MANFROTTO 222 or Manfrotto 322RC2

MANFROTTO 222 BALL JOYSTICK

or

Manfrotto 322RC2 Quick release heavy duty ball head.


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or.............Slik AF2100 Grip-Action Ball Head

Phil
I have just bought a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with the 322RC2 head from the show I went to. The head is fantastic but there is a minor drawback , and it is minor. With that particular head to get the camera to point skywards ( in horizonal position) you do have to extend the centre column sideways of the tripod, then the camera can be set to point upwards.The reason being that the socket which goes over the ball has a slot in it to allow downward movement but not upward. All other positions are ok.

As for how well it grips, it does the job very well even when extended on the centre column in the sideways position, and that is with a D200 and Nikon 70-300mm lens attached.

I would suggest that you make sure the tension grip works only the demo one on a stand didn't, and maybe something you need to be aware of. so before you spend out cash try first would be my advice.Bazza

You know you can fix a plate on the end of the 322RC2 grip and use it in a vertical position like the 222.

I've got SLIK 700DX PRO legs (and head) just now. The legs are brill and I'm going to keep this head but the two aforementioned heads would be great when I'm up icy hills with frozen hands.

Yes but not in the horizontal position

bazza

Correction the above will work if you turn the quick release plate 90%.

Bazza