Home > Consumer Reviews > Manfrotto 3021BPRO Professional Tripod without Head (Black)

After fairly exhaustive research, I found this to be the best portable fullsized aluminum tripod. Now, after a few months of use, it has failed to disappoint.

The listed features all function smoothly. In particular, the multiple leg angles often come in handy and operate very effortlessly, while maintaining a solid feel. The outermost setting allows the legs to be spread flat along the ground. Angling the legs out a few clicks requires no special attention at teardown - just fold it back up.

The head can be kept mounted on the center column to switch to either horizontal operation or to insert the top section of the column directly into the tripod base for a lower angle.

In addition, I found that the quick-release leg snaps require much less effort/time to set up and tear down than the double-wing locking knobs found on many other tripods. (Though if you want to fine-tune individual leg length often, their open/closed operation may be a problem - there is no "slightly open, slides down slowly" state as there is with the knobs.)

I personally have not come across the re-tightening issue mentioned in the pervious review, but I keep the snaps very tight, and the tripod comes with the tiny angled socket wrench needed to make these adjustments. (Though I would not trust the little ring on which the wrench comes mounted to the tripod for one day outside...)

The weight (9.7 lbs with the 3047 head I use and would recommend) could, I guess, be an issue, but carrying it around for a few hours at a time on a strap it has never been a problem for me. (I use a strap from a tripod bag I got but have found a pain to actually carry around.) ...Especially considering that anything substantially lighter (carbon) would cost more than twice as much for the same feature set.

The strap attachment point at the top appears to have been redesigned for the better - it is no longer the flimsy loop seen in most images but a solid metal U-shape. This will fit just about any strap hook you would like.

The tripod does get quite chilly in cold weather, (yeah, it's metal) but its "leg warmers" (textured rubber tubes over the top half of the top section of 2 legs) and some thin leather gloves through which you can still use your equipment should really make this a non-issue... you are, after all, out in the cold.
Consider the add-on leg spikes from Bogen if your outdoors also include ice, though I have not found a problem with the stock hard rubber tips on any surface I have trusted the setup with to begin with.

In short, this is the best tripod I could find for the cost, I have never been distracted by it when I'd rather be shooting, and I would only hypothetically look for something else if extreme light weight at any cost became the goal.

As a photo-hobbyist that enjoys photographing my travel experiences my first camera support purchase was the Bogen 3231 professional monopod with deatchable legs with the 3025 3D junior head. This is a great monopod, but every serious photographer should also have a tripod. After doing some research I purchased the 3021BPRO. Now for over a year I've enjoyed the versatility and ease of use this sturdy tripod provides.

Constructed of Anodized Aluminum, this tripod weighs about 5.3 lbs and without head stands 25.6 inches closed. The minimum open height is a mere 4.4 inches, while the maximum is 69.3 inches with the center column fully extended. It has three independent legs with two expandable leg sections adjusted by Rapid-action lever leg locks plus a third section each. Two of the leg's top sections come covered with padded grips/warmers. The foot of each leg is made of hard rubber to help prevent slippage. The two-section center column has a solid metal clip to connect the suggested 458HL strap at the bottom and is topped with a 3/8" threaded mount. The top section detaches without any tools by simply unscrewing the knob at the bottom of the column. The center column slips into the top of the tripod where the other metal bracket for the strap and a leveling bubble is located. The maximum load capacity is rated at 13.3 lbs, and is designed to use for still photography, video, and sports optics.

The design of the top of the tripod allows for rapid adjustment of the center column with the turn of a knob, and can hold the center column horizontally or vertically. For those shallow shots the bottom section of the center column screws off to leave a short column attached to the threaded mount.

So far I have not experienced any re-tightening issues even though a tool is provided for tightening when needed. I've left the tool on the leg and it has yet to fall off or get lost. I don't worry about loosing it since I carry camera equipment tools with me anyway. I haven't experienced any other problems either.

Bogen/Manfrotto products are high quality professional gear and this tripod is no exception. After using this sturdy tripod for a year and traveling with it to Eastern Europe, I can say with no doubts this tripod is an excellent addition to my photo support equipment. However I noticed a big difference between carrying around the monopod and the tripod in terms of comfort and weight. There are times when a monopod just isn't the best tool for the job though, but I guess that works both ways.

PROS:
Double positioning vertical and horizontal center column
Well thought out versatile design
Easy and quick to use
High quality sturdy construction

CONS:
I just cannot think of any

I'm not going to repeat what others have said. Its a great stable tripod although a bit heavy for backpacking. Stability versus weight is the big cosmic question in tripod land. However, for an SLR or medium format camera, the overall functionality to price ratio of this tripod really can't be matched by anything else out there.
But I'm really writing this review to give you some advice on what else to buy with it. First, get the Manfrotto carrying strap. Its great. Its got a nice handle, stays attached to the tripod, doesn't get in the way, and holds the legs together when you move it.
Second, if you're going to get a tripod this good, don't waste your investment with a cheap head. For still photography be sure to get a ball head and I'd suggest the Manfrotto 488 with the RC2 quick release. Its a sturdy, serviceable head at a great price point. I think of this as the Honda/Toyota setup - quality at a fair price.
You can certainly spend more for light and stable tripods and great ball heads but you're in the land of diminishing returns - paying up to triple for maybe 10% more functionality. If you want the Acura/Lexus setup then you should check out the Gitzo tripods and Arca-Swiss or Kirk heads instead.

After owning a $50 Slik tripod for the past couple years, I splurged and bought this and the 322RC2 ball head. Wow. Now I see why they cost the money. These are really sturdy, quality-made pieces.
I never understood what you got for the money. Well, here you get multiple leg positions, a hanger for weight when it's windy, a two-piece center post that can be used for low shots (with just the very short top) or in a horizontal position for shooting right on top of your subject - all for a terrific price.
If you're still using a $50 tripod, spend the money - it's worth it.

After spending thousands on a digital SLR and quality lenses, I wanted a reliable tripod to go with it and finally settled on this one.
Make no mistake, this is a quality tripod.
Excellent and versatile, great attention to detail in the design of this thing.
I paired it with a 3030 head, after a lot of consideration of the fancier ball heads. And I'm very happy with that decision too--the 3030 is simple and strong. Easy to adjust and can bear more weight than ball heads that cost more than twice as much. So overall this tripod with a 3030 head gives you a reasonably priced but very sturdy set-up.