Editorial Review:Product Description:Awesomely fast and easy to use, the 458B has the innovative Neotec rapid opening and closing mechanism - just pull each leg downwards to open and automatically lock it in any position, with no screws, knobs or levers to tighten or loosen. Then to fold it back up again, press the mechanism release button and push the leg closed, its that simple!
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
save time and $ and get this one
strudy,well made, dependable...makes life easier.
buy this head, it's like frosting on a luscious cake.
Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N)
Rating: -
The fastest, most versitile tripod I've ever used.
I've used this tripod now for about 6 months, and it is a solid performer. I've taken this everywhere. The beach, the woods, the city, on top of my roof, in my back yard, etc.. It's performed flawlessly. People are amazed how quickly I set up and wrap up my shooting. (within seconds). The 322RC2 grip head is a must with this tripod.
If you do field photography there is no better tripod. My favorite work is nature macrophotography and this tripod has been able to get me extremely quickly setup before the spider, wasp, or any other little critters run away. Then I pick up in a matter of seconds and move on to the next location. The legs can extend out individually at almost any angle, so it is a very versatile tripod. One time I needed to prop the leg up against the window, brick wall, and soil to capture a shot of a spider building his web in the corner of the flower bed outside my front door. I would not have been able to do this my other tripods.
The only thing I can think of that could be better is the weight. Unfortunately there's always a trade off there between stability and weight. In this case, it would have been helpful if the tripod was lighter, but given the design, it probably means sacrificing stability. Given that the legs are independent of one another, it was probably a necessary trade off. Any and all high-end tripods are weighty, and this one is no different.
Drop by your Samy's camera shop and check it out, it would be surprising if you're not impressed by the innovative design of the auto-locking legs, solid construction, and versatility.
Rating: 
-
Comments and response, maintenance
First, a response to the slightly negative review:
First, I agree with the recommendation for the 055XproB. For half the price, you get a great tripod. Neotec is neat, but gimmicky. I can set up a normal tripod (like the above mentioned) in just a few more seconds that it takes to pull out the Neotec's legs. The Neotec collapses in about 2 seconds less time, and adjustment time is equal. So if you've got half the funds, get the 055XproB. If you've got twice the funds, get carbon fiber ;-).
The Neotec is not the most, nor by any means the least stable. It is heavy and solid, but does have a torque/twist that you don't really want. It's not significant for any but the most demanding applications, however. I don't know how the reviewer got "motion blur" using ANY camera on ANY tripod in a room with no wind. Maybe a train was passing by, or the reviewer was walking on a floor plank the tripod was on. This tripod has some play, but it doesn't move of it's own will.
I have had mine for a year and a half, use it every day in a fairly rough way, and it has no discernible scratches. I wouldn't care if it did.
My major gripe is that after a while, the legs get hard to pull out and push in. The manual says to lubricate them, but doesn't say WITH WHAT. I tried a few different lubricants, but they only lasted a day or two. I emailed tech support, and they said that the tripod is not user-serviceable, even for lubrication, and that it must be sent in for repair. I sent a couple emails trying to get them to tell me how to service it myself, but they just kept saying I had to send it in.
So I sent it in, and it was fixed for free and returned promptly. The work order said "lubricated tripod legs". They functioned better, but only for a couple weeks.
I am happy to report that I have found a pretty good procedure for maintaining the legs:
Every couple weeks (more or less, depending on use and conditions), wipe off the legs and then apply a lubricant. I use Goo-Gone to clean the legs, wipe it off completely, then use SILICON lubricant (I use dielectric grease) to lubricate. Just wipe a VERY SMALL amount on, rub it around, and wipe off as much as you can. Wipe it like you don't want any left on there.
Now you're good for a couple weeks.
DO NOT USE WD-40, GRAPHITE, or TEFLON LUBRICANTS!
Also, the bubble level will eventually fall off. I put a tiny drop of Gorilla Glue on the edge, and it won't be coming off any more.
Also, the hex/allen screws at the top of the tripod legs may become loose (one of mine did after a year). Just pay attention to them, because if they fall out and you can't find them, you're probably screwed (they ain't standard screws). You can put some of the milder form of loctite on them, or maybe even hairspray, to keep them in.
Rating: 
-
Inovative Design, but need improvement.
I've purchased this tripod because it's got a much quicker locking mechanism over my old Bogen 3021B-Pro tripod (Which is a true workhorse for me for over 7 years, never let me down).
Features same adjustable height design and a unique horizontal shooting pole as the 3021B-pro, the weight is same as the 3021b-pro.
The new Neotec locking mechanism is really great invention, super fast to work with, all you need to do to extend the tripod is just pull it out, and it locks in any position, no knobs to push or turn. It also comes with a free comfortable carrying strap, that is nice.
However, the tripod feels like it's build very cheaply, A design flaw (IMHO) is that the tripod build with it's thinest tube section towards the top and thickest tube at the bottom, this creates a horrible wobble (Bogen claims that this design keeps sand away, heck, I've never had a sand problem with my old 3021bpro, why bother?). I tried to do some 5 sec exposure in a room with no wind and any other disruption that would effect the exposure, and the picture comes out blurry (yes, motion blur). The tripod creates wobble itself because of this design.
Another major flaw? The tripod will scratch so easily that it already got plenty of scratch within a week of purchase! My 3021bpro haven't had a single scratch from heavy-duty usage till 4 or 5 years later and numerous airport rough handling. This is just not acceptable.
Take a look at the re-designed 3021b-pro, now called 055XProB, it is the standard that will last you for years to come.
Rating: -
great tripod
excellent tripod- easy to set up and break down. perfect with the ball grip head.