Tripods----Again

Thanks to the wizdom of those who responded to my last tripod post I have accepted the fact that there is really no inexpensive way to adequately support a 500L or larger lens and gimbal head. So I have narrowed my choices to two tripods both similarly priced. The Gitzo 5541 or the Really Right Stuff TVC-33.


I'll spare any commentary on the Gitzo, it seems to be the industry standard for this class of tripod and there are literally hundreds of testamonials on this set of legs.


If you havent seen the RRS TVC 33 its specs are very comparable to the gitzo except that it is two pounds lighter and 2.5 inch longer in folded length. What seems to stand out for the RRS tripod is the machined apex versus a split apex on the Gitzo.


Since I was only able to find one "pseudo review" from someone who actually owns the RRS tripod, I thought I would ask if any of you had thoughts orsuggestions. The review can be found at http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/837451.


Your input, as always, is appreciated.


Bob

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Bob, if you really need to have a tripod, I'd go with the Gitzo. I've heard about RRS tripods, but haven't seen anyone using one yet, I shoot a lot with long lens shooters and they all use Gitzo tripods. The 500 f/4L IS can be easily supported by the Gitzo 3 Series.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bob williams

Thanks to the wizdom of those who responded to my last tripod post I have accepted the fact that there is really no inexpensive way to adequately support a 500L or larger lens and gimbal head. So I have narrowed my choices to two tripods both similarly priced. The Gitzo 5541 or the Really Right Stuff TVC-33.


I'll spare any commentary on the Gitzo, it seems to be the industry standard for this class of tripod and there are literally hundreds of testamonials on this set of legs.


If you havent seen the RRS TVC 33 its specs are very comparable to the gitzo except that it is two pounds lighter and 2.5 inch longer in folded length. What seems to stand out for the RRS tripod is the machined apex versus a split apex on the Gitzo.


Since I was only able to find one "pseudo review" from someone who actually owns the RRS tripod, I thought I would ask if any of you had thoughts orsuggestions. The review can be found at http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/837451.


Your input, as always, is appreciated.


Bob

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I was just trying to post a "Merry Christmas to me!" thread, but something happened to the whole thing and it got lost in the ether, so I'll just reply here.


I just bought a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod with the Q90 rapid column, and it seems very stable and versatile. I bought it at a local camera shop for $399 (actually $360 plus tax since it was a demo unit, though I don't think it had even had so much as a head attached to it before I bought it).


Picture of tripod


[View:http://images.manfrotto.com/imageservlet/image?sysid=125449355785938292&format=gitzo_pr oduct_big&refresh=null]


Attached to it is the heavy-duty Bogen/Manfrotto 3047 three-axis pan tilt head, which seems very nice, too. I bought that second-hand from a photography buddy. I only have a 400mm f/5.6 lens on a rotating collar, so I am not stressing the 17 pound capacity yet, but the rating seems easily high enough to support even a 1Ds Mark III and a 500 f/4 lens combo with a head like mine or a large ball head like my LARGE Graf StudioBall. That would work out to about 14-15 lbs max.


I haven't used the really nice-looking RRS tripod or the Gitzo, but without seeing them in person and experiencing the benefits first-hand, I would be hard-pressed to imagine that either is worth 2.5x the price of my lightweight carbon fiber and magnesium beauty!

I just purchased the RRS TVC-33. It is on back order until the 2nd of January.


Personally I do not like the Gitzo Plate attachment,or to be forced to purchase a separate plate to secure a big lens like the 500 f4 or 600 f4.


On the paper RRS should have solved this problem. Plus I like few innovative elements in their tripod.


I should receive it the 2nd week of January, I will give you a feed back if you will be still interested.

Gian, I am definitely interested. I look forward to your mini-review---congrats on your purchase