RRS Tripods

I think the little raised platform on the RRS series 2 base is 53mm in diameter. I believe it's for raising the height of the BH-40 ballhead so the lever ball locking knob doesn't foul the tripod base. The diameter of the BH-55 base is 73mm so you'd have quite a bit of overhang there.

Generally the BH-40 is paired with a series 2 tripod and the BH-55 is paired with a series 3; that's what RRS recommends. If you're taking the rig on trips the BH-55 is heavy at 1.9 lbs and you might want to consider a lighter combination. The BH-40 is much lighter at 1.1 lbs and you might also want to look at the Acratech GP-ss which I think weighs 1 lb and has a 53mm base so it would be a good fit on the TVC-24L.

lsquare wrote in post #16230065
I suppose you are bringing up a legitimate point. I was on a backpacking trip around Asia and Australia in the summer and fall of 2009. I lost the rubber tip/feet for my Gitzo GT1530 inside Mainland China. Fortunately for me, I was about to enter Hong Kong in a few days and once I got there, I had no trouble locating a dealer that sold those rubber tip/feet. I think that could be an advantage of going with a Gitzo considering how widely distributed their products are in the world compared to RRS.

Because I do a lot of travel photography, this was one of the main reasons that I got a Gitzo 3 series.

peter_n wrote in post #16550977
I think the little raised platform on the RRS series 2 base is 53mm in diameter. I believe it's for raising the height of the BH-40 ballhead so the lever ball locking knob doesn't foul the tripod base. The diameter of the BH-55 base is 73mm so you'd have quite a bit of overhang there.

Generally the BH-40 is paired with a series 2 tripod and the BH-55 is paired with a series 3; that's what RRS recommends.

I've been going back and forth with a similar set up for months now. RRS says that the TVC-24 paired with the BH-55 is a popular combination...even though there is a bit of an over hang as you have mentioned. At the end of the day the folded length of 18.7" is a huge factor when traveling often, which is why I believe I am leaning in the direction. Crazy that it's essentially the same price as the TVC-33...if only any of the 3 series folded down to below 23".

A 2 series leg set works just fine with w BH55.

bpalermini wrote in post #16552114
A 2 series leg set works just fine with w BH55.

This is exactly what I am thinking.. I like the added height of the TVC 24L vs the TVC 33

The one the wife bought as my X-mas gift. This doesn't have the height of the ones in discussion, just wanted to share the new travel tripod.

TP-243, Cullmann 6.1 head with B2-Pro II clamp.

ra40 wrote in post #16553412
The one the wife bought as my X-mas gift. This doesn't have the height of the ones in discussion, just wanted to share the new travel tripod.

TP-243, Cullmann 6.1 head with B2-Pro II clamp.

You have a thoughtful wife. Contrats.

During the RRS frenzy the previous week, I picked up the Pocket Pod. The BH-25 is nice but not quite to my liking. I don't know how much head to put on this pocket tripod and keep it in a reasonable weight category while being able to handle the 5D-III with 24-70.

This is the other mini tripod I use and the head is decent but with the 5D it is outclassed.

Thoughts? Would like to be in the sub $200 range.