Versitile low angle configurations, easy to set up, sturdy enough for all but the most demanding situations. a really good $ value, and the sturdiness to weight ratio is very good.

It is heavy, but nothing like the comparable Gitzo products I've hefted. The plastic leg locks worry me, but so far no breakage. With the legs fully extended, the tripod is not *quite* sturdy enough for use with REALLY long telephotos (especially in the wind). Shortening the lower leg sections can help.

A fantastic product at a great value if you're ready for a "serious" tripod, yet don't want the extra cost and weight of a pro-level Gitzo. Although there are complaints about the weight, this is about as light as you can get and still have sufficient rigidity (unless you go with carbon fiber). After owning one, I can see why this has been such a popular tripod for so long.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Cullman tripod, and one other horrid thing from the 1950's with no brand name on it. I've also used numerous other bogen accessories including specialized mounting plates and their elbow bracket.

Can be setup real fast. Very sturdy. It has all the required that a tripod should have and it has accessory to expand the capabilities.

The weight but its worth the money. I actually have no problem with the weight since I use the weight.

I have tried the light expensive ones and the reasonable price heavy tripods and I like this one. My pictures require stability where the weight of the tripods comes in handy , don'tneed to look for any other source like a rock to help add the weight to the expensive light tripods. Its worth the money for what you can use it.

Customer Service

Have not need them yet.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen Monopods and other of Bogen tripods.

tall
sturdy
quick set up

heavy

Very nice legs that can be used for even medium format. Just don't expect to be able to carry it for long distances...it seemed easy at first but by the end of the day I quickly realized why people pay triple for Carbon fiber!

Similar Products Used:

my first quality tripod

Strong, versatile and heavy enough to carry medium and lighter large format cameras. Legs are easy to adjust in uneven terrains. Good for low angle macro shots.

In my experience, a little bit heavy to carry during long outdoor hikes.

I have only 10 months experience using this tripod and even if a little bit heavy it has been giving me very good picture-taking results. Currently, I have been using it more frequently outdoors even in rough weather and terrain because it is cheaper and easy to replace than some of my Gitzos. I would recommend this tripod right away for those beginning and have deep passion for photography. Once they have it, they will know why!

Customer Service

none yet.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 300l, Gitzo and Slik

High value and quicker setup compared to Gitzo. Height very good and split center column feature allows you to have your cake and eat it too!

None functionally. I do get pinched by the leg locks once in a while!

Excellent value and performance for the price.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

Gitzo, Slik, other Bogen, Velbon

Strong, moderately flexable, and part of a extensive system .A tripod for all seasons

Heavy for its size
difficult to carry on a bicycle

Make this your first purchase
Best buy for a single tripod , very well made for the price. Save Your money and get a Cheep light weight golf bag, gut it and place your center post bottom 1/2 in it along with other related items. SEE WHAT THESE ARE SELLING FOR ON eBay !!!

Customer Service

No need yet as I have not torn it up yet.

Similar Products Used:

I looked at a number of other products.

Rapid leg locks. Sturdy. Takes an amazing amount of use and abuse. I have overloaded it, dropped it, used in the desert and snow. Versatile with variable angles and a two part center post. Leg locks rarely need adjusting but it does happen (only needed to do this once or twice in 18 years of constant use). Good strength to weight ratio. Good to about 10 or 12 lbs depending on the angle of the camera.

None major. Leg angle locks can sometimes pinch you. Rare for me. Not as sturdy past 11 or 12 pounds. I actually loaded it once to 15 lbs. It begins to slip a little and is a little wobbly.

Great little tripod I have used with everything up to 400mm 3.5 and heavy 4x5.

Similar Products Used:

various Gitzo

Very strong unit. When collapsed it makes a nice tight little package.
I use it with a Slick 800 ball head

The tabs that allow you to open the legs up continually bite me causing those large and painful blood blisters....I hate when that happens!

It would be nice to have one of the legs break away so you can use it as a mono pod / hiking staff. But then again I want it all!

Great all around tri-pod. Light yet strong enough to use with my C330f. Packs small enough to use on multi day canoeing trips.

Similar Products Used:

Actually Manfrotto / same product

I purchased my 3021 several months ago and have been very pleased with it's performance. The design is well thought out, and the workmanship is excellent. Before purchasing I read about all the Gitzo and Manfrotto (Bogen) Tripods, and tried many out in several stores. The 3021 was the cheapest legset made by Bogen that would bring my 35mm viewfinder to eye level without raising the center post.
It also has a good deal of flexibility. The legs adjust to 3 positions, and the post can be reversed. I also liked the thumb-locks for quick setup.

*The 3021 with a head on it can get sort of heavy. In fact, I've padded the legs so that they don't bruise my shoulders when I hoist the rig over my shoulder to carry it.
*I knew there had to be a reason why the Gitzo tripods used those clumbsy twist-tighten leg locks instead of the thumb type locks. The other day one of my legs slipped when I put some pressure on the rig. It turns out that the thumb-style leg locks require tightening occassionally. Not a big deal really, as long as you don't find out at the wrong moment. It seems that Bogen knows about this problem because they attach a tool to the center post that can be used to tighten the leg locks in an emergency situation. In retrospect, the twist-tighten locks used on the Gitzo tripods cannot have this problem due to the nature of the design.

I would recommend the 3021 to someone who already uses a tripod regularly, and who is looking for stability at a moderate price. It's not the cheapest in its class, nor is it the most expensive. I find it suitable for use with my largest lens 300 f4. If you need a tripod to hold the camera when you want to be in the picture, or take some of the burden when you're arm gets tired from holding the camera get a lighter model.

Customer Service

No experience.

Similar Products Used:

The 3021 is the first "pro" quality tripod I've owned. In the past I've used the type with "cl

Rock solid, independent multi-angle legs, adjustable-length center post, nice head mount, high quality Italian craftsmanship

Heavy, leg locking-levers are a tad awkward...all minor quibbles

If you are tired of that wimpy, shaky, plastic piece of junk tripod with which you have been wasting your time, this is a super step up. This tripod is excellent, and very reasonably priced as well. If you are at a point in your photography where critical sharpness is becoming an important factor, this tripod will help you immensely.

Customer Service

None needed so far, and I doubt I will ever need it

Similar Products Used:

A bunch of cheap tripods