Customer Reviews

BOGEN 3265 GRIP ACTION BALL HEAD WITH QUICK RELEASE PLATE

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had the tripod head over a year and really liked it.
I used it with my digital camera.

Now that I have started using longer lenses with it have noticed that it is no longer rock steady when I release the grip. Especially a problem when I have it tilted when taking vertical shots with long lenses. I have tried tightening everything I could tighten with no apparent effect.

If you want a great tripod head for use with a light camera this is the one to get. For people taking verticals or using longer lenses it just will not support the weight.

Being from the video game generation, it seemed like a great idea. I must admit it is very easy to use if you are used to using a PC joystick. If you only want to use a small point and shoot or very small SLR without flash, battery grip, or lenses over 100mm, this is an acceptable solution.

I now only use this head for holding my flash unit. The problem is that as a general rule your head should support about 2 times the weight of your system, which only allows for about 3 lbs and I have lenses that weigh more than that. If you have flash units and/or heavy lenses that you will be using you will notice this head creep as gravity pulls on it.

A better alternative is the 468MGRC2 head which is very smooth and easy to use with the added benefit of being rated for about 35 lbs. instead of 5.5. Of course it comes at a price, but for something you will be using regularly it is nice to have something you are comfortable with and trust.

I have had this head for several years and recently only used it rarely. The concept behind this is sound, though the execution is lacking. If you want to support even a moderate weight camera and lens the tension has to be set nearly to the maximum. When it's set this way repositioning the head is very difficult. Even when tightened down all the way, if the head is set at an angle it tends to fall forward. It worked pretty well for the first year or so but is essentially useless now.

This has been a great camera head for me for the past 5-8 years. I ran into the, "Can't hold weight" problem too the moment I went to larger lenses.
Let me give you a heads-up. Tighten the small screw on the backside of the handle, towards the bottom of the grip. It is a very small, allan head screw. Then back the tension off on the handle setting and your good for more than 5.5 lbs. Good luck.

I couldn't get over the way this head is like a video game joy stick! Once I got it and started to use it I was amazed! I'll never buy a head that requires you to turn knobs, handles or screws again. So easy to manuver even a child can frame up an excellent shot. This head is great if shooting nature photos and your subject decides to run before you get the shot. Just grip the stick and move the camera to where the subject is.

This is the second 3265 (222) that I have purchased. My first one still works as new and it is eighteen years old. For me it does all I want it to do on either my tripod or my monopod. I have never had any slippage and use up to my 100-400 Canon on it. I also use an XTi. I did pay about twice as much this time around--but things have changed it twenty years as well!!

This is a fantastic tripod head. Although I have read some reviews regarding the weight capacity, I have had no issues using my Canon EOS D20 with a 17-85mm lens attached. I do think that it could have problems with my larger 100-300, but I did not intend to use it with that lens. The incredible versatility is not necessarily needed for that type of functionality.

No problems. Arrived in a timely manner. Got a small glitch worked out and item is working fine. Very good deal. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

I agree with other reviewer that this head is not satisfactory when using a long lens or flash on a large camera. I wonder if this is a function of age as I did not notice this problem when I first purchased the head. I also wonder if there is a way to refurbish it so that it holds better when trying to shoot at an angle.

I bought this item in 1997 as the head of a parallelogram binocular mount for 10x70 Fujinons, and named the whole apparatus "Mt Fuji". The Fujinons weigh approx 6-7 lbs, and this head would hold them at 90 degs with no problem. Mt Fuji amazed people who used it, and all because of this ball head. I have subsequently used them for a Nikon D80 with the Tamron 18-270mm lens and it holds this equipment rock solid. I just returned from a Gulf Coast trip and noticed some damage. If I can't fix it I will definitely get another one or maybe the newer 222 JoystickManfrotto 222 Joystick Head - Replaces 3265... I've used this head for 14 years, and it is excellent if you want to freely and quickly move equipment around.