Reviewed by
Dan Birch , Intermediate

Price Paid
$200.00 at B&H

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Fine Art

Summary
Excellent product. Has stood the test of time.

Strengths
Smooth as silk, works well with consumer and prosumer camcorders.

Weaknesses
none

Customer Service
not needed.

Reviewed by
ediTed , Professional

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
21+ years , Other

Summary
I've been shooting with many different BetaCams out in the field for over 15 years. When it came time to look for a camera that would be light, durable and dependable for a shoot in the Amazon I picked up a Canon XL-1.
This is the exact same tripod/fluid head configuration that I bought for this DV camera. It has NEVER let me down once. Although not as sophisticated as my Sachtler/Gitzo units it's also 1/10th the cost and weighs a whole lot less.
With this camera and tripod combination I can cruise thru the jungle all day and not feel beat up when I roll into my hammock at night. Pan and tilt are very basic but the fluid action is adequate for what I need to do.
I heartily recommend it!

Strengths
Light weight, easy to care for, dependable.

Weaknesses
No counterbalance but then what do you expect for less than a couple hundred bucks...

Reviewed by
Maelstrom , Professional , from Erie, PA

Price Paid
$0.00 at company supplied

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Fine Art

Summary
The Bogen 3063 tripod head is about the One of the best consumer/pro-sumer fluid tripod heads you can buy before stepping into the high dollar professional tripod heads. In fact, I've used professional heads that didn't do as good a job as this little Bogen head. For the price this thing is hard to beat.

Strengths
It's compact and sturdy. you would be hard pressed to break one of these things. It's a simple design that works well.

Weaknesses
There is a little point of slop when begining a pan or tilt but with practice and use you can live with this. This head should really only be used with smaller handheld type camcorders. Stick with a good sturdy tripod to mount this to and you'll be happy. Don't expect great results if you put this head on a weak flimsy set of sticks.

Reviewed by
Robert Lam , Intermediate , from San Diego

Price Paid
$113.00 at B&H

Photography Experience
2-5 years , People

Summary
Excellent video head, especially for DV work. Goes well with the 3221W Bogen, and stays on the tripod when screwed on; doesn't come loose. Pan/tilt is as smooth as a baby's bottom and is extremely versatile. May be too bulky for photo work, get a SlikAF2100 for that, but for video this head rocks.

Strengths
Solid and strong. Built to last a good battering. Provides for extremely fluid pan/tilt. Nice extras including strong quick release plate, tilt lock, pan handle rearrangement, and levelling bubble. You will love the feel of the pan handle grip.

Weaknesses
None.

Similar Products Used
None.

Customer Service
Don't need it.