RRS Tripods

ben_r_ wrote in post #12092145
IMO I wouldnt bother with RRS tripods. Im sure they are great, but why would I spend more on an RRS tripod and take a chance when I could spend less, get a Gitzo and KNOW I have purchased a tried and true, top of the line tripod?

Because if my RRS tripod has a problem which are rare, I call an American company with one of the best customer service records on file and I can get it fixed and or order spare parts.

Good luck getting that with the Gitzo!

Jensgt wrote in post #15975589
People with a TV-33s how tall are you? I am 5'6 ...so well under 6 feet but I don't want to be bending down all the time...so I am trying to decide between the s model and the regular model. If the s is ok for people my height I'd like to go with it, lighter weight. I am thinking of doing an Arca-Swiss Z1 head with the RRS QR lever clamp. I have a 7d ungripped.

I am 6 feet tall and with the bh55 head I actually have to tiptoe to view thru the camera if fully extended.

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15976520
Because if my RRS tripod has a problem which are rare, I call an American company with one of the best customer service records on file and I can get it fixed and or order spare parts.

Good luck getting that with the Gitzo!

Ben's was a pretty old comment (though I didn't agree with it even then). At this point, RRS is surely a known quantity.

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15976525
I am 6 feet tall and with the bh55 head I actually have to tiptoe to view thru the camera if fully extended.

Wow...with the 33s? Well that about settles it then. Thanks!

Jensgt wrote in post #15976707
Wow...with the 33s? Well that about settles it then. Thanks!

That's with the tvc33, not the 33s.

My wife uses the 33s and she's 5'05" with no problems.

Great, thanks

My TVC-33 is tall for me. But I'd have it no other way. I just shorten the legs a bit and problem solved. I would always buy a set of legs that are taller than me. Better for it to be tall rather than short.

flyfish1 wrote in post #15977203
My TVC-33 is tall for me. But I'd have it no other way. I just shorten the legs a bit and problem solved. I would always buy a set of legs that are taller than me. Better for it to be tall rather than short.

I agree specially when shooting on the side of a cliff or some uneven surface.

You can always shorten the legs but it's tough to extend them into thin air once they hit their limit.

I am only 6'2" so I could have lived with the TVC-33 but as we are discussing, I'd rather have more height than I need than not enough.

I am 6'4" and I use the TVC-33s with the cente column. I like how I can take the center column out for hiking trips where I'm only going to be use it for landscapes and I can put it back in when I need it for birding. It is the best combo for me.

I am 6 foot tall and absolutely love my RRS TVC-34L and RRS BH-55 LR combination. I really like the added height the TVC-34L provides as it allows me to get above a crowd or anything obstructing my view.

Another selling point for me was that it was made completely in the good ol' US of A.

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15976520
Because if my RRS tripod has a problem which are rare, I call an American company with one of the best customer service records on file and I can get it fixed and or order spare parts.

Good luck getting that with the Gitzo!

I have to say, I really do love RRS' customer service. Mark from RRS took really good care of me when a package from UPS went missing. In less than 24 hours, he told me he'll send another package with a 2 day delivery!

phoomanchew wrote in post #15980730
I am 6 foot tall and absolutely love my RRS TVC-34L and RRS BH-55 LR combination. I really like the added height the TVC-34L provides as it allows me to get above a crowd or anything obstructing my view.

Another selling point for me was that it was made completely in the good ol' US of A.

Made in the USA doesn't necessarily mean a better product. However, in the case of RRS, I definitely think their products are well made.

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15976520
Because if my RRS tripod has a problem which are rare, I call an American company with one of the best customer service records on file and I can get it fixed and or order spare parts.

Good luck getting that with the Gitzo!

That only applies if you live in the USA. If you're in Europe it's the other way around. Take a look at shipping prices for example. In terms of quality I don't think there is much difference.

ylw wrote in post #15983798
That only applies if you live in the USA. If you're in Europe it's the other way around. Take a look at shipping prices for example. In terms of quality I don't think there is much difference.

The Gitzo's I've see were all cast metal spiders and leg brackets. A somewhat crude crinkled finish which is much cheaper to make.

The RRS is all machined solid aluminum from what I've seen. A much nicer look, finish and fit. They absolutely ooze quality.

To many that might not matter at all. They'll both do the job and probably last a lifetime. Just a matter of what's important to you.