Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: dwswager on September 03, 2014, 08:44:31 pm
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I'm in the market for a new general use tripod and have decided on either the 24L or 34L Really Right Stuff. As part of this purchase I was thinking of trying out the Arca Swiss P0 head as a simple solution for some panoramic efforts without having to add the weight of a leveling base or panning clamp. Is anyone using this head on either the 2 or 3 series RRS tripods? Any Issues?
My concern is that I have never used a tripod without a center column and the mounting plate at the apex is 50mm on the 2 series and 70mm on the 3 series. The mounting base on the P0 is only about 50mm and RRS does not recommend smaller heads on the 3 series. (And no, I do not want to buy a RRS BH-55). My current head is an Arca Swiss B1 with a 70mm base and I would possibly swapping them out at different times. I do use RRS L plates on my camera bodies so flopping the head all the way vertical is not really a concern.
Thanks!
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While I've used the p0 wo na Series 3 Aluminum Gitzo Tele Studex tripod with fine results, unless your goal is to save a few ounces on the head weight alone I'm not sure what you'd gain by using a smaller head of a larger tripod. For both general and panoramic work I prefer the Arca-Swiss B1 , one of the later models with an interchangable clamp ( the various models are described here http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/Pages/monoball_core.html), with the new RRS PC-LR clamp. If you already own a B1 the PC-LR or PC-Pro might be be a better use of your cash.
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Thanks!
I love my B1 and it has a RRS clamp on it. I will probably just stay with it. I just wanted to play with the P0 as I've always thought ball heads are upside down and the panning platform should be above the ball.
I will probably end up with the 34L since i've been lugging a heavier metal tripod for years. I also like to do nightscapes and other long exposure shots where the torsional stability of the 3 series would probably be better. Since I don't do a lot of panoramic shots, I will probably get a panning clamp/rotator that clamps into the existing clamp on the B1. I also have a RRS macro slider that I can use to position the camera to revolve to a close approximation of the nodal point of the lens.
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"I love my B1 and it has a RRS clamp on it."
Is it a panning clamp?
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Is it a panning clamp?
Nope. It is an old (10 years or so) 60mm RRS quick clamp with Knob currently on the B1. I got the knob you can disengage so I don't accidentally dump the gear. I can change it out for a panning clamp or get a panning clamp/or rotator that has an arca swiss plate built into the bottom. They don't sell that specialty knob anymore.
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" I got the knob you can disengage so I don't accidentally dump the gear. "
My first piece of RRS gear was that knob. More's the pity that they stopped making it.
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If you do go with the 34L be sure to check the feet are screwed in nice and tight every once in a while. It sure would suck to lose one of them. I've never tried the 24L, so can't comment if it has the same need, but I guess it does. Not a biggie but just something to keep in mind.