Im looking to buy a ball head and have settled on the midi ball head with the square qr plate, i was looking and noticed the 498 so i ask anyone have the new one and or is it any different/ which should i get
I had the 488 once upon a time. It is not a bad ballhead for the price, but it did slip a little some of the time after I locked it down. I haven't used the 498.
I used to have a 486, 488, and 468MG. If you are not concerned with lens droop, then I would recommend the 488 or 468MG. If I were you, I would likely buy the newer versions because they would command a greater resale value when you decide on a better ballhead in the future.
I have a 488 Midi (the midi has a round universal base that the camera screws onto as opposed to the 488RC2, 488RC4 and 488RC0 that have quick release clamps built in). It's a good solid head but it lacks a separate friction control knob and really has no sweet spot to speak of. There is also some annoying lens droop.
Apparently the 498 is a new head from Manfrotto and replaces the 488. Right now it looks like both heads are available but I would imagine the 488 will disappear as stock is sold. The 498 adds friction control and is a tiny bit taller and lighter than the 488. I haven't found any reviews yet so performance vs. the 488 is a bit of an unknown. I'm interested to see if the new head has addressed any of the issues with the older 488.
I picked up a 488 rc2 for a decent price
i understand that there is better but i use a tripod so little i don't feel the need to sink more into it than decent, It will be used for sequences and the occasional attempt at art/landscape
I'm a 488rc0 fan. On a pro body the hex plate isn't that much wider than the body, it makes a very satisfying 'snap' when the plate engages the head, and the large hand screw is easy to screw on/off, even with gloves on.
Solid enough with a D3s and 70-200mmVR2.
