Bogen 3021Pro + 3047 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head - What are other options?

[DocFrankenstein]

Basically I want a versatile all around solid tripod.

My heaviest lens is 70-200 f/2.8... let's say + rebel and grip.

I am planning to use it for:
Geneal use (main tripod)
Portraits
Long exposures at night
Macro stuff
I won't be carrying it too far

MAYBE sports. Is this even possible with pan/tilt?

What are the alternative tripods/heads? Or should I go with a ball head of some sort?

Please advise.

[DocFrankenstein]

This is the head I want:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/5293.jpg

[Tom W]

I had that head - very sturdy and well-made. Operation is smooth, and it locks down tight. It is a little heavy, but it certainly won't break. If you like 3-way heads, this is a great one.

BTW, it has bubble-levels in 2 planes - front-back and side-side.

I switched to a Manfrotto 322RC2 grip-head so that I can quickly re-aim my camera, but if you're shooting in a less frantic situation, the 3047 is a good choice IMHO. I kind-of wish that I'd have kept both heads.

[DocFrankenstein]

I think I need a pan/tilt because I hope to make a few panoramics... I want the ability to make them at least and to level the camera with bubbles.

On the other hand I already have a 3D head #56, but I don't think it's gonna offer precise framing.

Anybody uses ballheads for portraiture?

[Dale]

Take a look at the BWG at: www.jobu-design.com

[DocFrankenstein]

I had that head - very sturdy and well-made. Operation is smooth, and it locks down tight. It is a little heavy, but it certainly won't break. If you like 3-way heads, this is a great one.
Did you have any problems with the quick release plate? I just read a review stating that the lever is sometimes triggered before the hex-plate is fully in, resulting in a jam or "lock up" or something.

[DocFrankenstein]

Oh, I'm not ready for that Dale... not yet :D

[Tom W]

Did you have any problems with the quick release plate? I just read a review stating that the lever is sometimes triggered before the hex-plate is fully in, resulting in a jam or "lock up" or something.
No, it worked fine for me.

[ssim]

I have just recently got my final tripod setup. This involves a Gitzo 1325 tripod, a Kirk head and the Wemberly sidekick. The operation of this head is smooth, smooth, smooth. With the sidekick on it is downright awesome. Here are a couple of samples:

With the sidekick
http://www.pbase.com/ssim/image/37516030.jpg

Mounted directing on the ball head
http://www.pbase.com/ssim/image/37516033.jpg

These photos showing it holding my 500 lens and there is no play when it is tightened up. It takes very little effort to tighten the knobs.

[Chris1le]

I have both the 3047 and the 322RC2. I started with the 3047 and found I did not like it at all. It is big and bulky. The first time I tried to shoot upwards one of its limitations was quickly evident. You can only pan up so far. Another thing that is user fault more than anything else is letting go of the vertical lever without tightening it first. Makes for an embarrasing and potentially costly mistake.
:o The 322RC2 is a dream to me compared to the 3047. It is quick and compact. You can shoot anywhere with virtually no limitations. Also when you let go of the handle it is locked. No more crashing camera. ;) Other than panoramas I will probably not use use the 3047 much in the future.

[defordphoto]

Nice setup there ssim, but that's a million-miles overkill for Doc. You get the Bragger of the Day award. ;) Actually, I'd give a body-part for that setup...

Anyway Doc, I have the 3021PRO and it came with the 3030 head, which is the same as the 3047 sans the bubble levels. Then I got the 322RC2 and that baby is sweet. The 3030/3047 style heads are more solid and steady, but the versatility of the 322RC2 is second to none.

As an aside, these combos are not for hikers. The 3021PRO is not a set of legs you'd want to drag across the country too far. But, it is a seriously-solid set of legs that's hard to beat. You get the wide spread, the adjustable/resizable center-rod. IMO, it's the best bang for the buck for a non-hikers pod.

[jgbeam]

I have the 3021/3047 combo and love it. I use it for architecture and portraiture and it is perfect for those applications. If I had need for a ball head I would go with the 322RC2. Your most important decision is whether you need pan/tilt or ball head. The 3021 legs are a good choice for either as long as you don't have to lug them too far.

The QR plate on the 3047 is a bit tricky the first time you use it but very secure. Once set it is impossible to accidently release it.

Jim

[DocFrankenstein]

Well... dam... I am not sure which one I need more.

My understanding is that the ballhead's (322RC2) main application is sports... like shooting cars, football... etc... With moving subjects and tracking. Right? (This may sound stupid, but I didn't use anything yet :) ) When (and if at all) I'm shooting sports, I could just either handheld or use the "loosened" pan and tilt head. Right?

On the other hand I'll probably try my hand at macro. In there, I would really use the precisison of pan/tilt head. And my younger brother wants to make a movie, so he'd get to use it too...

I also have the #56 3-D head right now sitting on the table:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5258&is=REG

I got it for what I thought was a good price... What are 3D heads used for? I think it could be used as a panoramic head if oriented properly. Or am I wrong?

Is it easier to make panoramas with a 3D head or pan/tilt?
Would the 3D head duplicate the functions of pan/tilt?

Thanks you for replies everyone.

[defordphoto]

Doc: I shoot motorsports in a huge way. CLick the link in my SIG. I NEVER use a mono or tri-pod. Way too restrictive for my style. I always shoot free-hand, but my biggest lenses are only the 100-400 and 400 f/5.6, so I am not shooting extreme large/heavy glass. For heavy glass: 500-1200 primes, then see ssim's pics above.

You'd do just fine with the 3047 3-way, but for sports, I'm leg-free only.

[DocFrankenstein]

RFMSports: Thank you. Considering that I only have 70-200... MAYBE I'll get 1.4 converter and not more. At least not in the next 2 years as I see it. :)

I have a feel that the 3D head will be either sold or will gather dust.

[Chris1le]

To me the 3D head just looks like a cheap version of the 3047 pan and tilt. When I bought the 3047 I thought the same way you are thinking now. I figured the 3047 would be a good all around head. I was wrong. The 322RC2 is a great all around head. It has a level on it. It is much easier to align your shot with 322RC2. I quit using my tripod after getting frustrated with 3047's limitations. Now I'm using my tripod more often. :-D

[Tom W]

I have both the 3047 and the 322RC2. I started with the 3047 and found I did not like it at all. It is big and bulky. The first time I tried to shoot upwards one of its limitations was quickly evident. You can only pan up so far. Another thing that is user fault more than anything else is letting go of the vertical lever without tightening it first. Makes for an embarrasing and potentially costly mistake.
In fairness, if you turn the camera around so that the knobs are at the front, you can shoot almost straight up. Great for moon shots, though adjusting your aim takes considerably longer in that situation.

:o The 322RC2 is a dream to me compared to the 3047. It is quick and compact. You can shoot anywhere with virtually no limitations. Also when you let go of the handle it is locked. No more crashing camera. ;) Other than panoramas I will probably not use use the 3047 much in the future.
The quickness of changing positions is why I switched to the 322RC2, but the 3047 does have the advantage for panoramic shooting. It also has a bit higher weight capacity, particularly in the portrait position. In the studio or perhaps in panoramic shooting, I'd probably stick with the 3047.

[Chris1le]

In fairness, if you turn the camera around so that the knobs are at the front, you can shoot almost straight up.

LOL Yeah, I did that. :-D