Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $45.00 from Local Camera Store

Summary:
This head was dependable. It was great but it wasn't terrible either. It did what I needed it to do and that's all I could ask. I'm glad I went to the Kaiser Pro Ball but I don't regret getting the Bogen as my first real head.

Strengths:
Affordable
Easy to use
Dependable

Weaknesses:
Levers are a little stiff
Shifting on tightening

Similar Products Used:
Kaiser Pro Head Small
Studioball
Velbon Target special

Customer Service:
Never used

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Summary:
My unit is mated to a Bogen 3211 set of legs, but for fun I attempted to fit it to my El Cheapo Slik tripod and discovered a clever little spring loaded socket that adapts to either a large or small mounting screw. Very nice.

In contrast to other reviews, I found that my unit locks pretty much right where you put it, even with a Nikon N80 and long 70-300 ED lens attached. Once locked, it's solid. My only complaint is that it weighs around a pound(!).

I have the quick-release version, and it works flawlessly and has a nice safety feature to keep your camera from falling off accidentially. Helpfully, the quick-release plate that goes on the camera will also fit a quick-release tilt head that is can be used on various Bogen monopods.

Highly recommended.

Strengths:
Sturdy
Clever tripod attachment design
Locks solid

Weaknesses:
Heavy

Similar Products Used:
None

Customer Service:
Not used

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
1 votes

Summary:
Unlike other reviews, in my experience it locks right where you place it. A good match to a Canon Elan2/28-135 and smaller lens; I've noticed some shakes when attaching a x2 teleconverter on a slightly windy day, but that is probably the fault of the 3205 tripod.

Strengths:
fast QR operation. adds height to short 3205 tripod.

Weaknesses:
either opened or closed. no middle setting.

Similar Products Used:
anonymous pocket tripod (surprisingly usefull for a 9.95$ tool!)

Customer Service:
non needed yet.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Model Reviewed:
3262 Medium Ball Head

Summary:
Best bang for your buck, I'm happy for the purchase overall, it works well with a small tripod or monopod. Get it if you're looking for a cheap tripod that works well for lighter cameras.

Strengths:
(I have the 3262QR, the quick release version). Steady, fairly light, works well with smallish cameras (I use it with a konica hexar, olympus epic, and minolta srt-101)

Weaknesses:
As others have said, it shifts slightly when tightened. It cannot hold steady very much weight (my srt-101 with a 70-200 zoom on it is too much at the long end). Gets a little greasy.

Similar Products Used:
cheapos.

Customer Service:
Haven't needed it yet.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Model Reviewed:
3262 Medium Ball Head

Summary:
I have Model 3262QR. I use it with a Bogen 3001LC tripod. I used this combination for over 700 photographs in 9 days on a recent trip. I love the quick release! It's true that when you lock it down it has a slight shift. However this shift is predictable. I found that if I always kept the locking lever to the left, when I would lock it the camera would always slightly shift to the right and down. I was using a 28 to 80 zoom lens, if I was using a longer lens, in the 200 to 300 range, I can see where it would be a little harder to adjust. You must always hold the camera when releasing the locking lever, or it will flop down. The bottom line is this is a inexpensive, solid QR ball head that you may have to adjust 2 or 3 times to get perfect framing. Considering the price this is a great value. I would buy it again.

Strengths:
inexpensive for a quick release ball head, locks down solid

Weaknesses:
when you lock it down it has a slight shift

Similar Products Used:
tried different brands and models in store

Customer Service:
unknown, doesen't look like I will ever need it