hiepphotog wrote:
I'm curious to see some pics of your Satchler setup. I imagine you need a half ball adapter to go into that bowl then your Quicklink. I really like that Quicklink idea as well. Saw it before during the announcement but never followed it up. RRS does have the regular round dovetail system but I like the breech lock idea more.
Yes, that can be done with any tripod that accepts a 75mm bowl, which is preferable opposed to putting the half bowl on top of the apex.
I have a Quick Link receiver of one of my half balls so for easy switching if needed.
But I use the Quick Link for more things than just tripod heads, I have it on 131DB arms, Sliders, Panorama rigs etc.
Fotografpaul wrote: yeah, that's one way to say it's just a round Arca Swiss clamp and plate I guess.
actually its not even. its not an original idea as was the AS clamp and plate though. it is an adaption of existing design and technology. it is a good execution but where do you go from here with it? another boutique item as of the moment. designwise and mechanically a 3 slot PL based design*.
they dropped the ball with the original clamp and plate. they didn't even try to join the party afterward either really.
* closest in our industry by Arri but they have 4 slots. which is based on quite a few other industrial connector designs
sjms wrote:
actually its not even. its not an original idea as was the AS clamp and plate though. it is an adaption of existing design and technology. it is a good execution but where do you go from here with it? another boutique item at the moment.
they dropped the ball with the original clamp and plate. they didn't even try to join the party afterward either really.
Correct it's not, its basically a round clamp and plate, something others have done as well like Novoflex has had this for many many years in different adaptions.
But I hear what you're saying, I mean I've lost count of my RRS clamps that sit on different rigs and gear. There are of course a huge benefit of being able to interchange and build custom rigs knowing you have a system that will work regardless of which clamp/plate you use.
As for dropping the ball, not even gonna go there...
I use both Arca Swiss and RRS for my work. I find both systems make excellent clamps/plates. As I only use screw clamps from RRS and Arca Swiss there really isn't an issue with any differences in "standards" between the two.
RRS has some of their own unique QR system which I find superb for their use, FA-QR base being one of them.
But in terms of finding a system that allows me to swap different heads on my tripods (most of which has a wide apex base) but also allows me to mount lateral arms and slider I find the Quick Link system a better fit no doubt, except if you use lighter and smaller gear where you probably would not want to add the somewhat hefty Quick Link receiver, to begin with.
As far as the supposed uniqueness of RRS and some components I find the interoperability is pretty much there and for the most part the issues stem from the other side.
naturephoto1 wrote:
I have 3 full sized tripods and 2 table top.
My full sized are the RRS TVC-24L CF with the RRS Series 2 leveling base with QR clamp used most often with my Markins Q20i which I will also use with the Markins BV-22. I can also mount the RRS Full Gimbal head with the Cradle Clamp that can be used and replace the head using the RRS 50 dovetail. For lighter weight I can also load a Leofoto LH-30 with rotating clamp and RRS 40 dovetail to swap the head
I also have older Gitzo tripods:
G1257LVL CF with built in leveling base and short column upon which I have a Kirk 60mm QR clamp which can be used with either the Markins Q20i or the Leofoto LH-30 wih the RRS dovetails for rapid switching of heads.
GT1531 CFused generally with a Leofoto LH-30 with rotating clamp.
I also have Markins Q10i with a Kirk 60mm QR clamp and a Markins Q3 tripod heads which can be used with the Gitzo tripods.
hiepphotog wrote:
Rich, how do you like the Markins BV-22? What kind of lenses have you put on it? I'm contemplating getting one. Thank you.
Hi Hiep,
I like using the BV-22 a lot. I normally use it for my bigger and heavier glass. It is much smaller and lighter than using a Gimbal head and is great when weight and space are an issue particularly when traveling. It works extremely well when I install it onto my Markins Q20i. The Markins BV (bird) attachments are specific to the Markins head and can only be used with a Markins Head. The newer BV-24 is supposed to be an improved version. Either of these attach and release easily and once attached provide an excellent fore and aft motion. I had purchased mine as a kit from Markins America before the new USA site. As a kit it includes a stop which I believe should be available.
When using the Markins Q20i with my BV-22 I take advantage of the adjustment of my RRS Series 2 leveling Base first and then use the head similarly to my Gimbal head by releasing the panning capability of the Markins Q20i and then also adjust the tension and balance on the Q20i. I also also used all of this equiment with my modified RRS long lens kit package (which RRS has now updated). For my set-up I didn't purchase the whole kit but modified the set-up by using a Promediagear back to back clamp.
I have not used the system at this point with my A7rIII with my 100-400mm GM alone or with the 1.4X or 2X TCs. But, I would not have any questions about using it with the Markins Q20i and BV-22. Because the lens is so light I question whether I would use it with the RRS long lens set-up.
As to the lenses that I have used with the whole kit were my Leica R 280mm f4 Apo-Telyt alone or with the Leica R 1.4X Apo Extender and my Canon new FD 500mm f4.5L lenses with my A7r. With these combinations everything was very smooth and well balanced and extremely easy to adjust. All of the images with the exception of the Doe with 4 fawns were taken with this set-up with either the Leica or Canon lenses:
hiepphotog wrote:
...how do you like the Markins BV-22? What kind of lenses have you put on it? I'm contemplating getting one. Thank you.
FWIW, I have used the Q20i and BV-22 extensively with Canon 5D series bodies and 100-400 lenses. There is enough tension range on the ball to find a good balance compromise that works over the zoom range. It's a great setup if you are shooting both tele (w/BV-22) and wide/normal lenses without collar on a roughly equal basis. The BV-22 can take a heavier load like a 300/2.8, but it is slightly above the ball so the balance is not perfect like a gimbal.
Recently I started using a small gimbal head (1.5 lbs.) instead and adding a Wimberley M8 for the occasional 24-70, since I was using the tele 90% of the time in those weight-limited applications.
I like using the BV-22 a lot. I normally use it for my bigger and heavier glass. It is much smaller and lighter than using a Gimbal head and is great when weight and space are an issue particularly when traveling. It works extremely well when I install it onto my Markins Q20i. The Markins BV (bird) attachments are specific to the Markins head and can only be used with a Markins Head. The newer BV-24 is supposed to be an improved version. Either of these attach and release easily and once attached provide an excellent fore and aft motion. I had purchased mine as a kit from Markins America before the new USA site. As a kit it includes a stop which I believe should be available.
When using the Markins Q20i with my BV-22 I take advantage of the adjustment of my RRS Series 2 leveling Base first and then use the head similarly to my Gimbal head by releasing the panning capability of the Markins Q20i and then also adjust the tension and balance on the Q20i. I also also used all of this equiment with my modified RRS long lens kit package (which RRS has now updated). For my set-up I didn't purchase the whole kit but modified the set-up by using a Promediagear back to back clamp.
I have not used the system at this point with my A7rIII with my 100-400mm GM alone or with the 1.4X or 2X TCs. But, I would not have any questions about using it with the Markins Q20i and BV-22. Because the lens is so light I question whether I would use it with the RRS long lens set-up.
As to the lenses that I have used with the whole kit were my Leica R 280mm f4 Apo-Telyt alone or with the Leica R 1.4X Apo Extender and my Canon new FD 500mm f4.5L lenses with my A7r. With these combinations everything was very smooth and well balanced and extremely easy to adjust. All of the images with the exception of the Doe with 4 fawns were taken with this set-up with either the Leica or Canon lenses:
EB-1 wrote:
FWIW, I have used the Q20i and BV-22 extensively with Canon 5D series bodies and 100-400 lenses. There is enough tension range on the ball to find a good balance compromise that works over the zoom range. It's a great setup if you are shooting both tele (w/BV-22) and wide/normal lenses without collar on a roughly equal basis. The BV-22 can take a heavier load like a 300/2.8, but it is slightly above the ball so the balance is not perfect like a gimbal.
Recently I started using a small gimbal head (1.5 lbs.) instead and adding a Wimberley M8 for the occasional 24-70, since I was using the tele 90% of the time in those weight-limited applications.
FLM Berlin 38.4 - this is my big, beefy heavy-duty tripod using a 75mm bowl (used as a leveling base) and a 58mm FLM ballhead.
3 Legged Thing Brian X1.1 Evolution - I wasn't aware of how to properly take care of a tripod when I bought this and it's not in great shape now. :/
An older Gorillapod and a similar flexible tripod from another brand.
A Giottos tabletop tripod with an Oben ballhead.
RRS TVC-23
RRS TVC-24
Leofoto LS-284C for travel and hiking
Leofoto LS-223C table top
I may sell off the RRS TVC-23 since it has not been used much in the last couple of years as I have migrated to a smaller system, but still use the TVC-24 which can fit in a carry-on sized suitcase if I need a heftier tripod for travel than the Leofoto LS-284C.
I have two -- a tabletop Slik that I've had for eons and is just so darn cute I can't get rid of it, and a big Gitzo 2932 Explorer with the basalt legs that I bought for macro but never really used for that purpose. Now I want to sell the Gitzo and get a more general-purpose travel tripod that I might actually take places and use more (something like the Leofoto 254C)
The newest is a RRS TVC-33 without a center column. It's a good solid tripod that works well enough. I'm using a RRS BH-55 on it, which is only "ok". I use this combo for anything I do, including hiking and travel.
I have an old Gitzo G1325 Mountaineer CF tripod, also without a center column. This thing went all over the world for a couple decades and is still a good and capable tripod. I don't use it much since getting the RRS, but somehow can't bring myself to part with it. If I'm doing something that could potentially cause some tripod damage, this is what I use. It has more flex in the joints than the RRS, which also has some. That's not from wear, it's how they are new. You won't notice unless you pull on the joint between leg sections, perpendicular to the leg, with the top and bottom of the leg fixed. The amount is surprising, but nearly every tripod in existence does this. In normal situations I don't think it matters, but sometimes it does. It has a Kirk BH-1 mounted on it, which I actually like better than the RRS BH-55.
The oldest is an ancient aluminum Gitzo G500 Tele Studex. It weighs nearly 10 pounds with no center column or head. I use it only with a Wimberley gimbal head and 600mm lens. The reduction in wind and other vibration compared to the other two CF tripods is truly amazing. It's also far more rigid; like mounting the camera to a boulder. It also stays extremely rigid with the legs splayed way out, almost parallel to the ground. There are 3 very long leg sections that never need to be fully extended unless you're on a steep hillside. With them extended further and splayed wider, there's no fear of everything blowing over even in ferocious wind, and I've lost equipment that way in the past. This is the only tripod I've used that has completely rigid leg joints with zero flex. I hate carrying this thing, but love using it. I'll have it as long as I have a long lens and some muscles.
Right now, only two. I'd had a Manfrotto 725b which was basically my small/light travel tripod. And a Giottos GB-4180 (6.4lbs w/o head and 22lbs capacity - maybe honest compared to some?). The heavy one - usually combined with either of two beastly Bogen heads.
Apparently lost the 725b, so I replaced it moving up a bit, to the Sirui W1204 with the K10x head. Somewhat heavier, pretty much same size, CF, better build all around, etc. This pretty much replaces both, especially now that I'm doing more with the A6400.
3 - one little mefoto for traveling, a manfrotto carbon fiber full size one for studio work with a pan/tilt head, and a piece of crap dolica that I got for cheap back when I was a tripod newb Also have a benro s4 monopod that I got for long lenses and video, but I barely use the thing.
My tripods are a pair of Benbo aluminium 1 and 2, an Amvona mid-range CF with Photo Clam 44 ball head, a spare Manfrotto 055 and a Leitz 14100 table-top with the tall ballhead. My Benbos are the old ones and were well built, unlike the recent ones that I've seen, and I'd like to try one of the used 1700-series Uni-Loc tripods, but .....
yeah, that's one way to say it's just a round Arca Swiss clamp and plate I guess. 