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Tripods
black anodized legs for $13, but I just used black cloth tape which cost around $2.
-- Jeff (www.spirer.com), July 29, 1997
When I bought my Bogen 3221, I also bought a Bogen 3262QR ball head. This was
my first ball head, and I was delighted with it - plus the whole deal cost me only
about $140. After a while I began to realize that the lack of smoothness in the 3262
head was annoying me more and more as I set up pictures. However, I really wasn't
prepared to spend $400-600 for an Arca ball head and matching QR. A couple of
places on the 'net (I really don't remember where), I found people recommending
the Canon Professional Ball Head, a head one hardly ever hears about. Since it was
only $60 (at Adorama), I bit, and for another $30 bought the Bogen hexagonal QR
plate to go with it. Since I've never used an Arca head, I can't compare the Canon
head with that, but I've found the Canon head to be just super for everything I've
done with it. I have to assume that Arca heads are even better, but with the Canon
head I feel that maybe I've reached the point of diminishing returns, with respect to
quality versus cost. And, since I'm a Nikon camera user, this is high praise indeed
for the Canon head!
-- Jack Kennealy, August 6, 1997
Over the years I have tried a variety of tripods and heads, from cheapo to pricey
kind. I traded cash for" experience," having sold most at a discount to other
photographers. My recollections: - Bogen 3047- OK, but large and awkward to use,
still a good value for the buck if you enjoy pan/ tilt style versus ball head. - Bogen
3055 ball head- not smooth enough in action or machining. Good price though and
is usable. - Slik Ball heads ( from professional with triangular lever to small) OK,
but no adjustment for tensioning. Good value. - Foba Superball, w/ quick release:
Good ball head and fully adjustable, but large, heavy, and expensive. Still have it
and use it. Bought for 175.00 at auction. Not my first choice or recommendation
now that I have an Arca B-1 head. - Arca Swiss. Worth the money because of the
precision. A unique product,- a lifetime investment. - Bogen Swivel Tilt Head-
great for monopods, a bargain at under 20.00, for certain uses. - Bogen mini fluid
head. Also a great bargain for video and maybe binocular astronomy - Really Right
Stuff Plates. A value for their quality and individuality. - Really right stuff arca
clamp adapters. An excellent compromise to retrofit other heads.
-- Gerry Siegel (Honolulu), September 9, 1997
I use the Gitzo 1228 mountaineer for the legset and a Lindhof profil 2 ballhead w/
Rollei quick release (my 6x6 is the only thing I use on this tripod). The Lindhof
head is very solid and smooth, a perfect match for the series-2 gitzo. For the series
4, I'd go w/ the larger profil 3. The profil 2 is only about $215 in Tokyo. Just try not
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/philg (10 of 53)7/3/2005 2:21:12 AM