Tripod head question re:Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi-Ball Head

[Jim Dahl]

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod teamed up with a Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi-Ball Head.

It's a good set up except that when I loosen the ball head, aim the camera, tighten the ball head and let go of the zoom I always get some amount of droop happening.

Is this something that happens with all ball heads or is it just a Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi-Ball Head problem?

I try to compensate for it by aiming slightly higher so that when I let go the droop allows the lens to be where I want, but as you can imagine it becomes frustrating.

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Jim - I've owned a 488RC2 for years and it has always creeped on me since it was new. I just got used to it and automatically compensate without thinking. To answer your question, "Do all ballheads creep?" The answer is "no." I also have a Markins M10 which is rock solid - no creep whatsoever - but it cost at least three times more than the 488RC2! I also have a Wimberley II for my supertele and I'm forever astounded how "creepless" that piece of gear can be. You can throw it over your shoulder with a huge lens and walk five miles and it won't budge. So......there is your answer for what its worth. I think you'll get used to the 488 - I still love mine regardless of its shortfallings. Take care.

[Jim Dahl]

Thanks Danny, it is a nice head. Just that droop is a slight problem.

I've never heard of a Markins before, so I'm just about to Google them to see if there is a stockist in Australia.

[Michael Bertelsen]

Hi Jim,

I have owned my 488RC 2 for 4 years now and have had no creeping problems.
I beleive there is an adjustment under the ball head. You would need a blade style scewdriver to tighten it.
If it loosens again I would remove the brass screw and put a drop of removable loctite on it. Someone told me this, I have not tried it myself.
And as far as the droop, I would see a doctor!:D

Cheers,

Michael

[Glenn Forbes]

I have the same problem with the 488RC 4. The problem seems worse when the camera is mounted on the tripod directly. With the Nikon 24-70 Zoom the droop is substantial . It dosen't seem as bad with mounting the larger lenses directly on the tripod.

[John Chardine]

I've got the 468MGRC0 Manfrotto Hydrostatic ball head and it's rock solid as well. Having said this, I mount my teles only on gimbals- the Mongoose 3.5 and the Wimberley v1 in my case. The secret with the gimbals is that you can perfectly balance them to the particular lens/body setup you have and a balanced lens just sits there, and it a lot more stable.

[Jay Abrams]

I used the same setup and switched to a Kirk BH-3 to use with my canon 400/5.6. I couldn't stand the creeping, and appreciate the arca swiss plate style much better.