Home | Login | Register
10 Years of PhotographyREVIEW.com!
Camera reviews, digital camera reviews, and photography community

REVIEWS:  Manufacturers:  Bogen/Manfrotto:  Tripod Heads and Accessories:
3265 Grip Action Ball Head

More Products from Bogen/Manfrotto
Link to this page

Bogen/Manfrotto 3265 Grip Action Ball Head


 
Sort by Latest Review >> |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> |  View All >>
Next 5 Reviews >>
Rating
Reviewed by: WILLIAM
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
March 8, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 28

Price Paid:  $130.00 from PHOTORAMA- LOCAL SHO

Summary:

HAVE HAD THIS HEAD 5 YEARS. LOVE THE PISTOL ACTION. HOWEVER, HEAD IS NOW SLIPPING IN ANYTHING BUT VERTICAL OR FULL HORIZNTAL. SAME ACTION/HOLD WHEN FULLY TIGHT OF FULLY LOOSE.

Strengths:

QUICK ACTION

Weaknesses:

HEAD SLIPS ON BALL NO MATTER HOW TIGHT OR LOOSE THE SCREW IS.

Similar Products Used:

NONE

Customer Service:

NONE



Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating
Reviewed by: 

Galan

( Professional)

Review Date
January 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 28

Price Paid:  $122.00 from Allen's Camera & Vid

Summary:

I have solved one issue with my tripods in that they, for the most part are limited utilization pieces of equipment ie. tripods with locking legs and a center. Putting the #3265 ball head onto my Bogen Benbo #1 Cantilever type tripod gives me total control over the environments I often frequent.

The #3265 ball head is fast to position, has NEVER released my camera or lens when using the provided locking lever (I have tried the 600mm F/4 Nikkor but it cannot handle that kind of weight - though it DID NOT drop the lens).

What I do like about this pistol grip style arrangement is it's ease of use, speed in setting up and the ability to make reasonable presets for critical macro shots with a minimum of effort although I will say it does take some getting used to using over the traditional ball head designs which are a nightmare compared to this.

Strengths:

Versatility and ease of use.
It has adjustable pressure on the ball so can accommodate a variety of lens sizes and camera setups.
Positive locking... once in place, it wants to stay put.

Weaknesses:

Not for everyone. it is not an Arca-Swiss but within reason it can support most lenses up to perhaps a 300mm with satisfactory results.
the locking lever has some play so if not put in properly, the device might not hold but I don't blame the grip as much as I would the photographer... my failings have been my failing to insure the lock was fully seated.

Similar Products Used:

I have not seen anything similar.

Customer Service:

Bogen has been exemplary for me. I have contacted them for parts to do minor repairs with nothing but positive help and support



Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating
Reviewed by: 

Kevin Mac

( Intermediate)

Review Date
August 5, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5,
3 votes

Rate this review?

Review 3 of 28

Price Paid:  $75.00 from Kerrisdale Cameras

Summary:

I've used this head for about 7 years on my spotting scope. It was the perfect solution for my small manfrotto tripod that was too short for me. It provided an extra 4 inches of height over the head provided with the tripod. It is also very easy to use and quick to get the scope on the subject.

Strengths:

Great design, so easy to use! Rugged construction has put up with my abuse for years.

Weaknesses:

The scope is always loosening off the quick release plate. It is not smooth- there has always been jumps and sticks when using. You can actually get hand fatigue when scanning for long periods of time.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 486 compact

Customer Service:

not used



Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating
Reviewed by: TwoBoy
 (Expert)

Review Date
December 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Rate this review?

Review 4 of 28

Price Paid:  $130.00 from Singer Photographic

Summary:

Fitted to the Manfrotto 055CL provides a nice stable platform. I use it with a Sigma 50~500 and 10D.

Strengths:

Very accurate and positive feel. Ideal for speed.

Weaknesses:

You have to get used to using the locking pin each time otherwise sooner or later you will drop your camera.

Similar Products Used:

1st pistol grip.

Customer Service:

Not needed.



Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating
Reviewed by: tom_darnall
 (Professional)

Review Date
March 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Rate this review?

Review 5 of 28

Price Paid:  $75.00 from B&H

Summary:

Well-designed pistol grip ballhead. If you know what kinds of cameras (and positions) work well with this product, for many 35mm/digital and light 2-1/4 uses, it is a joy to work with. I'm on my second one; the ball grip started slipping a bit after 1-1/2 years of heavy use. I use it with 35mm and Mamiya 7II cameras, with relatively lightweight lens rigs. Use with Bogen carbon-fiber tripod.

Strengths:

Intuitive, fast, relatively light

Weaknesses:

Not suitable for heavy cameras or lenses, not very stable in vertical shooting position, gripping ability degrades over time.

Similar Products Used:

Traditional smaller ballheads.

Customer Service:

Never tested it.



Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
| Next 5 Reviews >>
 
More Review Content
More Reviews & Related Pages
 
Latest Reviews >>
Latest Products >>
Digital Camera Pro Reviews >>
Camera Accessory Pro Reviews >>
Manufacturer Review Pages >>
Buyers Guides >>
Digital Camera Review Categories >>
Lens Review Categories >>
Reviews Index >>
Camera Review Archives >>
Digital Camera Sample Photos >>
Photography & Camera Forums >>
Write A Review >>
 
 
News
Latest Digital Camera & Photography News.
 

Latest Pro Reviews:
Camera News:
2009 PMA Tradeshow Coverage
2009 PMA Coverage
March 3-5
Get Newsletter!
Enter e-mail address for PhotographyREVIEW
newsletter

 MtbREVIEW.com  RoadbikeREVIEW.com  OutdoorREVIEW.com
 PhotographyREVIEW.com  VideogameREVIEW.com  ComputingREVIEW.com
 AudioREVIEW.com  CarREVIEW.com  GolfREVIEW.com

Copyright ©1996-2009 All Rights Reserved.ConsumerREVIEW.com, a business unit of Invenda