- beautiful finish - smooth action - L-shaped base plate swivels in a multitude of angles

- some design flaws as mentioned above - When base-plate is swivelled over and camera is hanging, puts to much pressure on and tends to slip. - Knobs are hard to grip under certain conditions

GITZO G 1275 ball head I've used this ball head for over five years and have recently decided that it is just not suitable for the equipment I'm using. As well it has some design flaws which make it difficult to operate easily. I'm shooting a lot now with an EOS 3 and 70-200 2.8. Usually with a motor drive attached; sometimes a 2x extender as well. It just can't take the weight without slipping. And that's mounted from the tripod collar on thelens. Even when I'm shooting macro with my 100 2.8 and tubes, tripod mounted under the camera, I'm getting slippage. As well the knurls on the large, main nob are not knurled deep enough to allow for a decent grip when trying to loosen it from a tight setting. I find I can't get a good grip on it at times and that the top of my hand contacts with the main baseplate holding the camera when it is in the horizontal position. The screw mount mechanism for mounting the camera is also in an awkward spot and is somewhat hard to grip at times. On the up side the finish is beautiful and tough. Kind of a mottled grey/black with a very tough plasticized finish. No nicks as of yet! It also has a numbered rotation scale on the base.

Sturdy build quality very tall, I.m 6'4" and I don't need the center raised.

heavy(not really a weekness because it makes it more sturdy)

Very nice! VERY sturdy tripod. I was suprised by the weight. Not a good tripod to carry, but if you want something to not move than this is the one for you. Awesome build quality. probably overkill for anything less than a super tele or medium format. But better to have more than you need rather than not enough.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Walmart crap(don't waste your money)

Strength and rigidity.

Heavy, especially for backback work. My value rating is based on today's prices.

I have had this tripod for quite some time. It has never let me down, and always held my medium and large format cameras securely. My largest rig is a Linhof Tecknikardan, with a 300mm lens. I use the Cambo CBH-5 ballhead to make adjustments. It is a rather big tripod for 35mm work, unless you plan to use large lenses. The foam leg warmers are a nice touch, as well. (Couldn't resist :) ) The present prices on Manfrotto equipment are higher than I care to pay. But I will probably go this route for my 35mm tripod I soon plan to buy (3001 series).

Customer Service

N/R.

Similar Products Used:

None

Lever leg locks are positive and strong. Adjusting the angle of the legs is easy to accomplish. The insulation is a nice touch for winter use.

I wish it came with a built-in bubble level, but that is very minor. No other weaknesses detected, so far.

I really like this tripod! I use it with my medium format and 35mm cameras and find it to be easy to use. The price is right considering the quality of workmanship and materials. Highly recommended.

Customer Service

Bogen repaired my 3030. I pleased with their service and pricing.

Similar Products Used:

Older Bogen 3030 with pan head.

great hieght and taughtness. leg locks are very strong. spiked feet are an added bonus along with the leg warmers.

none

have been using my 3001D w/3055 ballhead, but find it more of a travel companion. having just bought the 3221 w/3030 QR, i never new what i was missing. this pod rocks, and the hieght is just what i was looking for. can't believe how sturdy Bogen's really are. i like my ballhead for outdoors, but the 3030 head that came with the 3221 really is a lot easier for me to manipulate.

Customer Service

excellent

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3001D and 3055 ballhead.

Easy and fast to use, solid, good height, really a great value.

The flip locks do require some effort to use, but I really do prefer them to the twist locks.

I have really enjoyed this product, and should have bought it years ago. Personally, I much prefer the flip locks, but try to be carefull to avoid the pinches that some folks talk about. My previous tripod had the twist locks and they were a pain to use. The Bogen combines good height, easy to manipulate legs and it is solid. My shooting is just much easier with the Bogen. I do quite a lot of macro work, so have taken the center column out and I can really get low, and do it quickly. I have the W model and the leg warmers are a nice feature. I use this tripod with the Kirk head and it is a great combination for everything I do.

Customer Service

Not needed to date.

Similar Products Used:

Velbon carbon fiber

Solid, well made and very easy to use.

No

This is a great tripod. I have a 3030 head with it and I love it. It is good quality stuff.

Customer Service

No need Yet.

Similar Products Used:

Lots of other tripods.

Price. Looks nice. Pretty sturdy.

Lift lever leg locks. Maybe a little on the heavy side.

Very sturdy tripod. However, I really don't like the lift-lock levers on the legs. I've pinched myself several times quite severely when I am trying to roll back up the legs. The levers are extremely hard to flip back and forth. If you put your finger in the wrong place, you'll get a pretty nasty bruise from the pinching force of these things. I'm sick of it. Going to a Gitzo.

Customer Service

Never Used.

Similar Products Used:

Other Bogen tripods.

Find a way to keep the feet attached, I am going to install my new spikes by drilling a small hole and inserting a set screw. I don''t think glue or epoxy would be a good idea in case you ever have to replace a broken part.

I reviewed this tripod earlier, and gave it a great review which still stands true. However, in cold weather, the spiked feet fall out quite easily. An hour of searching in the snow led me to find two of them, which is irrelevant because you have to buy them in a set of three for $20.00, which leads me to Bogen customer service which did not return or acknowledge my emails. I remembered this when I took my 275.00 savings for their Proball head to Kirk for the BH-1 instead! Thanks Bogen, I really like the Kirk!

Customer Service

No Response in 3 weeks, very disappointing!

Compact, Strong, and easy to use

None

I really love this tripod mated with the Bogen 3265 grip action ball head. It is an ideal field tripod for my 35mm kit. A larger tripod with column supports would be needed if you use heavy equipment. Try it... You'll like it!

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Off-brand cheaper tripods