What ball head is this??? When I purchased this used Bogen 3021 tripod, this ball head came with it. Can you tell me if this is a Bogen as well? The seller did not know. Thanks in...

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

When I purchased this used Bogen 3021 tripod, this ball head came with it. Can you tell me if this is a Bogen as well? The seller did not know. Thanks in advance for your help on this.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

juicesqueezer wrote:

When I purchased this used Bogen 3021 tripod, this ball head came with it. Can you tell me if this is a Bogen as well? The seller did not know. Thanks in advance for your help on this.

The shiny part in the second photo looks like a DIY adaptation. The rest looks like a Bogen, but I'm not sure....

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Wouldn't trust it with my gear

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I'm thinking that the ball is a bogen as well, just not sure about the adapter to the camera. As far as not trusting it, I have had no problems with it. Tightens down and is rock solid. The adapter slides into groves and the thumb screw with locking tab then tightens down to hold it in place. I'm not familar with arca type mounts, but don't they slide into a grove like this one? I'm still learning all this, so please bear with me. Lonerangefinder, you may be right on the DIY theory. That's the reason I posted these pics.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

On the third photo, if I remove the allen head bolt, can I install another manufactures plate on the ball?
I was also looking for an L bracket to attach to my d5100, since no matter how much I tighten the screw or the round knob, if I try hard, can move the camera. An L bracket would stop this problem for sure. Thoughts???

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Looks like a homemade L bracket for a large zoom lens such as a sigma 150-500 would use.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Thanks dooragdragon, as that is a possibility. I did find out that the ball head itself is a Bogen 3026. Now, my question is this: If I get a Kirk L bracket for my camera, will it slide into this mount? If it does, that is the way I will proceed. Anybody??

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The ball head itself is the Bogen 3026 Midi ball head. The plate is home-modified and the cast portion is the original plate. The head is rated at 13 pounds and while the ball portion is very good (exact same ball assembly as the Bogen 3055), the quick release plate was very small and inadequate for anything much over 3 pounds. The head was discontinued in fairly short order in favor of the MUCH improved 3049 style quick release plate, and re-designating the head as the 3055 model.
The original 3027 QR plates for the 3026 head are VERY hard to find and usually sell for more by themselves than the head will sell for without the plate.

EDIT: Kirk (Arca-Swiss style) plates will NOT fit the head. There are no alternatives that do fit properly.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Thanks MT; Okay, what do I need to purchase to make it safe and work? I am looking at the Kirk L bracket for my camera. What quick release do I need and do I also need to remove the 3026 head and replace it with one that will work?
Thanks again!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

juicesqueezer wrote:

Thanks MT; Okay, what do I need to purchase to make it safe and work? I am looking at the Kirk L bracket for my camera. What quick release do I need and do I also need to remove the 3026 head and replace it with one that will work?
Thanks again!

I suggest selling that head on Ebay and getting a more capable head. The 3055 is a good one if you want the old 3049 Hex style QR plate (my personal favorite system). The newer style 3262QR and 488RC2 heads are lighter and close to as good and they take the 200PL plates. The newest incarnation is the 498RC2 at a bit over $120 new.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

For the 2 metal screws I suggest going to a good hardware store and buying the proper fitting lock washers - the ones with many "gripping burrs" buy the one that fits the best with either the inside or outside burrs. for the top of your plate above the knob I would put a thin gripping pad of rubber like is on most tripod plates. Should solve you movement problem.

juicesqueezer wrote:

On the third photo, if I remove the allen head bolt, can I install another manufactures plate on the ball?
I was also looking for an L bracket to attach to my d5100, since no matter how much I tighten the screw or the round knob, if I try hard, can move the camera. An L bracket would stop this problem for sure. Thoughts???

:thumbup: :thumbup:

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Thanks MT; That's another idea to think on. I do like the Kirk L bracket and would need a Kirk ball head. I am assuming one of these would bolt on to the bogen tripod. Is this true?

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Harvey; Thanks, as I have noticed that some of those mounts have a cork like material. The rubber would work fine too. Good suggestions.
I looks like if I want to go with the Kirk L bracket for the camera, I will need some type of arca swiss mount or kirk mount for my tripod.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

juicesqueezer wrote:

Thanks MT; That's another idea to think on. I do like the Kirk L bracket and would need a Kirk ball head. I am assuming one of these would bolt on to the bogen tripod. Is this true?

Kirk brackets are not unique, they are Arca-Swiss style and all Arca-Swiss mounts are interchangeable. Any ball head utilizing the Arca-Swiss plate system will work for you. As for mounting on your Bogen legs, they have the standard 3/8" thread mount and that is compatible with about 95% of all the heads on the market today.
Take a look at the Giottos MH3300-658, its an amazingly high quality ball head for the money and uses the Arca-Swiss compatible plates, with a security lock included.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

juicesqueezer wrote:

Harvey; Thanks, as I have noticed that some of those mounts have a cork like material. The rubber would work fine too. Good suggestions.
I looks like if I want to go with the Kirk L bracket for the camera, I will need some type of arca swiss mount or kirk mount for my tripod.

Another idea is velcro tape. It comes in rolls and you cut it to length and apply the two sides to the two surfaces you want to secure. Of course it's grabs on to everything....

;-)