Experience /w RRS tripods

Golf007sd

Here is where I am at. RSS looks really good and life will seem a lot simpler if I just get everything from them.

My likeliest heaviest load will be my D800 with battery pack, SB-910 flash and a 200mm F4 macro lens which I will buy in the spring (this will mean that I will likely buy more RSS items at that time). A 70-200 2.8 lens with TC-2.0 is also a possibility sometime in the future. When I go on an African safari, I will buy a special lens and support system just for that trip.

-TVC-24 Tripod. I am aware that it is the slightly smaller model and has four sections and that compromises stability but would like the smaller size for travel. Does anybody think that stability will be overly compromised?
-BH-55 ballhead with LR. I like the idea of a lever with the level. It might be overkill, but I am taking MSMOTO's advice to heart. I might even by a screw clamp in the future. They are not that much money and it will be an interesting comparision.
-The L-Plate for MB-D12 on D800.
-TA-2-QC Quick Column.
-An extra rubber ball foot, four rock claw feet and four foot spikes (I like having an extra).
-Do you guys think I need the MTX - Multi-Tool with 22 bits and 1 hex key.
-And a plate for my Coolpix A. An L-Plate seems like overkill for that.

I am up to $2,000, but I will likely include it in my will for the kids in 50 years. This stuff looks really good.

Does anybody have any comments? Advice.

Golf007sd

@jshickele: You will not have a single issue with respect to stability....Period! I have played with this model and it is simply awesome. I went with the TC-23 because I wanted a little more hight. Given that you are considering the Quick Column, hight will not be an issue. I would highly recommend getting the TA-2-LB: Versa 2 Leveling Base as well. It really make life so much easer when shooting in uneven platforms.

As for the extra foot, I have the rock foot and have used them only once and they worked like a charm. I have not purchase the spikes yet...would welcome your feed back on them should you get them. The rubber food last a long time...they are very well made.

I have the multi-tool and it ROCKS. It fits right inside the quick column and I'm very happy I purchased them. In fact, it has come in handy a few times while shooting with friends that owned other tripods and need to tighten a few lose screws here and there

As for bullhead, go with the BH-55 and be done with it. I have the BH-40...wish I had purchased the 55. May get it in the future but the BH-40 does the job so why spend the cash if I don't have to. I have my eye on Ebay or on crags list for a good deal. With that said, keep an eye on Ebay as well. Here is a list of RRS on Ebay.

WestEndBoy

Thanks for the re-assurance Golf007sd. I will add the leveling base on your advice.

I will continue to monitor the comments on here for another week while I am away on a business trip. When I return, I will take the plunge and let everyone know what I think.

This is going to beat the hell out of my stainless steel Chinese no name tank that I bought in Akihabara in 2000 with my F80.

Msmoto

I can not resist….the author at work:


And, to see the detail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/9379929305/sizes/o/

Oh, ISO 16,000 and with noise….

WestEndBoy

Msmoto, in reference to your earlier post, I take it you decided where you went wrong and bought RSS?

WestEndBoy

Killerbob's comment on the TP-243 re: a good tripod for low to the ground has me thinking. Maybe I buy that for my Macro work and travel and select a CF tripod that is ideal for everything but travel and macro.

Anybody see any merit in this. It is only another $400 or so.

Golf007sd

I think you will find the TVC-24 ability to get low (4 inches / 10cm) very sufficient, when you remove the QC. Thus, I would first get it and see how it works. I have a feeling you will not be disappointed shooting that low. However, should you ever want to get even lower, do this with the QC on:





Now isn't she sexy :P

WestEndBoy

Very sexy! This forum is not appropriate to say how sexy.

Out with the TP-243!!!!

ChasCS

The centre column on these Vanguard tripods is what sets them apart from many others.
David explains it very well here...
http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/blog/view/vanguard-alta-pro-283ct-tripod

I love that this centre column can be pulled up and articulated and extended to several different angles, or even upside down, for macro and other styles of shooting including both film and single frames.
I see where with other brands, you can only turn the centre column to a 90* angle.
The legs too, can be extended out to 80* which is nearly flat.

Golf007sd

@ChasCS: Use caution when you have your center column extended out at such angles. The weight of the body and lens is no longer over the apex of the tripod, thus allowing for the possibility of it tiping over and may fall over and hit the ground, thus causing damage to your gear.

ChasCS

Yeah, how true. I am careful, believe me friend. Very very wise suggestion there, thanks.
But by extending no I mean angling the legs out further, lowering the centre of gravity, way down...


I know what you mean and when centre column extended, always test the load by pushing down on the camera, gently but firmly trying to upset it purposely.
I also pay attention to facing the camera weight over one of the tripod legs, when ever possible.
This D800 is my new baby, please help me name the new family member? Smile
And much like a child, needs to be fed, memory cards, batteries, new and exciting lenses. (80-400mm) say no more...

spraynpray

I can do all that with my Manfrotto - an articulating centre post isn't only the domain of RRS and the like....

Golf007sd

@spraynpray: Neither I or ChasCS said it was. :-?

ChasCS

No, I never even mentioned that brand...
But I think it was a Manfrotto I looked at, that the centre column would only articulate in a 90* angle parallel to the ground.
I know some can be loosened and once transitioned can be locked in any manner of angles.
The Vanguard tripod I'm presently using does have set locking locations for the centre column once it is pulled up and articulated. Where others may be positioned any any angle. All though, the angles used seem adequate,
and we'll thought out.

I don't why, and I'm trying to understand this.
But it seems strange to me in a good way let's suppose, having the ability to actually turn the centre column upside down, and hang the camera from the bottom. As pictured above.
That's not something that I would have ever even dreamt of doing.
I find this fascinating and a wonderful adaptation of the new technology of these tripods.

I do learn something new, every day on this great forum... Thank you all for the awesome input.
I never knew there were so many fine photographers out there either, so that's pretty awesome news too...

Juergen

I don't why, and I'm trying to understand this.
But it seems strange to me in a good way let's suppose, having the ability to actually turn the centre column upside down, and hang the camera from the bottom. As pictured above.
That's not something that I would have ever even dreamt of doing.
I find this fascinating and a wonderful adaptation of the new technology of these tripods.

Here is an application. The photo show an RC boat, so it is small and you want to get as low as possible. I also shot RC cars before, same thing, you want to get as low as possible.

ChasCS

That's a nice pic of the boat. I thought it was a full size one, until I read the description.

I'll have to give this a try with my hpi Savage Charger.


Here's a blurb on the Charger:
HPI Racing is having an amazing Nuremberg show! Check out this awesome 10th anniversary Special Edition Savage X Dodge Charger! Bashers all over the world just said ‘Yes please!’ This Special Edition is going to be limited to 1000 pieces per region. So 1000 in the Americas, 1000 in Asia, and 1000 in Europe! The chassis is individually numbered, and that Special Edition body has ‘basher’ all over it!
Here are some highlights from the press release:
Fully assembled and Ready To Run (RTR) 1/8th scale Big Block monster truck, Numbered TVP chassis plates, SF-20W waterproof throttle/brake servo, New Dodge Charger R/T body with supercharger, Polished aluminum tuned pipe, Four aluminum Big Bore shocks with dual-stage springs, Sintered bulletproof diff gears, Dual fibre disc brakes, Black Warlock wheels, Original Savage monster truck tires and Orange-anodized chassis parts.

It really is a "monster"!

Thanks for posting the boat. This gives me some cool ideas...

spraynpray

@Golf007sd @ChasCS: No, I know you didn't mention Manfrotto, that's why I did, so that people realise you can get decent stuff for less money.

Just saying is all....

You are right the centre column does only go parallel to the ground on mine, but then you have the ball head for the angles.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love RRS stuff, it is just that my bank manager (wife) wouldn't!

ChasCS

Sorry if - for sounding harsh, someone's a bit confused?
Actually I thought you had been referring to the RRS line, the way it is worded..
Consider yourself lucky, you have a restraint device, called wife.

Sure, having a ball head can change angles, but you don't have the greater advantage of the different angled column, especially when the camera is directed down more towards the ground for macro, or other styles
As far as less expensive, I figured the Vanguard stuff was pretty reasonably priced, compared to some of those other high tech pods and heads.

Presently, I have five, no four tripods. I recently tossed one out. But all of the previous models before this Alta Pro upgrade are all made from aluminum, pretty lean and way too light in comparison. Funny now looking back, I had planned on putting my new GH-300T on one of these skinny tripods. Hehehe, that would have been a disaster. I didn't realize how heavy my D800 was, let alone adding the speed light and heavy lens. When the wished upon 80-400mm eventually get's attached, it will be a full on "cannon" then.

I can certainly see the wide differences of quality lately, not just in these several tripods and other designs of the many manufacturers that I've seen in many retail locations visited and were inspected up close.
From a relatively short distance away, they all look pretty much alike. Yes, but when you pick them up, examining fit-finish and try the locking mechanisms and different adjustments. Well, then You too can see and feel the quality much better than simply reading specs and then buying from an online dealer, as I've read people will sometimes do here.

I knew cameras and their peripherals can be heavy, but not this darn much!!
Sheesh, I need to work out mornings and get in better shape, just to have relaxing enjoyable afternoons
with my camera gear.
That's just another reason why I believe in carrying but one lens, on an adventure.
Perhaps though, when I have another lens, I may feel different. Smile

Msmoto

@jshickele

I have not purchased any RRS as of yet. With five tripods, one monopod, five heads plus gimbal, I will have to do some selling before getting an RRS tripod. I suspect in the next year, after selling a motorhome and second house, I might be in the market for a little birthday present….TVC-45 Versa Series 4 Tripod plus TA-2-QC: Versa 2 Quick Column and TA-2-LB: Versa 2 Leveling Base A total of $1766 without bullhead. Or, why I need to sell the house…LOL

Golf007sd

@Msmoto: LMFAO...see you have plenty of "assets" at your disposal.

Now as fas as the gears you are seeking to add to the MASSIVE TVC-45 dear, none of the TA-2 add-ons will mount. The apex of the TVC-45 is way bigger than that TVC-23. At the moment, RRS is working on making some modification on the add-ons they provide for their TVC-33 line. My question is, are you sure you need a tripod THAT TALL?

PB_PM

I would recommend getting a tripod without a center column, or at least with one that is removable. You can get much lower without the column.

ChasCS

I find, that tripods with that connection point between the legs is one of the worst design going.
And it is very common, where the legs can only be spread out to a finite predetermined defined space.

Golf007sd

@ChasCS: The reason that some manufactures incorporate such a designs: stability and speed in setup. For example, on RRS tripods, they have 3 set stops where the legs can be taken out to, by default.

Link to Video.





@PB_PM: Agreed. But the setup you see above where I have my D4 mounted upside down. The top of my D4 is 1/2" off the ground! There is no way, any camera mounted on a tripod will be able to get that low. In fact, the image below speak louder than words. Note that the D4 is taking an image looking right at the my D7000 which on the ground itself.

ChasCS

Thanks, now it says Link to Video. Which takes me to Vimeo...

Yes, there needs to be a break or stop point, unless you have a locking system independent of those preset parameters. Vanguard are the same, but also the last locking point going out to 80* nearly flat out.

That's not the same. If that connector portion could be slid up, to allow more angle, it wouldn't be so restricting.

PB_PM

@PB_PM: Agreed. But the setup you see above where I have my D4 mounted upside down. The top of my D4 is 1/2" off the ground! There is no way, any camera mounted on a tripod will be able to get that low. In fact, the image below speak louder than words. Note that the D4 is taking an image looking right at the my D7000 which on the ground itself.

Indeed, thus the value of the removable (flippable) column. I don't use a center column (or even have one) simply because it would reduce stability when using large lenses (such as my Sigma 120-300mm F2.8).