Manfrotto 322rc2 help needed

Haven't used a friction head before. When setting the friction, do you turn dial all the way down til it locks the head and just down enough to hold the camera in place? Also, when you squeeze the grip handle, does that release the tension to make it easier to reposition the camera? If so, is there any reason why you wouldn't notice the change in the tension when squeezing the handle? On the one I have, everything seems to work, but there is no noticeable change in tension when I squeeze the handle. Doesn't seem right to me. Any help from someone who owns a 322rc2 will be appreciated.

First off I would like to welcome you to Photography review. You will find many helpful members here with all ranges of experience from beginner to professional. We hope you will stick around and join in the fun. As far as you question, when you squeeze the grip you should be able to easily rotate and position the camera and then release the grip for it to stay in place. The wheel is for adjusting the friction applied to the ball to accommodate different weight loads. I have the Manfrotto 322rc2 head and also have the Manfrotto bogen 3047 head but with the ease of use the 322rc2 is on my tri pod 100% of the time and I am very happy with it, Jeff

I might add that the allen screw next to where your thumb would be on the pistol grip will also adjust the holding strength. The wheel is for quick adjustments and the screw is for adjusting the tension for holding power when the wheel is turned to the tighter position. This may be adjusted to tight, not letting you to have any movement when the grip is squeezed.

The little dial is not the friction control, it is a minor friction adjustment. If you look on the back side of the 322 up at the head you will see a large opening containing a set screw. That is the friction control. Adjust it as you prefer on the head and use the dial to make minor adjustments in grip tension.

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Originally Posted by gryphonslair99

The little dial is not the friction control, it is a minor friction adjustment. If you look on the back side of the 322 up at the head you will see a large opening containing a set screw. That is the friction control. Adjust it as you prefer on the head and use the dial to make minor adjustments in grip tension.

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You may want to re read what I wrote, Jeff

Thanks. I used a metric hex wrench to adjust the set screw and that was it. It works perfectly now. And I was just about ready to send it back to the guy I got it from on eBay. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by robinhunter

Thanks. I used a metric hex wrench to adjust the set screw and that was it. It works perfectly now. And I was just about ready to send it back to the guy I got it from on eBay. Thanks again.

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Glad you have it fixed! Now stick around and post some of your pictures so we can see how well it works, Jeff