Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)

Manufacturer: Bogen Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours List Price:$156.00 Our Price:$119.90 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 Description:

Reviews:

322RC2 head with 055XB CLASSIC
It is a large head of ball easy to be adjusted in any direction more quickly than traditional and closing the position which you must move and leaving you concentrating on placing the camera at the growth.


"Joy-Stick" Operator
Well built and can be used in so many ways dependent on were you mount the plate - there are over a dozen positions. We used it as a "joy-stick" ball head by mounting the rapid connect plate on the top of the ball head. Very good fit with the Bogen / Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod. You can use both left and right hands. Easily holds our Canon 180 Macro lens. Recommended.


Bogen_Manfrotto 322RC2
The best word to describe this product is smooth. It is adjustable for the left or the use of hand right, quickly and easy to operate and well done. I suspect that it is strongly durable and hard during much years. While having said all that, it is not perfect and me intend to buy one day an adapted head of ball. However, I envisage the 322RC2 will be the plough horse of my heads of tripod.


A great product
Each one should obtain one of the latter. It is large side but the quality of construction is superb! The marvellous thing is that you can modify the fast dish of release in IE of 3 the other positions for the left-handed, on the handle or reversed use backwards. Come with the necessary tool to make the changes. Strongly recommended.


Everything I expected
I use a tripod for the majority of my shots. The ease of use and load capacity of this head work well with all my lenses. I shoot with everything from a 12-24 mm wide angle to a 50-500 mm telephoto. This head handles them all very well. I recommend this head to all, but especially to nature photographers.


Great Product
I bought this to go with the Bogen-Manfrotto 190XProB tripod. It is a great combination. Very easy to set up and very sturdy. I haven't taken it out in the field yet but I think it's going to perform great. The rapid connect is a must. I just leave the connector on the camera and can connect quickly.


Very slick!
This is an ingenious device. My previous tripod head had three handles (horizontal, vertical, pan) that each had to be manipulated to get the camera positioned. With this unit, you simply grasp the squeeze grip on the handle, and you can rotate the head around a ball joint to virtually any position in one move. Very fast, very easy. I love it!


Great Product
I got so tired of looking at ballheads and was to the point of thinking unless I bout an Arca I was going to get junk. Not true. This works great and is perfectly fine for my Nikon DSLAR and mid weight lens (80-400 zoom for example).


Everything it claims to be - more than the sum of its parts
The 322RC2 Ball Head and rapid connect plate, used in combination with a decent set of tripod legs (for example, Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB) are a profound step up from the all-in-one tripods you may be used to. Even more importantly, they are a step up from most other ball heads by virtue of the immense improvement in both speed and ease of aiming your camera once actually mounted to the ball head. I can't emphasize this enough: This product actually changes how you use your camera, because repositioning the camera on all axis at once is a one hand, fraction of a second operation.

I know that's hard to visualize, so let me describe the process. The head has a handle sticking out the side, quite substantial and comfortable, that fits in your hand (right or left, your choice.) On this hand is a very large "trigger" that fits beneath all of your fingers as they wrap around the handle. When you pull this trigger, the ball head releases your camera and you can move it, using the handle as a precise and ergonomic lever, to any new position you like in no more time than it takes to adjust your wrist and arm - essentially immediately. Then you simply let go of the trigger and the ball head locks the camera right where you have it pointed.

The process I just described applies equally to large pans and tilts as it does to tiny pointing adjustments. If you find that difficult to believe, I'm with you - so did I - but having used the head extensively, trust me, it really works as advertised.

There is almost no post-lock sag; that's the effect where you point the camera, tighten the locks, and then when you look, the camera has drooped below the actual point of aim you intended. There is a tiny bit; I don't think it will affect most users. For example, I often shoot images of the moon using a 500mm or 600mm lens. My camera, an EOS 40D, has a "live view" mode that allows me to magnify the center of the view until the LCD screen has a 1:1 group of pixels from the center of the 10 megapixel sensor, effectively magnifying the view many times. With this on, I can see only a fraction of the day/night terminator on the moon, and can watch the moon move steadily and visibly across my point of aim. With this ball head, when I point the camera in this state, letting go of the trigger results in "droop" that amounts to about 10% of the view height, which is perhaps a 2% droop of the total image height. I know that when I fire the shot, I'm going to find my original aiming point pretty much dead center in the photo, which of course is what we're all looking for. Without the live view magnification on, there is no visible droop at all.

The quick release plate functions very well. There is a safety catch that must be released in order to remove your camera; with it set correctly, the camera can be removed with one easy flip of a lever. With it in the safety position, you can't remove the camera. Once the camera has been removed, the camera locking lever is in the unlocked position; a really nice feature is that when you put the camera back on the head, there is a brass pressure-trigger that automatically snaps the locking lever (but not the safety) into place as you put the quick-release plate into the mounted position. The camera goes from off-head to on-head in a one-handed motion that involves no more than accurately reaching for the head and turning your wrist, then "click", and the camera is secure. Now turn the safety catch, and no worries about accidentally popping the camera off the head. Another nice feature on the quick release plate is the mounting system to the camera provides for a drop-down handle to tighten and release the screw that goes into the camera body. There will be no searching for coins or tearing up your fingernails with this design.

That 11 pound capacity means that for almost any reasonable lens combination, this head has considerably more capacity than it requires to hold your SLR or DSLR with great authority. This extra capacity translates into great stability for lighter loads; my 40D and a Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens together weigh just a few pounds, and the head and tripod have what feels like a "death-grip" on them, the stability is so evident. No trembling in the wind (and I live on the plains in eastern Montana... I shoot in 10 to 30 mph winds as often as not), no tweaking of the aim as I fiddle with the many controls on the camera, no drooping when I reach out and manually focus the camera. Just a wonderfully stable and usable design.

The head has its own ball level you can use, and it is very easy to see while aiming using the trigger, but of course if you're looking at the level, you're not looking at what the camera sees; I never had a great deal of use for such things. If your camera can provide horizontal and/or vertical guides in-picture, that's a better choice for framing things by a long shot. Still, the level is there if you need it. The tripod legs I mention above also have their own level, and I *do* tend to use that when I set the legs up. The reason for that is if the tripod is vertical and you have the legs all the way out, you've made certain that the weight of the head and the ball are centered above the tripod's feet, and so the odds of overbalancing the system are much lower. So just a word to the wise, always level your tripod, and don't fret too much about the head.

The head has a tension control that you can set to a lighter grip on the ball if your gear isn't as heavy as the weight limit for the head. However, I suggest this is left in the maximum tension position; the reason for that is that the firmer the lock to the ball, the less droop you get in aiming, and the less vibration you'll get when adjusting things like your lenses focus ring or other camera controls.

There is a threaded mount-point for an accessory that holds your camera's remote shutter release; the idea of this is to move the camera shutter control right down by the same hand that is adjusting the camera. That's one way to do it; another is to set the head up for left-handed use and keep your right hand on the camera. Given the choice, I go for the latter because there is a lot more to do than just control the shutter these days; we have exposure lock, focus lock, and various knobs and wheels affecting other settings as well. But you do have the choice, and this shows that the manufacturer was thinking about how we might actually use the head, not just about how to hold a camera tightly.

The head will adjust upwards until the handle is pointed directly up and away from your tripod; this makes the tripod easier to pack, but adds about eight inches to the tripod's collapsed length. Keep that in mind if you're thinking about a companion bag for the system. Unmounting the head is a simple matter of twisting it about and it will unscrew from the tripod in a reasonable number of turns - not a problem at all. Detached, the head fits in large camera bags without too much difficulty; I use a Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 bag, and the head slips into one of the full-height compartments just fine. Don't expect to fit the head into a purse-sized bag, that's just not going to happen.

Bogen Manfrotto provide a good warranty, but I don't expect you'll ever get to use it. You'll see why when you get this thing in your hand. It is built tough. Really, really tough.

Photo pros are fond of making very sweeping statements about tripods and heads in general; one you hear constantly is that a good tripod system is worth more than a new lens in many situations. Let me echo that sentiment here, and let me say that because of the amazing convenience and speed that the triggered ball release provides, taken together with the great stability and lack of droop the high-load magnesium ball lock brings to your tripod system, I give the 322RC2 my absolute highest recommendation. I can't see how it could be improved. It is built like a battleship and I can't see how you could damage it barring running over it with a bulldozer. It has *significantly* increased my enjoyment of my camera and if it were to be stolen or lost, I would replace it instantly without even bothering to research what other heads might be available. It is really that good.

As far as I'm concerned, there's no way to go wrong recommending the purchase of this head, and that goes for those who already have considerably more expensive heads, too. It isn't often that something comes along that significantly and broadly improves the actual way we take pictures. Try this gem; I just know you're going to like it.




Great alternative!
Great alternative to the standard head of ball. It is vigorous, it closes and remains with locked key. Nuff indicated.


Well made, rock solid mechanism
Just got it today. Easily reassembled it for left hand control. This to facilitate keeping the right on the shutter release for action shots. Simple, well made device. I'm in mechanical device manufacturing myself so I appreciate such things. I does what it does very well. Mounting my XTi is a breeze and results in a rock-solid mount on top of the also wonderful Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod I ordered with it.

Why blow upwards of $250 for a tripod and head? This system will make shot composition and framing very, very easy with camera support and positioning made quite transparent to my little photographic process. Just as it should be for this amateur yearning to be better. That's what you're buying here. So if you want a real tool to help get those things out of your way, buy it.


Easy to use
The design of handle provides safety by preventing the camera from inclining the surplus while the head of ball is are loosened by adjusting the angle of pitch/roll. Provided that the tension of handle is adjusted in right proportion with the weight and the size of the camera, the handle and its mechanism of release effectively impose a rigid position for the camera it of the rest on him. One can only change the angle of the camera when one has a firm handle on the mechanism of release. Thus, the camera is in good hands at all the hour. Once that the hand lets go from the handle, the mechanism of release tightens to the top and the camera is firmly in place. Thus when it comes to a expensive investment from a combination from camera and objective, the decision of the type of frame of head of ball to be bought becomes rather crucial. As compare with the typical design of head of ball, slightly one to loosen in the point of torsion can be very well a unhappy love affair far from an expensive error. The design also makes it possible one to rearrange the orientation of handle. The arrangement left or good basic of handle is ideal for heavier equipment because it keeps the center of gravity of the camera as close to the ball to join like possible. Thus, less inclined to incline and damage. The horizontal arrangement of handle has backs of aspiration while the complete range of the movement is blocked by the place of the handle. As for the vertical arrangement of handle, it is a design universal and adapted to the left-handed dominant photographers or droitiers. However, the complete range of the movement is again an exit where it will be found difficult to incline the ascending camera unless one adjusts the legs of tripod to compensate for the angle of the desire. In short, if a range supplements movement in all the directions is not an absolute must and you would prefer much to feel it firm handle by protecting your investment from camera, this head of ball which the design can function very well for you. However, if a range supplements movement in all the directions is an absolute MUST, perhaps to make a little more research in other options available.


Technically Challenged
Like many photographers I have not used a tripod as often as I should because attaching,adjusting,and using everything (the camera/head/tripod) was too time consuming and I always fear damage or mishap. This head eliminates the fear and reluctance to use the tripod because it is so simple and intuitive to use. I know some ball heads cost $350 and more because of their high precision. However,it is difficult for me to imagine better performance, smoother feel, more simple adjustability. I love it and use it often. The ability to attach or remove the camera using the removable mounting plate is very helpful and also provides secure protection against inadvertent unintentional release. The little bubble level included is great for eliminating horizons which tilt up or down. Although I am right-handed, the head adjusts simply for use by lefties. I think shoppers with the same concerns as my self will love it. My advice is "Try it, you'll like it".


exceeded expectations
The horizontal head of ball of action of handle of Bogen-Manfrotto is impressive. I changed it of left-handed use and it is easy to employ and instantaneous to install breaks up with the tripod. Very easy to carry and employ.


Bogen 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head
Great product ... well made and can support about 11 lbs. I take mostly still life photos so it's well suited for quick position changes. The tripod is a Bogen 190XPROB.


Very good ball head
Quality similar to Bogen-Manfrotto 3030 pan/tilt move, that I also have (heavy and durable). In my sight the head of ball is a more useful combination because it can be moved multiple dimensions using only one hand, leaving the other free hand to focus itself, bourdonner, or to use the camera. But if the panoramic sights with precision aligned are important, you will have a better chance with a head of pan/tilt and a good device of levelling. The 322RC is strong, and holds my 20D easily more one moderately heavy objective of the Gun 70-200mm f2.8L USM. I am certain that it would hold much more than that. The action can be a little sticking, and sometimes it is difficult to make this last millimetre of adjustment. With the difference in some others criticize, I did not find the handle to require for the excessive power, although if you employ it for a long period detecting the mobile animals or birds which it could become tiring. Fixed at my tripod 3021N and directed vertically, it adapts easily in my upholstered bag of tripod of Bogen 3280 for tripods of 3011 and 3021 series. Recommendations: obtain at least an additional rapid connect the fast release of Manfrotto BOGEN 3157N of dish connect dish RC2.


Grip and spirit level make this extremely easy to use
I use this head with my aluminium tripod of section of Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 pro and likes the combination. While this head is heavier) more cumbersome (and probable that other models, the handle makes adjust the orientation of camera (landscape, portrait) and fishes a very easy operation and without clash. You can adjust the tension of the handle on the ball to change how ' freely ' the head is moved on the ball and the assistances of level of spirit ensure of the vertical horizons. The fast dish of release is well machiné and of the stays is attached to my Pentax K10D constantly to make assemble a rupture (literally).


Ball head
Purchased as a present for our son to go with the tripod asked for. He has used mine with good luck. Received on schedule and on time


Really cool
I like this head. Its positions and locks changeantes so much quickly on total the solid. Camera of subsistence ridiculously blocked and safe. 3 initial options of installation offer a model for everyone, and you can adapt resistance as well. If I went to the nitpick that I guess that it could be a small smoothing tool, the liquid action, but I am not, thus me not. Built like a tank, all metal construction which should last for always.


Solid product
This is very well made. It feels very solid. However, I bought a light weight tripod, and this head is too heavy, which defeats my purpose of not carrying a heavy tripod. If you like the heavy and sturdy feeling, this is great. As another reviewer said the grip handle does not fold down, so it's really awkward to carry it around when fixed on the tripod.


Best head for portrait
Very full head and work flawlessly. Probably the best chief for the monopod and the tripod for projectiles of portrait since framming is so easy and fast. I tested it with 35mm


Great! But the left-handed option is not useful for portrait shot.
As all the other reviewers have pointed out, this is a great ball head. I wish the left-handed option would work so that I could use my right hand to control the camera while using my left hand to frame. However, with the left-handed option, the camera cannot be rotated counterclockwise because the handle blocks the way on the left. Turning the camera clockwise for 90 degrees is just not natural (at least for me). A compromise I found is to use the right-handed setup but position the handle towards me so that I can put my left hand on the handle near my chest and free my right hand to control the camera. This requires rotation of the camera plate. The vertical/joystick setup also allows both hands to operate, but at a reduced weight support.

Other minor issues are (1) no bubble for vertical position and (2) the rubber plugs for the screws of the left-handed and vertical positions cannot be pushed all the way back in once they are taken out.


Incredible
I ordered this not knowing something about it, but was known as that the mark did not have comparisons. I new with this because a pastime and this ball move inside, retrospection, would be very that I would have liked if I knew anything. It is ambidextrous, or that which is easier for the person. Very quickly to move and place. The camera is in and out of the very fast lock and with double there is not no need to worry about it falling out of involuntary. I would not hesitate to still buy this.


Grip Action Ball Head
The perfect head. Reversed thus I employ my left hand to order it, leaving my free right hand to use my cameras.


Excellent!! 5 stars
This intuitive ball head is extremely well designed and engineered. Simply squeeze the grip to compose the frame and then relax the grip to lock the head in place. How simple! The 322RC2 comes with the grip on the right side, but you can easily switch this to a left-handed grip (which I prefer) or a joystick-style configuration (just watch your weight, since the load limit drops from 11kg to 5.5kg in joystick mode). The friction control wheel and built-in indicator are very nice too.

My complaints are minor:
When composing a vertical shot, you are unable to pan up more than a few degrees. The workaround is to widen your back tripod legs to get the necessary angle. Also, I would like to see a bubble spirit level for the vertical axis as well.

Bottom line: this is a rock-solid head. You will be very happy with this investment!



Ease of Use - 5 stars
It is a so eulogistic piece of equipment to the tripod of Manfrotto. To have the peace of the spirit which my camera is blocked, is a marvellous feeling. The only complaint that I would have about the head of tripod is the fact that you cannot filter upwards with him. Primarily, you must shorten the legs back of tripod and fish upwards.


Outstanding addition
The horizontal grip action ball head from Bogen-Manfrotto is exceptionally well engineered and provides a photographer the stability of a sturdy tripod with the flexibility to rapidly and easily change the shot. No more fumbling with locks and handles, now one can squeeze the grip, recompose the shot and lock the camera back in place far more quickly than it took to write this sentence.


Wonderful product
This product was in marvellous state when I received it and worked very well. I am in the visual production and this head would be adapted probably with a photograph although it could function well in videotex for fast difficulties.


Makes life easier
The head of ball of action of handle is large to compose quickly the projectile without must of the buttons and the levers of loosen/tighten. The reversible handle is useful if you would have a manner preferred to hold the camera (my handle is good side). When you tighten the handle all is loosened upwards, and as soon as you let go it freezes immediately in place.


Smooth and fast
Quick action, solid design. Paired with a 3021BPRO, it stands up to the New Mexico winds.


322RC2
This head is fast to adjust, holds a 70-200mmVR & D200 in any position. I prefer to use this tripod head over any of the numerous other heads I own. Buy it. You won't regret your decision.


If you have problems with the grip....buy some hand exercisers
This ball head was a little pricey for me, but I have no regrets. The complaints that the grip was too difficult are ridiculous. I had no problems what so ever. Well made and of the highest quality.


Great Product
It is a fantastic product. I so much liked it on my tripod which I use on the place that I bought this one for my stand of camera in the studio.


Don't Think Twice, It's Alright!
It is the best thing since the white bread. I always hated using a tripod because of all kisses them and unscrewing to adjust the camera. I bought it with a tripod of Manfotto and tested it except Juste few days ago. It was a rupture to attach it to the tripod and I like it absolutely. I read the reviews which indicate that it is difficult to tighten release. Well, I am far from fort and found him rather easy. I like how firmly it holds my Nikon D200, even with long objectives, like my 70-200mm F2.8, which is rather heavy. It is such a pleasure of being able to place the camera exactly where I want it and not to make it slip slightly. I would not twice think of buying this. After having bought the less expensive tripods during years, I invested finally wisely and will employ this much more than any tripod which I previously had.


Top Quality
I had the multiple products of Bogen-Manfrotto, including other heads, the monopods, and the tripods. I wanted a head it would be easy and fast to adjust that, particularly while drawing from the events. I hestitated buying this head after some of the reviews presented his observations on the way in which it was difficult to seize the handle, but I did not find that to be the case. It is very vigorous and you cannot strike the head out of the place. Since it is so vigorous, it has a handle tightened with him. However, I never had an exit to obtain it adjusted. You can also adjust the friction of the grip/handle to facilitate it to release. As with all other products of Bogen-Manfrotto, I found this one to build at the high levels. Their speed is higher notch. I used this head on my monopod and tripod holding my objective of 70-200mm which is approximately 3-4 books. Aucuns problems of the whole. It was impressive to be able to adjust itself quickly between the horizontal and vertical projectiles in second right. You cannot beat that when you draw an event. I drew a hot gleam from balloon with air and this chief was a rescuer. I could quickly move me approximately and adjust the head in each direction. My only felt sorry for would be the level. It has a level to look for all the angles. I would prefer a level for vertical, horizontal, etc... Some of my projectiles were a little in addition to level, but the positive ones of this product were higher far with this negative. I strongly recommend this product.


Very satisfied with this product
I use this grip on my Manfrotto monopod with extensible legs. It works very well in my past 3 months of use. The construction is top-notch and I highly recommend it.

Also the rapid connect plate is very useful, one that I like so much that I bought a plate that I can use on my copy stand for macro photography work.



Great Product
This head combined with the 3021 tripod works great. Holds my 20D with 24-70L lens very nicely.


Best thing ever
Like this head of ball absolutely. The preceding critics noted with difficulty to seize the handle - I did not have any problem, does not seem too difficult for me. I think that it is fantastic, no slip - work like a rock. Completely in value money.


It rocks!!
quite simply, it is the best there is... I believe that it is a great improvement more than three independent buttons in order to adjust the position of the head of ball... Aucuns buttons of the whole! ! It is use is right really simple pressure and moves the position. It has an adjustment of dredger to be appropriate for each one to taste (and to this connects itself to the camera size/weight which will be easily considered to be regular). A word of attention: The handle of the head of ball is LARGE and requires a great whole of hands! ! It just will not adapt on the hands of the average ladie... Five really holds the first role...


Good Product
I don't find it too difficult to squeeze the lever. Neat that you can put the lever on either side or in joystick configuration. Being able to quickly snap the camera off and on the head is a real pleasure. It can rotate from landscape to portrait mode. Moves all around the ball as one would expect, but also turns on the axis of the handle. I wouldn't be surprised if I were still using this 20 years from now. This is one case where I'm very happy that I spent a little bit more than I intended.


Excellent head, know what you're buying though.
It is a so large head of tripod for those which want this type of head. Know what you buy however. It does not allow the panoramic one not ordered - obtain the 488RC2 if you need that. I like this head however. It takes a certain force to draw "déclenchement" but it is somewhat controllable by the intermediary of a screw on the side. You recall however, a firm handle on the ball requires a certain pressure. To release that the pressure will measure a certain pressure. This head does an astonishing work to hold my RebelXT places from there even with my 70-200L F4. Solid like rock.


Not usable
Based on the reviews of this product it sounded like a good choice, but it takes a great deal of force to squeeze the grip to allow you to move the ball head around. It's similar in force to one of those spring loaded hand exercisers. If you don't want to adjust the angle of your camera it's fine but if you shift from horizontal to vertical frequently on a long shoot it's just not usable. I'm very surprised this hasn't been mentioned before. After testing it out for several minutes when it arrived I realized it was not practical to use so this $100 tripod head is just sitting on a shelf and hasn't been used once. For me, it's useless.


Good, HIGH quality.
PROS : Very well built.

CONS : shipped with the handle on the right side, so you must reach over the top of the camera with your left hand, to click the shutter on the camera (which is on the right side as well) while tracking a subject. It comes with an allen wrench that allows you to reverse it. (which I suggest ).
You need a strong grip to continually squeeze the release over and over.

Overall I like it, but if you are shooting wildlife or something that demands constant adjusting, you hand will get a "Kung-Fu Grip" workout.



Great ball head, but it sticks!
Update April 30, 2007. I spoke with a certain number of people about the way of fixing this problem, that one has says to me is called the "stiction." None the adjustments on the principal difficulty it, nor can fix it to you with lubricants. Lower result: I do not have any choice but to return it to the manufacturer. Their service after sale emailed me wondering today to dispatch it behind and note "this head of ball is not easy to repair." Thus I am not too satisfied on this subject and would change my estimate into 3 holds the first role if they were an option on this site. I agree with the many positive remarks about Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2, but on my model at least, the action is very sticking: when I tighten the handle and swivels the head, nothing occurs until I increase the pressure, and then it jumps. If I try to swivel the camera to the top, the result is that the camera strikes me in the eye. The adjustments of the turning button do not seem to help of the whole. If no matter who has a difficulty, I would be grateful and change my estimate into full five holds the first role.


Mono Pod Head
It is the best Head for the Mono Pod I have ever used. It tilts swivels in any direction you want. The Locking Head is perfect, when you move the Head and let the handle go it locks securely in place. It has a bubble ot let you know if the Head ti level.

And the handle add stability if you use it on a mono pod , Nothing better.


Fantastic grip
Excelent grip for heavy SLR Cameras. It is strong, easy to use and heavy duty. But you have to be careful when you want to work with it in horizontal or in vertical positions, because you have to be very alert with the rubber tops that cover the screews, that they can be lose very easily when are not in the correct position. Also, you have to be strong to menage the grip. Is a little bit tired when it's used a long time. For the rest, is a excelent grip.


Best for birdwatching, but consider the disadvantages
For me, this is the best tripod head for birdwatching. Potential buyers should consider the disadvantages as part of their decision.

ADVANTAGES
Speed, Sharing, Safety, and SnappingPictures
Speed: When you want to move the scope, you do not waste time turning any handles to unlock. Squeeze and go. When you find the target, you do not waste time turning any handles to lock. Unsqueeze and there you are.
Some users of the typical long-handle screw-tighten heads (like the Bogen 3130) work around this problem by screwing down the controls until they are "almost tightened" and then overriding the resistance to pan and tilt. This workaround fails for Sharing, Safety, and SnappingPictures.

Sharing: when you find the target and step back to share your scope, there is no danger that your daughter will accidentally bump the scope and lose the target. She might bump the scope, but she won't lose the target. The 322RC2 has locked tightly in position and will not budge.

Safety: you don't have to worry that a strong breeze or inconsiderate passerby will tip the scope, causing it to swing abruptly and painfully to a vertical position and bash into the tripod which then falls over. The 322RC2 has locked tightly in position and will not budge.

SnappingPictures: You don’t have to worry that your digicam will cause the scope to wobble off target. The 322RC2 has locked tightly in position and will not budge.


DISADVANTAGES
Strength, Smoothness.

Strength: You have to have a pretty strong grip to squeeze and hold that trigger while panning / tilting.

Smoothness: the motion is not as smooth and refined as the long-handle type heads. Nevertheless I can find and track targets with no difficulty. Fine tuning (nudge field of vision a teeny bit just to make the perfect composition) is a bit clumsy but I can fine-tune satisfactorily anyway.

OTHER
Note that the 322RC2 can mount vertically (not useful with telescopes) or horizontally either left- or right-handed. If the advertising photo only shows a vertical position - - ignore it.




There's an even better orientation for this head!
I saw an old version of this head in a store of photograph locally. The action of handle was impressive! Be not confused about the orientation in the best manner of the image... the of using this head is to move the dish with the top of the handle and to employ it in the vertical orientation of handle of gun! There are the provided additional holes of support so that you can move the dish of support. I moved the dish so that the handle is entirely vertical like a controller of play of handle of gun. It enables you to move quickly and it feels very normal. I can also take it and carry the whole tripod without moving my hand/grip. I draw with a gun 20d and I am very comfortable shooting with this head. I should not stop between the projectiles and to think of which buttons I must loosen myself or turn. Encavator right it and disappear! At the beginning it was little more money than I wanted to spend, but I am happy I. No matter which it manner that you decide to direct the handle, this head is large! The very strong and firm action, so much there is not any movement of slip or arrangement of camera. Very firm resistance. It is in value the price!


Great Piece of Equipment
It is a very useful head for your tripod! I employ it with my pro Manfrotto tripod of 3021B. It is a very good combination - supports of head of handle up to 11 pounds


Quick adjusting, well built and simple to operate
I bought this head with a tripod of Bogen 3021pro. Report of Withing of me to take to him out of the box had it on my tripod with my rebel on the top. That functions just as I had hoped based on description, and it really good is established. Just by holding it in your hand you can say it that is a full piece. By drawing release simply you can almost change the angle of your camera moving. There is also a control knob of friction which adjusts the tension on release. I was concerned if the head can handle long objectives, but it was also full like rock on my EF 70-200mm f/4L and macro of 100mm. I am sure that there are other heads of ball of a higher capacity of load, but I dig just the fast action of release of the handle.


Great Product
I installed this with a tripod 3011BN and a love to employ it. Their are thus much of options with this head its rapid to place and afer of locks immediatly which you let go from the handle. You can attach in a release of obturator with an optional accessory of Manfrotto. The only one on the tilted side is him is slightly heavy but I can live with him.


322RC2 head with the 3021 tripod.
I bought this head to go hand in hand with so happy tripod 3021 and AM I. I bought many tripods thus and they cheap are always the feet losers, balancing in the wind and are unstable. This head is thus recreation


works very well for spotting scopes
I bought this head for use with my spotting scope, which I use for birdwatching. A typical tripod head is such a nuisance when you are trying to scan flocks - there are too many things to tweak on the head alone, let alone trying to adjust the focus and zoom on your optics. This works beautifully for birding - you can move the scope in any direction with a single hand by squeezing the handle, leaving your other hand to focus the scope as you move. There are several minor drawbacks: the head can be a bit jerky when you initiate the movement, but after you have it in motion it is smooth and locks exactly where you release the trigger. More of a problem is that the trigger is a little stiff and can make your hand very sore - in fact, this handle is probably a bad idea for small hands. Finally, there is no way to fold the handle down so that my tripod fits into my tripod bag. You can fold it upwards, but it then it sticks out the top. For travel on airplanes, it may be necessary to take the head off the tripod.


WOW! Solid and easy to use
I had the $50 tripods until now and this head with my tripod of Manfrotto 3021Pro and for once, I have an installation of quality. This head is smooth and easy to employ, more incredibly flexible. What a soft installation! The handle can be backwards, the side or with the dish on the "extremity" can be employed like handle. Impressing.


I Love It!
It works like a joystick when the quick release plate is moved to the top!


Very easy to use
The first head I've owned (with my first tripod). I can't think of anything negative to say about it. It's simple to use, lock's tight and isn't overly heavy. Great buy!


Great flexibility for any shooting situation
This head of ball is a great article. It offers so much the versatility with so much the facility. When the handle is in the postion horizontal, it will enable you to filter with the difference of the traditional fast heads of ball of release. You can adjust it of a postion droitier on the postion left-handed person or a vertical positon of tradtional as any other fast head of ball of handle. With a fast movement, I can go from the projectile of horitonal to a vertical projectile. The handle also has a button of tension incorporated thus you can increase the tension when you must use heavier objectives.



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--end of Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)