Manfrotto 3265 Grip Action Head

StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
edited March 22, 2007 in Accessories
I just bought a new tripod/head combo. I've had it on layaway since December.

This is what I originally put on layaway.
Bogen 3001BN with 322RC2 Head Supports 11 lbs.

I went last Friday to pick it up and they had sold it and ordered a new one in for me.

When I picked it up last night this is what I got

Bogen 3001NB with 3265 Head Supports 5.6 lbs.

I do like the handling of the 3265 Grip. Nothing sticking out to poke you in the face when you get in close to the camera....

I'm concerned about the weight limit. 5.6 lbshuh.gif My Bigma weighs in at 4.06 lbs and the 20D at 1.5lbs. Add in a battery grip and two batteries, Sigma flash. Well you see my dilema.

I wanted to support a local business with one of my gear purchases, since I have purchased everything online before.

Other than the obvious price difference, comments please.
Dana
** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
no birds sang there except those that sang best.
~Henry Van Dyke

Comments

  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Personally, and being as anal as I can be at times (the DW will confirm thisiloveyou.gif ), I would have stuck to my guns and made a scene that this is not what I ordered. Also, it doesn't leave much latitude for gear advancement but is right on the edge of suiting your current needs, from what you've told us.

    Now, that being said... If there are other underlying factors involved ($, time, ect...) that maybe we don't need to know about, but the ultimate decision will be strictly up to you as to weather this current system will work long-term. But if you ever question yourself, now is the time while it's still fresh and B&H can rectify this situation with few(er) questions. Happy customers have always been their goal from all that I've ever seen with them...


    I know I can be quite blunt at times... But I hope this helps...
  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Thanks Seymore for responding.
    I've always had excellent service from B&H, but in this instance I wanted to support a small local business. The small Mom and Pop shops are about gone and it was the only place I could put my hands on it before buying mwink.gif So much for that.

    I called them and told them to order the original head and I would be returning the other tomorrow. I just can't trust it.

    I've bought some nice things in the Flea Market here and of course B&H, so I'll just stick to those from now on.
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Totally understand Dana. Please understand that I was just playin' devils-advocate with you on this... and giving honest feelings how I would have dealt with it. IMPO, you can't have to much support when it comes to heavy gear... but you can have to little.

    But I know, from experience, that B&H will gladly rectify any problems. A happy customer is much more likely to come back. And I know what you mean by the small mom-n-pop shops drying up. Sad but true. Support them any time you can...
  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    They should make it right.

    I'd rather go overboard on the weight limit.

    Thanks again,
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    Stormdancing wrote:
    I just bought a new tripod/head combo. I've had it on layaway since December.

    This is what I originally put on layaway.
    Bogen 3001BN with 322RC2 Head Supports 11 lbs.

    I went last Friday to pick it up and they had sold it and ordered a new one in for me.

    When I picked it up last night this is what I got

    Bogen 3001NB with 3265 Head Supports 5.6 lbs.

    I do like the handling of the 3265 Grip. Nothing sticking out to poke you in the face when you get in close to the camera....

    I'm concerned about the weight limit. 5.6 lbshuh.gif My Bigma weighs in at 4.06 lbs and the 20D at 1.5lbs. Add in a battery grip and two batteries, Sigma flash. Well you see my dilema.

    I wanted to support a local business with one of my gear purchases, since I have purchased everything online before.

    Other than the obvious price difference, comments please.

    Not sure if you know this, but the 322Rc2 head can be made to function
    like the 3265 grip.

    Here's a quick shot from the paper work that came with it.

    74753499.jpg
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    Dave you're great! No, I didn't know that. Will have to check it out when it comes on Tuesday. Thanks so much.
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    I believe that by converting the 322 into a joystick you loose approx half its holding weight and the use of its bubble level..........
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    Art Scott wrote:
    I believe that by converting the 322 into a joystick you loose approx half its holding weight and the use of its bubble level..........

    Great info also Art. It might come in handy doing macro work when I don't have a heavy lens onboard.

    It doesn't matter one way or the other on the grip. I still have a hard time squeezing it with my hands the way they are. I'm more concerned about the load specs.
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    Art Scott wrote:
    I believe that by converting the 322 into a joystick you loose approx half its holding weight and the use of its bubble level..........


    You are correct Art.

    Here's some info from Manfrotto: 322RC2
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2007
    After much runaround and delay and excuse after excuse, I took the whole thing back and demanded all my money be refunded. The last excuse was that it would take 4 weeks to get the right head because it was backordered at Bogen.

    At a meeting of our local camera club, one of the senior members gave a demonstration on different tripods and the different type heads and uses. Talk about good timing. I'm now rethinking my needs (wants) and stepping back a bit. Like so many have said here and the club speaker also said, you can save a lot of money by just buying the right tripod/head combo to start with.

    Thanks everyone for your information and advice on this.
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2007
    Stormdancing wrote:
    Like so many have said here and the club speaker also said, you can save a lot of money by just buying the right tripod/head combo to start with.

    Thanks everyone for your information and advice on this.
    thumb.gif
    .
  • lowbonelowbone Registered Users Posts: 35 Big grins
    edited March 20, 2007
    I have had both of those Manfrotto grip heads and you definitely don't want one of these with something like a Bigma. It just won't hold. I think the concept is good but I don't know why they make it with such a small ball. You are right to demand your mnoey back. Get a good ballhead and a good tripod right off the bat and you can avoid this misery later on. I think you might want to look into Arca slot type heads if you are thinking of long heavy lenses.
  • natelamnatelam Registered Users Posts: 3 Beginner grinner
    edited March 22, 2007
    I am a big fan of the 322RC2 because of it's ergonomics and ease of use. It's very durable (dropped from 30ft onto rock slab with the 055MF4 with no problem) and has reasonably good performance and weight bearing capacity. I've mounted my D2H + 70-200VR + TC14IIe + SB-800 on it with no noticeable slipping or weight issues. Much is also dependant on the tripod you pick as well.

    I own some "heavy duty" ballheads that I use for longer lens and heavy duty work, (Arca B1, Wimberley Sidekick) but for everyday use and affordability the 322RC2 is quite formidable.

    I vote for it!
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