Advice for a Defector?

[b.d.bop]

Hi folks. Coupla questions.

I'm switching from Nikon over to the Canon camp. Totally.
I'm an advanced enthusiast, I guess. Nikon F4 with great Nikkor glass years ago (late '80's) and then to digital with the D70s a coupla years ago - shot much less, though, since then.

Now I want to switch over and get much more serious. I'm 56 years old and 5'6" tall.

Bought the 5D with grip, 580EX2 speedlight, 24-105L as a "general" carry around, 70-200/2.8L, 100/2.8 macro, 100-400 and the 1.4x tele-extender.
At some point in the future I'd like to add the 16-35/2.8L (or the 17-40/4L if cash is tight), the 85/1.2L as a real splurge and eventually a fast bona fide wildlife long lens.

I'm interested in the ability to have most of my stuff with me when I go away for shooting jaunts (I'm not a big hiker) and I'd like to be able to travel (airplane) with it if possible.

QUESTIONS:
(#1) I have (2) Arca Swiss "old style" large Monoballs without permanent lens clamps - they're still rigged with that quick release thing that Bogen used to make for those hexagonal plates.
I also have an Arca B1 rigged the same way.
*Can these balls be converted/replaced to have the Really Right Stuff lens clamps permanently attached to them? I don't trust those screw on Bogen rigs.

(#2) Would you buy a Gitzo 25x0 or 35x0 (x being 3 or 4), and would it be a Systematic or Mountaineer center post type? If the former, would you suggest and would you recommend a Markins tripod base for it? And if the Arca's that I own can't be converted, do I go with a RRS or a Markin (and which model?)

(#3) So far as backpack bags go, I'm looking at three: Tenba Shootout medium vs. Kata R103 vs. LowePro MiniTrekker AW (or maybe Nature Trekker?)

Sorry to bombard you with all these questions but I need to pick your brains so I don't screw up too bad. :lol:

Thanks in advance. And don't hesitate to tell me where I'm way off base.

[Jon]

WRT 1), RRS has a table of QR clamps (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/QR/08.html) suitable for various ballheads. Looks like yours might need to be sent in if I'm guessing the right models.
3) I fit pretty much what you've got and a bit more into a Domke F-1x shoulder bag. I prefer them for working out of. You might want a wheeled model of whateveryou decide on; or Kata bags (including their backpacks, I believe) accept a separate mini-dolly.

[b.d.bop]

WRT 1), RRS has a table of QR clamps (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/QR/08.html) suitable for various ballheads. Looks like yours might need to be sent in if I'm guessing the right models.
3) I fit pretty much what you've got and a bit more into a Domke F-1x shoulder bag. I prefer them for working out of. You might want a wheeled model of whateveryou decide on; or Kata bags (including their backpacks, I believe) accept a separate mini-dolly.Thanks, Jon, appreciate the link and the reply.

I think I'd prefer a backpack to a bag because the bag tends to require your spine/back to compensate for its weight with a lateral movement while the backpack enables your spine to do it with more fore and aft movement or effort and less neck involved. Whichever it is, I'd set things down rather than shooting out of it while loaded up. Am I wrong?

[Jon]

Tht's pretty much personal preference, I think. I'm not usually able to find somewhere to put things down; those times when I am, I can also usually use a small dolly (I have a Samsonite folding luggage cart), so the shoulder bag means I can reach stuff when I need it. If I'm hiking, of course, I'll use a backpack and deal with the relative inaccessibility of my gear at times.

[jhom]

To answer your tripod needs, how soon are you going to get the wildlife long lens and which one(s)? A Gitzo 2 series will do well with your current gear. However, if you intend on mounting 400mm+ lenses, then I would suggest the 3 series. With a 600mm, I would suggest the 5 series. Gitzos are rated according to maximum focal length. I would suggest you stay within the recommend lengths. Otherwise, you will see vibration entering into your system as focal length increases even though you stay well under the rated weight capacities. Another question is do you use the center column? If not, then the systematics. However, with the mountaineer series you can easily remove the center column.

Both RRS and Markins make excellent ballheads. The choice of ballhead depends on your intent. RRS has the BH 40 and BH 55. Markins has the Q3, M10, and M20. The BH55 and M20 are the top of the line for the companies and will hold the most. The M10 and BH40 are essentially the midweights of the lineups. I've been using the Q3 for my gear. Comparatively, it easily holds my 300 f2.8L IS with my 1D2. The other ballheads should hold more. I would assume that if you are going to eventually get the long lenses, you will need to think about a Wimberley gimbal setup.

With regards to retrofitting your Monoballs, I would first suggest a call to RRS. They are very good in customer support and will steer you in the right direction.

Finally, in regards to carrying all your gear, I think a roller bag would be the best especially if you are thinking about airplane travel. I would suggest either a Think Tank Airport Security or Airport International. I'm at your age and my motto is any weight is too much.

[b.d.bop]

To answer your tripod needs, how soon are you going to get the wildlife long lens and which one(s)? A Gitzo 2 series will do well with your current gear. However, if you intend on mounting 400mm+ lenses, then I would suggest the 3 series. With a 600mm, I would suggest the 5 series. Gitzos are rated according to maximum focal length. I would suggest you stay within the recommend lengths. Otherwise, you will see vibration entering into your system as focal length increases even though you stay well under the rated weight capacities. Another question is do you use the center column? If not, then the systematics. However, with the mountaineer series you can easily remove the center column.

Both RRS and Markins make excellent ballheads. The choice of ballhead depends on your intent. RRS has the BH 40 and BH 55. Markins has the Q3, M10, and M20. The BH55 and M20 are the top of the line for the companies and will hold the most. The M10 and BH40 are essentially the midweights of the lineups. I've been using the Q3 for my gear. Comparatively, it easily holds my 300 f2.8L IS with my 1D2. The other ballheads should hold more. I would assume that if you are going to eventually get the long lenses, you will need to think about a Wimberley gimbal setup.

With regards to retrofitting your Monoballs, I would first suggest a call to RRS. They are very good in customer support and will steer you in the right direction.

Finally, in regards to carrying all your gear, I think a roller bag would be the best especially if you are thinking about airplane travel. I would suggest either a Think Tank Airport Security or Airport International. I'm at your age and my motto is any weight is too much.
Chock full of great advice there, jhom! Truly helpful and appreciated muchly. Will consider all of what you have said.

The photos of your tripod/base/head setup were inspiring and made me drool, btw.

[jhom]

Glad I can be of some help. By the way, welcome to the good side of the force.

[b.d.bop]

Glad I can be of some help. By the way, welcome to the good side of the force.

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