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Manfrotto 3030 Pan/Tilt Tripod Head w/ Quick Rel. Tripod Heads and Accessories

3.68/5 (19 Reviews)

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Reviews 1 - 5 (19 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

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

Date Reviewed: April 30, 2006

Strengths:    Solid head. Easy to grip adjustment handles. Fairly inexpensive, making it a great value.

Weaknesses:    No bubble level. Handles stick out quite a bit.

Bottom Line:   
A good, solid head for basics. I purchased this head with another set of 3021 legs as a slight upgrade to my *obviously* well-used 3028/3021 combo.

Compared to my old 3028, the handles on the 3030 stick out much further. Not that it's a bad thing, but it could be of concern if the tripod goes through checked luggage in a soft case on a plane trip.

The combo of the 3030 head and the 3021 legs make a *really* stable platform. My heaviest setup right now is a Canon 20D and either the 28-135IS or 70-300IS. The head has never slipped or wobbled on me. So far, I haven't had any blurry shots due to motion of the camera.

This is defnintely not a head for shooting fast action due to the single control per axis. The best use of this head (in my opinion) would be as a low-cost primary head for beginners, or even pros that want a solid backup, for shooting landscapes or fairly controlled studio subjects.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $60.00

Purchased At:   National Camera

Similar Products Used:   Bogen 3028 (a.k.a.: Manfrotto 056).

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Adrian E a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004

Strengths:    Very durable, good quick release, not too expensive, good build quality.

Weaknesses:    Knobs too large, sticking out a lot. Heavy. No bubble scales.

Bottom Line:   
I bought this head with the Manfrotto 155 legs initially to work as a backup, for studio work only. When my primary tripod gave up, I've just taken this one from then on. The head is a sturdy, big mofo that can support quite some heavy cameras and lenses. Very pleased

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $135.00

Purchased At:   Kamera Express (NL)

Type of photography:   Fine Art

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:4
Submitted by rpclark a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: February 9, 2004

Strengths:    Solid & Affordable
If you use it enough you're forearms will look like Popeye the Sailorman.

Weaknesses:    Too much tweaking & fiddling while your shot passes you by.

Bottom Line:   
A solid head when one cannot afford something better. I'd say it is a good beginners head. The plates are also affordable, and unobtrusive - work nicely. Getting the camera on to the tripod even in the dark is quick & simple. Setting up the shot in a short period of time, not as easy. Seems like I'm constantly adjusting those 3 knobs. The knobs at first seemed small, but as I mature in photography these knobs just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger, and seem to always be in the way. I simply think I've outgrown this head. Moving on to ball heads now.

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Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Price Paid:    $35.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   Bogen 3047
Bogen 3126

Type of photography:   Sports

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Ralph Wagner a Intermediate from USA

Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003

Strengths:    Large handles, solid as a rock. a lot of bang for the dollar.

Weaknesses:    A little stiff and choppy at first, but getting better as I use it. Probably some good poly lube should be used.

Bottom Line:   
Good, solid pan/tilt head. A little big for some applications, but a good all around head if you can only afford one.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Purchased At:   Focus

Similar Products Used:   None

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by HCC a Intermediate from Australia

Date Reviewed: January 13, 2003

Strengths:    Very sturdy, steady, compact, easy to set up. The 200 QR system used has a better design on this than the newer Monfrotto heads using it (stronger spring, better lever design).

Weaknesses:    No bubble level, bulky to pack unless you remove the handles.

Bottom Line:   
I bought this with a 190 tripod as a package. While it was fine with that tripod, it now sits on top of a 144 and is better suited.

The head itself is very steady - probably the steadiest I have. Like other reviewers, I have found the movement a bit stiff, but that's a small problem. With a three-way head, you're only changinging one axis at a time, so it's no problem to get it back.

There is an "architectural" QR plate available which solves all problems with the 90 degree shots.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Purchased At:   Canberra, Australia

Similar Products Used:   Various Manfrotto and Velbon heads.

Type of photography:   Fine Art


Reviews 1 - 5 (19 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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