if you plan to shoot with any lense longer thaan the 100mm canonf2/8, reconsider or at least check the weight each can handle. I paid for my experience.
On kirbic's recommendation in another thread I recently got myself the RC4 version rather than the RC2, I think the larger surface of the quick release plate and the additional friction are a big bonus. It's quite heavy though, but so is the RC2 I guess.
I'd heard too many negatives about the grip action ball head and went with a regular ballhead that I have trouble positioning (slippage et al). So I agree and can back (from my experience) what cpanaioti says.
I'm going to lose the ball head and go for a tilt pan or something similar to the one he suggested.
I agree that the grip-action heads, while convenient, are not going to cut the mustard with heavier equipment. You want at least a mid-sized ball head, something like the 488. I do wholeheartedly recommend the RC4 connection system over the RC2. It's much more secure, and easier to actuate, though the camera plate is rather large. I used to use the RC2 heads, and I ditched them in favor of the RC4.
I have the 808rc4 Very nice piece of equipment. I love it. It will handle just about anything you can mount to it. The mounting plates as Kirbic said are much larger and a bit of a pain if you like to keep it on the camera. However even that has an advantage as it can be used to keep your camera upright on a table top or other flat surface for those quick shots where you dont feel like setting up the legs etc.
My heaviest lens is the Canon 70-200 L IS and my ball head is fine for the most part. Personally, I LOVE my Bogen/Manfrotto set up and wouldn't even consider a tilt and swivel head after using my ball head. The grip action ball is a MUST. I can't speak to heavier lenses though.
this one seems to be the best one suited for my needs. thanks all for the input!
I'd agree. I'm not a fan of ball heads for anything but action work with a tripod. I upgraded recently from the entry-level RC-2 3-way head to the 808RC-4 and it was money well spent. That head is SOLID and the release plate is much more stable and secure.
R.
ETA: the problem with ball heads, for me, is the inability to lock in separate planes and then adjust the others separately, for critical alignment in landscape work. When I used a ball head, something was always dropping out of whack alignment-wise.
