Decent tripod head

M_Six · 04-09-2011, 01:16 PM

I was cleaning out our IT storage area last week and pulled out nasty looking tripod that had canvas ammo bags taped everywhere and worm-screw clamps holding these weird plates and platforms on the legs. I stripped everything off to reveal a very nice Bogen 3100 tripod. It cleaned up nice, so now I'm going to use it. The head that was on it was obviously made to hold a large video camera, so I need a new head to use with my T1i. I don't use a tripod much, but I'd still like a decent head on it. I'm thinking about buying the Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head. Anyone use one of these? Any suggestions for something else in the same relative price range? (~$100)

Chewy734 · 04-09-2011, 01:55 PM

I have the 486RC2 and love it. I bought it nearly 2 years ago for $60.

M_Six · 04-09-2011, 02:44 PM

Just ordered it. Great reviews and I'm a noob with tripods, so I'm sure to be happy with it for the foreseeable future.

The local CL has a Nikon D3100 kit NIB for $380. Seems like a decent deal, although I really have no need for it. I'm almost suspicious of the deal.

Chewy734 · 04-09-2011, 02:47 PM

Can't go wrong with manfrotto. I liked the feel of a ball head better than a grip one.

dcstep · 04-10-2011, 07:56 PM

Keep that video head for the future. If you ever get a supertele, then you can use it for panning and steady shots.

M_Six · 04-10-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstep

Keep that video head for the future. If you ever get a supertele, then you can use it for panning and steady shots.

Yeah, it'll go back on the storage shelf. Big sucker, though. For one of those old video cameras that took full size tapes.

immiketoo · 04-10-2011, 10:01 PM

After several failed attempts at cheap tripods, I bought a carbon fiber Gitzo. Its awesome. A bit spendy though.

rodi · 04-11-2011, 12:25 AM

any photos of that old video head?

M_Six · 04-11-2011, 08:29 AM

I'll get some up. It's university property, though. Just FYI.

Weebl · 04-11-2011, 11:37 PM

I did a 468 ball head and most of the time wish it was a 229.
I wanted the larger head to support the weight and not come close to maxing out the head.

M_Six · 04-12-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi

any photos of that old video head?

Bogen 3126

Chewy734 · 04-12-2011, 05:49 PM

you steal it bro?

dcstep · 04-12-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Bogen 3126

Yeah, keep that. It'd be a decent video head. It's too clunky as a gimbal for birds in flight with a big lens, but if you decide to use the video capacities of your modern DSLR, that head would come in handy for smooth panning.

Dave

M_Six · 04-12-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy734

you steal it bro?

Nah, still sitting in my office. It'll go back on the shelf with the other extra parts. My new Manfrotto head is being delivered today, though. So I'm bringing the tripod home.

M_Six · 04-12-2011, 08:13 PM

Got the 498RC2. *Way* more substantial than I thought it would be. Very nicely made. Between the weight of the head and the sturdiness of the tripod, I won't be worrying about every little breeze that comes along.

rodi · 04-12-2011, 11:52 PM

no es fluid head. no es bueno.

04-09-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
M_Six Free Thinker 20277 Rep 7,564 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Decent tripod head I was cleaning out our IT storage area last week and pulled out nasty looking tripod that had canvas ammo bags taped everywhere and worm-screw clamps holding these weird plates and platforms on the legs. I stripped everything off to reveal a very nice Bogen 3100 tripod. It cleaned up nice, so now I'm going to use it. The head that was on it was obviously made to hold a large video camera, so I need a new head to use with my T1i. I don't use a tripod much, but I'd still like a decent head on it. I'm thinking about buying the Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head. Anyone use one of these? Any suggestions for something else in the same relative price range? (~$100) __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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04-09-2011, 01:55 PM	#2
Chewy734 Major General 504 Rep 6,798 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (15)	I have the 486RC2 and love it. I bought it nearly 2 years ago for $60. __________________ Currently for sale: [19" Linea Corse LC818 wheel], [19" Fallen FK452 tire]
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04-09-2011, 02:44 PM	#3
M_Six Free Thinker 20277 Rep 7,564 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Just ordered it. Great reviews and I'm a noob with tripods, so I'm sure to be happy with it for the foreseeable future. The local CL has a Nikon D3100 kit NIB for $380. Seems like a decent deal, although I really have no need for it. I'm almost suspicious of the deal. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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04-09-2011, 02:47 PM	#4
Chewy734 Major General 504 Rep 6,798 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (15)	Can't go wrong with manfrotto. I liked the feel of a ball head better than a grip one. __________________ Currently for sale: [19" Linea Corse LC818 wheel], [19" Fallen FK452 tire]
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04-10-2011, 07:56 PM	#5
dcstep Major General 1299 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Keep that video head for the future. If you ever get a supertele, then you can use it for panning and steady shots. __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
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04-11-2011, 12:25 AM	#8
rodi . . . 192 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	any photos of that old video head? __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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04-11-2011, 08:29 AM	#9
M_Six Free Thinker 20277 Rep 7,564 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	I'll get some up. It's university property, though. Just FYI. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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04-11-2011, 11:37 PM	#10
Weebl Weebl wobbles but eats Pie 97 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 d,2008 335i, 2000 740i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I did a 468 ball head and most of the time wish it was a 229. I wanted the larger head to support the weight and not come close to maxing out the head. __________________ Kevin Goto 2000 740i-Annalisa (sold 2018) 2008 335i-Weebl. Weebl may wobble but has DTC 2012 X5d in Sparkling Bronze ( The Ultimate Cat Carrying Machine)-RIP BMW buyback 2019:2017 A3, 2018 Audi SQ5
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04-12-2011, 05:49 PM	#12
Chewy734 Major General 504 Rep 6,798 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (15)	you steal it bro? __________________ Currently for sale: [19" Linea Corse LC818 wheel], [19" Fallen FK452 tire]
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04-12-2011, 08:13 PM	#15
M_Six Free Thinker 20277 Rep 7,564 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Got the 498RC2. Way more substantial than I thought it would be. Very nicely made. Between the weight of the head and the sturdiness of the tripod, I won't be worrying about every little breeze that comes along. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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04-12-2011, 11:52 PM	#16
rodi . . . 192 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	no es fluid head. no es bueno. __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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