Very sturdy "field" tripod. Great extended height compared to other models, and very adjustable to fit most any terrain. Great flexibility for getting close to the ground.

Heavier than shorter or cheaper tripods.

Rule #1 - get a good tripod and use it, and this is a very good tripod - it will make a huge difference in landscape photos especially. You can spend more and get a carbon fiber that will do the same job with lighter weight. If money is not unlimited, get this tripod. It is sturdy, flexible, durable and affordable. I have the Wilderness model, which has a couple of nice extras built in - like spiked feet and padded legs. I also get use out of the sidearm accessory for getting at difficult places.

Customer Service

na

Similar Products Used:

Various "inexpensive" (cheap) tripods.

Very sturdy for medium format equipment. Comes with convenient carrying strap

really none

The tripod was purchased with the Bogen 3030 pan head. The tripod is extremely durable and sturdy. It is recommended for photographers at all skill levels. If you are interested in purchasing a tripod, don't buy an inexpensive brand. It will cause headaches for you when you are in the field. The Bogen Manfrotto 3221 should last for many, many years.

Customer Service

excellent

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None

Stable (though I've used more stable tripods), not terribly heavy or bulky.

Leg clamps loosen and need relatively frequent tightening. Seems to attack when I'm in the field and don't have the tools I need to affect repairs.

Good tripod at a good price. Leg clamps can loosen and can't be repaired without tools (the plastic "wrench" supplied with the tripod is inaddequate.)

Customer Service

Haven't used.

Similar Products Used:

Ries and Gitzo (plus various cheaply made tripods that I wouldn't give to an enemy.)

Rock solid...wouldn't be afraid to use this tripod in a hurricane. Easy to set up. Extends high enough to match my 6'4" height.

None.

Bought mine modified from Kirk Ent. with center post split in half to allow shots at ground level...well worth the extra money. This is a great tripod! However I don't care much for Bogen's $25 strap.

Customer Service

Haven't used.

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Vivitar.

Tremedous value.

Quick set-up and even quicker take-down.

Lever locks are quick, solid, and reliable. BUT you should tighten them every few months or so with the little plastic wrench that comes with it. Otherwise, you could be in for an unexpected failure in the field.

Adjustable legs make setting up on uneven surfaces or in odd spaces a breeze.

Rock solid at eye-level (I'm 5' 6").

I removed the second section from the center column, so I can drop the platform closer to the ground.

Why the 3221 over the 3021? For close-up shots of reflective objects, where the silver legs might throw out odd bits of light. The black isn't as non-reflective as one might like, but it's better than silver.

Regular maintenance IS required to keep the lever locks functional.

This tripod offers up a sort of bland competence; it has nothing special but somehow has all you need. The price represents extremely good value. My heaviest possible set-up is my F3/T + MD-4 + 300/4 + TC, and this tripod holds it all solidly. I use a Gitzo G376 ballhead - it's a tad small, but marginally adequate. If you want an affordable, do-everything tripod, it is hard to imagine a smarter choice than the Bogen 3221 or 3021.

Customer Service

A lost plastic wrench thing was replaced quickly and at no charge.

Similar Products Used:

None, but my travel 'pod is a Gitzo 026.

Versatile, simple.

None I'm qualified to complain about.

Like others who've reviewed this, I combined it with a 3265 ball head and am thrilled with it. Perhaps if I were a paid professional I'd find something to complain about, but for a casual weekend photographer it is great. It holds my Elan 7E with a 28-135 lens and a 550EX flash with no trouble at all. I'm 5'8", and with the added height of the ball head it extends the viewfinder to eye level for me without using the center post at all and without extending the smallest leg section more than about 25%. I suggest buying the Bogen 3146 utility apron for it; you can put your heavy gear in it for added stability and easy access. If you have no heavy gear, you can load it up with rocks or something. Pefect affordable (the price above included the 3265 head) tripod for anyone except maybe a busy pro.

Customer Service

Don't know yet.

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A cheap no-name tripod I borrowed from my roomate.

3221W with leg protectors. This thing is incredible! Extremely sturdy. I am 6'4" and with the 3265 ball head, it easily adjusts to eye level without extending the column at all! I love the rubber foot/ spike tip option.

Slightly heavy, but I can't afford carbon fiber and won't settle for less sturdy systems.

The almost perfect outdoor system with the 3265 head. Would be perfect if it weighed 3 lbs., but then I am a dreaming. Way to go Manfrotto! Couldn't be happier. If you do a lot of outdoor work, especially in the cold, then the 3221W can't be beat.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3001

Very steady & fairly versatile.
3221W with leg protector & spike feet.
height when fully opened up.

weight
I don't quite understand why the joint of the 2 piece center column has to be made out of 2 solid alumium piece. Taking out the lower section reduces some weight.

Nice tall, stable and versatile tripod. The joint of the 2 center column piece seem to be an after thought. More thoughts could have been used to trim weight and retain same stability.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3001
old velbon

Very sturdy and strong.
Nice leg levers.
Very tall yet it can go very close to the ground.
Three leg angles.
Reversable column.

Wieght.

Very versital tripod from very tall to close to the ground. The tripod is very well built for the price. If you are looking at the 3221w because of its leg warmers ($30 more) you can easily make some out of insulating pipe foam for $1.

Customer Service

Non needed so far.

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None

WEIGHT, weight is a strength when you are talking tripods? The height is also good and because of the weight, it is one of a very few tripods that you can extend the center column up on it 100%. I've also got the 3221W or wilderness with the pads and spiked feet I greatly appreciate the pads, but haven't used the spikes much.

Could be thicker gauge metal on the inner leg sections, also a lock to lock the legs into the collapsed position for carrying it with the legs extended and camera attached, as the strap does not work in this scenario.

I researched and borrowed and played around with nearly every quality tripod available and this is the one that I found to be the best. I am on a tight budget, like most photographers, but a tripod is the most important place to not skimp on spending. Buy the best, and this is it in my opinion.

Customer Service

Returned answer to my e-mailed question within a couple of hours and were very friendly and helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Old slik and a couple of cheap Velbons. (I would not reccomend the wal-mart grade of tripods for anything but mounting a flash or throwing a sheet over them for a light diffuser when shooting macros in harsh light!)