Things to get when you purchase a 600mm?

[Morlin]

Will the TVC-34L Versa be good tripod for the 600mm?

Have not find a video or instruction that clearly show how you remove the top plate though. On the Gitzo you don´t need any tools. That is appreciated.

I'd say the TVC-34L would be excellent for the 600 II. The main reason I went the TVC-33 is that I'm ~18cm shorter than you, so the TVC-33 gives me the height that I need.

Removing the top plate of the RRS Series-3 tripods requires a hex key. There are three set screws that hold the plate (or whatever you replace it with, such as a leveling base) in place. I suspect that design decision was made in response to the notorious Gitzo top plate issue, where under a heavy load (like a supertele) carried at an angle the plate could come loose resulting in your gear falling to the ground. An add-on fix was developed by NSN for those tripods, and Gitzo fixed the issue with a redesign a few years ago.

While the new tool-free ratchet design of the Gitzo top plate fastener looks interesting, I should ask...how often do you plan on changing out the top plate? I swapped out the top plate for the clamping leveling base when I first got my TVC-33, and the original plate has sat in my closet ever since.

I guess it will be the same for me. Most of the time I will have a Gimbal head stuck on because the only times I use a tripod so far is in the woods. Maybe some landscape photography in the future but for those days I will prepare even before I leave home.

I will buy the RRS leveling base also. Actually that one has been cheaper than the Gitzo leveling base. At least what I have found so far.

So many have so good things to say about RRS and by purchase that one instead of a Gitzo I will never have to wonder about if the grass is greener. =) The difference in price would be 300 USD and of course that is some money but not too much to let the amount make the difference in buying or not. There is so much money already involved with the lens and all that will leave my account so I guess I will not even notice that difference when all of it has been bought. Haha.

 

[Loswr]

I guess it will be the same for me. Most of the time I will have a Gimbal head stuck on because the only times I use a tripod so far is in the woods. Maybe some landscape photography in the future but for those days I will prepare even before I leave home.

I will buy the RRS leveling base also. Actually that one has been cheaper than the Gitzo leveling base. At least what I have found so far.

On top of the RRS leveling base is a 3/8" threaded stud, the gimbal head threads down onto that, but you can easily unthread it and mount a ballhead instead. Personally, I got the RRS leveling base with clamp, so I don't even need to unthread it, just open the lever; but, unscrewing it really doesn't take that long.

In fact, the leveling base is great for landscapes, if you shoot panoramic shots. Almost all good ballheads have a panning base, but for that to work properly for a pano shot, the tripod platform needs to be level. If you've ever tried leveling a tripod by adjusting the legs, you'll know that cam be a pain. The RRS leveling base has a bubble level, so getting a level base for a pano shot with a ballhead is really easy.