RRS TVC-45 & BH-55!

As much as I try to explain to her, my girlfriend just doesn't grasp the gravity of the situation, so I'm writing it here for my fellow photo geeks. Excited to make that beast my Large/ Heavy Duty tripod option when it arrives in a few days. Got it with the leveling base, and added a quick release so i can quickly swap the ball head and my existing video head.

I haven't yet seen any reviews on it, so i'll be sure to post back here if anyone's interested.

Even though I'm not in the market or a new tripod, I'm interested to see this beast.

Alright, I'll definitely post back when i get it then.

Nice, I didn't know they made this one.

Yeah, me either until i saw it from an article from NAB. I already have a medium-ish duty manfrotto tripod, but have been a little disappointed by the flex it gives when fully extended. So we'll see how this goes!

I have the previous heavy weight RRS standard, the TVC 34L. I also have the leveling base which is such a pleasure to use, plus the BH-55.

I'm sure you'll love the TVC 45. I'd also appreciate seeing your set of photos and comments when you have the chance.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #16766052
I have the previous heavy weight RRS standard, the TVC 34L. I also have the leveling base which is such a pleasure to use, plus the BH-55.

I'm sure you'll love the TVC 45. I'd also appreciate seeing your set of photos and comments when you have the chance.

I hope I do. I have no doubt though, as i have some of their clamps and i think theyre exceptional.

I do have a question for you though. I'm a little nervous about the leveling base. Years ago I used to use an old manfrotto leveling base that mounted on top of the 3/8 16 post that looked like an oval with a lever on the side of a clamshell. It was very bouncy, because i assume it was just the way it was made. I'm hoping that not all leveling bases will be this unstable?

I have the horrible Manfrotto leveling base on my old tripod. It moved all over the place when you tightened it up.

The RRS is nothing like that. It is so smooth... pure silk. Get the bubble in the middle, tighten the handle and you're done. You won't be disappointed. Not to mention the light weight vs the 2 pound Manfrotto leveling base.

awesome man. thanks for the reassurance. I'll try to do a pretty thorough review when it arrives!

Looking forward to the review. I have the 34L with the Arca Swiss D4 geared head. A match made in heaven.

I have the RRS leveling base and use it on a 3-series Gitzo. As Kim says it's very well made and smooth in operation. Also it's better designed than the Gitzo leveling base and much lighter.

I too look forward to your thoughts on the new RRS tripod model.

Finally! after 2 days of waiting, my RRS shipment arrived.

I bought the following:

TVC-45 tripod
4 series leveling base with hook
long lever clamp for quick change of heads
BH-55 ball head with dovetail adapter
Additional dovetail adapter for my existing video head
XL RRS tripod bag

I’ll be comparing the TVC-45 to my Manfrotto 055CXPro4 legs.

There are a ton of reviews online about the BH-55 so I’ll spare you with rehashing information, and instead I’ll try to focus on the TVC-45. (Aside from the fact that I’m completely impressed with the machining and quality and smoothness of the BH-55. ) The biggest thing for me after using 3 other ball heads is the layout/orientation of the locking knob. FINALLY, a locking knob for the left hand while i hold the camera with my right hand.

QUALITY
I know there are many reviews online, but I’m completely impressed (again) with the quality of pretty much everything. Anything you can touch is either machines aluminum, or carbon fiber or rubber. (aside from the flat mounting platform, which is a hard plastic). The way the legs feel when they’re pushed to the closed (center) position like when collapsing is very sturdy and precise. The leg locks near the apex push out with ease. They remind me of an older sliding phone. it feels like you’re pushing it over a very shallow, smooth hump, which then keeps it extended, but just barely. The locks automatically collapse when you push the legs outward to their furthest setting. all of the bubble levels that aren’t part of an articulating section all match (precision), and the twist locks (my first twist locks) are very nice.

SIZE
To put it bluntly, it’s huge. Granted the largest tripod i’ve ever owned previously is a Manfrotto 055CXPro4, or the pro3 aluminum variety. The platform of the 45 is far larger than the base of the manfrotto or the base of the BH-55, accommodating a 100mm bowl. The metal protrusions that accept the legs extend quite a ways beyond the apex ring, making for an almost 7 inch diameter. Despite the massive size difference, the whole package weighs only slightly more than the 055CXPro4 and 054 Mag Ball Head. By slightly, i mean subjectively picking both up. I haven’t checked actual weights.

Also, the second thinnest leg section of the 45 is about the same thickness as the THICKEST section of the Manfrotto.

HEIGHT
With the bottom 2 leg sections extended, it’s already about 4 inches taller than the Manfrotto with legs fully extended.
I’m 5’10” and with the lower two sections extended, my camera is at eye level, and that leaves 2 entire sections to go. Fully extended, the camera is far over my head. about 7.5 feet in the air.

LEVELING BASE
The 4 series leveling base is equally large. There is a hook at the bottom of the post to allow hanging pretty much anything you want with a carabiner. The action is smooth. No wobbling. doesn't take much force to lock or unlock.

My only gripe about the whole system is that there's no way to get the large clamp on the leveling base to line up perfectly, as you just screw it on.

Enough with the words, on to the pictures:

1. Both tripods with no leg sections extended.

Nice stuff. Strange that RRS does not make a clamp for the 4 series leveling base like they do for the 3 series. I'm sure they will eventually. Did you check if the 3 series leveling base clamp fits the 4 series?

RRS may want to hire you for those amazing pics. Beautiful job and good write up.

I don't understand what you mean by the clamp, or your gripe. Can you please explain that.

Also, the slight locking or hump you describe when spreading sounds like a nice upgrade as my 3 series doesn't do that.
Mark

Nick,

I know it's already been said, but I also want to compliment you on the amazing pictures you've provided us! That's some great eye candy for POTN folks that want to check out that beast of a tripod.

Thank you!
Bryan