Manfrotto 222 Joystick Head - looking for reviews
Nov 27, 2013 11:37:09 #
I'm thinking of getting the Manfrotto 222 Joystick to mount on a Manfrotto 055XPROB and am wondering if anyone has experience with one. I'm using a Canon 40D with a 28-300 lens. If you could offer and advice and/or pro's and con's it will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks - Dave
Thanks - Dave
Nov 27, 2013 11:46:03 #
I have the joystick heads on two of my tripods and have been using them (the Bogen 3265 model) for several years.
They work well if you train yourself to use your left hand to work the pistol grip while positioning the camera with your right hand.
I now have arthritis and find I can't control the grip very well with my left hand. As a result I am switching to more traditional ball heads for my tripods.
As long as you don't have arthritis this is a great head!
Jerry
They work well if you train yourself to use your left hand to work the pistol grip while positioning the camera with your right hand.
I now have arthritis and find I can't control the grip very well with my left hand. As a result I am switching to more traditional ball heads for my tripods.
As long as you don't have arthritis this is a great head!
Jerry
Nov 27, 2013 12:17:32 #
Thanks Jerry,
I hadn't considered the dual hand positioning needs - I figured to squeeze and position with left and shoot with right - It sounds like I might need to rent one of these and see if I like it.
Appreciate the advice.
Dave
I hadn't considered the dual hand positioning needs - I figured to squeeze and position with left and shoot with right - It sounds like I might need to rent one of these and see if I like it.
Appreciate the advice.
Dave
Nov 27, 2013 12:35:07 #
Errrr
Load on google
http://www.laymansreviews.com/review.php?id=40
Me, can't stand them, only ever used Lensmaster gimbals,
Load on google
http://www.laymansreviews.com/review.php?id=40
Me, can't stand them, only ever used Lensmaster gimbals,
Nov 27, 2013 16:47:09 #
I have one its handy for lighter shorter lenses too much sag with heavy longer lens like a 70-300 0r 70-200
Nov 27, 2013 17:52:35 #
Here's another Manfrotto head to consider. The Joystick head.
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
Nov 27, 2013 19:37:30 #
From great minds comes great inputs - thank you all. It appears I have more to consider as there is a definite weight limitation with the 222 which I did not realize as I had read the spec's wrong on my initial look (thanks for the layman's review link). I did rent a Slik pistol grip head to get an idea what the feel would be - the Slik supports 10 lbs. and I am also looking at a gimbal head (the rental shop had a gimbal head for me to play with)... decisions, decisions -
Nov 27, 2013 21:33:16 #
SteveR wrote:
Here's another Manfrotto head to consider. The Joystick head.
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
I have this ball-head and really like it. Although I have arthritis in my hands, it's enough of a whole hand grip that I haven't had any problem squeezing it. (If it were a thumb squeeze, I'd be in trouble.) I also have the 484RC2 but find it slower in operation. My camera/lens combination is 2.5 lbs.
Nov 28, 2013 08:09:28 #
Have used the Manfrotto 222 for a number of years with good success. It's fast and easy to level. But there are caveats.
1. If you have to change orientation, say from horizontal to vertical, there is only a narrow slot to rotate to the new selection, which is very inconvenient. The 222 is best if you don't need to change orientation.
2. If you use a longer / heavier lens, hopefully it has a balanced mount onto which you can secure the 222's mounting plate. Otherwise, the lens will likely be way too heavy for this head.
That said, I love this head for landscapes with wide lenses.
1. If you have to change orientation, say from horizontal to vertical, there is only a narrow slot to rotate to the new selection, which is very inconvenient. The 222 is best if you don't need to change orientation.
2. If you use a longer / heavier lens, hopefully it has a balanced mount onto which you can secure the 222's mounting plate. Otherwise, the lens will likely be way too heavy for this head.
That said, I love this head for landscapes with wide lenses.
Nov 28, 2013 08:57:16 #
SteveR wrote:
Here's another Manfrotto head to consider. The Joystick head.
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
http://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-327rc2
I wonder how they came up with that price ($223). Does it have GPS, Wi-Fi, and a small TV? :D
Nov 28, 2013 08:58:54 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I wonder how they came up with that price ($223). Does it have GPS, Wi-Fi, and a small TV? :D
For that get a gimbal
Nov 28, 2013 09:56:31 #
Shellback wrote:
I'm thinking of getting the Manfrotto 222 Joystick to mount on a Manfrotto 055XPROB and am wondering if anyone has experience with one. ...
I have on mounted on a monopod. That may not be the best way to use it but it does not really work well as the primary head for a tripod.
On the other hand, it is better on a monopod than most other heads designed for tripods.
Nov 28, 2013 10:04:09 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I wonder how they came up with that price ($223). Does it have GPS, Wi-Fi, and a small TV? :D
This is NOT the 222 that the OP stated he wanted.
Nov 28, 2013 10:17:36 #
davidrb wrote:
This is NOT the 222 that the OP stated he wanted.
I know. It's the one that SteveR linked as "another."
Nov 28, 2013 10:47:26 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I know. It's the one that SteveR linked as "another."
I just saw that, thanx. The 222 is considerably less expensive. I have one and like it for certain circumstances. It really works well on a monopod, very flexible. The 327 seems to be an altogether different animal, looks intriguing. Wouldn't it be neat to have a sight that listed (compared) all bullheads, all manufacturers. One can only hope. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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