Experience /w RRS tripods

Golf007sd

@PB_PB. Should you ever get a center column for your Sigma 120-300 2.8, the first thing I would do is to replace the foot with this one...if you have a ball head that support Arca Swiss. With such a setup you will be able to get about 1.5-2" off the ground for those extreme low angles given the manner in which the lens will be mounted.

With all the above said, one thing to keep in mind, the best way for me to shot images, when I have my gear setup in this fashion is via a wireless remote that also auto focuses for me. The device I use to do that is called: RFN-4s Wireless Remote. In fact, you can see it mounted on my D4 on the picture above.

Photobug

Great pictures of the boat and Dodge Charger. I am shocked the MsMoto did not post a picture of a motor cycle. )

PB_PM

@Golf007sd I already have a full Arca Swiss setup (head and plates), so no need for that. The Sigma 120-300mm doesn't have a removable foot, and RRS doesn't provide a replacement collar.

Adding a center column wouldn't be much help for what I do anyway.

ChasCS

if you aim the lens directly out towards or over one of the legs...
That seems to stabilize your load, even with our very heavy setups.

Helps too, when the feet are well spread apart.

Admittedly, I can only voice an experience about/with my current setup which is in my sig below..
I don't own any large glass, but I do have a Bushnell~Banner spotting scope. & that is fairly hefty.
and once again! by having the majority of its bulk, hanging out (like a Hippie) over the leg.

I like the fact that some of these heavier tripods have a nice carrying bag included with the purchase.
Sure makes carrying it with ya's, much easier.

Ah, aside from having one larger shoulder than the other by fall each year. Hahaha,,,
Ya gotta love it though, we'll earned and payed for "as 'they' say"



Who the heck are "they" ?? To tell us.

Photobug

ChasCS..amen.

I always wanted to buy a bag for my tripod and never had to do that. The wife made the first one our of vinyl and it last for 20 years. My current one is made from cloth. But I got to admit that I pull it out of the bag at the car and carry that tripod over my shoulder. Thank heaven for those foam wraps. Great cushion and in cold weather, much easier on the hands/gloves.

ChasCS

The addition of those upper leg foam sleeves is fantastic.
Those pixelated camouflage ones would do well in the great Kuwait desert, hunting the elusive dromedary,,, hahaha J/K

If a tripod manufacturer, offers these awesome bags with their products, then you can order one directly from them.
Or through one of thee worlds biggest online dealer, Amazonia... Smile
Love my bag, it rocks.

Msmoto

@Golf007sd

Before purchasing any RRS stuff I will consult you, of course. But, the idea of shooting races from an angle about seven feet high, standing on my ladder, is intriguing. Many of the pros use a platform. But, for the bikes, a low angle is always nice as one can emphasize the lean angle…….

So, if I finally sell something I will be calling you…..Thanks

ANd @Photobug



Using something similar to an RRS TVC-33 Tripod with Full Gimbal Head

Killerbob

For the RRS TVC-24L, which leg wraps do you guys recommend? I don't want wraps that twirl around because they are too big:)

Photobug

MsMoto, I love he bike picture. It certainly conveys motion. Nice job.

I bought my leg wraps from Nikonians and they fit great, no rotational movement. They have dimensions for each size they sell so all I had to do was measure the diameter of the upper tripod legs.

Golf007sd

@Bob: I got my legs raps from Lens Coat.

ChasCS

@Golf007sd,

I didn't know those are wraps! Thanks for clarifying this for me! ;-)

PB_PM

Or you could just go to Home Depot and get pipe covers, way cheaper.

WestEndBoy

What purpose to the leg wraps serve?

PB_PM

To make the tripod more comfortable to carry over your shoulder, which is a typical practice when using telephoto lenses.

Photobug

What purpose to the leg wraps serve?

On cold days or nights, your hand will get cold quick touching those lens. With leg wraps you are touching the wrap when you are adjusting the legs so your hands do not get so cold. The main reason is when you carry it over your shoulder. Much easier on the shoulder with a wrap.

ChasCS

The foam that comes standard with my Vanguard tripod, is firm yet more cushiony than some other brands.
Manfrotto foam is super stiff. In comparison, and wouldn't give you any reprieve from sore shoulders.

I know the standard Vanguard carrying bag's have an adjustable shoulder strap for long distance tracking/trecking.
But for shorter distance, the foam on the three legs (not just two) is very comfortable to hand hold while out in colder climates.
Or shoulder racking it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-shoulder-strap-for-your-tripod/ you's can make your own...

But me, I also wear a pair of these nifty gloves too, http://www.etretouchy.com , while on excursions, so any cold tripod legs aren't a concern and isn't really ever a consideration. Ah, not unless I venture out of doors to Arctic Blizzard's for lunch... with the finger and thumb missing, those cold tips would hinder...
They're great for tinkering and photography particularly in the chill. Where would I be without them?

There are "Glomits" too, where you fold the MIT front baccalaureate exposing 4 finger-less gloves.
This spell check is starting to really bug the Sh!Zzle out of me. Pardon my French Canadian... Grrrrr?ߘ찟銰ߙ谟⩍

Can't believe some of the stuff it comes up with lately? Well, it's smarter than me, that's obvious.

ChasCS

If your tripod don't have any foam uppers on its legs, you could use one of these.

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/pod_pad-for-tripods-shoulder_protection-when-carrying-heavy-gear.html

It looks like a great alternative to getting the old "cold shoulder" treatment. Hahaha ah yeah

Msmoto

B & H has many leg protectors to pick from.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tripod-Leg-Protectors/ci/13061/N/4075788758

Photobug

Before I got the Gitzo tripod had a big heavy aluminum one and I went to Home Depot and bought pipe wrap and made my own leg wraps. The secret was good measurement for the OD and sealing the wrap vertically with good duck tape. Worked fine for a year and then sold it for my Gitzo.

Doesn't make much difference if you make or buy them, they are shoulder savers. Based upon my experience, I like the commercial ones because of the nice socks that cover the foam.

Killerbob

I have seen plenty of wraps, just wondering which ones fit the TVC-24L best?

The RRS tripod is 1.28" in diameter on the top tube, and some of the wraps for sure will not fit. However, some say 1.25-1.50" in diameter, and that probably means that some brands will fit really well, and some will just be too loose.

Msmoto

There is a closed cell foam we call Kayak foam, used for floatation in boats. It comes in various thicknesses, I believe 1/2", 1", and 4". When glued up with yellow contact cement, it makes a great wrap for the legs of a tripod or a lot of other things.

ChasCS

The link I posted has nothing to do with wraps.
In fact it doesn't even refer to cold tripod legs...

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/pod_pad-for-tripods-shoulder_protection-when-carrying-heavy-gear.html

Please have a quick glance before suggesting other alternatives. Thanks...

This isn't a "one up contest"! Or is it, for some?

WestEndBoy

I just ordered it. See below. Golf0017, you will see I took your advice and ordered the TA-2-LB: Versa 2 Leveling Base. The Leveling Plate might be redundant, but it is pretty cheap. $2,332.89 in total!!! Yikes!!! However, I am sure that this tripod will service at least 4 or 5 descendants of my D800.

1
BH55-LVL:Tripod Leveling Plate for BH-55
EA 1 0 $45.00 $0.00 $45.00
2
BCPA: Plate for COOLPIX A
plate 1 0 $60.00 $0.00 $60.00
3
BMBD12-L: L-plate for MB-D12 on D800
L-plate 1 0 $190.00 $0.00 $190.00
4
TVC-24 Versa Series 2 Tripod
tripod 1 0 $910.00 $0.00 $910.00
5
MTX: Multi-Tool with 22 bits & 1 hex key
EA 1 0 $50.00 $0.00 $50.00
6
TA-2-QC: Versa 2 Quick Column
EA 1 0 $88.00 $0.00 $88.00
7
TA-3-FB: Versa Rubber Ball Foot
piece 1 0 $8.00 $0.00 $8.00
8
TA-3-FRC: Versa Rock Claw Foot
foot 4 0 $31.00 $0.00 $123.99
9
TA-3-FS: Versa Foot Spike
foot 4 0 $31.00 $0.00 $123.99
10
TA-2-LB: Versa 2 Leveling Base
EA 1 0 $189.00 $0.00 $189.00
11
BH-55 LR: Full-sized ballhead with LR
head 1 0 $455.00 $0.00 $455.00
12
BH-55 no clamp: Full-sized ballhead
head 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
13
B2 AS II: 60mm LR clamp w/ spirit level
clamp 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
14
LB-55: Padded cordura pouch
EA 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
15
Screw, flat head 1/4-20 x 3/4
screw 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
16
HexKey-5/32-inch
piece 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
17
SHIPPING
EA 1 0 $89.91 $0.00 $89.91

Photobug

Very very nice. The way I look at it, that ripod is going to last a very long time.

Golf007sd

Welcome to the RRS family. Looking forward in getting your personal input/feedback after you have used your new RRS tripod gear.

But WAIT a MINUTE...lets change a few things. 1) you will not need the: BH55-LVL:Tripod Leveling Plate for BH-55...your TA-2-LB: Versa 2 Leveling Base has that already covered....thus I really don't see why you will need it. 2) Get this version of the leveling base: TA-2-LC: Versa 2 Leveling Base w/ clamp and 3) then add this for your BH-55: TH-DVTL-55: Round Dovetail Plate so that you can quickly remove the BH-55 from the leveling base so that in the future you can mount a different head on the leveling base...such as PVG-02 or VG-02..ie. gimbal heads. pano's etc..etc.

Cheers...



Oooh by the way, while you are at it....should you ever want to get a caring bag for it in order to travel, please make sure you get the TQB-89 X-Large Tripod Bag so that all your gear will fits nicely. Hence, you don't to have remove the ball head with the leveling base.