RRS tripod equivalent to Gitzo series 3

Peter - after seeing the RRS tripods in person you might be able to help. I've got an old Gitzo 340 with a RRS BH-55 ball head on it. I've been looking at either the TVC-24 or the TVC-34 RRS tripods.
Since I've already got the BH-55 head I'm thinking the TVC-34 would match up better to the ball head mount. Like your photo my Gitzo is much larger in diameter than the RRS TVC_24 seems to be.

Even though the 24 is a little lighter the extra height of the 34 might come in handy.
I shoot a Canon 1Dx and I've experienced creep on my Induro CT1214 travel tripod with a cheap DLOW-40 ball head on it especially when using a 24-70L or a 70-200 F4.
You say the Series-2 RRS is the equivalent of the Series-3 Gitzo so I'm thinking of replacing the Induro with a RRS for everyday and travel and using the Gitzo as a studio piece.

Which would you recommend, the TVC-24 or the TVC-34?

I have a RRS TVC-23 tripod paired with a BH55 ballhead. It is not a perfect fit but it works just fine. Here's a photo of the two together.

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …d/O/IMG_7221.jp​g&lb=1&s=A

Thanks - that picture helps a lot - it doesn't look too overwhelming on the 2 series tripod. I really like all of the RRS stuff I have and have been disappointed with some of the cheap copies I've seen of their stuff.
The old buy once cry once rule definitely applies when looking for camera support equipment.

I'm currently debating between:

Gitzo GT4553S Systematic Series 4 Carbon Fiber Tripod (I think this model is pretty new)

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …atic_tripod_ser​_4_5s.html

and

RRS TVC-34 Versa Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …vc_34_versa_ser​ies_3.html

SPEC Comparisons:

Gitzo ($1,009.99):

Load Capacity: 55 lb
Max Height: 53.5"
Min Height: 3.5"
Folded Length: 18.9"
Leg Sections: 5
Weight: 4.9 lb
Carbon eXact Tubes
G-Lock Ultra Twist Locks
50mm Rubber Feet
Easy Link Attachment Thread

RRS ($1,045):

Load Capacity: 50 lb
Max Height: 58.5"
Min Height: 3.8"
Folded Length: 21.1"
Leg Sections: 4
Weight: 4.4 lb
Twist Locks
Bubble Level, Rubber Ball Feet
Ratcheting Angle Stops

Both are very similar, spec wise, price wise. Right now I'm slightly leaning toward Gitzo with its slight advantage in folded size. It's max height concerns me a bit, but I think with the RRS BH-55 Ball Head and my 5DIII on top, it should come to my eye level comfortably. I'm 5' 8".

Not used to seeing Gitzo and RRS priced so closely together! Here in the UK RRS tripods are silly money and Gitzo's can often be found at sensible money - well mine were anyway. My whole support collection (4 Gitzo tripods, one Gitzo Mono Pod and Sirui Mono Pod) were less than a single 3 series RRS - at UK prices!

Both makers make the very best tripods going and neither will be a bad decision - it is just getting the model that suits your personal needs the best. I prefer Gitzo - but that is simply because I have been able to get them much cheaper, my most expensive (GT4542LS) was £375 or about $520. However with prices that close then it is just down to which you prefer - both are excellent!

karrera wrote in post #18577748
Thanks - that picture helps a lot - it doesn't look too overwhelming on the 2 series tripod. I really like all of the RRS stuff I have and have been disappointed with some of the cheap copies I've seen of their stuff.
The old buy once cry once rule definitely applies when looking for camera support equipment.

dont do it, the BH-55 is extremely big and heavy, 2 series head needs the BH-40 at max

That ballhead and leg pair is like getting monster tires for your corvette.....

I too have a BH-55 which was used on a Gitzo 3541LS and is also used (occasionally) on my TVC-24. RRS makes a leveling base for their 2 series that has an identical diameter to the BH-55 and the TVC-24 has no problem hosting the BH-55 on the leveling base. It's a bit heavy, but my experience with the rig has been without incident.

Having said that I normally use Acratech heads and the head on my TVC-24 is a GP-s which has a base diameter of 53mm, the same as the raised circular base on the TVC-24's spider. Coincidentally, Acratech heads have built-in leveling capability. I do agree with you that the RRS BH-55 is more suited to a TVC-34 which is a step beyond a series-3 Gitzo. Yes extra height can be very useful especially if you shoot landscapes or birds. However I would think that a TVC-34 should be your choice only if you see long focus (and heavy) glass in your future. The big, heavier tripods are for lenses exceeding 400mm, not necessarily heavy bodies. My TVC-24 is very stable with a BH-55 on it's leveling base, and an all-metal Fotoman 617 Panoramic with a Schneider 110mm lens on the top.

If you're staying with a longest focal length of around the 200mm you currently own up to about 400mm I would choose a 24 or a 24L. And the 24L has a max height of 66.1" which is around 7.5" taller than the 34.

Well once I saw the new Series 2 RRS tripods I decided to go for it and ordered a TVC-34L with the leveling base to mount my BH-55 on. I am very happy with the tripod and am confident it will be the last tripod I will ever need.
Now I have to sell my big Gitzo studio tripod as I won't be using it anymore.