Reading mode: Light Dark

Bogen Ballhead differences?

Go to last post
R

rajjneef

Well-known member
Messages
119
Reaction score
0
Location
GA, US
Im guessing this might be the best place for this question. Im in need of a tripod and have a few questions concerning the bogens. Im looking to spend up to say $250 for a tripod & head. Im needing this for some T&I portraits for sports teams. Shoot will be outside on the field. Im considering the Bogen 488RC4 & 488RC2 heads. They have different quick release plates. What is the difference with these and your opinions? I dont see me using this tripod for alot of stuff as I am mostly doing action sports. Thanks for any help on this!
--
Atlanta

Canon 20D, 300 2.8 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS, 17-40L, 50 1.4, 580ex flash, 'That Grip', and a nikon 995
 
rajjneef said:
Im guessing this might be the best place for this question. Im in
need of a tripod and have a few questions concerning the bogens. Im
looking to spend up to say $250 for a tripod & head. Im needing
this for some T&I portraits for sports teams. Shoot will be outside
on the field. Im considering the Bogen 488RC4 & 488RC2 heads. They
have different quick release plates. What is the difference with
these and your opinions? I dont see me using this tripod for alot
of stuff as I am mostly doing action sports. Thanks for any help on
this!
Click to expand...
I prefer the RC4. It's large, sturdy, and can take a bit of abuse. And RC4 has a bubble level on the QR plate, so your team portraits will be level (it's subtle, but adds an "aura of quality" that sells more prints).

Both the RC2 and RC4 have safety release features, you can't throw the big release lever until you move the safety lever first, keeping you from accidentally "ejecting" your camera. But the RC2 safety is a small brass thing that is tricky to work, the RC4 had a big puchbutton release that won't trip accidentally, but is easy to trip when you actually want to use it.

Now, have you considered the 322RC2 head? It's back to the RC2 release, but the head has a bubble level so one RC2 "annoyance" is cured. I mention the 322RC2 because it is a sturdy side grip trigger release head that you can also use for some action sports work. Even if you prefer handheld or monopod shooting, a "sports ball" gives you something to fall back on when the lens gets long or the light gets bad.

--

Salvage troll posts! When you see a thread started by a troll, post something useful to it. It will drive the trolls up the wall. ;)

Ciao!

Joe

http://www.swissarmyfork.com
 
What is the actual size of the RC4 plate, the one that attaches to the camera?
 
--
aperture is a beautiful thing , it allows us to see the world we live in !

Try and get a good second hand monfrotto , there worth it ?

simon
 
I would encourage you to find a way to try them both on your camera. I found that the "hex" head tightned better to my camera. But neither one is anywhere as good as a custom plate with an Arca swiss type plate.

I know you don't want to spend much money on something you may not use much, but all I can say is that if you buy a tropid/head that does not hold the cmera steady you won't use it at all.

The other problem with these "universal" plates is that if you shoot much in portrait position (vert camera) these plates cannot be tightned down enough to prevent camera droop. A custom plate has small flanges that fit arounf the botom of the camea that prevent drooping. All you have to do is overtighten a baseplate once and crack the bottom of your camera to pay for a decent Arca type plate and head.

Robert
--
http://www.streamlinestudio.com
 
Can anyone shed a little more light on the 488RC0 version of this head?

Quick recent history: I bought the 3021BPRO Bogen/Manfrotto tripod legs along with the 488RC4 head. In addtion, I bought a 3822 Elbow Bracket. Needless to say, I got the bracket and realized it didn't fit on my head. So I sent the bracket back thinking I had just made a mistake in thinking I needed the bracket. Within 48 hours I came to the realization that I really did want that bracket and that what I should have done was return the 488RC4 and replaced it with the 488RC0. Well, now I've sent the 488RC4 back (thank you B & H for being so understanding) with the intention of buying back the 3822 Elbow Bracket and the 488RC0.

The longer I chew on all this the more concerned I get about making sure I'm making the best decision I can for my needs. I'll use the ball head and bracket in a studio environment for part of the time. But I will certainly use the head and maybe the bracket in outdoor settings.

I'm simply trying to get the best combination for my current budget. The 488RC0 and 3822 combination is about $160-170 US.

Am I missing something regarding the selection of the correct head? Is there an entirely difference configuration that I should be considering? I'm happy with the tripod legs. I also bought the 680B Monopod and 3229 Monopod head.

Do I sound confused!!!

--
Scott
Frisco, TX
 
I have an older version of what I'll list here as my suggestion

Manfrotto 488RC0 MIDI BALL HEAD Tripod head or the 468MGRC0

I suggest these because the base plate just is more substantial in my eyes. I like the locking system, too. But having said that, yesterday on this forum I was saying I wished I'd spent more money for a smoother ball mechanism than the Bogen/Manfrotto because more money is what a smoother head requires. I described the Bogen as "clunky" in use.

I think the HYDROSTATIC heads are an attempt to answer to clunkiness, but haven't used one.

There's a thought you might want to hang on to here. I'm sorry I bought the head I did 10 years ago, although it was around 100-120 dollars, because it's not very smooth or well damped (the ball locking mechanism lets go) and the camera moves unexpectedly. Save you money a bit longer and buy a better ball head than you are currently considering.

I use a big Cambo head ($500+) on my salon stand and the difference is other worldly. If you could save for one of the $250 heads, you'd be happy you did.

--
jrbehm
http://web.mac.com/jrbehm/iWeb/Site/Truchas,%20NM.html
 
--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top