Bogen/Manfrotto 3055 Heavy Duty Double Action Ball Head

I have been working with a cheap but good Manfrotto 115 super 3D head (called Bogen 3028), which cost only $25 and supports 6kg, with my Mamiya in shooting the nature. However, whever I need to do actions with my EOS gear it is too slow to use so I go and buy a ball head. First I was looking in a 486RC2 (3413QR and 3055S) but it lacks a spirit level (yes I keep losing it). I found that 488RC4 (no Bogen code, guess its not available in the US) is the same price of 486 + a spirit level, with the benefit i wouldn't lose the spirit level (unless I loss the head and/or the tripod). However searching into more than 10 shops and found the 488RC4 is constantly out of stock, so I buy this, 488RC0 which looks and have similar functions. The first impression is... this thing looks really strange, especially the "double action" release and the huge, hexagonal quick release. It 'looks' difficult to handle... Actually its not. Make sure you READ the manual first and try it at home figure out how the hexagonal plate should be mounted, and how the double action release worked, it is as easy to use as any other ball heads. Actually there is a mark showing how the plate should be mounted (a mark shows "lens-->") and instructions are quite clear in the manual, I guess that many people out their just feel they are smart enough that they don't need the manual. This thing is not as straight forward and cleverly designed as the Velbon PH 273 QL (which my friend have one), but not bad at all. About the built quality: I haven't have time to abuse it yet. But based on my friends' 486RC2 and my 115 which we have abused for years, I feel this one is not going to let me down.

Reasonable price and built quality.

Not quite straight forward to use. Read the manual and try it, once get used to (I do it in less than 15 minutes), I don't think its really a weakness. Nor you should complain this is not as good as Kirk/Foba... come on its only 1/5 the price.

Manfrotto 486RC2 (Bogen 3055), 115(3028), Velbon PH273 QL, Cullmann 3032 (?)

Not (yet)

I purchased this ball head (3055) to accompany the Bogen 3021Pro tripod. Although a bit weighty,the platform is stable and I feel very comfortable placing $1500+ of equipment (F-100 + Tele. Lens) on it for extended periods. I have a Velbon that was considerably less expensive but I feel I am always on guard and don't quite feel that "warm and cozy" feeling as compared to the Bogen setup. It may not be the "slickest" looking and it may be a bit "weighty" but when you mount your equipment it is there to stay. I don't grease or oil the head just wipe it down once in awile w/ a rag that has a smigen of WD-40. Walla!! No problems

Built like a tank. When you have it setup it remains exactly as you set it. I have never found it to slip or creep.

A bit bulky. A wee on the heavy side.

Pretty much researched this item , purchased it and used it. My Velbon is not in this class. It is used for travel and if it were to be lost or damaged no major loss.

Never found it necessary to call for service or help.

My sample worked well so was confused by comments about mechanism being jerky - oil and gease etc. Oiled the ball and guess what? it became jerky and difficult to use. Dissmantled and cleaned off oil with solvent and wow it works great again. The moral seems to be dont greece it - perhaps it's not intended to be lubricated.

Good value for money Works well enough with my 70-200L and 28-70 2.8L

Bulky and hex plate looks and feels wrong when the camera is off tghe tripod

none

not used

Interesting to see variety in reviews. I own two of these ballheads: 3055 and the older 168. Perfect - not so; but an excellent value, and truly a functional design. I agree on the use of graphite - smooths the action considerably. My previous ballhead (Cullman) would not support my newer equipment, so I upgraded. I use these heads with a 10lb, 600mm, f2.8 with a minimum of problems. Solid, no creep, positive locking. I have not experienced a change in composition when "locking down," even with the 600mm. I also like the separate panning control, very useful when shooting using a car as a blind.

Price #1 - an excellent value. Solidly built, stable. Quick release is "massive" but has a positive locking action; secure.

weight (1lb+); as it comes, it needs "breaking in" to smooth out the action - graphite helps; quick release is "massive" and appears "clunky" not sleek (but it functions well)

Cullman

Any question I've ever had about Bogen/Manfrotto products has been answered promptly and courteously by customer service. Their dealer support has been superior; they stand by their products.

Working with a rather limited budget, I did some research on ball heads and came up with this one... It's not an Arca, but it does everything in a functional manner. My Elan 7e and Kowa both sit very tightly on it, and the hex plate is actually very good at gripping them. No sag whatsoever, even with the camera at 90 degree tilt. And whatever the poor reviews, it's made of good solid materials that are to be expected from Manfrotto. The ball did have that infamous greasy 'something' on it when I have first bought it, but I've managed to wipe most of it off (leaving enough to let it still glide smoothly in the socket). Perhaps someday I will have to oil it down a bit (don't quite understand what the guy below is talking about when he says 'use graphite'). There's no jerkiness, nor is there any movement once I've locked the head. The pan base is helpful... Although I purchased it mainly for use on my 190PRO tripod legs, I have also used it from time to time on my super-light Velbon Maxi 347E legs. This came with a silly (i.e. useless) pan head that would not even hold my Elan 7E (w/28-135 IS lens) properly. The 3055 does the trick, but looks extremely top heavy on the Velbon. Ah well... whatever works. At least for the moment (on my limited student budget). Someday, I will graduate to carbon fibre, but in my humble opinion, this head is one of the best there is out there at the moment, at least within this price range. So, I'm giving it 5 stars for value. But only 4 for 'overall' - it's cheap, it does the job. But there's no 'wow' factor when you use this one...

Cheap (see if you can get it on sale, now that a new 'lineup' is being released). QR Hex plates Sturdy Separate pan action

Heavy!! (it weighs more than my 'travel tripod') Some weird smelly stuff on the ball when new - can be cleaned off quite easily.

el cheapo slik (not comparable!)

Not needed