p.2 #1 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
Ming-Tzu wrote:
Currently, I have the TA-3 leveling base with clamp on my Gitzo 3 series systematic tripod. Also, I have the BH-55 ball head with a dovetail at the bottom, and the PG-02 with another dovetail at the bottom. The dovetails are used so that it fits into the clamp. Now, when I want to switch between ball head and PG-02, I can simply release the lever clamp on the leveling base, and go back and forth. Saves me a few seconds and the hassle of screwing it in. The ball head is easy to screw in but I think screwing in the PG-02 is kind of a hassle due to the item being so long in length. Just my two cents....Show more →
I think you hit the nail on the head: The ball head is quite easy to screw in or out - but the PG-02 may not be. I had not considered that possibility (PG-02 difficult to screw/unscrew) - since I have not yet received the delivery of the tripod package & it has not yet shipped (on a backorder). For now I will use without the TA-3 leveling base without the lever release clamp & order the lever release clamp later. Initially I plan to use the 34L only with the PG-02 (when using the 600mm f/4 lens). For other lenses I can continue to use my Markins Q20i (BVQ gimbal-like ballhead setup actually) with my TVC-24 tripod. The dovetail/lever release clamp for TA-3-LB will be needed only when I start using both the ball head & the gimbal on the TVC-34L (or the TVC-24).
p.2 #2 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
I read this thread when it first was posted and went ahead and bought the dvtl 40 and 50. The 40 fit on my Wimberley gimball head and the 50 on my ballhead. Everything seemed to work fine until the dvtl on the gimbal sarted to loosen. I was constantly tightening everything. Loctite blue seemed too work. Eventually, i took everything off. I bought the gitzo 3542 with the removeable plate/locking system and purchased an extra plate for my ballhead. Very solid with no loosening or loctite. The RRS dvtl plates are sitting in a bag and I should probably sell them.
I think if the dvtl plates had a locking set screw to tighten the plate onto the bottom of the ballhead or gimbal along with the center nut, the loosening and then rotating of the BH and gimbal would not be an issue. I'm no engineer but, IMHO, the dvtl plates seem to have a design flaw. YMMV.
p.2 #4 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
mogud wrote:
I read this thread when it first was posted and went ahead and bought the dvtl 40 and 50. The 40 fit on my Wimberley gimball head and the 50 on my ballhead. Everything seemed to work fine until the dvtl on the gimbal sarted to loosen. I was constantly tightening everything. Loctite blue seemed too work. Eventually, i took everything off. I bought the gitzo 3542 with the removeable plate/locking system and purchased an extra plate for my ballhead. Very solid with no loosening or loctite. The RRS dvtl plates are sitting in a bag and I should probably sell them.
I think if the dvtl plates had a locking set screw to tighten the plate onto the bottom of the ballhead or gimbal along with the center nut, the loosening and then rotating of the BH and gimbal would not be an issue. I'm no engineer but, IMHO, the dvtl plates seem to have a design flaw. YMMV....Show more →
How is the Gitzo plate any different? Does it have set screws to prevent rotation?
p.2 #5 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
I have the Really Right Stuff dovetail bases on now three different ball heads, and a dovetail base on my Wimberley II. I have used that system for quite a while to interchange those items and others on to three different tripods and two different leveling heads. I get quite a bit of use out of my gear, and have never had a dovetail loosen on its own. I never use any thread locking compounds, but do admit to getting the attachment screws on those dovetail fittings pretty tight.
I was one of the early posters in this thread back in 2012, and I continue to be very happy with using the RRS dovetails and RRS lever release clamps for a quick release system. The speed and convenience is great. The only negatives are the obvious of extra weight and extra cost, but I make those tradeoffs willingly.
I do have a lighter weight tripod and ball head that I use when I need to carry things a ways in the field, and there is no quick release on that rig. I also just ordered a lighter weight gimbal head that I will put on an interchangeable tripod plate to make it reasonably easy swap out on my fairly new RRS TVC 24L for light weight needs. Swapping by interchanging a top plate in a tripod is a practical way to go, but it does take a lot longer to make the change than a RRS lever release system, so keep that in mind.
I will mention some other aspects of the RRS lever release system that I have continued to use quite often. If you have any leveling heads that have a lever quick release on the top, either built in or added, you can use that leveling head as a mount for a panorama head or a macro rail, or you can even mount a camera directly on there if the 15 degree tilt is enough. That is more devices besides just a ball head or gimbal head that the quick release system can handle. I also have a video head and a gear head that are set up with Arca Swiss dovetails on the bottom, so they share the interchangeable system. And you have "stacking" available, like putting a panorama head on to the tripod, or the leveling head, or on to the clamp on a ball head. Another stacking variation is using a gimbal with or without a leveling head.
I also have a dovetail on each of my night sky tracker devices, and they can either be mounted on a leveling base or on to a ball head for alignment, becoming another part of the interchangeable system. Oh, and did I mention my video slider rail, and my small video jib, each of which can be quickly mounted on to a supporting tripod. Oh, almost forgot the GigaPan Epic Pro head that has a dovetail on the bottom of it to mount it. Lets see ... what else do I have .... ?
p.2 #7 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
Roland W wrote:
I have the Really Right Stuff dovetail bases on now three different ball heads, and a dovetail base on my Wimberley II. I have used that system for quite a while to interchange those items and others on to three different tripods and two different leveling heads. I get quite a bit of use out of my gear, and have never had a dovetail loosen on its own. I never use any thread locking compounds, but do admit to getting the attachment screws on those dovetail fittings pretty tight........
I was using much the same. The bolts from RRS are pretty substantial along with the allen key. I used the RRS dvtl plates on my Wimberely II with my 500m ver 1 and an Induro BHD 3. As mentioned, when I upgraded to the Gitzo Systematic Series 3, I bought a two Gitzo top plates and stopped using the RRS plates.
Good to hear the RRS plates are working out for you
p.2 #8 · Switching between a ballhead and gimbal head.
mogud wrote:
I read this thread when it first was posted and went ahead and bought the dvtl 40 and 50. The 40 fit on my Wimberley gimball head and the 50 on my ballhead. Everything seemed to work fine until the dvtl on the gimbal sarted to loosen. I was constantly tightening everything. Loctite blue seemed too work. Eventually, i took everything off. I bought the gitzo 3542 with the removeable plate/locking system and purchased an extra plate for my ballhead. Very solid with no loosening or loctite. The RRS dvtl plates are sitting in a bag and I should probably sell them.
I think if the dvtl plates had a locking set screw to tighten the plate onto the bottom of the ballhead or gimbal along with the center nut, the loosening and then rotating of the BH and gimbal would not be an issue. I'm no engineer but, IMHO, the dvtl plates seem to have a design flaw. YMMV. ...Show more → EB-1 wrote:
How is the Gitzo plate any different? Does it have set screws to prevent rotation?
EBH
mogud wrote:
Yes it does have a set screw. See link:
The RRS dvtl is smooth metal which is not the best for preventing rotation. The Gitzo plate also has a rubber type top that sits under the BH/gimbal.
I see. My older Gitzo has a hole but no screws. Unfortunately that setup precludes the leveling base. I wish the gimbals had an A-S base to make it simple.
I wish the gimbals had an A-S base to make it simple.