im gonna pull trigger for the Bogen 3021/Manfrotto 055pro soon but I have also been looking at some carbon fiber tripod legs from Dynatran on ebay. The only concern i have with the carbon fiber legs is that they are very light although they are strong. Has anybody tried loading a light leg with heavy camera? (say D200 + grip + flash + heavy lens) would the leg be fine or do I need a heavier leg?

havent personally tried carbon fiber yet. but i remember i read it from somewhere which i have forgotten from where that manfrotto's carbon fiber is kinda like a joke to the name itself. how good it is i am not sure but some complained that it's not a really good buy.

for carbon fiber, there is only one brand: gitzo. but it's wayyy beyond alot of us' wallet.

so, go for the 055. i am using it, after 10 years. recently, i used it to stand a cambo large format... abit shaky but it can still support it.
use D200 + grip and 80-200f2.8 all the time with this leg + 141 or 222 head. no problem

I'd have loved to get the 190/3001 but it's too short. The only thing im concerned about the 055 is the weight...not a problem when I have a car but I don't drive atm.

ahahaa
alamaklor, when i carry the 055 +141RC out, i usually dont drive.