RRS Tripod Review

[MarkBarbieri]

The Luminous Landscape posted a review of a Really Right Stuff tripod. They reviewed the TVC-34L. I own the 33L, which has three leg sections rather than four.

Overall, I agree with most of the review. The reviewer shoots medium format and has a lot of heavy gear. I think the tripod is overkill for DSLRs except when shooting with super telephoto lenses.

I bought mine primarily for video use. The stability requirements for video are much higher because you handle the camera more while shooting. A real video tripod would be preferable, but they are much more expensive and heavier.

Really Right Stuff does make a smaller tripod (the 23/24 series), but the price difference is surprisingly small. While the 33/34 series are priced similar to similar tripods, the 23/24 series aren't as competitively priced.

 

[DPK400]

How do you like your RRS tripod Mark. The review was a good one. I am kind of curious about that arca head. It looks pretty heavy.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm very happy with it. I sometimes borrow a friend's equivalent Gitzo tripod and we both agree that the RRS is an improvement in many ways. I bought it before they announced the 34. I think I'd rather have the four leg sections rather than 3 so that it would pack more compact.

I also got the RRS BH-55 ballhead with it. It's a great ballhead, but it is hefty. It feels about as heavy as the tripod itself.

I bought it because my smaller tripod wasn't sufficiently stable for shooting video. There is a noticeable difference between the two when using my DSLR and a 70-200 on it for shooting video.

 

[GvilleDisneyDad]

The RRS stuff is really, really nice. I have the BH-40 ballhead and I absolutely love it. I'm currently using with the Manfrotto 190CX3 legs and it's a great set up for me.