[orangepeel]

I'm about to go order a tripod and ball head.

Manfrotto 055PROB Tripod

Manfrotto 488RC2 MIDI BALL HEAD

Is there anything about either of those products I should know b4 buying?


cheers
peel.

[stepheno]

Can't help you there OP - I've never used a ball head but I suppose you could say you can't go wrong with Manfrotto.

[P-E]

Hi orangepeel....

I had the 055PRO but for my needs (do I lot of hiking) it was too heavy.

Not sure what the MF version is like weight wise.

I finished up selling mine and going for one of the Gitzo Basalt range.....more money but worth it for me.

[noah]

i use the 190 and the 486rc2 head, the head is brilliant, very secure. the only think i say is there's not a seperate lock for the ball and the swivel of the whole head. of course this may not worry you at all, but it's useful for panos.

[orangepeel]

cheers for the answers dudes.

Originally Posted by noah

the only think i say is there's not a seperate lock for the ball and the swivel of the whole head.

do you think one of those spirit levels that go on the flash shoe would help this?

it also says in the blurb "It features separate fast action "ratchet" locks on 360° pan and +90 -90° tilt movements" do you think this means that you can actually lock an axis?

erp. nm, i think it is covered: -

"a separate lock on the panoramic axis allows for rotation adjustment or panning to be carried out without losing framing"

[tommy]

Originally Posted by P-E

I had the 055PRO but for my needs (do I lot of hiking) it was too heavy.

I'd agree with that - and I don't hike. It's a bit of a brute, so you might want to get a shoulder bag or the like if you're intending to carry it about.


Personally I find those mini ball heads a little lightweight for everyday use - I had a 486rc2 (like noah) but relegated it to monpod use and bought a 3-way pan& tilt head to use on my 055 instead

[Joe T]

The 055PRO is great, I have the MF version which is very light indeed.

That head looks good too.

[orangepeel]

Well it all arrived this morning... 2 days to deliver! awesome. anyway,

Originally Posted by tommy

I'd agree with that - and I don't hike. It's a bit of a brute,

You and P-E have just came joint first in the European Understatement of the Year competition.

Congrats

The thing is heavier than a small child! Hell the ball head on it's own is heavier than my old tripod

Originally Posted by tommy

so you might want to get a shoulder bag or the like if you're intending to carry it about.

Hooks nicely on the bottom of my rucksack so hopefully won't be too bad

[P-E]

Wondered if you had ordered them or not.

Look forward to your review in the equipment review section