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Manfrotto 3028 Super 3-D Tripod Head Tripod Heads and Accessories

4/5 (8 Reviews)

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Reviews 1 - 5 (8 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Geezer G a Professional

Date Reviewed: June 7, 2011

Strengths:    Versital, relatively compact and quite strong. I've had everything from 35mm Nikons to a Mamiya RB67 on it with no wobbles.

Weaknesses:    After 10 years of use, I've learned how to losen the controls "just enough" so that it's a lot quicker to use, but I agree with the other users about it needing bubble levels. Also, the controls loosen quickly and the camera can get away from you if you aren't careful. I typically have a camera strap around my neck when using something heavy.

Bottom Line:   
I was on a cruise to Halifax and noticed that the ship's photographers were using this head. After talking to several of them, I decided to get one. I found mine at Henry's in Halifax for about half of what it would have cost me in Atlanta. It typically sits on a 30+ y/o Gitzo Studex with the short column, although I have used it attached to Bogen Super Clamps from time to time.

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Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $34.00

Purchased At:   Henry's in Halifax,

Similar Products Used:   Bogen 3047 and 3039, Gitzo Rationelle, Slik (worthless), Tilt-all and various ball heads with the old Gitzo Ball 1 being my favorite.

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by racermd a Casual

Date Reviewed: April 30, 2006

Strengths:    Absolutely solid head. Takes abuse pretty well. Awesome value.

Weaknesses:    I kinda wish it had a quick-release plate. It also lacks a bubble level.

Because there are controls for each of the 3 axes of movement, it's not exactly easy to manipulate for fast-action photography (i.e.: sports)

Bottom Line:   
I feel kinda lucky... My first tripod was a (very) used Bogen 3021 with a 3028 head (Manfrotto equiv. 056) already on it. This version of the 3028 I have has a rubber top. Perhaps only the newer versions have cork?

Despite being obviously used - nearly abused - it works *exactly* as if it were new. It's taken me from my first digital SLR to my current rig and it hasn't never failed me. My heaviest setup is a Canon 20D with either the 28-135IS or the 70-300IS, and I've never had a blurry photo due to camera shake. When this head is combined with the 3021 tripod, the platform is rock-solid.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Purchased At:   National Camera

Similar Products Used:   Bogen 3030 3D (a.k.a.: Manfrotto 141RC)

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Mandell Winter Jr a Intermediate from Denver, CO USA

Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002

Strengths:    Stability, flexibility with various formats, good "feel" when tightening it down.

Weaknesses:    For someone used to a single control handle it is initially uncomfortable.

Bottom Line:   
This head came with a Bogen tripod that I found at an estate sale. It it the first "good" head I have used. I have used it with a digital camera and a 4x5 Speed Graphic as well as a few others in between. It took some getting used to, but it is very stable and once I was comfortable with it, quite easy.

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Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $50.00

Purchased At:   Estate sale

Similar Products Used:   Tiltall

Type of photography:   Other

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Nick Karpowicz a Intermediate from New York

Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001

Strengths:    Easy to use, stable, cheap.

Weaknesses:    Be careful - if you're not holding your camera when you loosen the forward and backward tilt, the front of your lens might swing straight into a screw (I've never had this happen, but it makes me nervous)

It can be a little slow to use, but that just makes me careful.

Bottom Line:   
I like this head, but it's the only one I've ever owned, so I can't really recommend it over any others, except for the fact that it was very inexpensive and does everything I want. Some people complained about the cork surface, but mine is rubber - maybe there are different versions?

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $28.00

Purchased At:   Local camera store (Reale's)

Similar Products Used:   None

Type of photography:   Fine Art

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Kirk Darling a Expert from Illinois

Date Reviewed: January 13, 2001

Strengths:    Versatile, quick, inexpensive, light. East to adjust in one direction without upsetting other adjustments.

Weaknesses:    No bubble level on head, cork camera surface, no built-in quick release.

Bottom Line:   
If you know what you want, this can be nearly a perfect head for light-medium uses. You'll have to spend quite a bit more money to get a better head of any type. It will hold a medium format camera or a heavy 35mm camera (like my Canon F-1 with motor and medium tele). I prefer it to a ball head because each movement is separate--I can set and tighten in one direction and move in another without upsetting the first. The levers are short and repositionable. Bogen has an improved magnesium version that answers all my (minor) complaints, but at 2.5 times the cost.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $30.00

Purchased At:   Local Store

Similar Products Used:   Different ball heads, different pan heads, the smaller Bogen 3d head

Type of photography:   People


Reviews 1 - 5 (8 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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