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. :)

I bought this head with a multi-purpose in mind. i shoot wildlife, still life and landscapes. It is by far the handiest head I've owned. forget leveling the tripod with the pan/tilt heads. A simple squeeze of the lever and level the camera. I was apprehensive when ordering as I shoot wildlife with the Sigma 50-500 (4 pounds alone) mounted on a Canon 40D with grip....pretty hefty. The head is solid and doesn't move when the lever is released. the friction adjustment works great!

I find it a slight inconvienence to take photos while panning as both the head lever and shutter button on the camera are on the same side of my body, casing me to have both my hands very near each other to pan and shoot....but its a minor thing to deal with.

This is a great tripod head. It has a quality build and is very versatile. It came shipped in the right-hand operation configuration (as shown), but I easily converted it to be controlled with my left hand. I found this to be a much more natural position allowing my right hand to hold the camera grip, manipulate the camera position, and fire the shutter of my DSLR.

While the concept of a ball head adjustable with a hand-held grip is nice, in practice I have found this head to be too heavy and obtrusive when traveling. The hand-grip also requires more-than-expected force, and one's hand can quickly grow sore. I have returned this item in exchange for a much lighter and less obtrusive Gitzo ball head.

This is a fun ball head to work with, very stable and has a bubble level if you need it. I'm not sure the level will do much for you if you move the mounting plate. The plate can be moved from the location on the handle shown in the picture to the base of the handle. The only reason I can imagine anyone doing that would be to get a few extra inches of height, or if you like vertically positioning your camera more than the normal horizontal so that the level worked for vertical instead of horizontal.

I've been using this product for a couple of months now. The grip release is more useful than I anticiated. It works well with all my lenses including the 100-400mm IS on my Canon40D. Only down side is using for panoramic photos.. no way to keep the horizontal plane, but I mostly use for lowlight situations when using very slow shutters.. setup is easy and positioning the camera is a snap.

This review is more about the fact that businesses tend to think it's ok to restock used returns and sell them later as new. That is not cool.

I spend my hard earned money on this product and guess what? There are scratches at the bottom and it's obviously been used. The threads at the bottom were obviously already screwed onto a tripod.

You know what else? What is that little rattley gold lever on the side? It just wouldn't stop rattling. Anyway, now it's getting returned again by me.
If you order this product and you notice scratches at the bottom it's the one I had before you. (I don't even have a tripod to screw it onto. That was the person who obviously used/abused it before it got to me.)

Shame on businesses who sell used items as new.

I like this Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate. It can quick and firmly hold my Nikon D200 with zoon lenes at different angle. I like flower photography, This is good for close up phtography with variant positions.
I suggest heavy SLR camera owner must have item.

I haven't had a chance to use this ball head extensively yet, but will on a couple of upcoming trips.

It does require a bit of pressure, but nothing I can't manage, and I'm a senior citizen who is totally out of shape.

The head feels sturdy and substantial, and the quick release is easy to operate, unlike my previous hexagon shaped release.

All in all, I'm going to enjoy this ball head, and it should handle my Minolta Maxxum 7D with Sigma 50-500mm lens with no trouble at all.

Highly recommended

Like others, purchased this with the 190 manfrotto tripod. Holds 40D Canon with 70-200L tele in place. Yes it takes some force to squeeze the grip, but locks solid without movement. real ease of pointing camera on tripod. If you have the additional battery handle for the 40D and the tripod ring for the 70-200 mounted with the plate to the tripod ring with the battery grip on camera, won't fit, have to remove the battery grip to use the tripod ring.(or mount the battery grip onto ballhead and don't use the ring direct onto tripod, then works fine..)

Switched handle to left handed use for more ease of use. Have not used it with the vertical orientation, but can purchase another locking plate for the grip to mount in the vertical axis and foregoe the need to change the plate when using in the vertical axis. Solid build, holds weight firmly, locks firmly, using two hands best for me. Purchased separate carrying case the HAKUBA USA INC PSTC100 Tripod Case, ball head handle in the horizontal position mounted on tripod fits into carrying case, although rather tightly. I am satisfied with this purchase, but if you are mounting heavy heavy gear and are petite handed with little grip strength, you may not like it.

Such a wonderful tripod head!! You can virtually put it in any position in seconds...and as soon as you let go of the hand-grip, its instantly in place.
I found it a little frustrating that when you first squeeze the hand-grip and move the head forward in back, it seemed a little stuck and then moved freely...but I'm guessing its like that so if you have it at a paticular angle horizontally, you can just move it veritcally and keep it level.
No complaints so far.
And for the price, it is well worth it.
Purchased it with the 190XPROB.

I purchased the 322RC ball head along with a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and the combination is unbeatable.It serves my purposes superbly. I specialize in outdoor and wildlife photography, and the 322RC ball head along with the tripod have enhanced my photographic abilities,along with the quality and artistry of my photos.

My 322RCR Action Ball arrived along with the Bogan 190XPROB tripod and today I took them for a test run along with my Canon 40D and 100mm Macro lens. I went to our local Botanical Garden where they were having a flower show. I can't tell you how pleased I am with this wonderful piece of technology which is so user friendly. It performs exactly as specified. You grip the handle and move the camera to view the subject and it stays exactly on the point of interest. It's really easy to change your subject view and so much easier than a traditional ball head. I was able to take some amazing pictures. Definitely a great asset for my photography hobby.

I bought a 190XPROB and a 484RC2 ball head initially, I had to return them since the tripod was too short for me. I ordered 322RC2 along with 055XPROB. 322RC2's clutch lever is amazing, you can make adjustments in a jiffy. You can switch the lever to be left handed grip in few minutes by undoing some screws and putting them back.

The reason for the 4 *'s is (also) because of the clutch lever. It obstructs movement to some degree. If you plan for a macro shots, it might be a little cumbersome to bring the head position in angles where the lever blocks the movement.

I'm really happy with the purchase and its an amazing product. I currently use it for taking outdoor shots in the night and experimenting some table top photography. I would recommend it to a friend.

I love this head !!! I was a little apprehensive when I was reading the reviews considering my small hands (size 4 ring). But I ordered it anyway. I am so glad I did. I have no extraordinary strength in my hands and I find the grip very easy to use. You can make the smallest of adjustment (or the largest) in fractions of seconds. There is no excuse any longer for a picture that is not framed perfectly. I use this on my Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. For HDR photography (or just taking a single shot) this combination is rock solid no matter if you take 5, 7, or more exposures. The line-up is perfect. The combination is a little heavy and I would not want to hike half a day carrying it up a mountain, but not that bad for shorter walks. I highly recommend this head !!!

For me, this is the best tripod head for landscape and nature photography. It's steady, smooth and simple to use.

It is also one of the fastest "Heads" I've used. When you want to move the camera, you do not waste time turning any handles to unlock. Just squeeze it and go for the shot. When you find the shot, you do not waste time turning any handles to lock. Simply squeeze to move and unsqueeze the grip and it's in place and locked.

I use the Bogen-Manfrotto 3021 Pro Tripod. Using the 322RC2 along with my B-M Tripod is more than enough to hold my Canon 5D with the heaviest lenses I own. Those would be; Canon 100-400mm F/4-5.6L or, the Canon 24-70MM F/2.8L. Total weight of camera with one of those lenses is over 10 Lbs, and I have no issues in quickly and smoothly setting my shots.

I love this ball head. It's the third one I've tried and so far the best. My only minor complaint is I wish it tilted down more on the handle side. Even for my small hands the handle is very easy to use.

Heavy, solid construction. My first tripod head. Mounts on Manfrotto tripod excellently.Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod

Bogen/Manfrotto's grip action ballhead seemed to be the answer to all my problems with the pan/tilt head I'd been using. As a nature photographer, specializing in birds, I need to be able to adjust the head quickly and easily. Before buying this ballhead for the Bogen/Manfrotto 055MF legs, I read the reviews here, which left me with the following concerns:
-Does the grip require a lot of hand strength?
-Is the ball action smooth enough?
-Can it be used in the left hand position easily?
-Does it operate well in the vertical position?
After using the new ballhead, mounted in the lefthand position, at several long shoots, the answer to the first three questions is a resounding yes! The grip is easily compressed (I have small hands), the action is very smooth and small adjustments are easily made. I love the lefthanded position as it feels natural even in extended use. Best of all, I can follow the quick movements of birds without giving it a thought.
The only drawback to this ballhead is using it in the vertical (or portrait) position at the extreme ends of the range. I really only found this a problem when shooting with a wide angle lens and aiming high. Otherwise, it does everything I expected it to do.

This is a great ball head easy to adjust in any direction faster than traditional and locking the position you need to point and letting you focusing on setting the camera to shoot.

Well built and can be used in so many ways dependent on were you mount the plate - there are over a dozen positions. We used it as a "joy-stick" ball head by mounting the rapid connect plate on the top of the ball head. Very good fit with the Bogen / Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod. You can use both left and right hands. Easily holds our Canon 180 Macro lens. Recommended.

The best word to describe this product is slick. It is adjustable for left or right hand use, quick and easy to manipulate and well made. I suspect it will be highly durable and last for many years. Having said all that, it is not perfect and I expect to someday purchase a geared ball head. However, I anticipate the 322RC2 will be the workhorse of my tripod heads.

Everyone should get one of these. It is a little on the large side but the build quality is superb! The wonderful thing is that you can reconfigure the quick release plate in 3 other positions ie for left handed use, on the handle or flipped backwards. Comes with the tool needed to make the changes. Highly recommended.

I use a tripod for the majority of my shots. The ease of use and load capacity of this head work well with all my lenses. I shoot with everything from a 12-24 mm wide angle to a 50-500 mm telephoto. This head handles them all very well. I recommend this head to all, but especially to nature photographers.

I bought this to go with the Bogen-Manfrotto 190XProB tripod. It is a great combination. Very easy to set up and very sturdy. I haven't taken it out in the field yet but I think it's going to perform great. The rapid connect is a must. I just leave the connector on the camera and can connect quickly.

This is an ingenious device. My previous tripod head had three handles (horizontal, vertical, pan) that each had to be manipulated to get the camera positioned. With this unit, you simply grasp the squeeze grip on the handle, and you can rotate the head around a ball joint to virtually any position in one move. Very fast, very easy. I love it!

I got so tired of looking at ballheads and was to the point of thinking unless I bout an Arca I was going to get junk. Not true. This works great and is perfectly fine for my Nikon DSLAR and mid weight lens (80-400 zoom for example).

The 322RC2 Ball Head and rapid connect plate, used in combination with a decent set of tripod legs (for example, Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB) are a profound step up from the all-in-one tripods you may be used to. Even more importantly, they are a step up from most other ball heads by virtue of the immense improvement in both speed and ease of aiming your camera once actually mounted to the ball head. I can't emphasize this enough: This product actually changes how you use your camera, because repositioning the camera on all axis at once is a one hand, fraction of a second operation.

I know that's hard to visualize, so let me describe the process. The head has a handle sticking out the side, quite substantial and comfortable, that fits in your hand (right or left, your choice.) On this handle is a very large "trigger" that fits beneath all of your fingers as they wrap around the handle. When you pull this trigger, the ball head releases your camera and you can move it, using the handle as a precise and ergonomic lever, to any new position you like in no more time than it takes to adjust your wrist and arm - essentially immediately. Then you simply let go of the trigger and the ball head locks the camera right where you have it pointed.

The process I just described applies equally to large pans and tilts as it does to tiny pointing adjustments. If you find that difficult to believe, I'm with you - so did I - but having used the head extensively, trust me, it really works as advertised.

There is almost no post-lock sag; that's the effect where you point the camera, tighten the locks, and then when you look, the camera has drooped below the actual point of aim you intended. There is a tiny bit; I don't think it will affect most users. For example, I often shoot images of the moon using a 500mm or 600mm lens. My camera, an EOS 40D, has a "live view" mode that allows me to magnify the center of the view until the LCD screen has a 1:1 group of pixels from the center of the 10 megapixel sensor, effectively magnifying the view many times. With this on, I can see only a fraction of the day/night terminator on the moon, and can watch the moon move steadily and visibly across my point of aim. With this ball head, when I point the camera in this state, letting go of the trigger results in "droop" that amounts to about 10% of the view height, which is perhaps a 2% droop of the total image height. I know that when I fire the shot, I'm going to find my original aiming point pretty much dead center in the photo, which of course is what we're all looking for. Without the live view magnification on, there is no visible droop at all.

The quick release plate functions very well. There is a safety catch that must be released in order to remove your camera; with it set correctly, the camera can be removed with one easy flip of a lever. With it in the safety position, you can't remove the camera. Once the camera has been removed, the camera locking lever is in the unlocked position; a really nice feature is that when you put the camera back on the head, there is a brass pressure-trigger that automatically snaps the locking lever (but not the safety) into place as you put the quick-release plate into the mounted position. The camera goes from off-head to on-head in a one-handed motion that involves no more than accurately reaching for the head and turning your wrist, then "click", and the camera is secure. Now turn the safety catch, and no worries about accidentally popping the camera off the head. Another nice feature on the quick release plate is the mounting system to the camera provides for a drop-down handle to tighten and release the screw that goes into the camera body. There will be no searching for coins or tearing up your fingernails with this design.

That 11 pound capacity means that for almost any reasonable lens combination, this head has considerably more capacity than it requires to hold your SLR or DSLR with great authority. This extra capacity translates into great stability for lighter loads; my 40D and a Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens together weigh just a few pounds, and the head and tripod have what feels like a "death-grip" on them, the stability is so evident. No trembling in the wind (and I live on the plains in eastern Montana... I shoot in 10 to 30 mph winds as often as not), no tweaking of the aim as I fiddle with the many controls on the camera, no drooping when I reach out and manually focus the camera. Just a wonderfully stable and usable design.

The head has its own ball level you can use, and it is very easy to see while aiming using the trigger, but of course if you're looking at the level, you're not looking at what the camera sees; I never had a great deal of use for such things. If your camera can provide horizontal and/or vertical guides in-picture, that's a better choice for framing things by a long shot. Still, the level is there if you need it. The tripod legs I mention above also have their own level, and I *do* tend to use that when I set the legs up. The reason for that is if the tripod is vertical and you have the legs all the way out, you've made certain that the weight of the head and the ball are centered above the tripod's feet, and so the odds of overbalancing the system are much lower. So just a word to the wise, always level your tripod, and don't fret too much about the head.

The head has a tension control that you can set to a lighter grip on the ball if your gear isn't as heavy as the weight limit for the head. However, I suggest this is left in the maximum tension position; the reason for that is that the firmer the lock to the ball, the less droop you get in aiming, and the less vibration you'll get when adjusting things like your lenses focus ring or other camera controls.

There is a threaded mount-point for an accessory that holds your camera's remote shutter release; the idea of this is to move the camera shutter control right down by the same hand that is adjusting the camera. That's one way to do it; another is to set the head up for left-handed use and keep your right hand on the camera. Given the choice, I go for the latter because there is a lot more to do than just control the shutter these days; we have exposure lock, focus lock, and various knobs and wheels affecting other settings as well. But you do have the choice, and this shows that the manufacturer was thinking about how we might actually use the head, not just about how to hold a camera tightly.

The head will adjust upwards until the handle is pointed directly up and away from your tripod; this makes the tripod easier to pack, but adds about eight inches to the tripod's collapsed length. Keep that in mind if you're thinking about a companion bag for the system. Unmounting the head is a simple matter of twisting it about and it will unscrew from the tripod in a reasonable number of turns - not a problem at all. Detached, the head fits in large camera bags without too much difficulty; I use a Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 bag, and the head slips into one of the full-height compartments just fine. Don't expect to fit the head into a purse-sized bag, that's just not going to happen.

Bogen Manfrotto provide a good warranty, but I don't expect you'll ever get to use it. You'll see why when you get this thing in your hand. It is built tough. Really, really tough.

Photo pros are fond of making very sweeping statements about tripods and heads in general; one you hear constantly is that a good tripod system is worth more than a new lens in many situations. Let me echo that sentiment here, and let me say that because of the amazing convenience and speed that the triggered ball release provides, taken together with the great stability and lack of droop the high-load magnesium ball lock brings to your tripod system, I give the 322RC2 my absolute highest recommendation. I can't see how it could be improved. It is built like a battleship and I can't see how you could damage it barring running over it with a bulldozer. It has *significantly* increased my enjoyment of my camera and if it were to be stolen or lost, I would replace it instantly without even bothering to research what other heads might be available. It is really that good.

As far as I'm concerned, there's no way to go wrong recommending the purchase of this head, and that goes for those who already have considerably more expensive heads, too. It isn't often that something comes along that significantly and broadly improves the actual way we take pictures. Try this gem; I just know you're going to like it.

Great alternative to the standard ball head. It's sturdy, it locks and stays locked. Nuff said.

Just got it today. Easily reassembled it for left hand control. This to facilitate keeping the right on the shutter release for action shots. Simple, well made device. I'm in mechanical device manufacturing myself so I appreciate such things. I does what it does very well. Mounting my XTi is a breeze and results in a rock-solid mount on top of the also wonderful Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod I ordered with it.

Why blow upwards of $250 for a tripod and head? This system will make shot composition and framing very, very easy with camera support and positioning made quite transparent to my little photographic process. Just as it should be for this amateur yearning to be better. That's what you're buying here. So if you want a real tool to help get those things out of your way, buy it.

The grip design provides the security in preventing the camera from tilting over while the ball head is loosen in adjusting the pitch/roll angle. Provided that the grip tension is adjusted adequately for the weight and size of the camera, the grip and its release mechanism effectively enforces a rigid stance for the camera that rests on top of it. One can only change the angle of the camera when one has a firm grip on the release mechanism. Thus, the camera is in good hands at all time. Once the hand lets go of the grip, the release mechanism tightens up and the camera is firmly in place. So when it comes to an expensive investment of a camera and lens combination, the decision of the type of ball head mount to purchase becomes rather crucial. As compare to the typical ball head design, a slightly loosen in the twist nub may very well be one heartache away from a costly mistake. The design also allows one to rearrange the grip orientation. The left or right grip base arrangement is ideal for heavier equipments as it keeps the center of the gravity of the camera as close to the ball join as possible. Thus, less prone to tilt and cause damage. The horizontal grip arrangement does have draw backs as the full range of motion is hampered by the location of the grip. As for the vertical grip arrangement, it is a universal design and suited for left handed or right handed dominant photographers. However, the full range of motion is once again an issue where one will find it difficult to tilt the camera upwards unless one adjusts the tripod legs to compensate for the angle of desire. In short, if a full range of motion in all directions is NOT an absolute must and you would much prefer the firm grip feel in protecting your camera investment, this ball head design may very well work for you. However, if a full range of motion in all directions is an absolute MUST, perhaps do a bit more research on other options available.

Like many photographers I have not used a tripod as often as I should because attaching,adjusting,and using everything (the camera/head/tripod) was too time consuming and I always fear damage or mishap. This head eliminates the fear and reluctance to use the tripod because it is so simple and intuitive to use. I know some ball heads cost $350 and more because of their high precision. However,it is difficult for me to imagine better performance, smoother feel, more simple adjustability. I love it and use it often. The ability to attach or remove the camera using the removable mounting plate is very helpful and also provides secure protection against inadvertent unintentional release. The little bubble level included is great for eliminating horizons which tilt up or down. Although I am right-handed, the head adjusts simply for use by lefties. I think shoppers with the same concerns as my self will love it. My advice is "Try it, you'll like it".

The Bogen-Manfrotto Horizontal Grip Action Ball head is awesome. I changed it to left handed use and it is easy to use and a snap to set up break down with the tripod. Very easy to carry and use.

Great product ... well made and can support about 11 lbs. I take mostly still life photos so it's well suited for quick position changes. The tripod is a Bogen 190XPROB.