchase, and I look forward to using it for years to come.

I had this ballhead for a few weeks. I thought the construction of the head was excellent. Superbly designed and crafted. Where it all falls apart for me is the Bogen RC2 rapid connect system. It just does not work well with heavy gear, and items twist. So, use the architectural plates you say? Great idea! I bought a bunch on to find that they do NOT work with many tele lens feet. Just not heavy duty enough rapid connect system for a ballhead of the caliber. If this head was available without the RC2, I think it would be a bargain if you could add an arca-swiss-type clamp to it.

The Manfrotto 468MGRC4 Hydrostatic Ball head a dream. It only requires slight pressure by twisting the knob and it locks the head. No locking and having the camera and lens slowly drift as you're trying to make a shot because of not enough locking torque. The quality is built into every aspect of this head, with a magnesium die cast body it can support a load up to 35lb. The head allows panning and with a release of the ball, one can choose any elevation as well as rotate the lens/camera 90 deg. left or right of center.I choose the RC4 mounting system. It provides a larger base with added support for a lens and comes with a safety lock, preventing accidental releases and thus possible dropping. It also comes with bobble levels on the top and another on the side. The previous head I owned had the RC2 mount, which I didn't like--not enough support and accidental release possible. The 468MG can be purchased with 6 different mounts configurations, from--RC0-RC5.Other reviewers have said that this head is heavy. I don't agree. Its weight to load weight is comparable to others costing twice the price without the Hydro fluid system. It will mount to any tripod with a 3/8" male post [head has 3/8" female socket]. My tripod also has three (3) set screws on the bottom to help lock the head once screwed onto the post.I spent months looking at ball heads, some costing 2 to 3 times the cost of this head. I purchased this head because of the quality and cost. I have other Bogen/Manfrotto hardware and have never been disappointed. I made the right choice.

Let me start by saying I shoot alot of different things; take a look at my website jamesedward.com to get a better idea of my range. I shoot with a Nikon D700 and invest in top of the line gear.I bought this head after trying a couple of the other Manfrotto ball heads. This head sits on top of the PROCX3; I went with the carbon tripod because this head is pretty hefty and sturdy and carries some weight so I offset it with a carbon tripod. Please note, I typically don't use a tripod unless shooting architecture or long shutter images.I know this is pricey, but I have yet to be disappointed by Manfrotto products. The ability to simply twist a knob with the least bit of effort to tighten and ease tension makes it incredibly easy to adjust and set up my shot. I've tried the hand trigger and using that thing is like getting a forearm workout. I've tried the dual lever one and it it was okay, but just wasn't as elated at the ease of this hydrostatic head. I did exchange this RC4 plate for the smaller RC2 plate though and I love it!There are three different variations that support different quick connect plates, make sure to get the right one for your needs.

First class ball head. very stable. Highly recommended.

High quality, durability and functionality. Very solid and stable.

No soporta un lente 70-200 con cámara en posición vertical, aun el sistema rc2 es mucho mejor y mas fiable que este Q6, definitivamente le falto trabajo de diseño e ingeniería para hacerlo un cabezal resistente. AL hacer una observación minuciosa se ve que el plato descansa de manera uniforme sobre la base, el botón de plástico se observa frágil, no da confianza. Intente cambiar el sistema de liberación a un rc4 y no se puede, la base del sistema tiene una ranura que lo hace incompatible con otros sistemas manffroto, es útil solo para fotografía horizontal o lentes de poco peso, por otro lado el plato que soporta la cámara es de metal sin goma, en contacto con la cámara la desgasta y deja marcas, a diferencia de otros sistemas de manfrotto donde el plato tiene una base de goma que evita el contacto directo entre el metal de la cámara y el del plato, con que definitivamente no es recomendable, por el mismo precio es posible conseguir otros sistemas mas consistentes.

Der Kugelkopf von Manfrotto zeigt eine hohe Präzision und Funktionalität. Besonders positiv überrascht hat mich die Befestigung am Stativ, da ein versehentliches Herunterdrehen aufgrund der zusätzlichen Arretierung von unten mit 3 Schrauben der Vergangenheit angehört. Die Kamera lässt sich mit wenig Kraft und wenig Drehweg bombenfest fixieren und wieder lösen, die Schnellwechselplatte, die an der Kamera befestigt wird, besitzt eine rutschfeste Auflage für die Kamera und rastet perfekt via Klick-Montage am Stativkopf ein. Die Schraube, mit der die Platte kameraseitig befestigt wird, lässt sich mit praktisch allen Münzen drehen, was äußerst sinnvoll ist. Die Arretierung der Platte am Kopf lässt sich nicht zu leicht lösen, was im Hinblick auf ein versehentliches Ausklinken und nachfolgendem Schaden an der Kamera sehr sinnvoll ist. Die Drehung des Kopfes um die vertikale Achse (d.h. horizontal) wird durch die Konstruktion gebremst, weshalb sehr ruhige (und langsame) Drehungen möglich sind. Auf diese Weise lässt sich der Kopf auch zum Filmen verwenden, sofern nur horizontal geschwenkt werden soll. Die Arretierung des Kugelkopfes greift so präzise, dass beim Festschrauben keine Verdrehung der Kamera erfolgt und somit sehr präzise ausgerichtet werden kann. Eine zusätzliche Libelle an der Oberseite ergänzt evtl. Libellen am Stativ.Bei all der Funktionalität und Stabilität muss einiges an Gewicht und Preis in Kauf genommen werden, lohnt sich aber, insbesondere bei schweren Stativen und hochauflösenden Kameras, allemal.

Ne avevo già una e l'ho ricomprata uguale... che dire? La migliore testa sul mercato a mio parere! In tanti anni di utilizzo non ha perso in solidità, fermezza e precisione. La uso anche per astrofotografia con inseguitore ed è fantastica... per non dire indispensabile!