Not the right ball.

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Archive 2009 · Not the right ball.

Manfred W. fEU
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p.1 #1 · Not the right ball.

Some weeks ago I decided to upgrade my tripod / ballhead needing some more hight the Manfrotto Bogen 055CXPro 4 is the one for me.
That one was quick to select , I know about Gitzo but lever locks are my choice.
More problems with the right ballhead selection some have a cult following not justified , no names here.
My older 190 Bogen had a 322 mini ballhead nost here would have seen it if not used it as well. Quite a neat little unit but no way adequate for long lens shooting.
A larger ball size would do it I thought so my order went in for a Bogen Manfrotto
468 with that huge quick release plate.
First impression was they send the wrong model that ball is not 2" diam. as clearly stated in the ad ,B&H is my favorite seller. My advise from them , no we send the right unit but you my return it for a full refund.
There actually was a second problem with it the post holding the quick release was not in line or even square to the plate.
I returned the 468 and got a refund for the purchase price , but the $ 100.00
shipping costs I have to pay , I am not too impressed but I do not think B&H is at fault here its propably just a translation error Bogen should have picked up long ago.
My advise to anyone here if you need a good ballhead with a true 2" ball go for a different brand.
I have since purchased one from Germany expensive yes but a delight to use
and very well made. I do not want to disclose the brand as yet I will however do a mini test report once I have a bit more experience it will be posted here.

Nov 07, 2009 at 03:37 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · Not the right ball.

Manfred, too bad. I use the 468MG with the screw-top platform, and I find it's a great solution. Most of the time, it has a RRS B2-Pro Arca-Swiss quick release base on it, but I can also use RC2, RC3, RC4 and other systems. I agree that the 468MG ball is smaller than 2", but I can't check mine now as it's in my car. There are many versions of the 468MG (see links below). I have the first one, and I can attach all of the other bases shown, because I have the matching QR bases.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368214-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_468MG_468MG_Hydrostatic_Ballhead.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368324-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_468MGRC0_468MGRC0_Hydrostatic_Ballhead_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368325-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_468MGRC2_468MGRC2_Hydrostatic_Ballhead_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368326-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_468MGRC3_468MGRC3_Hydrostatic_Ballhead_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368327-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_468MGRC4_468MGRC4_Hydrostatic_Ballhead_with.html

Nov 07, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Manfred W. fEU
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p.1 #3 · Not the right ball.

Thanks for your imput JC The one I ordered was the 468MGRCO the large hex plate . I thought maybe not elegant but very capable. My older 322 has the RC2 that one is bid small for long lenses.
The issue here is mainly quality control in as far as the assembly was seriously lacking and once the longest lens was mounted it became clear the unit will not do the job.
Some test reports I saw suggested a minimum of 2" ballhead for my needs.
This 468 was also quite jerky never fixed on the right point upon locking
perhaps after some use this would improve , I was just too dissapointed and quite surprised the ball measured less than 1.5" it should not be advertised as having a 2" ball when it is not so.
A comment on the tripod it exceeds my expectations its soo light stable and very well made , I have been using Manfrotto / Bogen equipment for many years never had a failure.

Nov 07, 2009 at 10:52 PM


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