Hi. I already have a Bogen 3021 and I would like to get something lighter and smaller to carry when I backpack. I understand that I will have to bend a little with this tripod, but not much,I am vertically challenged.

I will probably top it off with a 3047. I know it is heavy as all hell but my bank account is not.

Type of photography: close-ups, landscape, large mammals(not a major concern).

What is the biggest/heaviest lens it could handle? Could I slap a 300mm and extension or TC on it and still be stable?

Of course I want to get a Gitzo CF and a B1.

Thanks, BV

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 15, 1999

Answers

Try Slik 300DX. Feels more solid than the 3001, taller than the 3001, weighs less than 3001 + 3047 combo. Check out these website
http://www.sunpak.com/12d.html
http://www.manfrotto.com/home/

-- Yusuf Apsoro (y.a.r.apsoro@lr.tudelft.nl), May 15, 1999.

Slik uses too much cheapo feeling plastic parts. Get the Bogen.

-- Ron Shaw (shaw9@llnl.gov), May 17, 1999.

I hate to say this, Ron, but you need to check out the product, not just generalizing the brand. The lower end Sliks are cheap and contain much of cheap plastic parts. But all cheapo tripods from any brand contain many cheapo parts. If you compare two models Bogen 3001 and Slik 300DX you will notice that the Bogen contains more cheapo plastic parts. To name two examples: the thin plastic leg lock and cheapo plastic feet. The Slik has better plastic leg lock and good rubber feet. One British magazine, Photo Answer, rates Slik 300dx to be the best value for the money, better than the Bogen 3001.

-- Yusuf Apsoro (y.a.r.apsoro@lr.tudelft.nl), May 17, 1999.

Hey folks, thanks for the input but could we focus back on the questions? I would like to know how much wieght you feel comfortable putting on these tripods?

Thanks. BV

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 17, 1999.

The 3001 will handle an F4/5 with 300/4 pretty well. I've used it with an F5, SB-26, 300/2.8 AF-S and TC-20E and it didn't collapse, but I never felt very confortable with that heavy a load on it.

-- Danny Weber (danny_weber@compuserve.com), May 17, 1999.

I thought a saw a new Bogen tripod about the weight of the 3001. Instead of the handle that you had to turn, it had clip latches like most of the less expensive tripods. They were kind of hard to latch. The color is "Safari" or some sort of olive drab. I hike with a 3221 because I hate the screw on handles for the 3001 because they are hard to use and catch on branches. The new model seems to be much better in this regard. I have no idea as to durability.

-- Warren (wkato@aol.com), May 18, 1999.

Brian

I have a Bogen 3001 with the 3030 head. I used an EOS 5 with a Canon 300 f4 along with a 1.4 TC on it before I got the 3011 and 3055 ballhead. It was stable enough and seemed to handle the weight just fine. Don't know if I would use anything much bigger on it though.

The 3047 weighs a couple pounds more than the 3030, but I wouldn't think that would be much of a factor. You might look at the 3030 to save the additional 2.2 pounds of weight. It's not a 3047 but it's designed for up to medium format.

-- George Chambers (Gwill1000@brooksdata.net), May 19, 1999.

I am also considering a Bogen 3205 (black version of the 3001) for a lightweight tripod. The biggest load I would put on it would be an F-100 with an 80-200 AFS zoom (when I can afford the lens). I assume this would also work OK? Also, someone mentioned a new model called a Safari. Any info on this product?

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), May 28, 1999.