Gidday Ben,for some reason i have never come across your name on RU-vid, regarding photography and/or products but it is great seeing Aussies getting in on the RU-vid action..Very nice review and the gum trees were a welcome change from a dreary white backdrop.....cheers mate.
Thanks Ben. Saving my pennies for the kit. I am a firm believer in buy it right the first time, and it will last you. THere was a part in the video where a fly or buy buzzzed by the MIC and I almost swore it was in my office..lol.. THanks for your honest review..
Hi Al, I havent had a problem with the spring since and it has copped a beating. Yeas I fly with it, just tuck it into my suitcase... no fancy cases... thats it.
I am very disappointed about RRS. I bought a BH-55 ballhead from them. After the ballhead arrived, the clamp and the quick release plate were full of scratches. I sent a video to them to show them the scratches, their staff saw and admitted the existence of them. They said I could mail the clamp and plate back to them to check. After they received and checked the clamp and plate, they said they couldn't see any scratches and refused to replace new ones for me. They also said if there was any, they were made by the machines and were normal. I wonder why products of other brands like Gitzo and Manfrotto have NO scratches?! They are nearly perfect. I swear to God I will never buy from RRS again. I will buy from brands that have dealers in my country, because I can check the products when buying them. Once I find anything wrong, I can ask for a replacement immediately without any transportation cost.
Jack Wong that’s unfortunate. Mine is very scratched after many years of use, I would have been disappointed if it arrived scratched. I think you’ll enjoy using it anyway. Ben.
I just purchased one of these and I'm having difficulty transitioning it's height up and down by 3 to 10 inches with heavy gear attached, I am so used to the center column...how do you do this with gear on?
Hi Ben, regarding the RRS BH55. How easy is it to clean? One of the selling features of Acratech ballheads is that their design assists them NOT to get dirty and are easy to clean. What lubricates the ball? Does the ball ever need lubricating? They are one of the most expensive and cleaning is an area that very few equipment mfrs cover. Your opinion would be appreciated.
Hi Ben! Today ( 22 July 2015) I came across your reviews and I'm glad I did. I am looking to buy a RRS Tripod TVC-33 With BH-55 Ballhead and the bag TQB-80B. Do you have this bag? I was wandering If I'll have problems here in Australia taking this unit inside the plane as a carry-on ? As per specification from RRS this bag is 89 cm long. Another question please: My camera is Nikon D4 and my longest lens is the 70-200mm VRll. Could you please let me know exactly what I need to buy from RRSas far as I'm not sure plate etc…Should I also buy the ( L Bracket ?) to allow changing the camera from landscape to portrait? I live in Western Australia and absolutley love photography! So If you don't mind I might pick your brains every now and then. Thanks mate! Carlos Sathler
Thanks Tony Leyland , funny, I was speaking to another Canon user last week that said the magic lantern stuff was not that good... what sort of enhancements does it do that you like?
It might be easier Ben to say what Magic Lantern does not offer ! Here are some of the features that I use regularly:- HDR bracketing (up to 9) Zebra Stripes Focus Peaking Focus Stacking Manual audio controls and metering during video recording Various video overlays and manual controls Bulb mode greater than 30secs Intervalometer Sound operated shutter Motion operated shutter Plus heaps more.. Here is there latest Facebook post:- "Two weeks ago we announced RAW silent pics. Today I am pleased to tell you that we should be able to get 12-bit RAW video 1920x1080 at 24fps working with 1000x-CF-cards on the 5D Mark III.. in theory! Stay tuned for more info and you can be looking forward to the next release!" Regards Tony www.magiclantern.fm/
Hey Ben, I just managed to watch your tripod review. What a great review ! I was considering the carbon version of the Manfrotto one you mentioned but now I may reconsider. I've never been a fan of the twist grip release/tighten mechanism on the legs. How go you find them compared to the other lever type found on the Manfrotto ? The other piece of gear that I use quite often is a Black Rapid strap. Do you know if the screw-in fastener on the quick release plate on the ball head can be removed to allow for the special Black Rapid one to be inserted ? Have you ever considered a Photowalk further up the NSW coast towards the border with QLD by any chance ? Thanks Tony
Hello Ben, loving your shared photographic adventures and gear treats. So appreciated, thank you. Can you give a little feedback on your invested RRS tripod & ball-head 55 wear and tear since this update. DO you regret the HEAVY ball-head or happy with the choice of physics in stability? I am 1.71m tall, weight 60kg with a recent D810 body acquisition. [I live all the way in SA so would like authentic reviews so as not to make ill informed choices on importing). Look forward to your reply.joys, Cam.
Hi Cam and thanks for dropping in! Glad you're enjoying the videos. The BH55 and TVC33 are holding up just fine, and I have no regrets! Great bit of kit. Cheers, Ben
Hi Ben, awesome review and I really want it now but unfortunately it's a bit out of my price range :-( Are there any others that you would recommend that are not so expensive? I also have a Nikon D800 but as I haven't had a tripod before I have no idea what's good.
Hi Ben, I was wondering if you bought/use the accessory claws and/or spikes with the tripod?? Fairly pricey without the extras so I thought maybe i'd see if you have them and any regrets? Cheers
Nice review, Ben! I do have a question... The RRS quick lever release has 3 settings (close, semi-open, open). From a closed position, if the lever is ACCIDENTALLY hit, thus setting the clamp to a SEMI-OPEN position, can the camera fall? Or is the camera still secure from a semi-open clamp setting?
Ben Fewtrell, I see. So, you're fine if your plate has safety stop screws. So, it's an L-plate (where there are no screws), the camera will slip away? 😬
Ben Fewtrell, thanks for the invaluable info! 👍👍👍 So, an RRS L-bracket on an RRS ball head (say, the BH-40), the camera won't fall or slide unless the quick lever release is fully open. Thanks a million, Mate! 😊
