A few weeks ago I posted needing help selecting a heavy duty lightweight tripod and head combo.
The consensus was for the Gitzo 3530LSV tripod and the BH55 Really Right Stuff ball head. After researching these items, and others, I've decided to go with this combo, with one small change.
I was thinking about the Gitzo 3530 Mountaineer instead of the LSV. The Mountaineer has the "Ground Level" option, which allows the tripod to be setup nearly flat on the ground.
Both tripods, according to the Gitzo website, carry the same weight and are specifically designed for the same length lenses. The LSV also does not come with a center column, but a video cup. So I'd have to buy a center column. The below mountaineer at B&H offers the center column with the legs for less money. I don't understand that.
GT3550 Mountaneer: (The LSV will be next to it.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/cart.jspAs far as the ball head goes, I'm sold on the BH55, and thinking about the lever quick clamps and plates, the L-Plate for my 5D and the plate for a Canon 70-200L. I'm also wanting to go with the longer clamp rather than the shorter one.
Does anyone see anything wrong with this combination regarding such things as knob clamp vs lever clamp and the tripod I've selected, or anything else I am overlooking?
I do have one more question. These heads incorporate a circular spirit level on the top of the head, so you have to look down on top of it. How can you use this type of level to get your camera level horizontally, but not vertically?
Of course one solution is to use a flash mount level, which I have. It just seems like a a ball head of that caliber should have a level on the back of a head and have a horizontal level seen from the back, not the top. What are you suppose to do, climb on a ladder to see down on it, or am I missing something?