Bogen 3021BPRO & 488RC4 Midi Ball Head

[Double Diamond]

OK, at this point I know this is probably overkill but I am looking to purchase a new tripod and ball head. Right now I am kind of favoring the Bogen 3021BPRO and the Manfrotto 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4 System. Right now I am using a DRebel body and my biggest lens is the 100-400 L. I am looking at buying somthing that will last a long tie and work correctly.

I guess my questions are;

1) Does anyone have this combination?

2) Would this be a good combination (with the idea that at some point I will be upgrading the body) to purchase right now with the above stated expectations.

[Scottes]

DoubleDiamond we think too much alike.

I got the 3021B PRO with the 490RC4 head. The 490RC4 is big, but I wanted it for the adjustable tension so I could track with my 100-400. I needed a head that could "do everything" for now. Ideally I would have gotten a gimbal type and a pan & tilt and a gear-head, but...

The 490 is great though. I definitely like it. The 488 is 3/4 lb lighter, a smaller ball which shouldn't mean anything, and doesn't have adjustable tension. I *really* like the adjustable tension. Otherwise they're the same head. Oh, the pan swivel is a little too stiff, but livable.

The 3021B PRO I'm not so enamored with. The center column only goes 90-degrees, ie; parallel to the ground. When at 90 it's connection to the rest of the tripod is kind of hokey - hard to explain. After seeing the Gitzo G-2220 I started kicking myself. I now wish that I had spent the extra $50 - if only. I really don't find the center column on the 3021B PRO that useful - it's more of a pain.

The 3021 is also very tall. With my head on it it's just about the perfect height for me at 6' - if I'm shooting straight ahead. But I'd love if it was 3 inches shorter, so then the center column could come up a few inches when I needed it. The Gitzo is several inches shorter - I'd probably find something in the middle to be ideal, but I'd take too short over too tall.

Lastly I don't like the way the legs angle out. You get the "normal" stance then the next stop is way too far out. In the normal stance the top of my quick-release plate is 61" from the ground, and the legs are 45" apart. Angling the legs to the next notch makes it 48" tall with the legs 78" apart. Too much in my opinion. I definitely would have liked something in between.

If I did it again I'd keep the 490RC4 but I'd get the Gitzo G-2220. But the combo you're looking at is very good and will last a lifetime.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Definately NOT overkill, but the sweet spot.. you will have this set-up for a loooooong time.