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Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)

Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)

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Brand: Manfrotto
Category: Photography

List Price: $137.00
Buy New: $119.00
You Save: $18.00 (13%)



New (11) Used (1)

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars 76 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 1-2 business days

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)
  • Manfrotto 200PLARCH-14 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 1/4-Inch 20 Screw (Gray)
  • Bogen - Manfrotto Electronic Shutter Release Adapter Kit for the 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head

Similar Items:

  • Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
  • Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)
  • Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning System
  • The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
  • Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Bogen Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head 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). It comes complete with a built-in bubble spirit level and quick release camera plate (standard 1/4 - 20" screw, with secondary safety pin).


Customer Reviews:   Read 71 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars Good sturdy ball head..but not quite perfect   September 30, 2008
I bought this on recommendation from a couple fellow photographers. While it is by far better then some of my previous ones, it's not quite perfect.

Pros:
- Quick attach/detach of camera
- Super quick to reorient thanks to the action grip
- Ability to change from handle grip to pistol grip
- Adjustable firmness for grip itself (not the grip on the ball, but the movement)

Cons:
- Does not grip 100% on portrait mode..slips, which is disappointing. Noticed the slip with my D300 and a 18-200 VR lens...should be able to hold that easily.
- Have to use handle facing forward or you cannot orient the camera up more then 10 degrees...put the camera on with handle facing front and you you have much more vertical control, though you have to reach around to move it.

It's a decent middle of the road ball head, but it's definitely NOT the same quality as a Really Right Stuff ballhead. But for who had $500-600 for a BH-55. :)



5 out of 5 stars stable and convienient!   September 25, 2008
I bought this head with a multi-purpose in mind. i shoot wildlife, still life and landscapes. It is by far the handiest head I've owned. forget leveling the tripod with the pan/tilt heads. A simple squeeze of the lever and level the camera. I was apprehensive when ordering as I shoot wildlife with the Sigma 50-500 (4 pounds alone) mounted on a Canon 40D with grip....pretty hefty. The head is solid and doesn't move when the lever is released. the friction adjustment works great!

I find it a slight inconvienence to take photos while panning as both the head lever and shutter button on the camera are on the same side of my body, casing me to have both my hands very near each other to pan and shoot....but its a minor thing to deal with.



5 out of 5 stars Great Tripod Head!   August 27, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a great tripod head. It has a quality build and is very versatile. It came shipped in the right-hand operation configuration (as shown), but I easily converted it to be controlled with my left hand. I found this to be a much more natural position allowing my right hand to hold the camera grip, manipulate the camera position, and fire the shutter of my DSLR.


3 out of 5 stars Nice in theory, so-so in practice   August 8, 2008
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

While the concept of a ball head adjustable with a hand-held grip is nice, in practice I have found this head to be too heavy and obtrusive when traveling. The hand-grip also requires more-than-expected force, and one's hand can quickly grow sore. I have returned this item in exchange for a much lighter and less obtrusive Gitzo ball head.


5 out of 5 stars No complaints whatsoever   July 4, 2008
This is a fun ball head to work with, very stable and has a bubble level if you need it. I'm not sure the level will do much for you if you move the mounting plate. The plate can be moved from the location on the handle shown in the picture to the base of the handle. The only reason I can imagine anyone doing that would be to get a few extra inches of height, or if you like vertically positioning your camera more than the normal horizontal so that the level worked for vertical instead of horizontal.

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