Bogen/Manfrotto 3051/3251 Tripod Legs Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

N. D. Graham
( Expert)

Review Date
November 8, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $149.00 from eBay

Summary:

I needed a tripod that would hold a long telephoto lens and digital SLR camera at a 6 foot eye level with the neck fully retracted to reduce even the slightest vibration. I checked out the Manfrotto products to view the specs for what I needed and It looked like the Manfrotto 058B (Bogen 3251) black tripod was the ideal choice. Then I got lucky on eBay and bought a used 058B for $149. When I received it, one of the legs did not extend at all and I thought I had been taken but it turned out to be easy to correct the blockage, lubricate it and it works like new! I put a Manfrotto 808RC4 Standard 3-Way Head on it for heavy lenses. I was fully satisfied with the heavy, solid stability of the legs holding long lenses on my Nikon 300 at eye level and higher without extending the neck. But even extending the neck using the precise crank proved to be very stable even in wind. In my home studio, I rigged a platform on casters for this heavy unit and it rolls around perfectly for portraits using a medium format camera.

Strengths:

Intelligent, strong construction of functioning spring levers to be able to extend and reduce all three legs simultaneously and equally in a few seconds. Leg angles can be set and locked individually.

Heavy, stable platform for long lenses (500mm plus) without image stabalization features.

Folds into a compact size for storage.

Feet have interchangeable indoor rubber and outdoor spike modes for good grip.

Crank is precise and shows no loosening in colder conditions.

Weaknesses:

Admittedly, this is a very heavy unit to lug around outside. I happen to be a bigger man so I can manage it but a smaller person would have difficulty in extended walking in the field. Not a unit to go for a stroll with!

The trade off for the convenience of the multi leg adujsting mechanism is that it can stick if not clean and lubricated lightly. This can be a problem in dusty or dirty conditions in the field. Not a problem indoors of course.

Similar Products Used:

Manfrotto 190PRO-B Mini Pro black tripod
Manfrotto 680B monopod
Optex table top tripod
Manfrotto 3292 car window pod

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Rating
Reviewed by: Ian Wallis
(Professional)

Review Date
April 22, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $110.00 from Used from Pawn Shop

Summary:

I picked up a mint example dirt cheap from a pawn shop, however I'd have gladly paid top dollar for this legset. Its one heavy, rigid beast that's ideal for super teles in the field in questionable wind conditions and is equally at home in the studio with a view camera attached.

Highly recommended for those who have need of a legset of this calibre, not recommended for the person who thinks that an F3 with motordrive and an 80-200/2.8 lens is too heavy as this sort of person would probably have a hernia carrying this legset any distance.

Strengths:

Solid for all formats up to 8x10 view camera

Individual or all leg quick release is great for setting up fast. The ability to adjust legs to different angles helps when working on uneven surfaces.

Center bracing for maximum rigidity.

Weaknesses:

Can be a chore to carry in the field for long distances, the use of a packhorse (wife, girlfriend etc) is advisable. (grin).

It's load rating of 26 pounds (12.5kg) is adequate, however it is no higher than a Velbon SX-601K legset which weighs in at 1/3rd the weight. (Legsets only, does not include head).

Similar Products Used:

Various Gitzo, Manfrotto (Bogen), Benbo, Velbon/Hakuba, Slick and Schatler tripods.

Customer Service:

Never required

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Rating
Reviewed by: Christopher Thorn
(Intermediate)

Review Date
November 2, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid: $300.00 from Clairmont Camera

Summary:

This is the perfect tripod for using long/slow lenses at night or doing studio work. It takes 20sec. to set it up and just a split second to adjust the entire head position, by moving the legs.

Strengths:

This is the best tripod i have seen. It features quick release buttons, just under the head, to control the length of the legs. I use a 300mm lens with this tripod and it is rock solid. I dont have to worry about knocking my tripod over while reaching for the knobs to adjust the legs, since it is done from the top.

Weaknesses:

This tripod is a bit heavy to lug around all of the time, but its well worth it.

Similar Products Used:

also bought the 3039 3 way head, Minolta Maxxum XTSi, 28-300mm f/4, Promaster FTD 7000M flash guid number 139

Customer Service:

haven't needed it

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Rating
Reviewed by: Robert Dorner
(Professional)

Review Date
October 24, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $210.00 from B&H New York

Summary:

A good stable tripod with a unique quick release of all legs. Quick adjust of individual legs make tilting, adjusting a snap.

Strengths:

Quick release of all legs, stable, sturdy

Weaknesses:

large and a bit heavy to carry around!

Similar Products Used:

none

Customer Service:

not needed! I know how to setup a tripod! ;)

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