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behaviorman wrote:
I am just about to decide on a RRS TVC-24L and their bh 40 ballhead...I have spent untold hours on the web researching tripods and ballheads. The reviews suggest that Gitzo used to be king but no longer in terms of both quality and service. Feisol was a close competitor but they only go as high as 58" and I want a taller tripod being 6'1"...plus they do not seem to be as intelligent about tripods (e.g., push center columns to address height) as RRS...
I have this exact setup (TVC-24L + BH-40 LR2) and love it. I've had the legs for 2 years and the BH-40 coming up on 7 years. Both have worked flawlessly for me, shooting everything up to a (rented!) AF-S 200/2. I have had very few issues with RRS gear and find their service to be excellent when I have had any questions or rare issues.
The BH-40 was originally mounted on Gitzo G1258 legs (the older brother of the GT-2541) - the TVC-24L was a huge step up in terms of stability, ergonomics and utility. I am 6' 2" and the TVC-24L goes way higher than I can even use. This thing is tall! Even so, I did add the center column option later and appreciate the added flexibility, and it doesn't seem to affect stability.
Back to the OP's question about a hiking rig, this setup is definitely not a great hiking option. It's just too heavy and bulky, especially in leg diameter when folded. The leg sections are pretty thick, and the base is wide, giving it substantial girth. You don't see that in the specifications, but it's apparent when trying to pack it in.
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Gitzo GT-0541 + BH-30 Pro for my travel and hiking setup. It's literally half the weight and half the girth of the setup above and while a little more spindly and less stable than the big rig, I think it will be much more manageable when on the go.
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