Bogen 3021BPRO or Gitzo Explorer 2220

[pcasciola]

I've narrowed my tripod choice to the Bogen 3021BPRO and Gitzo Explorer 2220. I like the Bogen beacuse it's inexpensive, gets good reviews and has the option of setting up the center column at 90 degrees to the head for macro shots If I get the Bogen I will probably get the 322RC2 grip action ball head. The Gitzo has a center column that can be adjusted to just about any angle, so I could almost get away without a ball head. Aside from the center column adjustments, which would you say is the better choice in terms of build quality and sturdiness.

[Scottes]

The 3021 is a rock. Solid. Heavy. I have mine and love it, but if I did it again I'd get the Gitzo.

Do you have any plans on getting big glass? One reason that I got the 3021 is that I will eventually own a 500mm or 600mm. The 3021 is more than enough for either of these. But the biggest you have now is the 300mm f/4 - you don't need the 3021 to support this lens.

And the center column - I haven't had it on the tripod in 6-8 months. It stays in my trunk, but I just don't use it.

Some more of my opinions on the 3021 from an old thread:
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.

[adamsti]

If you are ever planning to get the big glass, 500 or 600 it is the opinion of many that the only choice is the Gitzo 1325. It does however cost over $500. I don't have the big glass or the Gitzo, but from everything I have read, get the best the first time, instead of buying cheap and then having to buy again.

I just got the latest bulletion from Art Morris's website www.birdsasart.com and he strongly advises to buy the 1325, and not to really consider lessor models.

Here is the link to the tripod info. http://www.birdsasart.com/bn160.htm


If you don't plan to go heavy the 3021 Pro is great, I have had no problems with mine.

[pcasciola]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't plan on acquiring any huge glass in the next year or so, but there's an outside chance I might get either a 200mm f/1.8 or 120-300mm f/2.8, which are both around 6-7 pounds. I'm just worried that the Gitzo 2220, with the offset column, is not going to be as solid as the Bogen 3021 which is known for being rock solid.

[dr.bear]

pcasciola, you've just answered your question. Get the 3021. After saying that, I can tell you the 2220 is an extremely well built tripod. I have it along with a 488rc2 ballhead. This setup is rock solid. The heaviest combo I've put on it is m 10D w/grip w/70-200 2.8 IS w/1.4x extender. The 2220 handles this like a champ. I think it's rated up to 13 lbs. The center column is offset but the locking mechanism is very strong. The offset was my concern before I bought this tripod, but not anymore. I tested the tripod by placing my body weight down against the center column (locked vertically) and no movement/creeping was noted.

[pcasciola]

Hmmmm.......

Even though you said get the 3021, you've convinced me the 2220 will be much more solid than I expected. I don't think I'll trying leaning on it though. Thanks.

[dr.bear]

Sorry for the confusion. My point is that the 3021 compared to the 2220 is more solidly built. It also weighs more. If this is one of the most important criteria for you then get the 3021. But don't discount the solid build quality of the 2220. Before I bought the 2220 I kept going back and forth between these to tripods, but in the end the versatility of the 2220 to do macro and its lighter weight help me make my decision. You can't go wrong with either one.

Yeah, I don't recommend you lean on any tripods. I won't do that again. I guess my curiosity got the best of me. I thought for sure when I leaned on it something would give, but I didn't notice even a slight creep.

[ScottE]

I have a Manfrotto 055PRO (same as a Bogen 3021PRO) with a Manfrotto 468RC ball head and a Gitzo Explorer 2228 with an Acratech ball head.

First of all, the statement about the Gitzo being less stable because the centre post is offset is nonsense. There are detents in the swivel adjustment of the centre post and it locks into postion very securely.

For nature photography where you may be on uneaven terrain or photographing very close to the ground the Gitzo Exporer is far superior. The legs can lock in any position and the swivel centre post lets you position the camera exactly where you want it at low elevations.

The Gitzo 2228 is carbon fiber. I find it much more pleasant to work with carbon fiber than aluminum during the winter or even on cool mornings during the summer. I also find the carbon fiber is much less prone to vibration than aluminium.

I amost never take the Manfrotto when I am shooting nature photos. The only time it gets used is for shooting indoors on level floors. If I had to choose to keep only one it would be the Gitzo 2228 Explorer.

[Borutz]

I am using Manfrotto 190PRO (Bogen 3001) with 410 (Bogen 3275) gear head. Brochures will tell that this combination is incompatible (probably because of weight of the head), but actually works very well. I like the smooth movement of gear knob and posibillity to precise move camera.