Which Tripod do you use with your RRS BH-40 LR II:Mid-sized ballhead w/ AS II

I've kind of settled on the RRS BH-40 LR II: Mid-sized ballhead w/ AS II as my ballhead of choice.

Now trying to decide on the right tripod for me and the RSS ballhead.

There is one caveat with this ballhead and it's this:

So, I am wondering if folks using this ballhead can show me the tripod you chose and maybe expand on the clearance issue.

Whatcha got? Photos welcomed, of course...

My Berlebachs has too wide top plate for the ASII. But I have the B2-LR40 on my BH-40 (that mean I have the BH-40 LR), and that has of course no problem.

So the difference is no Spitit level on the head?

Thats right. And 10mm shorter clamp.

I think you're making this out to be more difficult than it really is. The diameter of the base on the BH-40 is 53mm. To prevent any possible clearance issues, you want a tripod base or platform to be close to or less than 53mm. I assume you're looking for a normal sized tripod and not a mini or table tripod, so this can be a problem. If you buy a tripod without a center column, and don't add a leveler or something to space it out, then the clamp may hit the spider.

This is a bit easier if you buy a tripod with a column. On top of most tripod columns is a base for the ball head to sit on. If that base has a larger diameter than 53mm, then you may be restricted. You can swap out that base on a lot of tripods, so it's not exactly a deal breaker.

use the L plate to "avoid" the issue.....once you see how the L plate performs with a tripod at the rss website there shouldnt be any resistance towards using one...........it eliminates the dropslot useage recompose senerio..... i use the rrs 30-bh lr ii....l plates...induro at 213 alum
another cool, feature designed into the rrs bh-30 and 40 is the main lock knob, its spring loaded so when you do have the lr plate tilted at an angle that causes interference with the tightening of the main lock knob and it will happen.......just "pull out" on the lock knob rotate it some and let it go, the spring action re-seats it back to normal and continue tightening or cinching down the lock knob to your desired tension level....rrs designs alot "of usefull work arounds" of real life obsticles you encounter in the field into everything they build seems like....great company

143 for induro at213 from b&h ... i bought the short column for it as well.....its a nice tripod, rated for 22 pounds
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …lloy_8M_AT213_T​ripod.html

klr.b wrote in post #15725343
I think you're making this out to be more difficult than it really is.

Not at all. Not sure why you even say that. Fact is, it is what it is. I'm just asking people who have the head what tripod they are using. That way if I see a tripod I like I know it isn't an issue. I could buy a smilar tripod already knowing the clearance issue isn't a problem.

So, do you have his head and if so what tripod do you use?

klr.b wrote in post #15725343
The diameter of the base on the BH-40 is 53mm. To prevent any possible clearance issues, you want a tripod base or platform to be close to or less than 53mm. I assume you're looking for a normal sized tripod and not a mini or table tripod, so this can be a problem. If you buy a tripod without a center column, and don't add a leveler or something to space it out, then the clamp may hit the spider.

This is a bit easier if you buy a tripod with a column. On top of most tripod columns is a base for the ball head to sit on. If that base has a larger diameter than 53mm, then you may be restricted. You can swap out that base on a lot of tripods, so it's not exactly a deal breaker.

I already understand that. Just trying to simply the shopping process and avoid any possible issues down the road. To my knowledge there is no way to determine from the specs given on a tripod the diameter of the tripod base until you have it or can measure it in a store which isn't always possible since most camera stores carry limited varieties. They seem to latch onto a couple of brands and that's what they display.

i-G12 wrote in post #15725220
So the difference is no Spitit level on the head?

The AS II clamp also automatically adjusts to accept different width plates. This is great because it means you aren't locked into expensive RRS plates. The smaller B2 clamp does not seem to have this feature. In fact, that was the main reason I went with the AS II.

craig_k wrote in post #15725942
use the L plate to "avoid" the issue.....once you see how the L plate performs with a tripod at the rss website there shouldnt be any resistance towards using one...........it eliminates the dropslot useage recompose senerio..... i use the rrs 30-bh lr ii....l plates...induro at 213 alum
<snipped>

L plates are nice, but mostly to keep the weight centered over the stem of the ball head. When you have to shoot up or down at extreme angles, you may still need to use a drop slot.

i-G12 wrote in post #15725958
Not at all. Not sure why you even say that. Fact is, it is what it is. I'm just asking people who have the head what tripod they are using. That way if I see a tripod I like I know it isn't an issue. I could buy a smilar tripod already knowing the clearance issue isn't a problem.

So, do you have his head and if so what tripod do you use?

I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that Tom had answered all the questions in the other thread. If you look at his review, he even displayed the "problems" with pics. I don't use this head since it didn't fit my needs. My main head is an Acratech GV2.

i-G12 wrote in post #15725958
I already understand that. Just trying to simply the shopping process and avoid any possible issues down the road. To my knowledge there is no way to determine from the specs given on a tripod the diameter of the tripod base until you have it or can measure it in a store which isn't always possible since most camera stores carry limited varieties. They seem to latch onto a couple of brands and that's what they display.

My point is if you intend to buy a tripod that has no center column (aside from a mini tripod), the base will be much wider than 53mm. They just don't make full sized tripods like the Gitzo Systematics and the like with a small base. So if it's a big deal to you that you have full use of the head with no chance of restriction, you'll have to buy a tripod with a center column. If you get a center column with a base plate that is too wide, you can order a base plate from a smaller series tripod and swap it over. It's not a big deal.

craig_k wrote in post #15725942
use the L plate to "avoid" the issue.....once you see how the L plate performs with a tripod at the rss website there shouldnt be any resistance towards using one...........it eliminates the dropslot useage recompose senerio..... i use the rrs 30-bh lr ii....l plates...induro at 213 alum
another cool, feature designed into the rrs bh-30 and 40 is the main lock knob, its spring loaded so when you do have the lr plate tilted at an angle that causes interference with the tightening of the main lock knob and it will happen.......just "pull out" on the lock knob rotate it some and let it go, the spring action re-seats it back to normal and continue tightening or cinching down the lock knob to your desired tension level....rrs designs alot "of usefull work arounds" of real life obsticles you encounter in the field into everything they build seems like....great company

143 for induro at213 from b&h ... i bought the short column for it as well.....its a nice tripod, rated for 22 pounds
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …lloy_8M_AT213_T​ripod.html

Thanks.

That L plate option looks great...getting expensive now... lol

Thanks also for the info on the tripod. I do kind of have my heart set on a CF model.

klr.b wrote in post #15726169
My point is if you intend to buy a tripod that has no center column (aside from a mini tripod), the base will be much wider than 53mm. They just don't make full sized tripods like the Gitzo Systematics and the like with a small base. So if it's a big deal to you that you have full use of the head with no chance of restriction, you'll have to buy a tripod with a center column. If you get a center column with a base plate that is too wide, you can order a base plate from a smaller series tripod and swap it over. It's not a big deal.

Thanks Gordon. I think a center column would be what I would get. I don''t need a huge professional rig.

Sirrith wrote in post #15726144
The AS II clamp also automatically adjusts to accept different width plates. This is great because it means you aren't locked into expensive RRS plates. The smaller B2 clamp does not seem to have this feature. In fact, that was the main reason I went with the AS II.

Thanks for that answer Tom.

I use a Gitzo GT2530 CF tripod with my BH-40 and clamp. I have no clearance issues.

If you are really worried about it, call RRS and discuss it with them. They are quite helpful and will steer you in the right direction.

Searched for GT2530 on B&H and they only show 2531...guess the 2530 has been discontinued. Looks like the 2531 is updated model?

Thanks for that. Looks like a possibility for me.

i wrestled w\cf models as well....currently dont pack into way off the grid places...so weight wasnt the issue..the desire for an l plate over cf won out as far as the expence thing goes...youre doing the right thing studying stuff out, buying quality initially and "building your base 1 time" but correctly.i have a good tripod, nice bh and l plate....im good to go for awhile after 4 weeks of study..lol