RRS Tripods

Hi,

Just to chime in my $0.02 worth. I ordered a TVC-24 and BH-40 as a travel kit and have used it extensively for the last three weeks and I'm very impressed.

I wanted a fairly portable setup for travel and my existing GItzo 1540T and RRS BH-30 were a bit overloaded with a 1D4 + 70-200 + 2x combination.

As the previous posters said the quality is excellent and the setup seems more sturdy than the Gitzo GT2540 that I was also considering.

Anyway hopefully a better review than I can write will turn up but I'll just say that price aside the RRS tripod is excellent and I'm very happy. To me it's like having (near) the stability of a Gitzo 3540 with the weight of a 2540.

Cheers,
-- Colm.

Many on the FM forum really like the RRS tripods, particularly the TVC-33. When I was buying a 4-section leg systematic a couple months ago RRS had one on the drawing board (they still do) so they weren't a choice, but the price of the Gitzo dropped so precipitously that they became cheaper than the Benro equivalent. I could have bought two Gitzos for what I imagined the price will be for the TVC-34 ($1000+) when it finally gets released. With that kind of price differential I agree it's tough to justify a RRS tripod especially if you're an amateur.

The TVC-33 looks like a nice (albeit expensive) tripod.

It would be a lot easier to purchase if RRS actually had a meaningful amount in stock once in a while. The TVC-33 was out of stock for the last month, and then was listed back as "in stock" for about two days before going back into backorder.

Perhaps they'll have more next week, if they haven't ended their production run for the next month!

That's an indication that there is high demand, that people are willing to pay the premium. People who have them absolutely love them and on the FM forum they will order the tripod then wait for weeks for delivery. I don't think the situation will change as they're trying to expand their product line and they're a fairly small company.

I use Leica cameras and lenses and the situation is the same there. A small company with huge demand. It's even pushing the price of used equipment through the roof. I bought a standard 50/1.4 lens a couple years ago for $2.5K and now they're $7.5K. People wait months for a Leica lens, not weeks. I don't think the supply situation with RRS is going to change any time soon.

has anyone who purchased and used the RRS tripods been unhappy with it's quality? so far I have not heard any complaints except for the price,

Kyles wrote in post #12096563
has anyone who purchased and used the RRS tripods been unhappy with it's quality? so far I have not heard any complaints except for the price,

Read Peter_n's post above, the answer is no. I can't imagine the quality of the RRS to be anything but outstanding.

Maybe the reason the only complaint is the price is because other than that, there arent any.

FYI - there was a post on another forum stating that the tvc-34 was no longer planned and that it would be a tvc-34L ie a taller version like the XLS gitzos. Also a tvc-24L is in the works. As usual with these guys who knows when it will be out! For me though ( i was waiting for a 34) an L version would negate some of the benefits , and i'm not that tall so i guess I'll go for a 33 after all.

dandig wrote in post #12100336
FYI - there was a post on another forum stating that the tvc-34 was no longer planned and that it would be a tvc-34L...

Thanks for the info... I found the thread you were talking about. I'm taller than average and frequently shoot on hilly terrain, so the 34L might just be the one for me.

I'm also considering 1 when my telephoto lens comes along. I'm holding back for a main stream tripod as I'm using an explorer for most of my shoots which I know I shouldn't. So I'm considering a 3 series gitzo until someone in the forum highlighted this RRS product.

I've tried their ballhead and I love it...just not as much as the arca swiss (I think I'm a very nostalgic guy) so I sold it and got the Z1 instead. Nevertheless, in the case of the tripod, in my heart I always have this thought why must it be only gitzo and no other manufacturer. So there comes the rebellious idea of getting another brand which RRS comes into the picture.

Logically speaking, how do we justify the extra cost, a company that just got into this product business and claiming they can do something much better than others who is in this business for so long?

U owners tell me!

You can pick at RRS designs, they are not perfect. They do however insist on quality; in materials, tolerances, and construction. Yes they are new to making tripods but they've been making clamps and plates for a long time and more recently ballheads. A tripod is a fairly simple mechanical device so it's not rocket science and they have market traction because of the obvious build quality of their products. That build quality costs money, and so far the perception of the buyers of these tripods is that they are worth the extra cost. You use an Arca-Swiss Z1, as do I. It has a combination of features and build that probably makes it the best ballhead you can buy. But it's also a joy to use and that is part of it too.

has anyone else on this forum used any of the RRS tripods?

Kyles wrote in post #12108541
has anyone else on this forum used any of the RRS tripods?

I am also interesting in comparing Gitzo G3541LS to RRS TVC-24. The reduction of length seems to be favor when traveling oversea often and I didn't see the need for eye level for wildlife.

However, according to few online forum it seems like TVC-24 actual fold length is 20" instead of 18", which neglect most of its advantage (other than quality materials and builds) over G3541LS personally.

BTW: According to Neil's sharpness test (with graphs) in Nikonian TVC-33 isn't as stable as GT3541LS. My personal suspect is because of the G-lock of Gitzo's. From RRS online manual and few user photos online RRS leg lock doesn't seem to have a solid 1" uniform bushing to bind the two diameter's together - correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe TVC-33 should compare to previous Gitzo G1345, where its material and workmanship will clearly shown in the comparison - just a thought.

roger1234 wrote in post #12121415
BTW: According to Neil's sharpness test (with graphs) in Nikonian TVC-33 isn't as stable as GT3541LS. My personal suspect is because of the G-lock of Gitzo's. From RRS online manual and few user photos online RRS leg lock doesn't seem to have a solid 1" uniform bushing to bind the two diameter's together - correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the heads-up on Neil's comparison on Nikonians; very interesting! Funny that I've not seen that post mentioned over on the FM forum where they're such fans of the TVC-33...

I just received my new Gitzo tripod; all things considered I am pleased and know either RRS or Gitzo equals “quality”. I do still find this topic interesting and staying on top of the comparisons is helpful. The determining factor for me after reading these post and others was simply “most experience making their pro caliber tripods with the reputation to back it up”; I would have been pleased probably either way. I do like the fact that RRS is trying to make the highest quality tripods that they can and that they are concerned with quality on every level of their product. This is great for all photographers.


Best wishes, Kyle

Congrats on your new legs! I bought a Gitzo systematic recently and I'm impressed with the stability. I've had it out in pretty strong winds and the pix have been tack sharp. I'm sure you'll find the same.

BTW for anyone interested in Neil's TVC-33/3541LS comparison on Nikonians mentioned by Roger above in post #42 here's an accessible link to Neil's summary post.