Manfrotto tripod question - DPChallenge Forums

05/17/2004 06:52:22 PM · #1

Iâ��ve been looking around for a new tripod, and I think I want the Manfrotto 3001-Pro tripod with the 486 compact ball head. Have anyone here used either of these items? If so, are you happy with the product? Any problems?

I like that the center column can be positioned horizontally on the 3001-Pro. I believe the 3021-Pro is the same tripod, only made with larger tubing. Would I perhaps be happier with the 3021-Pro?

What the 486 ball head? Should I consider a 3-way head instead? I like that the ball heads donâ��t have handles sticking out all over, but if a ball head is a PITA to use Iâ��d rather go with something else. Iâ��ve been using a video tripod with a fluid head, but itâ��s time is almost over.

--Mick

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/17/2004 06:57:01 PM · #2

I have the 3021BPRO and I'm quite happy with it so far. I have no experience with the 3001. I purchased the 322RC2 head and I'm extremely happy with that...

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/17/2004 07:05:54 PM · #3

I also have the 3021BPRO, and love it. Very sturdy. I don't mind the weight a bit. There are a few other advantages over the 3001BPRO besides being able to support more weight - the maximum height of the tripod is a little higher, and it can go much lower - as low as 11cm, where the 3001 will only go down to 22cm (which is still pretty low).

Full specs are here:

3001BPRO

3021BPRO

-Edit for spelling

Message edited by author 2004-05-17 19:06:53.

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

05/17/2004 07:10:36 PM · #4

I just bought the 3001 in silver vs black and I also purchased the 322RC2 head. I haven't used them yet but I hope to have a chance soon. I can take a picture of the 10D mounted on the tripod if you like.

Here is a link for the head: //manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=8&itemid=2013

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

05/17/2004 07:19:58 PM · #5

I've been looking at the 322RC2. Please let us know how you like it after getting used to it.

photom

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/17/2004 07:20:40 PM · #6

Ive used the 3221 tripods for years - if the 3021 is anything like the 3221 - it's an excellent product. (I use the Arca Swiss ball head - expensive but excellent.)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/17/2004 07:29:33 PM · #7

Originally posted by coolhar:

I've been looking at the 322RC2. Please let us know how you like it after getting used to it.

I have the 322RC2, I like it a lot. It takes some getting used to, especially switching from horiz. to vert. format, but overall, it is a great head.

I also have the 3001PRO legs. I'm not sure that it doesn't go lower than the 3021PRO despite what theier specs say. I looked at both, but decided the more compact 3001PRO was a better choice. In any event, should you not be able to get low enough with the head above the center post, you can always invert the center post and lower the camera until the top of it is sitting on the ground. To get any lower, you'd need to get out a shovel and start digging.

Message edited by author 2004-05-17 19:35:04.

05/17/2004 07:58:04 PM · #8

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I have the 3021BPRO and I'm quite happy with it so far. I have no experience with the 3001. I purchased the 322RC2 head and I'm extremely happy with that...

How does that head work with panning? I read somewhere that grip action heads don't pan very well.

I also wonder if the grip would get in the way of my 10D's battery grip when I'm using the tripod mount on my Canon 35-350L lens. With the lens mounted to my old tripod, the camera sits back a ways and the battery grip extends down and blocks the quick release lever. I have to mount the lens to the tripod first, then mount the camera to the lens. PITA!

05/17/2004 08:01:21 PM · #9

Originally posted by MrAkamai:

I can take a picture of the 10D mounted on the tripod if you like.

Thanks for the offer, but I've already seen it on their web site. I also found the 322RC2 at B&H for $99.95.

05/17/2004 08:03:44 PM · #10

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

To get any lower, you'd need to get out a shovel and start digging.

Hey, that might be a good idea for Unusual Viewpoint! The Earthworm POV! :)

05/17/2004 08:05:07 PM · #11

Originally posted by micknewton:

I don't think any ball head works particularly well with panning and this one would be no exception.

I don't know the answer to the battery grip question yet but I will tomorrow or wednesday :)

05/17/2004 08:14:25 PM · #12

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I don't think any ball head works particularly well with panning and this one would be no exception.

I don't know the answer to the battery grip question yet but I will tomorrow or wednesday :)

Thanks for the info! I'd certainly like to know what you find out about the battery grip question.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/17/2004 09:35:42 PM · #13

There are some ball heads on the market that have a 'pan lock' feature that locks the vertical axis and allows seamless horizontal panning. They are expensive.

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

05/18/2004 02:35:42 AM · #14

I have exactly this combo. The 486 head is rated to hold a lot of weight (12 pounds I think). I have a 70-200 F4L and get a bit of droop in portrait orientation, but then I'm not using the collar. With my 17-40, 28-105 and the smaller primes it's great. I like the ball head a lot as I can swivel around and then lock it when I find a good composition. Or, I can shoot with it unlocked, holding it, and still get much better results than if I were just handholding.

It's a good combo. Not the lightest getup, and if I were doing a lot of portrait work or required precise levelling, I'd probably either buy a spirit level to attach to the flash mount, or get a pan/tilt head of some sort. The QR plate is very quick.

As an aside, I feel like I have something very sturdy when carrying it around. A few months ago a rather manic street person was going off at me about how I had no right to take pictures in public etc. and, having the tripod under my arm with the very sharp plate attachment at the end made me feel a bit safer! It doubles as a reasonable weapon in case you find yourself in a sticky situation.

Originally posted by micknewton:

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/18/2004 02:40:30 AM · #15

Originally posted by jimmythefish:

It's a good combo. Not the lightest getup, and if I were doing a lot of portrait work or required precise levelling, I'd probably either buy a spirit level to attach to the flash mount, or get a pan/tilt head of some sort.

What's this spirit level you're talking about? It's a bubble level that fits into the hot shoe? If so, I'm really interested in this. If I'm wrong, I still want to know more about this.

Thanks!
Greg

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG for Canon

05/18/2004 02:40:35 AM · #16

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

There are some ball heads on the market that have a 'pan lock' feature that locks the vertical axis and allows seamless horizontal panning. They are expensive.

I went and looked for these, and you're right, they are expensive.

I did find some cheaper Benbo units at B&H Photo, but I don't know anything about the quality of their products. B&H sells the Benbo Compact Ballhead with Panning Base for $79.95. They also sell the Benbo Professional Ballhead with Independent Panning Lock for $119.95.

robsmith

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/18/2004 02:49:15 AM · #17

Originally posted by micknewton:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
There are some ball heads on the market that have a 'pan lock' feature that locks the vertical axis and allows seamless horizontal panning. They are expensive.

I went and looked for these, and you're right, they are expensive.

I did find some cheaper Benbo units at B&H Photo, but I don't know anything about the quality of their products. B&H sells the Benbo Compact Ballhead with Panning Base for $79.95. They also sell the Benbo Professional Ballhead with Independent Panning Lock for $119.95.

Forgive my ignorance but I think that most decent ball heads let you to release the tension just enough to pan without altering the tilt, I know my Manfrotto 484RC2 does.

05/18/2004 02:58:52 AM · #18

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I don't know the answer to the battery grip question yet but I will tomorrow or wednesday :)

I took a closer look at Manfrotto's web site. From this photo it looks like the grip shouldn't be a problem with my camera/lens/battery grip combo. It looks like the release lever can be moved to the side.

I'd still be interested in hearing what you find out though.

05/18/2004 03:04:02 AM · #19

Originally posted by robsmith:

Forgive my ignorance but I think that most decent ball heads let you to release the tension just enough to pan without altering the tilt, I know my Manfrotto 484RC2 does.

Well, that's good to know. The ball heads are sounding better and better. Thanks!

05/18/2004 07:29:58 AM · #20

Originally posted by micknewton:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I don't know the answer to the battery grip question yet but I will tomorrow or wednesday :)

I took a closer look at Manfrotto's web site. From this photo it looks like the grip shouldn't be a problem with my camera/lens/battery grip combo. It looks like the release lever can be moved to the side.

I'd still be interested in hearing what you find out though.

That photo looks like the grip will work ok with the head. It also appears that there is a teleconverter on that rig as well, which pushed the camera back a little further.

There are tension adjustments on most ball heads that allow panning to become easier, but it requires the expensive heads to lock the axis. I'm not really familiar with how they work because those heads that I have actually looked at cost more than my entire tripod rig.

Panning on a tripod hasn't become much of an issue for me at this point. I have never even attempted it for a few reasons. When you actually try to do this, I thik you will find that it is difficult to do, even with a locking axis ball head or any other head, for that matter. It all depends on the subject you want to 'pan'. If it is moving in a completely horizontal path to the camera, it won't be so difficult. If the subject is moving at any angle other than this, your pan would be a little odd probably.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/18/2004 10:58:02 AM · #21

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Panning on a tripod hasn't become much of an issue for me at this point. I have never even attempted it for a few reasons. When you actually try to do this, I thik you will find that it is difficult to do, even with a locking axis ball head or any other head, for that matter.

Actually, I have tried it once already, for my entry in the Motion Blur challengeâ�¦

I just noticed yesterday that you did the critique for my entry. I thank you very much for your time and effort. Your comments are certainly very much appreciated.

Youâ��re right too, it was difficult. I had my wife zoom past me again and again, and each time she went by I took 3-4 shots. Of the 30 or so shots that I took, only a few had the boat framed decently and in focus. Since I was on the beach above the level of the boat, the lens was angled down to get the boat in the frame. As a result, at the ends of the pan the boat would move out of the viewfinder. It was a real learning experience. :)

I used my video tripod for that photo. The fluid in the head makes panning and tilting movements very smooth. But, the locking levers on the tripod legs are worn out, so the legs will no longer lock in place. The fluid (grease) in the head is also leaking a tiny bit, but I think Iâ��ll keep it around just in case. I just hope it fits on the tripod that I buy.

--Mick

Flash

Nikon D700

05/18/2004 07:31:04 PM · #22

The 3021 pro is 1st rate. I prefer the 488RC2 ball head. Has pan feature, plus all the benefits of a ball head. Will hold 6 pounds stable. (D70 + Sigma 50-500).

05/18/2004 07:59:43 PM · #23

Originally posted by Flash:

The 3021 pro is 1st rate. I prefer the 488RC2 ball head. Has pan feature, plus all the benefits of a ball head. Will hold 6 pounds stable. (D70 + Sigma 50-500).

Everyone seems to like their 3001 or 3021 legs, so I'll probably buy the 3021BPRO. I like sturdy, so I'll put up with the 1.1lb of extra weight. I'm still not sure which head I want though. I'm debating the pros & cons of the grip type vs. no grip ball heads, and whether or not I want a rapid connect plate.

Thanks for your input!

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

05/18/2004 08:02:11 PM · #24

I have the 3001PRO and I love it. I opted for the quick release head rather than the ball head. I haven't found any situation where I wished I had the ball head. This tripod is amazing. I though it was a misprint when I read that you can set it as low as 6 inches from the ground but it is true! My photography has really improved since I bought my tripod because I no longer have to get my low shots handheld.