that is the stage for their new tripod. i also have the other parts too like the legs. glad i saved my pennies for this one. even the tyvek it comes in is better made then the G
all alloy billet stock machined components
yes it is anti spin legs
yes they are speed locks
yes it is light
i will probably never get to what its max support weight is rated nor would i want to. designed to take on the equivelent loading of a 55xx series gitzo.
i think you know where the stage goes now. no split apex.
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done adequately, giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smooth as it can be and spring loaded http://i.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/3/119549544.l3i6zbci.jpg http://i.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/3/119549545.Ii7wSHRl.jpg
pull it back until it locks open bring the leg up all the way it unlocks and drops and ratchets into the stops on the way down. or lock it open move into a known position and thumb tap it down and the spring does the rest to set it.
Weakness: the center hook needs to be a bit longer in depth to accept a full size carabiner or even the newer mini biners but that in mind having it longer would intefere with it at full low position. oh well.
I recently acquired the Gitzo 5541LS. The RRS TVC-33 was not around at that time, but certainly would have given me great pause for thought and comparison.
The two pound weight advantage of the RRS tripod is HUGE. Any middle-aged photographer with a substantial rig will tell you that an extra two pounds can feel like ten pounds on some hikes! RRS makes great products, so I would not doubt a positive review....
So, you're the first one who's posted that has actually sucked on the price of this bad boy then ?
I remember reading about this when it was announced and thinking Damn !!!
well it was either this or a gitzo in the supposed classes. i had to see what options were. well after a few minutes i found there were no real options. you look at the price of 55xx and the price difference here is minimal to irrelevent. it is an end of year capital investment after all. there is so little that i want or "need" these days. i think mine is like the fourth or fifth one off their line.
the price of a Gitzo 5 series is not enough different to matter. if this had been available last year when i got my 5530, i would have got this instead. it's only $75 more than i paid, and at that price, almost irrelevant.
Herb...
reggie747 wrote:
So, you're the first one who's posted that has actually sucked on the price of this bad boy then ?
I remember reading about this when it was announced and thinking Damn !!!
Thanks for posting....I have been between Gitzo or the "unknown" RSS. I e-mailed RSS a couple of days ago and inquired about when they would be "in-stock". RSS now says that it will probably be the middle of next month before they catch up on the back orders. You have made up my mind...I will just suck it up and get in line.
yes. i didn't refer to them as G-locks as that is an official gitzo term. my term is speed lock. what the legs don't do is drop down on their own when the lock opens due to the tube being a slightly closer fit which increases the rigidity of the sections. it also makes the minor height adjustments real easy
SHVv wrote:
Thanks for posting....I have been between Gitzo or the "unknown" RSS. I e-mailed RSS a couple of days ago and inquired about when they would be "in-stock". RSS now says that it will probably be the middle of next month before they catch up on the back orders. You have made up my mind...I will just suck it up and get in line.
