RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

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Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #1 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

Looking at this for nature landscape and whatever else comes along. . .

So far the biggest set up I will have is:

5D MkIII
70-200 f4 and 1.4x

How much glass could I effectively put on these sticks? Max weight limits aside, at wht point would I be pushing the limits of IQ, for lack of support?

I like that RRS is a smaller company and USA. Is there a practical reason to choose Gitzo instead?

Jul 01, 2012 at 02:05 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

i'd be looking at the BH40 for the 24 not so much the 55. the 55 is meant for the 33/34 and thats where i have it. the 24 is closer to a gitzo 35xx series legset in abilities. with a BH55 on the 24 it will do a 300/2.8. w/o issue. i have shot with the BH40 on the gitzo 2540ex w/300 with no real issue. gitzo has a systematic 2 version to "compliment" the TVC2 series

the only practical reason to going gitzo at this point is that they have/had (i think its over now)multiple rebates going and free shipping. thats about all. overall quality and functional design goes to RRS hands down

i own a TVC33 w/BH55 a Gitzo 2540ex w/BH40 and now a TVC14 w/BH30 for lightweight travel

Jul 01, 2012 at 02:25 PM

Mr Joe
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p.1 #3 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

@sjms - Does the BH-40 "settle" slightly when locking down the camera compared to the BH-55?

If my budget allowed I would've bought a TVC-34L, but I was able to get a Gitzo 3541LS for $600 used in mint condition. No regrets!

Jul 01, 2012 at 03:21 PM

Garrick L
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p.1 #4 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

When I made my purchase from RRS I had quite a bit of conversation with them regarding the BH40 & BH55 and they told me that the BH40 would be fine up to my 70-200 f2.8 Nikkor but they said that the BH55 is a superior ball head and that their recommendation was the BH55 over the BH40. I asked them about the BH55 on the 24L legs because I was thinking that it may be too big on these legs and they said absolutely not, that they put the BH55 on the 24L all the time. So, I went with their recommendation and got the 24L with BH55, L Plate and the 70-200 lens mount as well and I could not be happier with this setup. I am really pleased that I got the BH55 as it really is the Really Right Stuff! Oh, and I love the height of the 24L in shooting landscape where the ground is so often needing me to extend one of the legs more to get the comp I want.

Cheers
Garrick Liddell Photography
www.garrickliddellphotography.com

Jul 01, 2012 at 03:39 PM

jstephens62
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p.1 #5 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

I have both, and prefer the BH-55. I use the BH-40 for my light weight travel kit, otherwise the larger BH-55 is the choice.

Jul 01, 2012 at 03:59 PM

Beni
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p.1 #6 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

Mr Joe wrote:
@sjms - Does the BH-40 "settle" slightly when locking down the camera compared to the BH-55?

If my budget allowed I would've bought a TVC-34L, but I was able to get a Gitzo 3541LS for $600 used in mint condition. No regrets!

I don't have a bh-55 but yes the bh-40 does settle.

Jul 01, 2012 at 04:57 PM

sjms
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p.1 #7 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

no it does not. there is no movement of the ball in the socket once it is locked. settling is an issue that is brought about by mostly the human intervention and movement of support and lift with release. settling is not just the ballhead but the entire tripod/camera assy and how it is handled.

a very simple test for settling as in further ball movement after locking is as follows:

put your camera into position. lock up the ball as you would when ready to shoot.but do not release your load from it. have somone with a sharpie run a line on the ball right along the polymer cup that the ball is captured in so it is parallel with the cup. let the load go then. if the line tilts then send it back as there is ball slippage or you did not apply enough locking pressure. if it doesn't start looking elsewhere. locking pressure will vary with the junk you are putting on it. when locked up properly there is zero slippage BUT there is settling but it is from the whole legset assy being loaded/unloade from the users cradling and movement. the lighter the setup the more likely the movement. technique and care reduce/remove this issue with practice. most people though find it easier to blame the one piece of hardware

Edited on Jul 02, 2012 at 02:22 PM · View previous versions

Jul 02, 2012 at 03:37 AM

kdphotography
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p.1 #8 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

I love the RRS TVC tripods; they are the only tripods that I would consider other than Gitzo. But you have to love the competition now. Apparently the latest greatest tripods from Gitzo address some of the minor design shortcomings. Nice to have choices.

RRS is a very responsive, customer oriented company----that type of attention to detail is hard to overlook.

Jul 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #9 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

thanks for the input folks! Tthat helps a lot. At this point, it looks like my first thought is pretty good.

Do you think a lens mount is really a plus for the 70-200 f4 usm IS? Assume a 1.4x converter as well. Doesn't seem like a big lens. But then again, it isn' in my bag yet either. I understand the f2.8 is a bit heavier.

This will be my general purpose, carry around, pack around in the city, in the country tripod.

Jul 02, 2012 at 03:10 PM

sjms
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p.1 #10 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

the lens mount is a definite plus for balance and proper support on a tripod with a TC on

Jul 02, 2012 at 09:58 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #11 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

Thanks SJMS. I'll add that to the shopping list.

Jul 03, 2012 at 12:08 PM

adam613
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p.1 #12 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

Dennis M 1064 wrote:
Do you think a lens mount is really a plus for the 70-200 f4 usm IS? Assume a 1.4x converter as well. Doesn't seem like a big lens. But then again, it isn' in my bag yet either. I understand the f2.8 is a bit heavier.

The lens mount makes life much easier when using a 70-200 f/4 on a tripod. It's not a heavy lens, but it is quite long, and the collar makes the setup much more balanced.

Jul 03, 2012 at 03:27 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #13 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

Makes perfect sense. Just like using a telescope. The mount is at the balance point. Or close to it.

Jul 03, 2012 at 03:46 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #14 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

sjms wrote:
i'd be looking at the BH40 for the 24 not so much the 55. the 55 is meant for the 33/34 and thats where i have it. the 24 is closer to a gitzo 35xx series legset in abilities. with a BH55 on the 24 it will do a 300/2.8. w/o issue. i have shot with the BH40 on the gitzo 2540ex w/300 with no real issue. gitzo has a systematic 2 version to "compliment" the TVC2 series

the only practical reason to going gitzo at this point is that they have/had (i think its over now)multiple rebates going and free shipping. thats about all. overall quality and functional design goes to RRS hands down

i own a TVC33 w/BH55 a Gitzo 2540ex w/BH40 and now a TVC14 w/BH30 for lightweight travel

Do you use the RRS TA-3-LB leveling base with the TVC-33 tripod? I'm thinking about getting one for my 3530LS.

EBH

Jul 08, 2012 at 05:22 PM

peter_n
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p.1 #15 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

EB-1 wrote: Do you use the RRS TA-3-LB leveling base with the TVC-33 tripod? I'm thinking about getting one for my 3530LS.

I'm using one on my 3541LS and like it. My only problem is the stubby handle that comes with it. It's not that useful for fine adjustments and I find myself adjusting the base itself from the top. I'm thinking of getting the TA-3-LHDL longer handle for it which costs an extra $70. Unfortunately it seems RRS don't have the option of shipping the leveling base with the longer handle.

Jul 08, 2012 at 10:10 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #16 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

i'd be looking at the BH40 for the 24 not so much the 55. the 55 is meant for the 33/34 and thats where i have it.

RSS didn't indicate anything about that in their reply to my inquiry. Why do you believe that the BH40 is for the 24?

Jul 10, 2012 at 01:17 PM

sjms
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p.1 #17 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

you use any one in any way but the BH40 os diminsionally optimized for fit the Gitzo 25xx series platform and their own 24 series setup.

my setups are
TVC33/BH55 for max stability and support
GT2540ex/BH40 for versatility in movement and setup
TQC14/BH30 for the lighest i'd go that still maintain the best margin for support up to a limit.

Edited on Jul 11, 2012 at 09:10 PM · View previous versions

Jul 10, 2012 at 01:25 PM

sjms
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p.1 #18 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

EB-1 wrote:
sjms wrote:
i'd be looking at the BH40 for the 24 not so much the 55. the 55 is meant for the 33/34 and thats where i have it. the 24 is closer to a gitzo 35xx series legset in abilities. with a BH55 on the 24 it will do a 300/2.8. w/o issue. i have shot with the BH40 on the gitzo 2540ex w/300 with no real issue. gitzo has a systematic 2 version to "compliment" the TVC2 series

the only practical reason to going gitzo at this point is that they have/had (i think its over now)multiple rebates going and free shipping. thats about all. overall quality and functional design goes to RRS hands down

i own a TVC33 w/BH55 a Gitzo 2540ex w/BH40 and now a TVC14 w/BH30 for lightweight travel

Do you use the RRS TA-3-LB leveling base with the TVC-33 tripod? I'm thinking about getting one for my 3530LS.

EBH

yep. it is pretty much permanent on my TVC33. i used their original prototype for a time until the finalized product arrived. i still feel the adjustment "knob" assy needs to be about 1" longer but i can live with it.

Jul 10, 2012 at 01:32 PM

Taoguy
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p.1 #19 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

sjms
my setups are
TVC33/BH55 for max stability and support
GT2540ex/BH40 for versatility in movement and setup
TQC14/BH30 for the lighest i'd go that still maintainsd a margin for support up to a limit.

I have similar set up and can't say enough positive about the TVC33 (Best I've owned) and the line of RRS heads.
My set up
TVC33 w/Wimberly II ( always mounted) for 500/4 or up
GT3530LS w/BH55 or 4th Gen M 3.6 for 200-400/4 or 120-300/2.8 range
G1228LVL w/ B40 is my light weight for whatever needed
Mono Pod GM5561T w/RRS MH-02P

Jul 10, 2012 at 03:53 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #20 · RRS Versa 24L and RRS BH 55? You like?

I'm thinking the RRS Versa 24 and a kirk BH1 now. Just another dilemma.

Jul 12, 2012 at 01:00 AM

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