3021 Pro with 488RC2 - Any complaints

I purchased the Manfrotto 3021 Pro with the 488RC2 and I may be one of the few who do not like it. The tripod is tough to set up and level and I find that thehead drifts when I am using it in portait orientation.

I am doing something wrong or is there a better option in this price category?

Thanks,
Mitch

EOS 5D/EOS 20D/ 70-200/4L IS / 24-105/4L IS, 580eXII x

Where did you you find one new? I thought they discontinued that model.

nymitch1 wrote in post #4870386
I purchased the Manfrotto 3021 Pro with the 488RC2 and I may be one of the few who do not like it. The tripod is tough to set up and level and I find that thehead drifts when I am using it in portait orientation.

I am doing something wrong or is there a better option in this price category?

Thanks,
Mitch

EOS 5D/EOS 20D/ 70-200/4L IS / 24-105/4L IS, 580eXII x

have you had better success with other tripods? i.e., when you say the tripod is difficult to set up and level what are you comparing the experience to

what lens/camera combo are you having a problem with in portrait mode? 1dM3 and 24-70L are rock solid for me in portrait mode with that head.

ed rader

Ed, to be honest this is the first serious tripod I have ever owned. I dont have a good point of reference, but I having two problems:
1. It is tough to make sure I am level
2. With a 5D + Grip + 24-105 lens + 580EX, it seems that it doesnt lock well in potrait mode

What you need is a builders pocket spirit level! I use a small 2inch on to get everything level first.

I can hang 6lb of my 488 without it moving, maybe yours has a fault?

where do you put the level?

I have yet to purchase this tripod, but by looking at the descriptions of the ball head, doesn't the stem of the ball head slide into the housing groove for portrait/vertical compositions? It seems like this would be very stable and secure, how are you getting any drift?
Even on my older 3-way Bogen, once I have everyting tightened up, it's solid.

On my 055 there is a spirit level in the top boss. I also carry a little key ring spirit level that came out of a christmas cracker. I like the Manfrotto lever locking legs and find it very quick, having tried twist lock legs in the past.

I have been using the 486 ballhead and find that it moves between composition and final locking of the head. Once locked down it is fine.

Richard

This combo seems to be the single most popular combo of ANY equipment on this forum, let alone in the support category.

IMHO the legs are so beefy that a slightly larger head would be a more appropriate fit,. (ie if the 488 is enough, then why not the 3001 legs?) but that's nit picking. The advantage is the 3021 legs are sturdy enough fro anything you can throw at them including the large super teles (with the right head)

I'm not sure what issue is keeping your from leveling the legs, I use the smaller version (3001) and love the leg locks, prefer them over the Gitzo I use for my Super tele (5x the cost)

Those 3021 legs with a more substantial head is a winning combo.

nymitch1 wrote in post #4871135
where do you put the level?

In the hotshoe

nymitch1 wrote in post #4870983
Ed, to be honest this is the first serious tripod I have ever owned. I dont have a good point of reference, but I having two problems:
1. It is tough to make sure I am level

Try one of these glued onto the top of the tripod (if it will fit)

http://www.nextag.com/​bubble-level/search-html

nymitch1 wrote in post #4870983
Ed, to be honest this is the first serious tripod I have ever owned. I dont have a good point of reference, but I having two problems:
1. It is tough to make sure I am level
2. With a 5D + Grip + 24-105 lens + 580EX, it seems that it doesnt lock well in potrait mode

1. i can get pretty close to level by eyeball. i do my final levelling in Light Room.

2. that's about the same weight as my 24-70L + 1dM3 and i don't have a problem so i'm not sure if you have a problem with your balhead.

ed rader

nymitch1 wrote in post #4870386
I purchased the Manfrotto 3021 Pro with the 488RC2 and I may be one of the few who do not like it. The tripod is tough to set up and level and I find that thehead drifts when I am using it in portait orientation.

I am doing something wrong or is there a better option in this price category?

Did you buy the rig new or used?

If you bought it new, you may not be tightening the round knob on the head enough.

If you bought it used, some idiot may have lubricated the ball. If this is the case, do what you can to wipe the ball clean and dry.

Somewhere I've read instructions for dismantling the Manfrotto ballheads for cleaning. I cannot remember how it was done but it struck me at the time as very simple to do.

Richard

I have this combo and love them. Looking at your situation a couple things come to mind.

1. Try using this level. I have it and get things dead on level every time. Slides into the hotshoe nice and easy.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …7_337_Flash_Hot​_Shoe.html

2. I think you are putting a lot of weight off center on the head in my opinion. I have a 40D and when putting it on the head gripped with my 17-55 IS I can see the camera settle back. I was doing some astrophotoraphy a few weeks back and could see the moon move out of the view finder due to the weight torque when having the grip on. Taking the grip off took care of this issue as the weight of the camera is closer to the the center of gravity. Putting a 5D gripped, 580 EX, 28-105 all hanging out there will definitely cause the head to settle some. Try taking the grip off and see how things go. Personally I think you will have to spend a lot more money on a head to prevent this with that setup.