inexpensive
precise adjustment
solidly made
nice quick release mechanism

sticky pan/tilt movement

This is a good tripod head, especially for the money. It is solidly built and will likely last a very long time. The movement is somewhat "sticky" due to static friction. Once you become accustomed to this, it is very easy to use this head. I prefer pan/tilt to ball heads and the 3030 is a good value.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

plastic Vivitar

quick release
solid stability
quick release with safety

not smooth at all when tilting, I wouldn't try to use it for video taping
very greasy where handles are screwed in

The price was right for a first tripod head. The handles are quite large so you may have trouble fitting it into a bag without removing them. The head is much smoother panning than it is tilting.

Similar Products Used:

Vivtar tripod (once)
Slik tripod (once for video taping)

Solid built, big convenient handles,
separate moving planes which allows you to adjust each direction precisely.
Quick release is obviously convenient feature

Abscence of buble level,
sometimes sticky for small adjustments
Quick release plate allows camera body twisting when operating directions holding the body.
Some kind of anti-twist plate for the plate would be welcome.

Very good product, worth the money spent for it.
Allows precise adjustments in each axis separately while camera is secured
by the rest 2 handles
Woudl recommend it for any user demanding stability, convenient
adjustments ability and quick setup operation.

Customer Service

No need so far...

Similar Products Used:

Slick consumer heads

Seems to be sturdy (i.e. heavy duty)and durable. Bogen name. Time will tell on this one.

A little choppy if you are in a hurry to change your frame (if subject moves.) I wish it had a little smoother operation. Perhaps I need a ball head. I don't know yet as I have only had it for a month.

A decent head that should last you for quite a while. I have mine mounted on a 3221 tripod as part of the Wilderness package. I would reccommend it as a reasonable priced head for someone who wants to get into the Bogen line. Bogen/Manfrotto seems to make a quality product to me. Good luck.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3029. Will cost you a little bit more.

Solid, well handling head. I like the short fat knobs as opposed to the old long skinny ones. Excellent quick-release system.

I have experienced some of the same stickiness in the panning of the head, but would someone please e-mail me and tell me what use a bubble level is on a tripod? I've shot for a few years now pretty seriously and have never found anything to shoot that was level and resorted to aligning horizons and linear patterns inside my viewfinder, the only place it matters. It's not the level that counts it's the parralellism, right?

I'm sure there are other heads that are better, but I bought this one in a kit and basically got it for nothing and thought it would be a good back-up and it ended up being my primary head!

Customer Service

Returned answer to e-mailed question within a couple hours, very polite, professional and helpful!

Similar Products Used:

Old Slik, and a couple of cheaper Velbons, (don't bother with the wal-mart tripods)

I'ts a tough beggar... Once you decided the position you want to keep you camea in, you wont have to worry... supports real heavy mamas and is fun for studio... if you have time

rather cheap, came bundled with the tripod

Unpractical, and a real pain in the zoot when used with a lowepro bag, it simply takes too much space and one never seems to find the right angle to carry it.

It's also a time eater, your final settings may be fine n' locked but gee it will be long...

nice n' tough, recommended for serious heavy photography. Don't use it with your N65...

Customer Service

never requested

Similar Products Used:

none, I'm soon going to buy a new ball head

Reasonable price. Well built with nice padded handles.

Tilt movement is somewhat jerky. Lacks any level bubbles

Camera shop reccomended this head as a good staring point. It is a fair value for the price. It certtainly will last a long time.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

None

Sturdy, solidly made inexpensive head. Has safety lock on QR.

Not as smooth in operation as more expensive heads

The 3030 isn't the ultimate tripod head, but given it's low price, a few flaws can be forgiven. Overall, a very good choice for photographers like me who's equipment budget isn't as large as they'd like.

Customer Service

Never required

Similar Products Used:

Tons

Compact QR plate with no-tools-needed tightener.
Modest size and weight.

Controls seem a bit sticky/jerky -- not smooth.

The sticky movement of the controls bothers me. The 3047 head has much finer, smoother movement.

But if you like the 3047 and DON'T like its bulky hexagonal QR plate, heavy weight, and don't need the levels, this is a good choice.

Similar Products Used:

None

Price is reasonable. Handles are comfortable to use.

Rotation on all swivels are not smooth. Lacka a bubble level. QR plate may rotate on camera body with heavier camera/lens combinations.

It is an affordable pan/tilt tripod head with quick release. Though the swivels work better with heavier equipment which helps damp the jerky movement, this puts the lens/camera in danger of falling forward and hitting the tripod legs as the clamp screws have to be pretty loose for smooth rotation. The lock on the tripod release is handy.

Similar Products Used:

None