Experience /w RRS tripods

Beso

I moved from Manfrotto to RRS some time ago. Nothing wrong with Manfrotto but RRS is simply exceptional. The workmanship is unsurpassed but the price reflects that. Just a comment or two regarding leg wraps and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber does not transfer heat like Aluminum or Steel so does not get hot or cold like metal. I don't find leg wraps necessary in cold weather on carbon fiber legs. Perhaps if you are shooting in really cold temperatures for hours on end leg wraps would be helpful but I am guessing is such situations you would likely wear gloves.

spraynpray

When I had an Aluminium tripod, the foam was a lifesaver as it stopped the tripod sticking to me in the winter and stopped it hurting my back while carrying it, but now I have a carbon fibre Manfrotto I realise that even with a light CF tripod the foam still makes for a much more comfortable carry. I will get some upholstery making friends to knock me up a padded bag next time I see them so it is comfortable to carry and protected when in the car with others gear.

Juergen

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.

To me this bag, or any other well padded tripod bag is essential. It protects your tripod, but it also protects the other gear you have in the boot of your car from the tripod. The RRS bag fits the tripod, it's accessories, tools and a monopod.
Jürgen

dpidude

For anyone who shoots interiors, what size tripod should I consider?

I'm starting to do more interiors and want an RSS tripod but have wondered if I should get the TVC-45. I was think this maybe useful for large interiors. Is this to much tripod to carry around, am I better off getting one to match my height (6'2"). Thanks in advance.

Msmoto

Now I need a Sherpa to carry all this…. ;;)

Golf007sd

@dpidude: 1) Please elaborate on the type of interiors you are shooting...ie. homes, offices, churches, etc..etc. 2) what lenses do you use for such venues? 3) do you use flash? 4) what bullhead ballhead do you have or are you looking at getting one?

@Msmoto: Maybe if you bring along the 400 2.8, but not for the RRS stuff :P

Ironheart

There seems to be a new type of head introduced called the "bullhead". I've seen it mentioned several times both here and on this gitzo thread. My spouse has accused me of having one of these, but I can never seem to find it when I look for it. Does anyone have specs on it?

Golf007sd

@Ironheart: LMFAO...at the wife comment :P Can I blame the auto-correction on this...probably not with you buddy

Juergen

There seems to be a new type of head introduced called the "bullhead". I've seen it mentioned several times both here and on this gitzo thread. My spouse has accused me of having one of these, but I can never seem to find it when I look for it. Does anyone have specs on it?

It looks like a normal ballhead, but has to horn-like grips for easy handling.

@dpidude:
especially in your case, I do not believe, there is such a thing like "too much of a tripod". Bigger is better, that is a fact which can not be disputed. If it is predominantly for indoor shots, I should assume, that you will be able to reach those places by car. So you only have to consider the distance from the parking lot to the location.

For this application, low weight is not a factor. A big and sturdy tripod helps to maintain position, even if somebody accidentally pushes against it. I would call it crowd-compatible :-)

Just some food for thoughts.
Jürgen

dpidude

I use a D3s, my kit is the Trinity and currently 2 sb-700 with radio triggers. Currently using a Benro Traveler but see many limitations for such work. My Brother inlaw is a Contractor usually remodeling large high end homes. Some spaces can be very large. As he expands his business there will a variety of future structures (could be anything). I'm not charging yet until I get a little better (maybe I'll have him buy equipment as payment in the short run).

spraynpray

@dpidude: For sure you should buy a tripod that covers all the heights you would take your shots at. Your personal physical height is largely irrelevant.

dpidude

Thank you for all your help!

WestEndBoy

I received my RRS gear.

Holy moly!!! This stuff is built like top line American military kit. I put my D800 on top of it, flipped it upside down, and gave it a shake. I still have my D800.

Everything is solid, smooth and beautiful. Even the L plate is a fine piece of workmanship.

My only small complaint is that when I put my D800 in portrait mode, the lever release on the ballhead is partially blocked by the cable between my GPS device in the hotshoe and the 10 pin connector, so I have to work around that a bit.

It looks really goofy with my Coolpix A on top.

Golf007sd

jshickele: Congrats. With respect to the GPS unit. I usually take one shot, in landscape mode, then in post apply that the info to those shots I took at the same venue. Saves battery and much more appealing not to have the cables hooked up to the body all day long shooting.

My latest purchase today: I found a good deal on the BH-55 on ebay and so I purchased it. Then I ordered the spikes you got for my TVC-23 and the Round Dovetail Plate for the BH-55.

Killerbob

uhhhh, I would like a good deal on the BH-55. The BH-40 looks a bit off on the leveling base... The BH-55 would support my D800 with the 500mm better a s well.

WestEndBoy

Golf:

In post, are you doing that in Lightroom, Photoshop, something else?

If I did what you suggest, I would need to buy a new remote release, as I have the model that connects to my GP-1, not the D800. Hmmm......

It sounds like you and I now have essentially the same kit then. I will be asking you questions. If I ever come to San Diego, I will bring it along and maybe you can point me to the photography hotspots.

That BH-55 is quite the piece of gear to hold in your hand. It screams mechanical and engineering perfection. Some might find it a bit heavy, particularly for travel, but I have never complained about weight, only bulk.

Golf007sd

@jshickele: I use Lightroom to do this. It is quite an easy process. Lightroom has a tab on the top right that is labeled Maps..it is there that you will see where your images were taken. This is what you want to do: 1) Find an image which as the GPS data. 2) Then click on the GPS info and copy it. 3) Find an image that you want to use the same data and past it into it. Done.

I would welcome you and anyone that ever makes it to San Diego. I always have a great time with my NRF family shooting around.

Yes the BH-55 is an amazing ballhead. One does not know how great it is till it is in one's hand.

WestEndBoy

Here is a pic of my new RRS tripod with my D800.



From bottom to top:
-TVC-24 Versa Series 2 Tripod
-TA-2-QC: Versa 2 Quick Column with MTX: Multi-Tool with 22 bits & 1 hex key inside
-TA-2-LC: Versa 2 Leveling Base w/ clamp
-TH-DVTL-55: Round Dovetail Plate
-BH-55 LR: Full-sized ballhead with LR
-BMBD12-L: L-plate for MB-D12 on D800
-D800 w/UPStrap, GP-1, MC-DC2 Remote Release (I am using the 10 pin connector for my GP-1 unit and needed to find an alternative remote release. The MC-DC2 plugs into the GP-1)

WestEndBoy

I opted for a slightly smaller tripod so I can use it for travel knowing that RRS is over engineered and my largest lens is currently a 135mm DC2.0, so I don't have to worry about weight. I opted for the BH-55 for greater control and somehow knowing that it is a serious contender for the best ball head on the face of the planet which I find owning very appealing. Also, if I ever buy something like a 400mm 2.8, I can use the setup that you see above. I may never have to buy another tripod or ballhead in my life. Holding it in my hand is like owning a piece of high end US military equipment.

I don't mind the little extra weight so I may leave it that way for travel. However, if I am really concerned about weight, I can remove the quick column and mount the BH-55 directly to the tripod. If I am still concerned, I can buy a BH-30 LR: Compact ballhead with LR for $275.00. Maybe in 20 years when I am too old to carry my current setup.........

Photobug

Never had used the BH-55 until at a photo workshop and several other participants were shooting it on several different tripods. I finally asked and one of the participants showed me how they work. Very impressive and very well engineered.

Golf007sd

So for the past few weeks Larry (a.k.a FreezeAction) and I have been talking a lot about panos. Which has resulted in me getting some more additional gear. What else is new right? It is all his fault, thank you very much.....Arrrrr LoL!

So without any further adieu, here is what I have recently added and why:

For my BH-55 Head (which I just got delivery today..thank you USPS for taking your sweet time on delivery) I went with the RRS PC-LR: Panning Clamp with Lever-Release and for the nodal slide I went with the RRS 192 Precision Plus Package.

I was originally going to get their Pano Elements Package with Lever-Release, which is a great package, but with one flaw...that is: I would not be able to use my 70-200 or any telephoto in the future should it have a foot collar on the lens. Why, because if you look at how the nodal slide is setup, you will notice that the mount would result in the lens to face the wrong way thus I would not be able to find my No-Parailax Point. So to address this, I went with the 192 setup; which will allow me to turn the clap in the right direction. Moreover, this setup will allow the clap to move forward and backward on the nodal slide as needed, thus allow me to use Any of my lenses...include my 10.5 Fisheye.

For those that are seeking more info this video will hopefully address your questions.

As always, should anyone have a question by all means, you know how to get a hold of me.

Photobug

Nicely done Golf. Look forward to seeing some of your photos in PAD.

I have used the RRS 192 plus package and it's terrific. One thing I have found with the RRS web site and RSS catalog they do an excellent job in providing information to guide you in your purchase. Especially to the point you identified about the difference in mounting the camera vs mounting the foot on a lens. Before I placed my order I talked to one of their CSR and that was like his first question. You got to pay attention to this for the macro gear too.

WestEndBoy

Check out the new Really Right Stuff Website. There are a couple of amazing photos on it.

Photobug

I got the email notification of the new web site and it was down. Just checked the site and yes those are amazing photos. Need to go back and log in to reset my password.

Golf007sd

Well today I spend about 3 hours getting all the proper measurements in order to address the No-Paraliax point on my D4 using the RRS 192 Precision Plus Package. with the following lenses:

14-24 2.8 16mm mark - all focal length
24-70 2.8
------- 70mm @ 14.5 mm mark
------- 24mm @ 17.3 mm mark
24 1.4G -- 14.4 mm mark
35 1.4 -- 14 mm mark Sigma lens
50 1.4G -- 10 mm mark
85 1.8G -- 6.5 mm mark
70-200 2.8 VR II -- all 10.8 mm mark

As you can see I have provide us with the distance I came up with given my setup. The measurements I came up with are from the clamp being placed on the main line (marked by red arrow) on the nodal slide. The D4 was mounted vertically via the L-Plate. Then I would slide the nodal slide forward or backwards and use the Zero market on the panning clam (red circle /w blue arrow) in order to get the correct distance needed (yellow circle).

Should anyone have this setup, please let me know what numbers you have.

Lastly, the no-paraliaz point will be the same regardless if you shoot vertically or horizontally while the camera is mounted on your tripod. Just make sure you have everything nice and level when you are trying to find it. I cannot stress enough how pleased I'm with RRS Leveling base when it comes to matter such as this.