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OK I've read and read and...

Time to buy a head and some legs. I've decided on a Gitzo 1325 and an RRS BH55Pro. What I'm not sure about are the other bits. My gear to be used on this ranges from a 12-24DX to a 70-200VR. Here's what I think I need in terms of head gear. Is any of this wrong, is anything missing?

1. RRS BH 55 Pro (US$415)
2. RRS B2-AS II plate (US$120) - this is the arca swiss style
3. RRS LCF 10 replacement foot for 70-200 VR (US$100) Is this necessary?
4. RRS BD70L D70 L Plate (US$140)

Total US$775 + freight + GST + customs + rob a bank

stubbsy/Peter,

stubbsy wrote:OK I've read and read and...

Time to buy a head and some legs. I've decided on a Gitzo 1325 and an RRS BH55Pro. What I'm not sure about are the other bits. My gear to be used on this ranges from a 12-24DX to a 70-200VR. Here's what I think I need in terms of head gear. Is any of this wrong, is anything missing?

1. RRS BH 55 Pro (US$415)
2. RRS B2-AS II plate (US$120) - this is the arca swiss style
3. RRS LCF 10 replacement foot for 70-200 VR (US$100) Is this necessary?
4. RRS BD70L D70 L Plate (US$140)

Total US$775 + freight + GST + customs + rob a bank

I would get everything, except for item 2.
Also bear in mind that 'RRS' are a niche manufacturer, and all items may not be available at the same time. I have had a replacement collar for my Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 on back order for about 2 months now .
But their merchandise is of excellent quality, plus price to match, so I am willing to wait.

Birddog comments should be along sometime soon.

fozzie wrote:stubbsy/Peter,

stubbsy wrote:OK I've read and read and...

Time to buy a head and some legs. I've decided on a Gitzo 1325 and an RRS BH55Pro. What I'm not sure about are the other bits. My gear to be used on this ranges from a 12-24DX to a 70-200VR. Here's what I think I need in terms of head gear. Is any of this wrong, is anything missing?

1. RRS BH 55 Pro (US$415)
2. RRS B2-AS II plate (US$120) - this is the arca swiss style
3. RRS LCF 10 replacement foot for 70-200 VR (US$100) Is this necessary?
4. RRS BD70L D70 L Plate (US$140)

Total US$775 + freight + GST + customs + rob a bank

I would get everything, except for item 2.
Also bear in mind that 'RRS' are a niche manufacturer, and all items may not be available at the same time. I have had a replacement collar for my Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 on back order for about 2 months now .
But their merchandise is of excellent quality, plus price to match, so I am willing to wait.

Birddog comments should be along sometime soon.

Thanks Fozzie. Just went back and had a look at the pic of BH55 - the QRP is already part of the head! (although this now makes me wonder why they list the B2 AS II as a clamp for that head) - or maybe the pic shows the head with a B2 AS II attached. Help - I'm sinking fast

Hi Stubbsy, same advice as Fozzie. The L bracket is great for protection, mine lives on the camera. The 70-200 foot is a good idea (I also hesitated at first) as you don't want to have $2k of support under your camera, then have the big lens supported by the body rather than the correct balance point under the lens. Even more important if you are panning around or if you are using a TC. Also the foot fits other brackets, eg the 300/4 bracket if you get one of those.


Mate, you will love the setup and everything seems so easy and solid when using that rig

ps QR clamp comes with the head

Glen wrote:ps QR clamp comes with the head

Thanks Glen - makes it more of a bargain

stubbsy/Peter,

stubbsy wrote:

fozzie wrote:stubbsy/Peter,

stubbsy wrote:OK I've read and read and...

Time to buy a head and some legs. I've decided on a Gitzo 1325 and an RRS BH55Pro. What I'm not sure about are the other bits. My gear to be used on this ranges from a 12-24DX to a 70-200VR. Here's what I think I need in terms of head gear. Is any of this wrong, is anything missing?

1. RRS BH 55 Pro (US$415)
2. RRS B2-AS II plate (US$120) - this is the arca swiss style
3. RRS LCF 10 replacement foot for 70-200 VR (US$100) Is this necessary?
4. RRS BD70L D70 L Plate (US$140)

Total US$775 + freight + GST + customs + rob a bank

I would get everything, except for item 2.
Also bear in mind that 'RRS' are a niche manufacturer, and all items may not be available at the same time. I have had a replacement collar for my Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 on back order for about 2 months now .
But their merchandise is of excellent quality, plus price to match, so I am willing to wait.

Birddog comments should be along sometime soon.

Thanks Fozzie. Just went back and had a look at the pic of BH55 - the QRP is already part of the head! (although this now makes me wonder why they list the B2 AS II as a clamp for that head) - or maybe the pic shows the head with a B2 AS II attached. Help - I'm sinking fast

The B2-AS II is a 'Lever Release Clamp' as against 'Screw-Knob Clamp' which is shown on the following pictures of the BH-55:

Quick Release Clamp -

Screw Knob Clamp -

If you wanted to, you could order a 'QRP' and changeover if and when required. Screw-Knob Clamps are deemed to be safer.

I would just get the BH-55Pro. Place your order, and then rob a bank to pay for it

Thanks Fozzie. Sometimes I amaze myself with my own stupidty. Finally worked it out

The BH 55 LR is the lever release version (the first in your pic) and the BH 55 pro is the screw clamp version (the second in your pic)

stubbsy/Peter - you got it. Now to find a temporary second job to pay for the lot

NB: I have the 'RRS' L Bracket as well. Stays on the camera all the time, and fits like a glove. Also adds a safety factor, should you drop it and lands bottom first.

stubbsy,
come to see me at the mini meet
I'll work them out for you, and you know that I'll be keen for you to get all the neccessary stuff to work with the head and the tripod.
Don't be confused.

Birddog114 wrote:stubbsy,
come to see me at the mini meet
I'll work them out for you, and you know that I'll be keen for you to get all the neccessary stuff to work with the head and the tripod.
Don't be confused.

Thanks birddog - hoping to make it on Saturday. I have no doubt you'll keep me on the straight and narrow.

Bad news is, from the RRS site, the BH 55 Pro is out of stock so I'm guessing I'm going to end up with a tripod well before I have a head for it

stubbsy wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:stubbsy,
come to see me at the mini meet
I'll work them out for you, and you know that I'll be keen for you to get all the neccessary stuff to work with the head and the tripod.
Don't be confused.

Thanks birddog - hoping to make it on Saturday. I have no doubt you'll keep me on the straight and narrow.

Bad news is, from the RRS site, the BH 55 Pro is out of stock so I'm guessing I'm going to end up with a tripod well before I have a head for it

The BH-55Pro is always on prepaid and pre-order, I have two on order with them, one for spare stock and one for other customer, if you want it, I'll have it on your name.

stubbsy wrote:Bad news is, from the RRS site, the BH 55 Pro is out of stock so I'm guessing I'm going to end up with a tripod well before I have a head for it

Better get a tabletop tripod then. I hear that you don't have a head for heights.

Gary

I have a head for heights, but a fear of falling! So I am quite happy to push up against that nice safe looking glass at the top of Centrepoint or stand on those glass floors they have in observation towers (reminds me I have a nice shot taken in the sky tower ? in Auckland through the floor), but if there's a rickety looking fence between me and a 2 metre drop I get cold and sweaty if I approach closer than about a metre. The brain is an amazing thing. Even mine

Oh and birddog - you have mail

Hi Stubbsy,

I'm developing a bug for this setup too...
Only thing stopping me is the delayed gratification and of course lack of any money that my family haven't already disposed of.
I keep looking for an economic option... but seems like this is the only way to go right now!!!

sigh... just been told that I've handed over another couple of $k to keep a son on the road

Mj wrote:Hi Stubbsy,

sigh... just been told that I've handed over another couple of $k to keep a son on the road

MJ,
I thought your drama is over! and you're carry on with your desire.

Stubbsy, you won't regret the setup. The only thing that I wouldn't mind swapping on mine is the head to a RH55PRO (just for the sake of having one ). As for Item2, as Fozzie pointed out that's the lever style QRP, also to be noted is that this plate works best or recommended only to be used with RSS made ArcaSwiss style dovetails. Other brands such as Kirk etc are apparently a bit sloppy in the lever setup. Birddog, point me out if I'm wrong

Also the LCF-10 I think is required because the 70-200VR doesn't actually come with a dovetail lens foot.

Kipper,
You can resell your M20 to member and get the BH55PRO with extra bit of $$$.
I have the Kirk L bracket for my D100 before, it worked OK on the BH55PRO, but I want completed set of RRS so I ditched the Kirk L bracket and got the RRS. On other hand the Kirk bracket style is not in my favour, I have had a minor problem with battery door on the D100 with vertical grip.

Edit: I know someone on this forum wants the M20

Yep I think you mentioned that before about the battery door.

Btw, L-Plates are good......they help stop damage if dropped and camera luckily lands on it

I wish Birddog... still have a builder sucking the life outa me (spent all monies yet still have the outdoor room to build). And a family who believes money grows outa my back pocket in endless supply...

Only thing to suffer is my lusts in life

Mj wrote:Hi Stubbsy,

I'm developing a bug for this setup too...
Only thing stopping me is the delayed gratification and of course lack of any money that my family haven't already disposed of.
I keep looking for an economic option... but seems like this is the only way to go right now!!!

sigh... just been told that I've handed over another couple of $k to keep a son on the road

Michael

Pretty much looked at all cheaper solutions and decided there really wasn't one (although Feisol comes close it lacks the build quality as best as I can tell) Worse than lens lust.

My friends don't know it yet, but they're putting in towards the cost of this and my new SB 800 as a 50th birthday gift to me!

Peter,
What friends? Boy or girl?

Yep... pretty much sums it up Peter... the Feisol legs are ok however will not fit the RRS head... and the Feisol head is most definitely not the same league... lacking any form of panning/rotating lock for starters and needs it's own proprietary plate (go figure).

Birddog114 wrote:Peter,
What friends? Boy or girl?

Both

Birddog114 wrote:Kipper,
You can resell your M20 to member and get the BH55PRO with extra bit of $$$.

Edit: I know someone on this forum wants the M20

i also know someone who may be interested in your head
MEee!

shockadelica- wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:Kipper,
You can resell your M20 to member and get the BH55PRO with extra bit of $$$.

Edit: I know someone on this forum wants the M20

i also know someone who may be interested in your head
MEee!

He doesn't want to part his head without his head is meaning no human If you're a young attractive & rich lady, that will be OK, he may consider to let you have, cos he'll easy to find the nice 500/AF-S II + stack of TCs in his leisure, and we will see lot of nice bird photos from him everyday.

Mj wrote:sigh... just been told that I've handed over another couple of $k to keep a son on the road

Just have him tarred; it's a permanent way to keep him on the road.

Birddog114 wrote:

shockadelica- wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:Kipper,
You can resell your M20 to member and get the BH55PRO with extra bit of $$$.

Edit: I know someone on this forum wants the M20

i also know someone who may be interested in your head
MEee!

He doesn't want to part his head without his head is meaning no human If you're a young attractive & rich lady, that will be OK, he may consider to let you have, cos he'll easy to find the nice 500/AF-S II + stack of TCs in his leisure, and we will see lot of nice bird photos from him everyday.

haha OK..im now on the lookout for a lovely and extremely beautiful rich lady
will get back to you guys soon

shockadelica- wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:

shockadelica- wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:Kipper,
You can resell your M20 to member and get the BH55PRO with extra bit of $$$.

Edit: I know someone on this forum wants the M20

i also know someone who may be interested in your head
MEee!

He doesn't want to part his head without his head is meaning no human If you're a young attractive & rich lady, that will be OK, he may consider to let you have, cos he'll easy to find the nice 500/AF-S II + stack of TCs in his leisure, and we will see lot of nice bird photos from him everyday.

haha OK..im now on the lookout for a lovely and extremely beautiful rich lady
will get back to you guys soon

Welcome when you're ready!