Actually, what I have is the 3005S: Silver Jubilee edition commemorating
the 25th anniversary of the founding of Bogen. It also looks slightly different
(and nicer in my opinion) from the pictures above: all metal parts are
plated silver (color, not the metal :-)). In this limited edition, the leg
set and the head are sold together as a set, and every set has a serial
number. BTW, the manufacturer is Manfrotto of Italy. Bogen is simply its
American distributor. The Manfrotto's product codes are 190 for the leg set
and 141RC for the head.
Specifications: For the leg set: minimum height: 29cm; maximum
height: 138cm; folded height 52cm; weight: 1.72kg and supports 5kg. For
the head, height: 13cm; weight 1kg; and supports 6kg.
This is a light-weight and yet sturdy tripod. With the all-metal
construction, the build quality is excellent. It is the heaviest (it is 6
lbs already!) tripod that I am willing to lug around all day long. Had I
have a heavier tripod, probably it would spend more time sitting at
home. So far I am very happy with it. It is not high, but I am short too.
I even used it with the Nikon AF-Zoom ED 80-200mm f/2.8 fitted with Kiron
2x Teleconverter, supported on this tripod by the tripod socket on my N90s
camera, and got a sharp image (well, up to the lens + TC combo can
furnish). So, I think it should work well with lens up to 400mm if the
lens has its own tripod socket.
I am quite used to the 3-D pan-tilt control. The 3030 head can even
support (with care) the N90s + Nikkor AF 80-200/2.8 in vertical format! I
haven't tried a ball-head, and I am not so keen on trying that. But one
thing I think as a must for a tripod: the quick release. This allows me to
snap the camera on and off the tripod in a blink. All in all, I am the
lazy type. I need to be assured that using a tripod is not that much
trouble at all. :-)
One complaint though: why different head uses a different quick
release plate?! Well, good for me: it saves temptations.
My conclusion: so far so good. No problem.
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