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 Location:  Home » Photo & Camera » Digital Camera Accessories » Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)October 15, 2008  
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Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
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List Price: $137.00
Buy New: $114.99
You Save: $22.01 (16%)
Buy New/Used

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars(based on 78 reviews)
Category: Photography

Publisher: Manfrotto
Studio: Manfrotto
Brand: Manfrotto
Label: Manfrotto
Media: Electronics
Maximum Weight Recommendation (lbs): 11
Warranty: 2-Year Warranty + Additional 3-Years after Registering Online or by Mail
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 6 x 4 x 4

MPN: 322RC2
Model: 322RC2
UPC: 719821236429
EAN: 0719821236429
ASIN: B000184N22

Release Date: April 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:
  • Unblock, move, position and lock your camera with one hand in one position
  • Revolutionary grip handle design with ball lock lever
  • Friction control wheel regulates power of the blocking mechanism to match the weight of your camera and lens
  • Built-in bubble spirit level and quick release camera plate
  • Load capacity of 11 pounds; 5.5 pound capacity when in the vertical position

Accessories:

  • Manfrotto BOGEN 3157N Quick Release Connect Plate RC2
  • Bogen - Manfrotto Rapid Connect Mounting Plate 3/8" replaces 3157A and 3266A QR Plates. For 3030, 3130, 3130G, 3160, 3229, 3265, 3265G, 3262QR, 3299, 2916QR, 3435QR, 3407, 3413QR, 3437 and 3405 Tripod (Spare)
  • Manfrotto 200PLARCH-38 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 3/8-Inch Screw (Gray)
  • Manfrotto 200PLARCH-14 RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate with 1/4-Inch 20 Screw (Gray)
  • Bogen - Manfrotto Electronic Shutter Release Adapter Kit for the 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head

Similar Items:

  • Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
  • Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)
  • Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning System
  • The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
  • Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Bogen Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head is unique in that it allows you to unblock, move, position and lock your camera with one hand in one position. This is due to the revolutionary design of its grip handle which incorporates the ball lock lever. A friction control wheel lets you regulate the power of the blocking mechanism to match the weight of your camera and lens. The 322RC2 is made from magnesium for lightweight performance, and is designed to keep the weight of your equipment as close as possible to the tripod's center of gravity by way of its reduced height. It is this fact, matched with the precision construction of the 322RC2 that gives the head its load capacity of 11 lbs (5.5lb capacity when in the vertical position). It comes complete with a built-in bubble spirit level and quick release camera plate (standard 1/4 - 20" screw, with secondary safety pin).


Customer Reviews:   Read 73 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars A Must Have Tripod Head   October 15, 2008
Replaced my Pan Tilt head with this grip action ball head and will never go back. Action is mostly smooth and easy. (Tilting forward or back is sometimes a little sticky) but the grip is sure and unmoving. Easily holds a D300 with grip and 70-200 VR lens securely (about 6-1/2lbs).

Tension is adjustable, trigger squeeze is not too strong and the unit is easily converted to vertical or left handed use. Although I am right handed, I found that shifting the grip to the left allowed me to keep my right hand on the shutter release while moving the ball head.

Uses the same quick release plates as my other Manfrotto heads so it was an easy switch.

Heavy well built construction. High quality feel and action. Very nice product



5 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for...   October 12, 2008
Although some have said that this type of ball head is hard to use and is not reliable (slips at times), my experience says otherwise. I used it all day today, and found it quite easy to position each time with a simple, one-step adjustment.

There is a tension (friction) adjustment wheel on the pistol grip that controls the tension of the grip of the head on the ball (not the tension of the pistol grip, as some think). I actually put my whole body weight (I don't recommend this, though) on the positioned head, and it did not slip a bit! That works for me.



4 out of 5 stars Good sturdy ball head..but not quite perfect   September 30, 2008
I bought this on recommendation from a couple fellow photographers. While it is by far better then some of my previous ones, it's not quite perfect.

Pros:
- Quick attach/detach of camera
- Super quick to reorient thanks to the action grip
- Ability to change from handle grip to pistol grip
- Adjustable firmness for grip itself (not the grip on the ball, but the movement)

Cons:
- Does not grip 100% on portrait mode..slips, which is disappointing. Noticed the slip with my D300 and a 18-200 VR lens...should be able to hold that easily.
- Have to use handle facing forward or you cannot orient the camera up more then 10 degrees...put the camera on with handle facing front and you you have much more vertical control, though you have to reach around to move it.

It's a decent middle of the road ball head, but it's definitely NOT the same quality as a Really Right Stuff ballhead. But for who had $500-600 for a BH-55. :)



5 out of 5 stars stable and convienient!   September 25, 2008
I bought this head with a multi-purpose in mind. i shoot wildlife, still life and landscapes. It is by far the handiest head I've owned. forget leveling the tripod with the pan/tilt heads. A simple squeeze of the lever and level the camera. I was apprehensive when ordering as I shoot wildlife with the Sigma 50-500 (4 pounds alone) mounted on a Canon 40D with grip....pretty hefty. The head is solid and doesn't move when the lever is released. the friction adjustment works great!

I find it a slight inconvienence to take photos while panning as both the head lever and shutter button on the camera are on the same side of my body, casing me to have both my hands very near each other to pan and shoot....but its a minor thing to deal with.



5 out of 5 stars Great Tripod Head!   August 27, 2008
  1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a great tripod head. It has a quality build and is very versatile. It came shipped in the right-hand operation configuration (as shown), but I easily converted it to be controlled with my left hand. I found this to be a much more natural position allowing my right hand to hold the camera grip, manipulate the camera position, and fire the shutter of my DSLR.

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