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Archive 2009 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod

  
 
sjms
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod



its made so well its embarrassing......at least for gitzo

http://ic2.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/3/119539819.OPCrRHyt.jpg

just received and will be using it this weekend

to be continued

Edited on Nov 27, 2009 at 07:49 PM · View previous versions



Nov 19, 2009 at 09:58 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


But what is it?

EBH



Nov 19, 2009 at 10:07 PM
sjms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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


Nov 19, 2009 at 10:17 PM
csm
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


No tripod? How do you use this piece?


Nov 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM
sjms
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


i see reading is fundemental. so a picture or two for you both

http://i.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/2/119540751.V1YCUX04.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/2/119540752.1qiXmq2u.jpg

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.





Edited on Nov 20, 2009 at 07:39 AM · View previous versions



Nov 19, 2009 at 10:42 PM
kdphotography
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


Congrats----and you owe us a mini-review!




Nov 20, 2009 at 12:08 AM
sjms
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


after this weekend


Nov 20, 2009 at 12:30 AM
EB-1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


What is that then, a knockoff of a Gitzo tripod?

EBH



Nov 20, 2009 at 01:18 AM
sjms
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


no, a distinct and definitive improvement on gitzo.

but i guess you could say that because it has 3 legs. other then that the similarties end.

Edited on Nov 20, 2009 at 02:17 PM · View previous versions



Nov 20, 2009 at 06:50 AM
sjms
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


Gitzo 5531s
bubble spirit level (no.): 1 number
closed length: 24.80 in
load capacity: 55.11 lbs
material: carbon fiber 6X
maximum height: 52.36 in
minimum height: 6.30 in
weight: 5.93 lbs
Price: $850

Gitzo GT3531s
Load Capacity 39.6 lbs (18kg)
Maximum Height 50.8" (129cm) Maximum Height w/o Column Extended N/A Minimum Height 3.9" (10cm) Folded
Length 24" (61cm) Head Attachment Fitting 3/8"-16
Weight 3.7 lbs
Price: $675


RRS TVC-33
Load Rating = 50lbs / 22.7kg
Weight = 4lbs / 1.8kg
Maximum Height = 58-inches / 147.3cm
Minimum Height = 4.5-inches / 11.4cm
Folded Length = 26-inches / 66cm
Bullseye Spirit Level = 12mm diameter
Price = $925

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.

the leg material

http://i.pbase.com/g5/89/44489/3/119553444.Qmkb2BGx.jpg




Edited on Nov 26, 2009 at 01:44 PM · View previous versions



Nov 20, 2009 at 08:48 AM
kdphotography
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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....



Nov 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
sjms
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


well i can say already that it is a 30 day return policy i won't be using


Nov 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM
reggie747
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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 !!!



Nov 20, 2009 at 12:47 PM
sjms
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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.

Edited on Nov 21, 2009 at 01:26 AM · View previous versions



Nov 20, 2009 at 01:05 PM
jhom
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


Steve, do the legs have g-locks?

Jim



Nov 20, 2009 at 04:12 PM
HerbChong
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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 !!!




Nov 20, 2009 at 04:26 PM
SHVv
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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.

Steve



Nov 21, 2009 at 12:40 AM
sjms
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


jhom wrote:
Steve, do the legs have g-locks?

Jim


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

Edited on Nov 21, 2009 at 01:24 AM · View previous versions



Nov 21, 2009 at 01:15 AM
sjms
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


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.

Steve


this one didn't hurt a bit



Nov 21, 2009 at 01:23 AM
Dpic_arctic
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · RRS TVC-33 Versa Tripod


Thanks for the informative review. This tripod looks like a serious rival to gitzos.


Nov 22, 2009 at 03:18 AM
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