Manfrotto 494RC2 Alternative?

DekHog

DekHog

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,803
Name
Derek
Edit My Images
Yes
Does anyone know of an alternative (cheaper!) to the Manfrotto 494RC2 mini ball head? Must have a QR plate. I can't really find anything, and am surprised the Chinese copy boys aren't all over this like a rash!
 
They seem to not be made anymore, but if you can find one, the Triopo RS3 with a QR clamp attached will set you back about £40/50 quid. Small/light/cheap though, unfortunately, I cannot tell you what it will support as my Canon 800 F5.6 L IS + 1Dx is simply too light! My 4 Series Gitzo tripod is a bit bendy too. Please read that again - I am serious. See attached file (with my ex 600 F4 L IS) and note how out of balance it is set up - result was zero creep.

This head is so small and light it is what I use on my traveler tripod yet it will happily support anything Canon/Nikon currently make. If you cannot find one then have a look at the Sirui K--X series heads, a bit more expensive but the lockup is nearly as good and the ergonomics/controls are better.

As to the "Chinese copy boys aren't all over this like a rash!" ? They do not (in my experience) make ball heads as bad as the Manfrotto offerings. Manfrotto make many great products but I do not include their ball heads amongst them - just my experiences.
 

Attachments

  • RS302.JPG
    RS302.JPG
    94.6 KB · Views: 19
Thanks, John, very knowledgeable and informative reply.... [emoji106]
 
johnf3f said:
They seem to not be made anymore, but if you can find one, the Triopo RS3 with a QR clamp attached will set you back about £40/50 quid. Small/light/cheap though, unfortunately, I cannot tell you what it will support as my Canon 800 F5.6 L IS + 1Dx is simply too light! My 4 Series Gitzo tripod is a bit bendy too. Please read that again - I am serious. See attached file (with my ex 600 F4 L IS) and note how out of balance it is set up - result was zero creep.

This head is so small and light it is what I use on my traveler tripod yet it will happily support anything Canon/Nikon currently make. If you cannot find one then have a look at the Sirui K--X series heads, a bit more expensive but the lockup is nearly as good and the ergonomics/controls are better.

As to the "Chinese copy boys aren't all over this like a rash!" ? They do not (in my experience) make ball heads as bad as the Manfrotto offerings. Manfrotto make many great products but I do not include their ball heads amongst them - just my experiences.
Click to expand...

Manfrotto makes good ball heads, some among the very best like the 468 Hydrostatic. I also have both 482 (micro) and 484 (mini) ball heads and, size for size, you'll struggle to find anything better at similar money - but I don't put cameras on them, only flash guns etc.
 
The Manfrotto Hydrostatics are reasonably good but will not hold loads like the Triopo RS 3 will. A (pro photographer) friend of mine has a 468 (with the 410 type clamp) and it is big, heavy and very expensive - though it does have adequate lockup. The OP was looking for something cheap which the 468 is not. It is over 8 times the price and 2 and a half times the weight so I don't think it will fit their needs. Another friend has the smaller (Midi) 488, still a substantial head, but that won't hold his camera with a 24-105 without sagging - so it is not much use either.

For reference my other Ball Head is the Sirui K40X (a bit of a lump!) and even that will not hold what the RS 3 does! I have tried out quite a number of American, Swiss and Italian ball heads but have been disappointed in their performance compared to their price and weight. I have no knowledge of the other Triopo models as I haven't tried them, but I have yet to find something to compare with their RS3. Pity that they seem to be getting more difficult to get.

Just my experiences.
 
I think trying to get a sub £50 ball head that preforms well regarding locking up would be hard, unless you buy a used one.
I had a quick scout around at Sunwayfoto / Vanguard / Benro offerings but all over £50. I guess it also depends on what you plan to hang on the end of it Derek. If you have a smaller DSLR or Mirrorless, then cheaper ballheads would possibly suffice. The Chinese copies such as "Ishoot" of course are there, but how good they are is the question.
I would think a second hand quality ballhead head would be the most cost effective way to go, rather than a cheap Chinese copy. If your hanging an expensive camera and lens on a crappy old ball head and all of a sudden it gets brewers droop and the lens smacks the tripod its a lesson hard learnt.
 
johnf3f said:
The Manfrotto Hydrostatics are reasonably good but will not hold loads like the Triopo RS 3 will. A (pro photographer) friend of mine has a 468 (with the 410 type clamp) and it is big, heavy and very expensive - though it does have adequate lockup. The OP was looking for something cheap which the 468 is not. It is over 8 times the price and 2 and a half times the weight so I don't think it will fit their needs. Another friend has the smaller (Midi) 488, still a substantial head, but that won't hold his camera with a 24-105 without sagging - so it is not much use either.

For reference my other Ball Head is the Sirui K40X (a bit of a lump!) and even that will not hold what the RS 3 does! I have tried out quite a number of American, Swiss and Italian ball heads but have been disappointed in their performance compared to their price and weight. I have no knowledge of the other Triopo models as I haven't tried them, but I have yet to find something to compare with their RS3. Pity that they seem to be getting more difficult to get.

Just my experiences.
Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting the 468 Hydrostatic as a suitable option for the OP, just reacting to your blanket statement that Manfrotto doesn't make good ball heads. I've reviewed loads of tripod heads for my work - several dozens, I've lost count - including many Manfrottos and a couple of examples of the 468 and they're notable for an unusual combination of locking strength with fine control afforded by the Hysdrostatic system, at a very fair price. I rate the 468 highly (the newer M'frotto 057 series are also pretty good) but I don't know where you get your numbers from - 468 is very similar in weight and price (£129 at Park Cameras with Arca-Swiss QR) to the Sirui K40X you're suggesting.

But the OP is looking for a cheaper alternative to the M'frotto 494RC2, with QR plate, which is a small and fairly basic head - 320g and £60. There are alternatives, but nothing I'm aware of in the same size/weight class with QR plate that's significantly cheaper or better.
 
Huge thanks to everyone who's taken the time to reply. I'm probably on a loser here, as I thought the head that came with the mini tripod was quite heavy, but having had it on the scales it's only a quite paltry 250g (excluding the QR plate). Having owned one years ago, I just really liked the quick release lever on the Manfrotto........ as per usual, photography = ££££'s...... :D
 
DekHog said:
Huge thanks to everyone who's taken the time to reply. I'm probably on a loser here, as I thought the head that came with the mini tripod was quite heavy, but having had it on the scales it's only a quite paltry 250g (excluding the QR plate). Having owned one years ago, I just really liked the quick release lever on the Manfrotto........ as per usual, photography = ££££'s...... :D
Click to expand...

There are two kinds of ball head - rubbish ones that will drive you mad, and good quality ball heads that are a pleasure to use - strong but with light locking, capable of fine and accurate adjustment, fast, very versatile, and droop-free.

The former type tend to be cheap and/or just too small for the job in hand. The latter is worth paying extra for (though there are a few bargains around). The tripod head is at least as important as the legs - it's the bit that holds and moves the camera, the part you actually work with.
 
Last edited:
HoppyUK said:
I'm not suggesting the 468 Hydrostatic as a suitable option for the OP, just reacting to your blanket statement that Manfrotto doesn't make good ball heads. I've reviewed loads of tripod heads for my work - several dozens, I've lost count - including many Manfrottos and a couple of examples of the 468 and they're notable for an unusual combination of locking strength with fine control afforded by the Hysdrostatic system, at a very fair price. I rate the 468 highly (the newer M'frotto 057 series are also pretty good) but I don't know where you get your numbers from - 468 is very similar in weight and price (£129 at Park Cameras with Arca-Swiss QR) to the Sirui K40X you're suggesting.

But the OP is looking for a cheaper alternative to the M'frotto 494RC2, with QR plate, which is a small and fairly basic head - 320g and £60. There are alternatives, but nothing I'm aware of in the same size/weight class with QR plate that's significantly cheaper or better.
Click to expand...

That was why I mentioned the Triopo RS3 - holds more than anything Canon/Nikon currently produce and cost £30 + £10 for a QR clamp and weighs 300 grams total according to my scales.

I didn't see the 468 at that price - WEX quote £249! Either way it is still a lot more expensive, much heavier and would you trust it with an out of balance 600 F4? The RS3 copes without fuss or bother. I just wish I could still get one of the smaller models as (RS 1/RS 2) as the 3 is just overkill

Sorry if you thought I was "having a go" that was not my intention.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top