Which Manfrotto head

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I've got a Manfrotto 055CL Tripod with a 460Mg and #168 Ball and socket head. I know the 460Mg has a maximum weight of 3Kg which isn't enough for the 300mm f2.8 I have arriving in a few weeks and my 5D (3.58Kg with 1.4x teleconverter).

The #168 may take it but it doesn't have a bubble level and is a bit cumbersome. Which head should I consider?
 
seems to just be a less aestetically pleasing version of the 808 so i guess will be just as good, i find having a play with them in a local shop helpful get a good feel for the way it moves
 
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You might want to note that your Manfrotto 055CL tripod has a max weight of 6Kg, so getting a head that supports more than this may be a waste unless you are planning on getting a more heavy duty tripod in the future.
 
messiah khan said:
You might want to note that your Manfrotto 055CL tripod has a max weight of 6Kg, so getting a head that supports more than this may be a waste unless you are planning on getting a more heavy duty tripod in the future.
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good point, but if he is just holding the kit above which is around 6kg then gettin a head over that is ok so that later on he can get a more heavy duty set of legs and not need to upgrade the head again. Best to get the heavy duty head now while he is thinking about gettin one then legs later when needed
 
ichabod crane said:
good point, but if he is just holding the kit above which is around 6kg then gettin a head over that is ok so that later on he can get a more heavy duty set of legs and not need to upgrade the head again. Best to get the heavy duty head now while he is thinking about gettin one then legs later when needed
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I agree, I was just pointing out that if he was to get a head that supported say 12kg, then he would still be restricted to a 6Kg max load. But your right in that he might as well get a good heavy duty one now incase more heavy lenses etc are going to be used.
 
If you dont mind a ball head, then the 488RC4 is a cracking head. 2 spirit levels, large quick release plate(the reason i bought it) plus independent pan. Will take up to 8kg. Mine is fitted to a set of 055Pro legs.
 
messiah khan said:
You might want to note that your Manfrotto 055CL tripod has a max weight of 6Kg, so getting a head that supports more than this may be a waste unless you are planning on getting a more heavy duty tripod in the future.
Click to expand...
Good point although the Manfrotto site quotes 7KG for the 055CL. I assume the head weight is part of this.
 
Shoei said:
If you dont mind a ball head, then the 488RC4 is a cracking head. 2 spirit levels, large quick release plate(the reason i bought it) plus independent pan. Will take up to 8kg. Mine is fitted to a set of 055Pro legs.
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I think I've just found my head. I was going to get the 322RC2 but I was worried about the panning. the 488RC4 seems to be the one for me :)

Panzer
 
Panzerbjorn said:
I think I've just found my head. I was going to get the 322RC2 but I was worried about the panning. the 488RC4 seems to be the one for me :)

Panzer
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Yup, 322RC2 is useless for panning with a heavy lens in my experience. :)
 
As much as I like my 322RC2, the main problem I have found with it is that it sometimes 'sticks' a bit when trying to tilt up or down. Normally this doesn't matter a great deal, but when doing macro stuff its just not quite accurate enough. I think I might get a tilt and pan head sometime as well as macro rails.
 
I've got the 488RC4 and it's very good, versatile and quick. However, I think I'd like a geared 3-way to slow me down somewhat ;)

Things about the 488RC4 which attracted me are the large quick release plate and the 2 x spirit levels.
 
Does anyone actually use the spirit level ? I have it on the legs and never used it once in 6 years i had it. Looking through the viewfinder seems the easiest way to judge and best with the composition anyway.
 
Yep, use mine often. Judging through the lens is almost impossible on hilly ground unless there's a distant horizon.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Does anyone actually use the spirit level ? I have it on the legs and never used it once in 6 years i had it. Looking through the viewfinder seems the easiest way to judge and best with the composition anyway.
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Use it occasionally. The spirit level on the legs is great for panos. I'm sure I'd miss it if it wasn't there :)
 
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