Bogen / Manfrotto 3021 or 3221?

[Chris1le]

Hey all. I'm currentley using a Canon G3 and hope to upgrade to either an DRebel or 10D or whatever Canon puts out in this price range in the next couple of months. I'm trying to decide between the 3021 bpro.

http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=88&itemid=812

or the 055BWB TRACKER TRIPOD

http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=88&itemid=1947

I have only been able to handle a 3021BN. I would like to hear from anyone who has had the chance to work with either of these tripods. Are there any real big differences or are they pretty much the same?

I'm also considering this ballhead? 488RC4

http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=8&itemid=1956

Will this be a pretty reliable set up?

[Vegas Poboy]

Currently I have the 3001 Bpro tripod & the 3030 Head. Bogen just changed their # last year so I believe we're talking about the same tripod. Strong & steady for the tripod, no complaints with the exception of weight. I'll purchase a new one for hiking soon.

Ball heads I have no experience with so I'm hoping someone else can help you soon. I most likely will get a ball head with the light weight tripod. The setup I have is great but for hiking & light travel I need something else.
Bennie

[bfaust]

they sure get heavy

[Chris1le]

I'm not real concerned about weight. I'm just curious if there is much of a difference between the two other than the approximately $50.00?

As far as the ball head I've only used the one on my mini tripod. I'm currentley using an old Velbon pan and tilt that doesn't tilt very well anymore. Thought I'd try out a ball head since it seems that is what many people are using. Would love to hear arguments for or against the ball head vs pan and tilt.

[TimNYC]

bought the 3021Pro and 3047 head a few months back. have not suffered any buyers remorse. the 3021 is awesome with the removable center column that you can use horizontaly. great for copy work and macro. done both so far, and it is a real treat. bought the 3047 head for use with larger lenses and for macro work, which I think the 3047 head is better suited for than a ball head.

[RichardtheSane]

I have the 3021 and I am very pleased with it.
It is compace enough to carry for a bit of a treck but still a very capable and sturdy tripod. :D

[ratz2plt]

I have the 3021 and a 3030 head and am very happy.
It seems like you would be paying $50 for some padding on the legs, a little extra height and some spiked feet. The height difference is very small and my 3021 has been fine as far as height. The other two items seem somewhat trivial unless you really think that you want those features. You would also actually lose on the minimum height. The 3021's minimum height is 4.4 inches and the 055BWB TRACKER TRIPOD's minimum height is 20 inches. You can get lower with the 3021 if that is important to you. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the 055BWB TRACKER if you want those features but I am tottaly happy with my 3021 and 3030 head.

[SWPhotoImaging]

I just recently purchased the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 with a 3028 "Super 3d" head. This was an upgrade for me, from a Slik Digital camera tripod that wobbled and would fall over with a 10D on it, and was a pain to use.
I LOVE MY NEW MANFROTTO!! This is one awesome tripod. Rock Solid. Super easy to use, due to the very solid and positive lock leg clamps. Excellent center extension flexibility, in that you can slip it out and mount it horizontally for down-shots, or even upside down for low-angle shots. I walked a few miles last weekend carrying this tripod with my 10D/BGED3&70-200f2.8L mounted on top. I found it to be a bit heavy, but then, a 10D with a 70-200 and BG-ED3 isn't all that light anyway. It may be a bit heavy as a backpack tripod, unless you have a good setup for strapping it to your backpack to get it out of your hands, and the load off your arms. For me, it is perfect! I rarely walk more than a few miles at a time, and generally much less.

[maderito]

I bought the 3221 maybe 10 years ago. Looking at the specs and the comments on the 3021, I'd almost certainly choose the 3021 today. I don't recall if it was available back in the 1990's.

Incidentally, my 3221 looks like it's brand new - not for lack of use (albeit mostly indoors).

[CyberDyneSystems]

Th ebiggest difference is that the cheaper one (3021pro) has more flexibility!

It has the center column that will mount horizontally! A nice feature indeed.

[defordphoto]

I have a 3021BPRO in my wishlist at B&H.

It will be mine. Yes. Someday it will be mine.

[jazt]

I own the 3021PRO with a 484RC2.

I picked the 3021 over the 055BwB/3221 Tracker because it more flexible, for macro (center column upside down and horizontal!!), with slight weight advantage (15oz).

I just returned from a 14 day trip to Hawaii. This tripod/ball combo went on many day trips and was a perfect setup for me.

However, as a side note, ....tripods, cameras, and girlfriends :twisted: :P should "always" be lighter. (But this begins a new thread subject called....Cost vs Performace vs Availabilty issue.)

Back to my point on your tripod/ball head question.

I looked at the the 488RC4 head and felt it was overkill for the types of equipment I have: See my math below.

Canon 10D, 28 oz.
My largest lens is the 70-200 f4 w/ 1.4 tele. 25oz
Flash / Battery / other stuff (est), 15 oz.
Total weight: 68 oz ( 4.25 lb)

The 484RC2 supports 8.8lb and weights 0.7lb

The 488RC4 supports 17.6 lb and weights 1.76 lb. (to much!!)

So....unless you plan on buying the big 70-200 f2.8L IS at 3.2 lbs and $1600, my math say's the 468RC4 ball head is the "right" one for support strength.

Also, I had the 486 on loan from my dealer for about 2 weeks while my 484 was on order. I even thought the 486 was to much for my gear and was glad when the 484RC2 arrived.

[Chris1le]

Thanks for the advise. I think that after reading responses to this thread and the other current tripod thread I've decided to go with the 3021bpro with a 3047 pan and tilt head. I'm a sucker for the level indicators. :D

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/284779.jpg

Thanks for the help