Manfrotto 468MGRC3 Hydrostatic Ball Head with RC3 Rapid Connect System, Supports 35.3 lbs

The Hydrostat is Manfrotto - Manfrotto's 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 the 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 16kg.

This head has a magnesium die cast body, a 2 Teflon coated aluminum ball which combined with specially designed tension surfaces provides movement as smooth assilk.

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 hexagonal quick release camera plate.

With sturdy all-metal construction, the materials, design and construction techniques have been carefully selected to help save weight without sacrificing stability or strength.

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.

Accurate degree markings on rotation axes allow for precise positioning of the camera. A separate lock on the panoramic axis allows for rotation adjustment or panning to be carried out without losing framing.

The double 90° groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up. Separate control for pre-setting the friction of the ball when unblocked.

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.

the Hydrostat ball locking system is based on a chamber containing fluid, which,when pressurised by the tightening of the lock knob, exerts an even locking force on the ball.

The evenness of the force applied by this system compared to the traditional mechanical blocking technique is what gives this head its remarkable load capacity. The Hydrostat system also reduces framing deviation during blocking for greater accuracy.