Is this a good tripod & pan head combination?

For a while i thought about getting a bunch of light weight stuff, but with all the junk in the backpack, i figured another 3-4 lbs wouldn't matter.

Thanks for all the replys.

Well Santa delivered the Bogen 3021 with the 3437 pan head. I appreciate the comments about the adjustment knobs on some of the others and how they can get in the way, the 3437 is perfect.

I have one question though for people who have this pan head. I plan on using it for panaromics, but it "seems" as though it doesn't adjust for the nodal point. Sure I can pan, but the axis point isn't centered or set back slightly from the center. Am I missing something? What's the best position of the center column for panoramics with consideration of this nodal point? Horizontal seems right but unsure, can't wait to play around with it.

I am also looking for an answer on that question... so bump...

I dont shoot too much sports / wildlife so im guessing a 3-way pan/tilt is for me... I do pandscape, creative, portrait, and macro work. I would like to shoot sports and wildlife, but im hoping i wont need a new head for that.

Will the pan/tilt work for pano shots or even photostich work. Im looking to take 3-4 frame pano shots with this... Will that work>?

Or do I need some special head to do that.

A pan-tilt does not allow for placement over the nodal point / entrance pupil, so parallax can easily occur. But if you do not take panos with close objects it will work just fine. If you do plan on taking panos that contain objects close to the lens you will have problems, though, and may want to consider a pano head. The Panosarus and King Pano are two inexpensive pano head (about $100-$150) though you may have to remove the grip from your 20D since they can't handle heavy gear. Either might be good with the grip attached, but I know they'll be OK without it.

With the 3437 am I correct in assuming that you move the camera, hold the camera in position whilst moving your hand(s) to tighten the knobs to lock the position, where as with the 3030 or the 3047 the camera is moved by the handles and then locked in position with those same handles in one movement. Is this a benefit of the 3 Handle 3 way type of head?

You can use it as a grappling hook.


Seriously I can't understand why anyone would want such big protruding handles. The compact designs make much more sense to me. I think I'm missing something, too.

I still have a 3437 head for sale, https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=129977.

Jeff