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

When i first saw it in one of the local stores, i decided that this is what I am gonna buy it. Absolute flexibililty in moving the head in every possible direction and you can control the friction of the ball movement with a screw. But its little heavy. I use it with my Manfrotto 190XPROB leg and I love it so far. Its a little pricy too, but worth the buck !

As usual this manfrotto ball head is excellent. I have owned the pistol
grip version for years and I have loved it. Unfortunately, it's frozen
on to the bogen aluminum tripod so that I can't remove it to use on my
new carbon fiber tripod. For that reason I decided to purchase this new
version for my second tripod. My collection of rapid connect plates from
the old ball head work with this new device. Needless to say, I am very
happy with my purchase.

Replaced my Pan Tilt head with this grip action ball head and will never go back. Action is mostly smooth and easy. (Tilting forward or back is sometimes a little sticky) but the grip is sure and unmoving. Easily holds a D300 with grip and 70-200 VR lens securely (about 6-1/2lbs).

Tension is adjustable, trigger squeeze is not too strong and the unit is easily converted to vertical or left handed use. Although I am right handed, I found that shifting the grip to the left allowed me to keep my right hand on the shutter release while moving the ball head.

Uses the same quick release plates as my other Manfrotto heads so it was an easy switch.

Heavy well built construction. High quality feel and action. Very nice product

Although some have said that this type of ball head is hard to use and is not reliable (slips at times), my experience says otherwise. I used it all day today, and found it quite easy to position each time with a simple, one-step adjustment.

There is a tension (friction) adjustment wheel on the pistol grip that controls the tension of the grip of the head on the ball (not the tension of the pistol grip, as some think). I actually put my whole body weight (I don't recommend this, though) on the positioned head, and it did not slip a bit! That works for me.

I bought this on recommendation from a couple fellow photographers. While it is by far better then some of my previous ones, it's not quite perfect.

Pros:
- Quick attach/detach of camera
- Super quick to reorient thanks to the action grip
- Ability to change from handle grip to pistol grip
- Adjustable firmness for grip itself (not the grip on the ball, but the movement)

Cons:
- Does not grip 100% on portrait mode..slips, which is disappointing. Noticed the slip with my D300 and a 18-200 VR lens...should be able to hold that easily.
- Have to use handle facing forward or you cannot orient the camera up more then 10 degrees...put the camera on with handle facing front and you you have much more vertical control, though you have to reach around to move it.

It's a decent middle of the road ball head, but it's definitely NOT the same quality as a Really Right Stuff ballhead. But for who had $500-600 for a BH-55. :)