Manfrotto 322RC2 Joystick Head Short | 
 enlarge | Brand: Manfrotto
Category: Photography
Buy New: $129.90
New (15) Used (2) from $110.00
Rating:  127 reviews
Media: Electronics
Maximum Weight Recommendation (lbs): 11
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 6 x 4 x 4
Warranty: 2-Year Warranty + Additional 3-Years after Registering Online or by Mail
MPN: 322RC2
Model: 322RC2
UPC: 719821236429
EAN: 0719821236429
ASIN: B000184N22
Release Date: April 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Features:
| • | Unblock, move, position and lock your camera with one hand in one position | | • | Revolutionary grip handle design with ball lock lever | | • | Friction control wheel regulates power of the blocking mechanism to match the weight of your camera and lens | | • | Built-in bubble spirit level and quick release camera plate | | • | Load capacity of 11 pounds; 5.5 pound capacity when in the vertical position |
|
| Accessories:
Manfrotto BOGEN 3157N Quick Release Connect Plate RC2 | 
Bogen - Manfrotto Rapid Connect Mounting Plate 3/8" replaces 3157A and 3266A QR Plates. For 3030, 3130, 3130G, 3160, 3229, 3265, 3265G, 3262QR, 3299, 2916QR, 3435QR, 3407, 3413QR, 3437 and 3405 Tripod (Spare) | 
Manfrotto 200PLARCH-38 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 3/8-Inch Screw (Gray) | 
Flashpoint Pistol Style Ball Head with QR Platform Plate, Supports 8 lbs. | 
Manfrotto 322RS Electronic Shutter Release Kit for 322RC2 Ball Head |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Take the versatility of a ball head, add true ergonomic control and you get the 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ballhead!The 322RC2 is unique in that it allows you to unblock, move, position and lock your camera with one hand in one position. This is due to the revolutionary design of its grip handle which incorporates the ball lock lever. A friction control wheel lets you regulate the power of the blocking mechanism to match the weight of your camera and lens. The 322RC2 is made from magnesium for lightweight performance, and is designed to keep the weight of your equipment as close as possible to the tripod's center of gravity by way of its reduced height. It is this fact, matched with the precision construction of the 322RC2 that gives the head its load capacity of 11 lbs (5.5lb capacity when in the vertical position).The 322RC2 comes complete with a built-in bubble spirit level and quick release camera plate (standard 1/4 - 20" screw, with secondary safety pin).The 322RC2 is suitable for use with 35mm or medium format cameras. In addition, you can also mount the 322RS shutter release accessory. The 322RS is a world's first. With its remote control electronic camera shutter release, the 322RC2 becomes the only photographic head available today that can put camera control within reach without having to move your hand from the head grip to the camera body.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 127
 Disappointing March 7, 2010
j . p . f (San Francisco, CA United States)
I like the idea of a quick release tripod head that can be shifted rapidly, but this head just has too much give. Anything over two pounds and there is noticeable shift. Now I must say that I am pretty damn anal. I do think you get your money's worth with this head at <$150, but if you are doing serious photography you need to be looking at investing a bit more.
 A great ball-head from a great company! March 5, 2010
sh00bie (Virginia, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Manfrotto 322RC2 ball-head is great. It's convenient to use, does as marketed, and is well built. Most of the head is metal, so it's a little on the heavy side, but not by much. Everything seems to be well thought-out and executed. There are mounting holes for the camera mount all over this thing! There's locations for mounting the camera plate bracket on both sides, PLUS the end of the handle itself. The bracket can be mounted in three positions (level, and at a slight angle one way or the other) to get the grip handle in the best position for your use. Mounting the bracket is done with hex-head machine screws, and Manfrotto has included rubber inserts that go into the bracket mounting holes that aren't in use so they don't get dirt in them. Very nice. An allen-wrench is included so you don't need anything to get started with this.
The bracket for the camera mount plate is very sturdy and has a safety lock to prevent you from accidentally unlocking the camera from the head.
Adjusting the tension on the ball-head is cake with the adjustment wheel on the grip. There's also a spirt-level right on the grip, so getting shots level on the ball-head is easy, too!
Downsides? Well, the grip-lever is a bit big and firm, so if you have small hands or your grip strength is light, you might have trouble with this. However the lever is long so working it from the far end makes things a lot easier. Also the "clutch" for the ball-head seems to engage or disengage only when the grip is pulled in all the way, so doing minor adjustments can be an exercise in patience/practice. The head is great for quick-moving work like sports, or just moving the frame around quickly without having to tighten and un-tighten anything. Macro-photographers will probably get frustrated with this just because it is a little difficult to do small adjustments.
As with any tripod head, it's a good idea to check out the manufacturer's website to ensure the threading for the head fits your tripod. This head fit on all my Manfrotto tripods/monopods perfectly, but that would only make sense. My 322RC2 is currently mounted on Manfrotto's 055XPROB tripod and I love it.
Great idea, poor implementation. February 24, 2010
A. Garcia (South Florida)
I had great hopes for this device. The idea of having a gripped head on which I could place my left hand, while maneuvering the camera with my right had great apeal. The problem is it's not a fluid movement. This device tends to "stick" badly once you let go of the grip. No amount of adjustment on the friction wheel helped. This leads me to believe it is a function of the material used to provide the "grasp" within the pivot ball. It's simply a great idea which has been designed and implemented poorly.
Secondly, there is quite a bit of sag when you let go of the grip as well, forcing you to constantly recompose for the right shot. This constant sag together with the "stickiness" of the movement cause this grip to fight you all the way.
As for the RC2 plate and locking mechanism, I have no complaints. It is solid and reliable. I use my DSLR with a grip, and a 300mm lens without worry of it falling off. The RC2 system works fine.
Do yourself a favor and buy a good ball head instead. Manfrotto makes some good heads, unfortunatley this gripped head is not one of them.
Worth spending money for its ease of use January 26, 2010
geridoc (USA)
I have had cheapo tripods-but I never used them after one or two tries. It was too hard to change orientation etc. I bought this along with the Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod. I tried to find some reviews on tripods and very quickly learned that they were expensive. Ouch! I am an amateur so that ruled out carbon fiber tripods as way too expensive. I also quickly learned that you had to buy the head and tripod separately for the good ones. Never expected that the head would be as expensive as the tripod! I was still not sure what to get and so I decided that I would take a chance and buy them based on recommendations made in a digital photo book that I liked: The Digital Photography Book
Joystick head:
Pros: If you have never used a joystick head on a tripod, this will come as a pleasant surprise! I was a little nervous since I was not sure what to expect-I had only read reviews on it. But it was what I expected: It was very quick and easy to use. Speed was my biggest hangup with other tripods. I really didnt want to have to fiddle with knobs and things umpteen times to get the camera at the right angle prior to working on focus and other important things. With this joystick, you only need one hand to move the camera around at various angles. Great!!!!.
Cons: It is a bit heavy and somewhat large but otherwise works great.
 Great Ball head! January 23, 2010
Tram Truong (Sacramento)
I got this head to go with my Manfrotto 190PROXB tripod. What an awesome combo that worked out to be. I'd have to agree that the cons of this head is the slightly sticky grip at the beginning of movement, as well as minute changes of the head can be a hassle. I love the speed & ease of use of this head.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 127
|
|
|
