Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Hydrostatic Ballhead Overview
The Hydrostat is our most advanced ball head, designed to meet the demands of professional photographers for a lightweight, but at the same time heavy duty load capacity head. This model has similar features to our standard range of ball and socket heads, with independent pan and tilt locks, 360° pan and +90° / -90° tilt movement - but employs a revolutionary friction and locking mechanism. An inner oil chamber is compressed by turning the locking knob, exerting even pressure on the whole of the underside of the ball, which ensures sturdier locking and higher capacity... for camera and lens loads of up to 10kg. This head has a magnesium die cast body, a 2” Teflon coated aluminium ball which combined with specially designed tension surfaces provides movement as smooth as silk. A calibrated adjustable tension control allows you to preset the ball tension to suit your camera weight and give you fingertip control. The oversized lock knob is easier and quicker to find and turn. The second benefit of the liquid-based locking mechanism is that it all but eliminates unwanted movement during the locking phase. Completing this masterpiece, a graduated panoramic base and a 200PL quick release camera plate.
Main Advantages:
SLR cameras with short and/or light fixed-length lenses
SLR cameras with mid-long focal length lenses and zooms
medium format cameras
Features:
The Hydrostat is our most advanced ball head, designed to meet the demands of professional photographers for a lightweight, but at the same time heavy duty load capacity head. This model has similar features to our standard range of ball and socket heads, with independent pan and tilt locks, 360° pan and +90° / -90° tilt movement - but employs a revolutionary friction and locking mechanism. An inner oil chamber is compressed by turning the locking knob, exerting even pressure on the whole of the underside of the ball, which ensures sturdier locking and higher capacity... for camera and lens loads of up to 10kg. This head has a magnesium die cast body, a 2” Teflon coated aluminium ball which combined with specially designed tension surfaces provides movement as smooth as silk. A calibrated adjustable tension control allows you to preset the ball tension to suit your camera weight and give you fingertip control. The oversized lock knob is easier and quicker to find and turn. The second benefit of the liquid-based locking mechanism is that it all but eliminates unwanted movement during the locking phase. Completing this masterpiece, a graduated panoramic base and a 200PL quick release camera plate.
Main Advantages:
- compact for easier carrying
- "full optional" features
- very sturdy and stable
- lightweight
- high load capacity
SLR cameras with short and/or light fixed-length lenses
SLR cameras with mid-long focal length lenses and zooms
medium format cameras
Features:
- sturdy all-metal construction
- materials, design and construction techniques have been carefully selected to help save weight without sacrificing stability or strength
- the double 90° groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up
- the compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads
- this head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully.
- a repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mehanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob.
- a separate lock on the panoramic axis allows for rotation adjustment or panning to be carried out without losing framing
- separate control for pre-setting the friction of the ball when unblocked.
Finish:
Black
Material:
Magnesium Casting/Aluminum Ball
Still Photography:
Yes
Maximum Load Capacity:
22 lbs
Head Mount:
RC2 Rectangular Plate
Head Height:
4.7 inches
Pan:
360°
Independent Pan Lock:
Yes
Tilt:
+90°-90°
Tilt Drag:
Friction setting helps balance camera weight
Independent Tilt Lock:
Yes
QR Plate Supplied:
Yes
Weight:
1.4 lbs
Black
Material:
Magnesium Casting/Aluminum Ball
Still Photography:
Yes
Maximum Load Capacity:
22 lbs
Head Mount:
RC2 Rectangular Plate
Head Height:
4.7 inches
Pan:
360°
Independent Pan Lock:
Yes
Tilt:
+90°-90°
Tilt Drag:
Friction setting helps balance camera weight
Independent Tilt Lock:
Yes
QR Plate Supplied:
Yes
Weight:
1.4 lbs





