Name: Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc
Brand: Manfrotto
SKU: BGMH494
Price: 92.00 USD
Availability: BackOrder
Rating: 4.3 (23 reviews)

Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc

Manfrotto 494

Manfrotto

Although this item is temporarily on Backorder, you can order it now and it will ship as soon as it arrives. Your card will only be charged once item is shipped.

Temporarily On Backorder

Although this item is temporarily on Backorder, you can order it now and it will ship as soon as it arrives. Your card will only be charged once item is shipped. Estimated to Ship: 09/2025.

Adorama Protect 1-Year Protection Plan

Adorama Protect 2-Year Protection Plan

Adorama Protect 3-Year Protection Plan

Adorama Protect powered by Extend is available for purchases to customers in the United States only. Not available for international or U.S. territories purchases. Adorama Protect plans are available for ABS clients.

<a class="percent-off-everyday-promo popup promo-financing trackEvent" data-href="/api/getContent?ContentName=CAFinancingGenericPopup&amp;Output=Desktop" data-popup-class="popupFinancing popup800" rel="nofollow" data-track-data="financing apply,ways to save every day savings,pdp" 
		data-callback-context="adrma" data-callback-arguments="{&quot;financeMonth&quot;:&quot;{1}&quot;,&quot;financePrice&quot;:&quot;{0}&quot;,&quot;TotalPrice&quot;:&quot;{2}&quot;}" data-callback="renderFinancingPromoPopup"><img alt="edge-creditcard" src="/col/assets/edge-creditcard.png">
            <span class="month-term-promo"><h3>Save 5% Every Day<sup>†</sup></h3><p>with the Adorama Edge Credit Card.<span class="promoFinancing">Learn More</span></p></span></a>  

Adorama

Photography

Tripods & Supports

Tripod Heads

Ball Heads

Manfrotto Ball Heads

Manfrotto 494 

Shop the Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head: Compact, lightweight aluminum design with 19.8 lb capacity. Features smooth movement & secure locking. Order now!

With a robust and compact design, the 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc is a must-have tool for both amateur and professional photographers. Crafted from durable, lightweight aluminum, this high-quality ball head offers quick, precise camera positioning for optimal shot framing. Its compact size and light weight make it an ideal choice for photographers on the go, without compromising on strength - it can comfortably handle payloads up to 9 kg.This versatile ball head is compatible with a wide range of cameras, from mirrorless models with zoom lenses to medium-format DSLRs. Its three independent controls - a main sphere lock knob, an integrated friction control knob, and an independent panoramic knob - provide unparalleled control over your camera's positioning. The sphere lock allows for quick adjustments, while the friction control ensures your equipment's weight is perfectly balanced for effortless shot framing. The panoramic knob allows for smooth horizontal movement, making it perfect for capturing breathtaking landscape shots.The 494 Center Ball Head's standout feature is its universal round disc. This upper disc acts as a sturdy attachment point, providing a solid grip between the ball head and your camera. This ensures maximum safety and stability during your entire photography session, whether you're shooting sports events or conducting studio photography.In addition to its functionality, the 494 Center Ball Head boasts a sleek design that is not only easy to set up but also reliable to use in any configuration. Trust in the renowned quality of Manfrotto products and elevate your photography with the 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc.

Well built, definitely feel the weight of construction but depend on it for holding camera. Different bodies with 300mm f2.8 no problem.

Well made and holds position

Exactly as I expected, based on description.  Well constructed.  Can use my other Manfrotto base plate with it.

Good tripod head

Nice little tripod head with a new style plate design to use in my old RC2 heads one way and Arca Swiss the other way.

Nice with Dual Plate

Works great, built very solid and functions amazingly. Used it on a catwalk at hockey games with the Manfrotto super clamp. Not worried at all, and it got the job done.

A very solid tripod head!

Just what I was looking for!  Now I don't have to change mounting plates to use my travel tripod.  Fast shipping, secure packaging.

Perfect for what I needed

Solid and well built.  The quick release is a bit awkward in it's operation.  Could have been a better design.

Solid with one drawback.

The Manfrotto 494 came exactly as pictured and looks to be working as described. It is a relatively inexpensive solution to photographers looking for a ball head that does its job at a very reasonable price.  I would definitely recommend that ball head shoppers take a look at it. I am happy with my purchase after using the head and seeing it in action for the last month-and-a-half.
I have a Manfrotto tripod, a monopod and now this new bald head. I have learned over the years that Manfrotto makes quality equipment.

Manfrotto 494 Ball Head Does its Job

...especially on a bit of a sale. I got it to lose some weight off my mid-level tripod...a ball head definitely trims a bit of bulk. I'll see about longevity, but there's not a lot to go wrong with it - everything's smooth and tightens down nicely. The plate release is a little fiddly until you get used to it (unlike my previous head it's designed to be pinched between two fingers, I think, which was an "aha!" moment).

Solid

Exactly what I need to use the GoPro Omni on a monopod.

Using for GoPro Omni

Very disappointed with the ball head.  Once you attach the camera to the head, it is very hard to release it.  I thought I had a defective head so they sent me another one.  The replacement had the same issue so I sent them both back.

Very disappointed with the ball head

I just recently bought the above ball head and so far it has exceeded my expectations. I have purchased others that where a total fail. This is a win win for me! :)

Manfrotto 494 Aluminum Center Ball Head with 200PL-PRO Quick Release

This ball head is easy to use, light as all get-out, and the movements I can now manage are far more fluid than what I worked with using the traditional three-way head that came with my Manfrotto tripod 055B -- which I bought in Italy in 1989, and have used at least monthly since returning stateside.On shoots where I will rely on my trips, I routinely set up two or three bodies with quick-release plates, so that I can easily swap body for body when shooting -- even when I am hurried, such as when I am trying to beat the dying natural light coming through the studio windows, or working to fit in enough shots between weather events when shooting outdoors. And the easy one-handed operation makes composing an image a breeze and very accurate. Even simple, minor variations are easy to manage, with a minimum of effort on my part. I'm about to add a Manfrotto articulating arm with a camera platform, and fully intend to outfit that platform with this exact same ball head - the Manfrotto 494. In my bag, it's a keeper.

Smooth operator

Ball head

Ball Head

Use for hiking with Cullman 2036 tripod. Replaces a manfroto bogan mini ball head 494 that wassn't up to even a smaller lens. Does what it's supposed to with minimal effort.

 Does what it's supposed to with minimal effort

…… not nearly as good as my 3POD H3 ball head, which, unfortunately, is no longer available.  I'm using this on a monopod, with a still camera and it is as good as I need.

It offers the advantage of being small & light.

Good enough, but……

Got this for my monopod/D610 after trying a couple cheaper ones.  What they say is true. - when it comes to support, buy the good stuff the first time!

The Good Stuff

The camera twists if on horizontal position and if you try to tighten it it ruins the bottom rubber part of your camera! After the moment of despair during a photo shot the head is all wiggly and it doesn't hold the camera firmly not even on horizontal position. I've tried to contact the support and the have another company taking care of the support. They didn't help me at all.

Terrible product!

This ball head works really well for my sports photography.  I mounted it on top of my monopod and it easily holds my D700+200mm lens.  My only slight con would be that the clamp doesn't tighten quite as well as my older model Manfrotto ball head (which they no longer make).

Works great for monopod & sports combo!

I have this ball head mounted on my Manfrotto Monopod. It really makes a monopod easier to use when it is not practical to use a tripod.

Makes life easier

Excellent Product. However there is some information that should have been in the item listing:

Height:		3-1/8", 79MM
Base Diameter:	1-9/16", 39mm
Top Platform:	1-3/4", 45mm diameter with 1-1/2", 39mm diameter rubber pad insert.
Mounts on:	3/8-16 Stud (Does NOT come with ¼-20 adapter)

Manfrotto  088LBP Mounting Adapter. (Adorama #BG3367) is perfect to mount this on ¼-20 Stud base.

Additional Information

Excellent Product. However there are two pieces of information that should have been in the item listing:

Height:		2-1/8", 79MM
Base Diameter:	1-3/4". 45mm  (with 1-1/2", 39mm Rubber pad insert)

Missing Information

It works great and it is light.  I have attached a quick release so I can use it with all of my cameras with the quick release plates. Not sure how well this performs in the elements of 20 -40 below yet, but will find out next winter.

Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc

Key Features

Protect your gear with Adorama Protect.* Learn more

Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head with Universal Round Disc

Save 5% Every Day†

Key Features

Protect your gear with Adorama Protect.* Learn more

Save 5% Every Day^†