Product Review: Bogen/Manfrotto 3249/484RC2

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/30/2004 09:38:54 PM · #1

I went to the zoo last weekend and ran into a photographer using a monopod. He was also using a Canon 10D. After watching him shoot for a while, I decided that a monopod would be beneficial for me. I like shooting with a tripod, but on a trip to the zoo or other similar places where I am moving around a lot, using a tripod for everything can be cumbersome. The monopod certainly isn't a replacement for a good tripod, but it does offer much more camera stability than hand-holding.

Bogen / Manfrotto 3249 Compact Monopod ($46.40)
Bogen / Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ballhead with Rapid Connect ($48.70)

This monopod is solid work. It has a nice comfortable grip area under the head with a comfortable wrist strap that has enough slack to allow you to hold the camera. It's a 4 section monopod that extends to approximatly 60" in height.

The 484RC2 mini ball head is also solid. It is rated to handle 8.8 lbs, and I could not move the head with my hand when it was locked in place on top of the monopod. The quick release plate on this head makes it very easy to remove the camera from the monopod when needed. The ball head also makes it quite simple to switch to portrait orientation with the camera.

I haven't been in the field with the rig yet but I hope to have some feedback on that tomorrow :)

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/30/2004 09:44:57 PM · #2

the portrait orientation is something i find difficult with my tripod.
good to know, and been thinking about one lately...

glad to see the review idea at work...

thanks

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/30/2004 10:04:19 PM · #3

John,

Glad to hear your order came in and that you are at the moment pleased. If you have not used manfrotto products before, then I believe that you will discovery over time, that they hold up well. The 484RC2 ball head is quite versitile and it would not surprise me if it made its way to your tri-pod at some point (as the ball head is an absolute joy on a tri-pod). If it does, then consider manfrottos's 3229 monopod head. It uses the same plate as your 484.

Enjoy.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/30/2004 10:14:14 PM · #4

Originally posted by Flash:

I do have some experience with Bogen/Manfrotto stuff. I have a set of 3221 legs with the 3047 head that I'm almost completely happy with. Santa also brought me the 714shb portable tripod that works quite well for what I use it for. So this combo is my third and, you are right... I don't think this stuff can be beat.

I LOVE the 3221 leg set, but I'm not sure if the 3047 head will stay with me much longer. I may try out some other options there but I'm not sure what I really want yet. I really like the 3265 but it's not rated for enough weight to suit me.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/30/2004 10:34:48 PM · #5

I have the 3058 tripod and the 3047 head. They are both pretty massive and I used the combo to hold up my 4x5 view camera. It's an understatement to say that it is overkill for my G5 or even an SLR. If you want a ballhead, take a look at the 488 series, their capacity is something like 17+lb, more than enough for most SLR cameras and a big lens.

e301

01/31/2004 03:50:02 AM · #6

How much does it weigh. and how long is it in its collapsed state John? Something I need, but I also need to be able to get it into a bag ...

E

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

01/31/2004 04:53:45 AM · #7

I have got the same head on my 3001 tripod.

A very versatile and sturdy combination. Even this one, low to the ground was taken with that combination.

Only if you need to do work were very fine adjustments in one direction are needed or if you want to do panoramic work, then another head would be better.

01/31/2004 08:38:24 AM · #8

Originally posted by e301:

How much does it weigh. and how long is it in its collapsed state John? Something I need, but I also need to be able to get it into a bag ...

E

The monopod and head together weigh 2.5 lbs. The monopod collapses to 20" and the head adds about 4 inches to that.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/13/2004 09:31:31 PM · #9

I'm looking to buy a monopod, and in John's review he mentions the 484RC2 ball head mount which from another thread I know is something I'll want to use on Bogen/Manfrotto tripod later.

So my questions are:

1) The 484RC2 holds up to 8.8lbs. Is this enough support for say a D70 or Cannon camera with a good size (and heavy) lens? Planning ahead. :)

2) And 2nd, will the 484RC2 fit on most Bogen/Manfrotto monopods? I want a taller one then John reviewed, so I'm wondering if these heads fit all their monopods?

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

06/13/2004 09:47:29 PM · #10

A 484 head, IMO, is not enough for your camera plus telephoto.

I use a 488RCO, which I consider the absolute rock bottom, if you intend to use a heavier lens. Sure, the 484 would support your set-up, but will it remain in place after you composed your shot and locked it? Or will it sag ruining your composition?

Message edited by author 2004-06-13 21:48:10.

06/13/2004 09:57:26 PM · #11

Good question! I want something that is enough for a heavy camera (like the EOS-10D) plus a big lens.

I have no problem with going with a larger ball head like the 486RC2, or even the 488. The 486 says it will hold 13.2lbs. Do you think that is enough? I may also go with the mono that John recommended because it's 60 inches, plus 4 inches from the head, and then the height of my camera is high enough I think, plus it holds 22lbs.

Message edited by author 2004-06-13 22:01:33.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/13/2004 10:07:16 PM · #12

The 484 works fine on a monopod for about any weight you would ever put on it with a DSLR rig. Sag is not a real issue on a monopod because it is not stable like a tripod anyway. I would not suggest this head for use on a tripod with a heavy combo.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

06/13/2004 10:12:30 PM · #13

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

John may well be right here. He has the experience with a monopod. I do not.

06/13/2004 10:16:07 PM · #14

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I agree. So I'm going with the 488RC2 (holds 17lbs) and the 3249 monopod. Then, when I do buy a Bogen tripod later, I'll be able to use the 488 head on that and be able to hold a lot of weight if needed.

Thanks for the advice! I'm off to B&H. :)

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

06/13/2004 10:18:42 PM · #15

Not to change the subject but I use a Bogen/Manfrotto grip-action head (on both my mono and tripod). It looks a little funky on the mono but I sure do like it. All the flipping and turning with traditional ball heads just bothered me - so much so that I would often not use a tripod at all which just isn't good!

Congratulations on finding a set-up that works for you :-)