Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 3001BN Basic Tripod without Head

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

 

 

The major strengths of this tripod are its low carry weight, solid build, and repairable legs. I used to carry a Bogen 3021, but found it unmanageable to hike with as it weighed too much. The legs have tightening nuts in case the locks are not grasping the legs well enough (many other brands lack this simple but essential feature). You can easily dismantle the legs in order to clean and relubricate them (I use an inexpensive white lithium lubricant). This tripod is one of the best value buys in the photography marketplace.

Drawbacks of the Bogen 3001 include the inability to get very close to ground level, twist leg locks are slow to use (I much preferred the locks on the 3021), the low maximum height may not work for medium to tall photographers who want to stand fully erect, and aluminum is nasty to handle in freezing temperatures. But on the balance, the weight savings make this tripod a top choice for those who don't want to spend more than about $100 on a tripod. I bought this tripod years ago intending to use the 3021 legs most of the time, with the 3001 legs reserved for backpacking trips. After a few weeks carrying the lighter 3001, I abandoned the 3021.

I recommend the black legs on the 3001 for nature photographers--shiny aluminum reflects the sun and may occasionally scare off wildlife subjects. Shoulder carry straps distribute the weight to only one side of your body, so I suggest taking a long look at photo backpacks (such as the LowePro Rover AW II, or the LowePro Photo Trekker AW II) that carry the tripod on the back of the pack.

If money is no object, I would instead recommend the Bogen 190MF3 carbon fiber/magnesium tripod, which addresses all of the drawbacks above except maximum height (it is the same size as the 3001), and adds a number of outstanding new features. I recently bought a 190MF3 and I now use it exclusively. The top "spider" design allows the legs to be splayed flat and the center column to be remounted in seconds as a cross-bar--both features are excellent aids to macrophotography. I rate the 190MF3 as a five-star tripod, but it is much more expensive.

The review below does a great job of extolling the virtues of this excellent tripod. I would like to emphasize that the 3001 may be the best non-carbon tripod out there for backcountry travel, whether day trips or extended excursions. I have used it extensively in the Alaskan wilderness with absolutely no problems - it packs light and small, bears sufficient weight for my backcountry rig, and is very durable. One drawback is on chilly evenings and mornings, the aluminum legs get cold! This can easily be fixed, though, with foam pipe insulation.

I've had this product for about 3 1/2 years. I used it for a relatively light weight 4/3rds DSLR and found that it was reasonably stable. It has only been used on average a few hours a week. Last week one of the wing nut locks for the smallest leg tubes broke off when I picked up and moved the tripod. I found that locks (other than the wing nut and bolt) are a white metal casting which is not very durable. Even when buying a relatively in expensive tripod I would recommend one with twist locks rather than a cast wing nut type.