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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: $114.99
You Save: $22.01 (16%)



New (15) from $114.99

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars 82 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)
  • Manfrotto 322RS Electronic Shutter Release Kit for 322RC2 Ball Head

Similar Items:

  • Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
  • Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)
  • Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System
  • The Digital Photography Book
  • Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

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 77 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars I used to loathe lugging around a tripod   November 22, 2008
I have been using a traditional, three knob tripod head for the last couple of years, and absolutely hated carrying my tripod around. In the instances where I absolutely needed to use it, it was always a chore. It was a pain to setup, and fine tuning once you had a rough composition was difficult, to say the least.

I finally replaced the old head with the Manfrotto 322RC2, and I actually enjoy using my tripod now. Composing shots is much more fluid and natural. You can readjust quickly, and have much more flexibility with positioning. I've used my tripod more in the last month with the 322RC2 than I had in the last year with the other head.

This is a great addition to any sturdy tripod legs.



5 out of 5 stars The Perfect Head for your tripod   November 21, 2008
I have a big DSLR with a battery grip, as such it is pretty heavy.

When you put on some heavy glass, especially a long telephoto lens, most heads will drop and fall under the pressure.

I originally had a panorama head (made for doing 360 degree panoramas) the problem was, I had to remove by battery grip, and only use my 50mm prime to use that pan head with my other tripod. It could not support the weight.

I use this head with this tripod (which I think is the best tripod around)
Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black) and it supports everything perfectly.

The best thing about this head is the grip, it has a level, but I don't find it to terribly useful. With the grip you can push it in and move your camera around quickly with ease. This head supports my camera with battery grip and my long telephoto lens. It never moves, it never shakes. I can go from horizontal to vertical in seconds, which is perfect for someone like me who likes to get things from as many different angles as possible.

I was recently up in the mountains (very high up) and the wind was crazy, I was shooting with a friend, he had one of those cheaper tripods with a 50 dollar head, and his tripod flipped over and he busted his camera and cracked a lens. My tripod didn't budge.

Luckily he had a backup camera, but wow, that made me happier than ever to of spent as much on this setup as I did. Your only as strong as your weakest link.

With that said, the downside is using that tripod with this head is the weight. When your doing a several hour long hike, it adds up. But in the end, its worth it. This has to be the best combo currently in existence for the nature photographer.

I highly recommend it, and if you think its a bit too expensive, think about what happened to my friend.



4 out of 5 stars Fantastic Head !   November 19, 2008
When i first saw it in one of the local stores, i decided that this is what I am gonna buy it. Absolute flexibililty in moving the head in every possible direction and you can control the friction of the ball movement with a screw. But its little heavy. I use it with my Manfrotto 190XPROB leg and I love it so far. Its a little pricy too, but worth the buck !


5 out of 5 stars high quality device   October 25, 2008
As usual this manfrotto ball head is excellent. I have owned the pistol
grip version for years and I have loved it. Unfortunately, it's frozen
on to the bogen aluminum tripod so that I can't remove it to use on my
new carbon fiber tripod. For that reason I decided to purchase this new
version for my second tripod. My collection of rapid connect plates from
the old ball head work with this new device. Needless to say, I am very
happy with my purchase.



5 out of 5 stars A Must Have Tripod Head   October 15, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Replaced my Pan Tilt head with this grip action ball head and will never go back. Action is mostly smooth and easy. (Tilting forward or back is sometimes a little sticky) but the grip is sure and unmoving. Easily holds a D300 with grip and 70-200 VR lens securely (about 6-1/2lbs).

Tension is adjustable, trigger squeeze is not too strong and the unit is easily converted to vertical or left handed use. Although I am right handed, I found that shifting the grip to the left allowed me to keep my right hand on the shutter release while moving the ball head.

Uses the same quick release plates as my other Manfrotto heads so it was an easy switch.

Heavy well built construction. High quality feel and action. Very nice product


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