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Solid tripod & ball head for D800

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W4w3

W4w3

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Hi all,

I know there’s a ton of threads similar to this one but since every photographer’s needs are a bit different and I don’t quite yet trust my ability to fully apply the available information, I decided to post this question with detailed description of my own requirements.

So, straight to the point: I’m going to need a sturdy set of tripod legs, a quality ball head and possibly an L-bracket to get the most out of the stunning IQ of the D800 I’m planning to buy in the near future. I have almost no experience in buying tripods (except for the purchase of a Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y aluminum tripod with ball head set about a year and a half ago, see http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602425-REG/Manfrotto_7322YB_7322YB_M_Y_Aluminum_Tripod.html for details), so I would appreciate well-founded suggestions.

Firstly, I’ll tell a little more about my shooting so that you can get a picture of what I will use the tripod for. I’m an enthusiast photographer, have had a DSLR for a couple of years now and am mainly interested in shooting landscapes (especially seascapes), macro and people. Thus, I would probably need a quality panorama ability, as good a resistance to salt corrosion as I can get, option to use focusing rails and ability to shoot in portrait position. At least currently I don’t do nearly anything concerning wildlife or sports.

Second, I’ve understood that the weight of the camera with lens equipped is one of the key things to consider when it comes to the legs, so here’s something about my gear. My heaviest lens is the Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED (2.13 lb or 969 g), which, combined with the D800 (1.98 lb or 900 g), would in total be 4.11 lb or 1869g. However, I could see myself buying at least the third lens to complete my Nikon’s holy trinity (I already have the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED) and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (3.39 lb or 1540 g) would make my setup around 30% heavier than it would be with my currently heaviest lens.

As for where I am now with the process, I have only just began to compare legs and ball heads, not even fully understanding all their features. However, partly being influenced by Thom Hogan’s ideas about buying the right tripod the first time (see http://www.bythom.com/support.htm), I’m only interested in a quality setup that would preferably last longer than any other piece of photography equipment I have. That’s also why I’m willing to invest significantly in the tripod, in terms of both time spent doing the research and also money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!
 
I use a Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod and a Sirui K 40X ballhead for mine, rock solid.
 
Custom made L bracket for your camera model is best: I use Kirk, but RRS and other vendors have 800-specific L brackets. L bracket makes shooting in portrait format simple, just loosen clamp, flip camera sideways, tighten clamp.

Single-row panos to start? This does not require a lot of equipment. You need a panning platform/clamp on top of the ball head, and use the ball head to level the panning clamp. I happen to use the Arca-Swiss p0, an "inverted" style ball head, which has the panning function on top. Then you need a "nodal rail", which is an Arca-style 6" to 8" rail with a clamp at one end.
 
I just use a universal L bracket, under $20.
 
I leave my L bracket on all the time and use it as a grip. To each their own.

As for my tripod choice, Feisol makes a good tripod. An excellent, if bulky, model is the CT3472. If you want the next size down for a "traveler" size tripod, the model is the CT3442. BOth are four-section tripods with spiders and base-plates but not center columns (center columns can be bought as an accessory).

For wide angle, normal, short telephoto landscapes, the CT3442 is my workhorse. It is very light, and I will happily carry it on any and all hikes.
 
W4w3 said:
Hi all,

I know there’s a ton of threads similar to this one but since every photographer’s needs are a bit different and I don’t quite yet trust my ability to fully apply the available information, I decided to post this question with detailed description of my own requirements.

So, straight to the point: I’m going to need a sturdy set of tripod legs, a quality ball head and possibly an L-bracket to get the most out of the stunning IQ of the D800 I’m planning to buy in the near future. I have almost no experience in buying tripods (except for the purchase of a Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y aluminum tripod with ball head set about a year and a half ago, see http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602425-REG/Manfrotto_7322YB_7322YB_M_Y_Aluminum_Tripod.html for details), so I would appreciate well-founded suggestions.

Firstly, I’ll tell a little more about my shooting so that you can get a picture of what I will use the tripod for. I’m an enthusiast photographer, have had a DSLR for a couple of years now and am mainly interested in shooting landscapes (especially seascapes), macro and people. Thus, I would probably need a quality panorama ability, as good a resistance to salt corrosion as I can get, option to use focusing rails and ability to shoot in portrait position. At least currently I don’t do nearly anything concerning wildlife or sports.

Second, I’ve understood that the weight of the camera with lens equipped is one of the key things to consider when it comes to the legs, so here’s something about my gear. My heaviest lens is the Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED (2.13 lb or 969 g), which, combined with the D800 (1.98 lb or 900 g), would in total be 4.11 lb or 1869g. However, I could see myself buying at least the third lens to complete my Nikon’s holy trinity (I already have the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED) and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (3.39 lb or 1540 g) would make my setup around 30% heavier than it would be with my currently heaviest lens.

As for where I am now with the process, I have only just began to compare legs and ball heads, not even fully understanding all their features. However, partly being influenced by Thom Hogan’s ideas about buying the right tripod the first time (see http://www.bythom.com/support.htm), I’m only interested in a quality setup that would preferably last longer than any other piece of photography equipment I have. That’s also why I’m willing to invest significantly in the tripod, in terms of both time spent doing the research and also money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!
Click to expand...
if you are really serious in photography then i'd invest in some quality gear, such as RRS or arcaswiss. i have a RRS TVC-24 CF tripod, a BH-55 LR ball head and a PG-02 FG gimbal with PG-CC cradle clamp for big white primes and "L" brackets on my canon 1Dx and 1dmk4 cameras that stay on the cameras all the time! the RRS workmanship is second to none! the gear that i mentioned, i'll probably pass them on to my grand children ;-) not only the quality but these gear contribute to ease of work and make life easy for me. i don't have to worry about them breaking or the weight load i have on them. so, if you are looking for quality tripod gear, i'd strongly recommend RRS stuff. you may want to go on their website and check them out.

cheerz.
 
Nephi said:
Budget?
Click to expand...
After reading about this stuff, I'm more and more certain that I will not find anything lasting cheaply. Especially the requirement to have a tripod that I can use in salt water with a peace of mind drives me towards the most expensive Gitzo legs, which alone will be something ridiculous like USD1300 (or 1000€). I've particularly been looking at this model (http://www.gitzo.com/ocean-systematic-series-3-carbon-tripod-anti-corrosion-4-sec-gt3542los), since I think I can get a new one for around thousand Euros. Related to this, has anyone got any experience with ball heads that would work well in extreme conditions?

Since there are a lot of important tripod accessories, too, such as L-bracket etc., I think my total budget will extend to something like USD2000 (or 1500€). However, I'm not that worried if I exceed that by some 10%. What's more important for me is that I wouldn't have to think about investing in new tripod gear for a long time.
 
rebel99 said:
W4w3 said:
Hi all,

I know there’s a ton of threads similar to this one but since every photographer’s needs are a bit different and I don’t quite yet trust my ability to fully apply the available information, I decided to post this question with detailed description of my own requirements.

So, straight to the point: I’m going to need a sturdy set of tripod legs, a quality ball head and possibly an L-bracket to get the most out of the stunning IQ of the D800 I’m planning to buy in the near future. I have almost no experience in buying tripods (except for the purchase of a Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y aluminum tripod with ball head set about a year and a half ago, see http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602425-REG/Manfrotto_7322YB_7322YB_M_Y_Aluminum_Tripod.html for details), so I would appreciate well-founded suggestions.

Firstly, I’ll tell a little more about my shooting so that you can get a picture of what I will use the tripod for. I’m an enthusiast photographer, have had a DSLR for a couple of years now and am mainly interested in shooting landscapes (especially seascapes), macro and people. Thus, I would probably need a quality panorama ability, as good a resistance to salt corrosion as I can get, option to use focusing rails and ability to shoot in portrait position. At least currently I don’t do nearly anything concerning wildlife or sports.

Second, I’ve understood that the weight of the camera with lens equipped is one of the key things to consider when it comes to the legs, so here’s something about my gear. My heaviest lens is the Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED (2.13 lb or 969 g), which, combined with the D800 (1.98 lb or 900 g), would in total be 4.11 lb or 1869g. However, I could see myself buying at least the third lens to complete my Nikon’s holy trinity (I already have the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED) and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (3.39 lb or 1540 g) would make my setup around 30% heavier than it would be with my currently heaviest lens.

As for where I am now with the process, I have only just began to compare legs and ball heads, not even fully understanding all their features. However, partly being influenced by Thom Hogan’s ideas about buying the right tripod the first time (see http://www.bythom.com/support.htm), I’m only interested in a quality setup that would preferably last longer than any other piece of photography equipment I have. That’s also why I’m willing to invest significantly in the tripod, in terms of both time spent doing the research and also money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!
Click to expand...
if you are really serious in photography then i'd invest in some quality gear, such as RRS or arcaswiss. i have a RRS TVC-24 CF tripod, a BH-55 LR ball head and a PG-02 FG gimbal with PG-CC cradle clamp for big white primes and "L" brackets on my canon 1Dx and 1dmk4 cameras that stay on the cameras all the time! the RRS workmanship is second to none! the gear that i mentioned, i'll probably pass them on to my grand children ;-) not only the quality but these gear contribute to ease of work and make life easy for me. i don't have to worry about them breaking or the weight load i have on them. so, if you are looking for quality tripod gear, i'd strongly recommend RRS stuff. you may want to go on their website and check them out.

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Yeah, those are the brands I've been reading and hearing most recommendations about. But what I've not found so much info on is their ability to handle wet conditions. I remember reading that Arca-Swiss ball heads' usability suffers even in modest rain and that RRS ball heads would be more water resistant. Have you or anyone else got experience on this to confirm these beliefs?

What I'm particularly interested in but have not found many reviews about is the ball heads' corrosion resistance. I'm now leaning towards this tripod: http://www.gitzo.com/ocean-systematic-series-3-carbon-tripod-anti-corrosion-4-sec-gt3542los as I'm looking for a tripod that wouldn't require me to spend my holidays cleaning the thing. As an amateur photographer I get to shoot amazing landscapes (from my perspective) only on vacation. Thus, I sure wouldn't like to either each night waste an hour taking the tripod legs apart for thorough fresh water rinsing or ruin the legs in months if I'm less careful. When shooting by the sea at my home town, this wouldn't be so problematic as time is not as scarce a resource as it is when travelling.
 
As highly as I think of Arca-Swiss and Really Right Stuff heads (none finer in my opinion, with the nod going to RRS for outdoor work) if you'll be shooting by the seaside in salt water spray you should look at the Acea-Tech heads solely because their open frame design will make cleaning much easier.

For leg sets: Really Right Stuff or Induro, and not Gitzo or Manfrotto. RRS is more expensive but it is designed purely for outdoor work in extreme conditions. Induro offers better value dollar for dollar over Gitzo or Manfrotto.
 
Ellis Vener said:
As highly as I think of Arca-Swiss and Really Right Stuff heads (none finer in my opinion, with the nod going to RRS for outdoor work) if you'll be shooting by the seaside in salt water spray you should look at the Acea-Tech heads solely because their open frame design will make cleaning much easier.

For leg sets: Really Right Stuff or Induro, and not Gitzo or Manfrotto. RRS is more expensive but it is designed purely for outdoor work in extreme conditions. Induro offers better value dollar for dollar over Gitzo or Manfrotto.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your answer.

Do you have any links to references to support your recommendations? I've so far not once heard anyone recommend RRS legs, although their accessories seem to be highly valued. Especially I would like to hear how are they resistant to salt corrosion, as I've never heard this either.

And why not Gitzo? In contrast to RRS legs, most appear to recommend particularly Gitzo legs.

Induro, in turn, says nothing to me, although, given my low level of expertise on tripod stuff, that doesn't mean much.
 
I have had a D800 and I now have a D810 so I understand your concerns. Your lens is pretty heavy so I would recommend a Gitzo Series 2 tripod. Since you do landscaping and macro, I would recommend a head with the pan table above the ball. This allows you to setup the head very quickly and you can use the pan table to do those horizontal sweeps that are so popular with landscapes and focus stacking photography.

Gitzo does make an Oceaneering series of tripods but unless you plan on using this tripod everyday on a tug boat, you can get away with a Mountaineer. I would certainly get a tripod with carbon fiber legs vs. metal legs due to corrosion. You need to consider both the static and dynamic load. With your camera and lens combo, I think a Gitzo Series 2 will fill the bill. I take my Series 2 Gitzo out to do landscape focus stacking. The tripod supports my D810, 70-200 f/2.8, CamRanger and iPad. When I do macro, I also take my StackShot. They all work together quite well.

I absolutely agree with Thom. I too fell victim to the false economy of purchasing what I could afford now rather than waiting until I could afford what I wanted. I purchased my first Gitzo carbon fiber tripod in 1994 and I still have it. It's about to be retired for a Gitzo Series 1 or 2 Traveller.

If you want a ball head that can be easily cleaned after use, I suggest the Acratech GV2 Ball Head / Gimbal Head with Lever Clamp. This is an open design that is Arca Swiss compatible and the parts are easy to get to. I don't like it because it doesn't have an asymmetrical ball but only Arca Swiss has those.

I use an RRS camera plate (not an L bracket) because I don't like the connector doors on the left side of the D810 to be blocked. Custom plates don't need a rubber pad to prevent wiggling like the universal fit models do.

If you purchase your Gitzo before Aug 31, 2014, you might be able to get a $200 rebate coupon. Also, B&H has some Gitzo Mountaineers on sale. The GT2542 is $200 off and if you include the rebate coupon, the final price is $564. Not bad for an $800 tripod

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/083114_GITZ_Mountaineer.pdf

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034913-REG/gitzo_gt2542_gt2532_mountaineer_series_2.html

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com
 
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When working in a salt water environment is imperative the you disassemble your tripod and clean the metal parts. Salt spray can build up on even tripods with stainless steel parts which will eventually cause issues with functionality that will require cleaning. Of course, the carbon fiber has less tendencies towards build up. I'm planning an Alaskan trip next June and I always plan on cleaning equipment.
 
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Cliff Fujii said:
I have had a D800 and I now have a D810 so I understand your concerns. Your lens is pretty heavy so I would recommend a Gitzo Series 2 tripod. Since you do landscaping and macro, I would recommend a head with the pan table above the ball. This allows you to setup the head very quickly and you can use the pan table to do those horizontal sweeps that are so popular with landscapes and focus stacking photography.

Gitzo does make an Oceaneering series of tripods but unless you plan on using this tripod everyday on a tug boat, you can get away with a Mountaineer. I would certainly get a tripod with carbon fiber legs vs. metal legs due to corrosion. You need to consider both the static and dynamic load. With your camera and lens combo, I think a Gitzo Series 2 will fill the bill. I take my Series 2 Gitzo out to do landscape focus stacking. The tripod supports my D810, 70-200 f/2.8, CamRanger and iPad. When I do macro, I also take my StackShot. They all work together quite well.

I absolutely agree with Thom. I too fell victim to the false economy of purchasing what I could afford now rather than waiting until I could afford what I wanted. I purchased my first Gitzo carbon fiber tripod in 1994 and I still have it. It's about to be retired for a Gitzo Series 1 or 2 Traveller.

If you want a ball head that can be easily cleaned after use, I suggest the Acratech GV2 Ball Head / Gimbal Head with Lever Clamp. This is an open design that is Arca Swiss compatible and the parts are easy to get to. I don't like it because it doesn't have an asymmetrical ball but only Arca Swiss has those.

I use an RRS camera plate (not an L bracket) because I don't like the connector doors on the left side of the D810 to be blocked. Custom plates don't need a rubber pad to prevent wiggling like the universal fit models do.

If you purchase your Gitzo before Aug 31, 2014, you might be able to get a $200 rebate coupon. Also, B&H has some Gitzo Mountaineers on sale. The GT2542 is $200 off and if you include the rebate coupon, the final price is $564. Not bad for an $800 tripod

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/083114_GITZ_Mountaineer.pdf

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034913-REG/gitzo_gt2542_gt2532_mountaineer_series_2.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...OSE2cmFucACFZSIfgodThYAPA&Q=&is=REG&A=details
Click to expand...
 
Well the Ocean series are great tripods. They have sealed leg locks to ****** the incursion of salt water into your legs. I clean my Gitzos at the end of the day because I've always cleaned my gear when the day's shooting is done. I live in the desert (Nevada) and we do have blowing sand that can get into the mechanism.

I'm sure that you won't have any issues with the Ocean series even though you just wipe them off after your done. Just make sure you get the latest model of the Ocean so you will get all of the new features.

Loading…

www.gitzo.com
 
W4w3 said:
rebel99 said:
W4w3 said:
Hi all,

I know there’s a ton of threads similar to this one but since every photographer’s needs are a bit different and I don’t quite yet trust my ability to fully apply the available information, I decided to post this question with detailed description of my own requirements.

So, straight to the point: I’m going to need a sturdy set of tripod legs, a quality ball head and possibly an L-bracket to get the most out of the stunning IQ of the D800 I’m planning to buy in the near future. I have almost no experience in buying tripods (except for the purchase of a Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y aluminum tripod with ball head set about a year and a half ago, see http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602425-REG/Manfrotto_7322YB_7322YB_M_Y_Aluminum_Tripod.html for details), so I would appreciate well-founded suggestions.

Firstly, I’ll tell a little more about my shooting so that you can get a picture of what I will use the tripod for. I’m an enthusiast photographer, have had a DSLR for a couple of years now and am mainly interested in shooting landscapes (especially seascapes), macro and people. Thus, I would probably need a quality panorama ability, as good a resistance to salt corrosion as I can get, option to use focusing rails and ability to shoot in portrait position. At least currently I don’t do nearly anything concerning wildlife or sports.

Second, I’ve understood that the weight of the camera with lens equipped is one of the key things to consider when it comes to the legs, so here’s something about my gear. My heaviest lens is the Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED (2.13 lb or 969 g), which, combined with the D800 (1.98 lb or 900 g), would in total be 4.11 lb or 1869g. However, I could see myself buying at least the third lens to complete my Nikon’s holy trinity (I already have the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED) and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (3.39 lb or 1540 g) would make my setup around 30% heavier than it would be with my currently heaviest lens.

As for where I am now with the process, I have only just began to compare legs and ball heads, not even fully understanding all their features. However, partly being influenced by Thom Hogan’s ideas about buying the right tripod the first time (see http://www.bythom.com/support.htm), I’m only interested in a quality setup that would preferably last longer than any other piece of photography equipment I have. That’s also why I’m willing to invest significantly in the tripod, in terms of both time spent doing the research and also money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!
Click to expand...
if you are really serious in photography then i'd invest in some quality gear, such as RRS or arcaswiss. i have a RRS TVC-24 CF tripod, a BH-55 LR ball head and a PG-02 FG gimbal with PG-CC cradle clamp for big white primes and "L" brackets on my canon 1Dx and 1dmk4 cameras that stay on the cameras all the time! the RRS workmanship is second to none! the gear that i mentioned, i'll probably pass them on to my grand children ;-) not only the quality but these gear contribute to ease of work and make life easy for me. i don't have to worry about them breaking or the weight load i have on them. so, if you are looking for quality tripod gear, i'd strongly recommend RRS stuff. you may want to go on their website and check them out.

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Y I'm looking for a tripod that wouldn't require me to spend my holidays cleaning the thing. As an amateur photographer I get to shoot amazing landscapes (from my perspective) only on vacation. Thus, I sure wouldn't like to either each night waste an hour taking the tripod legs apart for thorough fresh water rinsing or ruin the legs in months if I'm less careful. When shooting by the sea at my home town, this wouldn't be so problematic as time is not as scarce a resource as it is when travelling.
Click to expand...
i took a trip to northern california coast and spent some time up there. most of the time i spent at the beach, photographing the rocks and the high waves. i had my RRS carbon fiber tripod in the water, some times up to my knees. at the end of the day, i just washed the sand of the tripod legs and that was it. i didn't spend an hour cleaning my tripod ;-) anyways, as i suggested before, you might want to visit RRS's website or you might want to call them on the phone, they'll be glad to answer any question or concern you have. yes, RRS stuff is quite a bit expensive, tho.

cheerz.
 
rebel99 said:
W4w3 said:
rebel99 said:
W4w3 said:
Hi all,

I know there’s a ton of threads similar to this one but since every photographer’s needs are a bit different and I don’t quite yet trust my ability to fully apply the available information, I decided to post this question with detailed description of my own requirements.

So, straight to the point: I’m going to need a sturdy set of tripod legs, a quality ball head and possibly an L-bracket to get the most out of the stunning IQ of the D800 I’m planning to buy in the near future. I have almost no experience in buying tripods (except for the purchase of a Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y aluminum tripod with ball head set about a year and a half ago, see http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602425-REG/Manfrotto_7322YB_7322YB_M_Y_Aluminum_Tripod.html for details), so I would appreciate well-founded suggestions.

Firstly, I’ll tell a little more about my shooting so that you can get a picture of what I will use the tripod for. I’m an enthusiast photographer, have had a DSLR for a couple of years now and am mainly interested in shooting landscapes (especially seascapes), macro and people. Thus, I would probably need a quality panorama ability, as good a resistance to salt corrosion as I can get, option to use focusing rails and ability to shoot in portrait position. At least currently I don’t do nearly anything concerning wildlife or sports.

Second, I’ve understood that the weight of the camera with lens equipped is one of the key things to consider when it comes to the legs, so here’s something about my gear. My heaviest lens is the Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED (2.13 lb or 969 g), which, combined with the D800 (1.98 lb or 900 g), would in total be 4.11 lb or 1869g. However, I could see myself buying at least the third lens to complete my Nikon’s holy trinity (I already have the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED) and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (3.39 lb or 1540 g) would make my setup around 30% heavier than it would be with my currently heaviest lens.

As for where I am now with the process, I have only just began to compare legs and ball heads, not even fully understanding all their features. However, partly being influenced by Thom Hogan’s ideas about buying the right tripod the first time (see http://www.bythom.com/support.htm), I’m only interested in a quality setup that would preferably last longer than any other piece of photography equipment I have. That’s also why I’m willing to invest significantly in the tripod, in terms of both time spent doing the research and also money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!
Click to expand...
if you are really serious in photography then i'd invest in some quality gear, such as RRS or arcaswiss. i have a RRS TVC-24 CF tripod, a BH-55 LR ball head and a PG-02 FG gimbal with PG-CC cradle clamp for big white primes and "L" brackets on my canon 1Dx and 1dmk4 cameras that stay on the cameras all the time! the RRS workmanship is second to none! the gear that i mentioned, i'll probably pass them on to my grand children ;-) not only the quality but these gear contribute to ease of work and make life easy for me. i don't have to worry about them breaking or the weight load i have on them. so, if you are looking for quality tripod gear, i'd strongly recommend RRS stuff. you may want to go on their website and check them out.

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Y I'm looking for a tripod that wouldn't require me to spend my holidays cleaning the thing. As an amateur photographer I get to shoot amazing landscapes (from my perspective) only on vacation. Thus, I sure wouldn't like to either each night waste an hour taking the tripod legs apart for thorough fresh water rinsing or ruin the legs in months if I'm less careful. When shooting by the sea at my home town, this wouldn't be so problematic as time is not as scarce a resource as it is when travelling.
Click to expand...
i took a trip to northern california coast and spent some time up there. most of the time i spent at the beach, photographing the rocks and the high waves. i had my RRS carbon fiber tripod in the water, some times up to my knees. at the end of the day, i just washed the sand of the tripod legs and that was it. i didn't spend an hour cleaning my tripod ;-) anyways, as i suggested before, you might want to visit RRS's website or you might want to call them on the phone, they'll be glad to answer any question or concern you have. yes, RRS stuff is quite a bit expensive, tho.

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Okay, thanks for the tips. I've been recommended RRS so much that I'm beginning to believe that the prices are justified. :D

However, as I said, I'm still a novice in the tripod world. What I'm now confused about are the RRS (and other brands’) plates and clamps etc. First of all, are L-brackets and QR-plates mutually exclusive? Or did I understand correctly that L-brackets can be used instead of plates like this one: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2227/.f?sc=26&category=3327. Can you or somebody else explain, how the tripod system building works in this regard, i.e., what parts can I include in the system?

For example, is this setup feasible (or more importantly, in any way useful)?

Tripod legs: http://www.gitzo.com/ocean-systematic-series-3-carbon-tripod-anti-corrosion-4-sec-gt3542los
Ball head: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4118/.f
L-bracket: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2176/.f

In the BH-55 product info it says that “Really Right Stuff-style camera body quick-release plate required; purchase separately.“ So can the L-bracket be used instead of the quick-release plate or do I need both? Can they be used simultaneously if I do need both?

Then, as for the ball head sets, what are the differences of, say, the following two?

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4118/.f
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4119/.f
 
L brackets are quick release plates, one on the bottom of the camera and one on the left side of the camera. The reason for the side plate is to keep the mass of the camera over the tripod head and tripod
When shooting with the camera in "portrait" (vertical) orientation.

The difference between the two BH55 heads is the one with the PC-PRO CLAMP will work with plates from virtually all makers of Arca-Swiss "compatible" quick release plates. The one with the PC-LR clamp will work with almost all Arca-Swiss "compatible" quick release plates. The most notable exception is those from Novoflex.

The reason I'm putting quotation marks around "compatible" is because different company's have decided to make their plates and crates to slightly different specifications for width and bevel anglethan the the Arca-Swiss standard. The differences are very slight but can mean the plate is too narrow to be clamped in other company's clamps. RRS plates are very slightly wider and Novoflex's plates are slightly narrower than Arca-Swiss'for example.

I have the PC-LR clamp on my primary tripod head and really like it. It's the first lever action clamp I've trusted.
 
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W4w3 said:
Okay, thanks for the tips. I've been recommended RRS so much that I'm beginning to believe that the prices are justified. :D

However, as I said, I'm still a novice in the tripod world.
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<snip>
W4w3 said:
For example, is this setup feasible (or more importantly, in any way useful)?

Tripod legs: http://www.gitzo.com/ocean-systematic-series-3-carbon-tripod-anti-corrosion-4-sec-gt3542los
Ball head: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4118/.f
L-bracket: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2176/.f
Click to expand...
You are getting great information and suggestions from many people here, but I would highly recommend calling (yes, on a phone!) or emailing the sales staff at Really Right Stuff and telling them about your gear and, most importantly, your current and future needs.

The staff at RRS are incredibly knowledgeable, and not just about their own stuff, but about camera support gear in general (most, if not all, of the tech support staff are practicing photographers). Perhaps most gratifying of all, RRS gear tends to sell itself, so if your needs are not met by any of their gear, they will give you honest direction to other brands. Of course, they have a wide catalog of stuff, so that is a rare occurrence.
 
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