Hello,
I've been going back and forth trying to research and make a decision so I thought I'd share some thoughts and questions I'm having with the knowledgeable community here hoping for some clarity and advice...
I am looking to get a new tripod and ballhead with leveling base; I am willing to pony up money for quality since I want longevity and high quality performance..
My most demanding gear would be 5D/7d with 100-400ii 1.4x and rarely with 2x extenders, sometimes for long exposures (up to several minutes) less than 10% of its use would be this demanding.
I'd like to have "one to rule them all" though I realize there are always trade offs. I'd like it to be as light weight as possible whilst still having sufficient rigidity. (I might find myself packing and/or carrying it long distances)
Tripods I have narrowed it down to RRS or Gitzo. Heads: RRS, Markins , and the Arca swiss Z1.
I am leaning towards series 2 RRS in long version with RRS leveling base and markins Q10 head and RRS lever clamps installed. The 4th leg sections would be avoided as much as possible and mainly as a just in case I need it. (I'd sleep better knowing I have it if I need it)
This seems as light as I can realistically go but is it up for the most demanding tasks?
-would this stabilize long exposures at 400mm+?
-would adding weight to the hook allow for stabilization this kind of load? or a beanbag on the camera as weight stabilizer? any other options for adding stability?
-if I ever purchased the extender column, does it work with leveling base? can it be inverted to assist with low ground macro shots like the gitzo's?
(this isn't as important as I have a manfrotto with center column if I needed it, it'd just be a bonus to have on my "precious")
-would this tripod ballhead combo assemble nicely??(I'd love the RRS everything but the ball heads seem comparatively heavy.. am I wrong?)
The Gitzo would be equivalent size/price/load. I would get a long version also and center column removed most of the time (for rigidity) but installed when I thought I may need it..
-Does RRS leveling base work with their tripods?
Any thoughts, suggestions questions or input you have is welcome.
Thank you,
-Jonathan
I've been going back and forth trying to research and make a decision so I thought I'd share some thoughts and questions I'm having with the knowledgeable community here hoping for some clarity and advice...
I am looking to get a new tripod and ballhead with leveling base; I am willing to pony up money for quality since I want longevity and high quality performance..
My most demanding gear would be 5D/7d with 100-400ii 1.4x and rarely with 2x extenders, sometimes for long exposures (up to several minutes) less than 10% of its use would be this demanding.
I'd like to have "one to rule them all" though I realize there are always trade offs. I'd like it to be as light weight as possible whilst still having sufficient rigidity. (I might find myself packing and/or carrying it long distances)
Tripods I have narrowed it down to RRS or Gitzo. Heads: RRS, Markins , and the Arca swiss Z1.
I am leaning towards series 2 RRS in long version with RRS leveling base and markins Q10 head and RRS lever clamps installed. The 4th leg sections would be avoided as much as possible and mainly as a just in case I need it. (I'd sleep better knowing I have it if I need it)
This seems as light as I can realistically go but is it up for the most demanding tasks?
-would this stabilize long exposures at 400mm+?
-would adding weight to the hook allow for stabilization this kind of load? or a beanbag on the camera as weight stabilizer? any other options for adding stability?
-if I ever purchased the extender column, does it work with leveling base? can it be inverted to assist with low ground macro shots like the gitzo's?
(this isn't as important as I have a manfrotto with center column if I needed it, it'd just be a bonus to have on my "precious")
-would this tripod ballhead combo assemble nicely??(I'd love the RRS everything but the ball heads seem comparatively heavy.. am I wrong?)
The Gitzo would be equivalent size/price/load. I would get a long version also and center column removed most of the time (for rigidity) but installed when I thought I may need it..
-Does RRS leveling base work with their tripods?
Any thoughts, suggestions questions or input you have is welcome.
Thank you,
-Jonathan