Tripod advice

[Tony Zubrowski]

B&H gave me a quote on a tripod set for my new Sony PD 170. Here's the specs:

1 BOGEN 3221WN TRIPOD w/3433 HEAD KIT/REG
#BO3221WN3433/3221WN501
CONSISTS OF:
1 BOGEN 3221WN TRIPOD SPIKED FEET/RUBBER LEGS/REG
#BO3221WN/3221WN
1 BOGEN 501 PRO VIDEO HEAD w/QUICK RELEASE/REG
#BO3433/3433
1 BOGEN "35"" UNPADD TRIP BAG(BLK) f/3011/21/3/REG
#BO3280MV/3280MV

I shoot mostly weddings and some events. Someone on this forum said this combo weighed about 9 lbs. That seems a little heavy, any thoughts?

I really can't afford the 503 head at the moment, although I understand it's a better option.


I guess my real question is whether there is a better option for the legs at about the same cost.

I have searched through this forum. It only tended to create a little more uncertainty as to what to do.


Tony Z
New Genesis Productions

[Don Bloom]

I can't speak about the 3221 legs, they seem very popular. I use the 3046/3246 legs which are quite a bit heavier and seem to be a bit more rugged. With the extension on the legs without using the center column I can get the top of the mounting plate up to 8 feet. I'm very happy with the legs and I do use the 501 head on 2 of them and the 3063 head on the other. I really don't have any problems with the 501's maybe because I use them so much but I would prefer the 503. Anyway you might want to look at the 3046 legs, just keep in mind they weight about 11 or 12 pounds with the 501.
Keeps me on the ground here in the windy city. :-)
Don

[Dennis Vogel]

<<<-- Originally posted by Tony Zubrowski : B&H gave me a quote on a tripod set for my new Sony PD 170. Here's the specs:

1 BOGEN 3221WN TRIPOD w/3433 HEAD KIT/REG
#BO3221WN3433/3221WN501
-->>>

Tony, be sure you get the special on this setup that B&H is running until this Friday. Use catalog number SBENY0712. It'll cost you $260 instead of $275. It ain't much but it'll cover the shipping.

Dennis Vogel

[Robert J. Wolff]

Tony,

While the 501 head is a decent, (not great), head, it will only hold 13.2 pounds of weight.

I am not familiar with the spec's on the PD-170, so I don't know if it will hold up to the camera weight, plus, the weight of a light, foul weather gear, etc. Might I suggest that you examine what your operating system will weigh, when you are shooting. Might save you a lot of headaches in the future.

Now, as to the 3221 legs. They have no center or ground spreader. They are equiped with rubber ball feet. In short, it's an over priced still camera TP. Also, my old Bogen catalog, rates it's maximum load as 10 pounds.

I seem to detect a discrepency between the heads max, and the TP's max loads.??

The catalog lists another TP, w/501 head, that has a ground spreader: video kit #3283B-501. (With a ground spreader, you can be fairly certain that the TP has spiked feet.) I don't know if it is still available, or what the price is, but I suggest you research it.

I use a Bogen 516 w/ARTS TP. I took a long time to make up my mind about it or an O'Conor.
It's an investment that you will live with for a long time (hopefully). Take your time, and get it right the first time.

Good luck.

[Dennis Vogel]

<<<-- Originally posted by Robert J. Wolff : Tony,
Now, as to the 3221 legs. They have no center or ground spreader. They are equiped with rubber ball feet. -->>>

For what it's worth, the 3221's rubber feet can be screwed up out of the way revealing spikes.

Dennis Vogel