Versital, relatively compact and quite strong. I've had everything from 35mm Nikons to a Mamiya RB67 on it with no wobbles.

After 10 years of use, I've learned how to losen the controls "just enough" so that it's a lot quicker to use, but I agree with the other users about it needing bubble levels. Also, the controls loosen quickly and the camera can get away from you if you aren't careful. I typically have a camera strap around my neck when using something heavy.

I was on a cruise to Halifax and noticed that the ship's photographers were using this head. After talking to several of them, I decided to get one. I found mine at Henry's in Halifax for about half of what it would have cost me in Atlanta. It typically sits on a 30+ y/o Gitzo Studex with the short column, although I have used it attached to Bogen Super Clamps from time to time.

Customer Service

Had a stupid attack and leaned the tripod sans camera up against the back bumper of my Subaru. I wasn't paying attention and managed to back over it--the Gitzo was a little scrapped, but otherwise unharmed, and the head had a broken arm. I was recently able to find a replacement at a South Carolina Photo Center for a reasonable price, so it's on the way to being well again.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3047 and 3039, Gitzo Rationelle, Slik (worthless), Tilt-all and various ball heads with the old Gitzo Ball 1 being my favorite.

Absolutely solid head. Takes abuse pretty well. Awesome value.

I kinda wish it had a quick-release plate. It also lacks a bubble level.

Because there are controls for each of the 3 axes of movement, it's not exactly easy to manipulate for fast-action photography (i.e.: sports)

I feel kinda lucky... My first tripod was a (very) used Bogen 3021 with a 3028 head (Manfrotto equiv. 056) already on it. This version of the 3028 I have has a rubber top. Perhaps only the newer versions have cork?

Despite being obviously used - nearly abused - it works *exactly* as if it were new. It's taken me from my first digital SLR to my current rig and it hasn't never failed me. My heaviest setup is a Canon 20D with either the 28-135IS or the 70-300IS, and I've never had a blurry photo due to camera shake. When this head is combined with the 3021 tripod, the platform is rock-solid.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3030 3D (a.k.a.: Manfrotto 141RC)

Stability, flexibility with various formats, good "feel" when tightening it down.

For someone used to a single control handle it is initially uncomfortable.

This head came with a Bogen tripod that I found at an estate sale. It it the first "good" head I have used. I have used it with a digital camera and a 4x5 Speed Graphic as well as a few others in between. It took some getting used to, but it is very stable and once I was comfortable with it, quite easy.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Tiltall

Compact, versatile, and economical head capable to hold a decent load. It can hold an older manual camera with motordrive and mid-tele zooms without any problem; however, I did limit shooting in higher shutter speeds only. Its unique design allows the camera to be mounted right-side up under a reversed tripod center-post and provides a great platform for ground-level shots. This 3-D head does not have long protruding handles and its adjustable levers make it quite compact for packing purposes. Great and cheap alternative to an expensive ball-head.

Inherent slop that occurs after tightening. Camera position will slip just a bit especially if it is carrying a heavy load. Quick-release available as an add-on only. Camera positions requires separate “loosen and lock” adjustments on each lever. The cork pad wears out easily, and a heavy camera may pivot on its own when it is flipped to shoot verticals. This head is not macro-friendly either since close-up photography requires smooth and precise camera-position adjustments.

Great versatility and good value for the money. Although this 3D head is not exactly a substitute for a good quality ball-head, it will work for most situations given patience and time. For those enthusiasts who would rather spend the money on more films and lenses, this is should not be a bad buy. Mind you, it is not something one would enjoy if you were a budding macro photographer. A regular sturdy pan and tilt head would probably serve you better. Perhaps it is a good companion to an older tripod that one would leave it inside the trunk of a car.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

other pan-tilt and ball-heads

-Built like a brick
-Quick to operate
-Levers don't get in the way
-Generous platform suitable for everything up to 4x5 view cameras
-360 degree scale for panoramics

-No bubble level
-Tricky orientation compared with most tripods. Be careful how you orient your camera on this head - one wrong turn the the head can flop in an unexpected direction.
-No quick release

Next best thing to a heavy duty ballhead for the still photographer. Not quite as quick to operate, but in some ways more versatile than a ballhead. Unlike heads built for still and video cameras, there's no long handles to poke you in the neck. Definitely not for video cameras - this head has no fluid or damped panning provisions. But a solid value for the still photographer.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Slik U212 Dlx, various others

Inexpensive. Full range of movement.

A little Slow. Takes a little bit to get used to.

This is a decent tripod head. It has a full range of 3d movement and isn't expensive but it has a few disadvantages. It has three different knobs to control for the different movements. This may take a little time to get the right angle you want. It usually only takes me about 5 or 10 seconds. It might be hard at first but you get used to it.

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

None

Versatile, quick, inexpensive, light. East to adjust in one direction without upsetting other adjustments.

No bubble level on head, cork camera surface, no built-in quick release.

If you know what you want, this can be nearly a perfect head for light-medium uses. You'll have to spend quite a bit more money to get a better head of any type. It will hold a medium format camera or a heavy 35mm camera (like my Canon F-1 with motor and medium tele). I prefer it to a ball head because each movement is separate--I can set and tighten in one direction and move in another without upsetting the first. The levers are short and repositionable. Bogen has an improved magnesium version that answers all my (minor) complaints, but at 2.5 times the cost.

Customer Service

Telephone ordered spare parts for a Bogen tripod, service was quick and easy.

Similar Products Used:

Different ball heads, different pan heads, the smaller Bogen 3d head

Easy to use, stable, cheap.

Be careful - if you're not holding your camera when you loosen the forward and backward tilt, the front of your lens might swing straight into a screw (I've never had this happen, but it makes me nervous)

It can be a little slow to use, but that just makes me careful.

I like this head, but it's the only one I've ever owned, so I can't really recommend it over any others, except for the fact that it was very inexpensive and does everything I want. Some people complained about the cork surface, but mine is rubber - maybe there are different versions?

Similar Products Used:

None