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i really really need to get a tripod and head setup
but im a little confused

or maybe more than a little...

ive decided on the gitzo 1325

but about the ballhead....
i have no idea what would be better for me
do i go for an m10..m20 or the bh-55 pro?

then theres the part that really confuses me
the plate thing
can someone point me in the right direction in regards to actual model numbers

im guessing its out of the RRS BD70-L & BD70
and the markins PG-34
but i truly have no idea




is that all i'd need to get started?
i hope so

shockadelica-

In view that you live in Sydney, I would recommend going to a 'Mini Meet' at Birddog's as he has all the stuff. From there you can make your own decisions.

What Fozzie said.

You can play with and evaluate the lot, and then make gasp! an informed decison!

Just have around AUD1800 ready and come the the meet..... we'll do the shopping for you

shockadelica,

You have been at the mini meet before haven't you? and did play with all the G1325/G1227/G1025 same as BH55Pro/ Markins 20/ BH25/ AUB head.
I got 9 of your PM and explained to you all including the L & camera brackets, same as pointed you to where to get the heads by yourself, now you're coming back with the same questions.

Again many mini meets in the past, opened the doors for you to access all resources on spot and you didn't make it.

Have yourself AU$1800.00 ready as huynhie mentioned and you're in business

Birddog114 wrote:shockadelica,

You have been at the mini meet before haven't you? and did play with all the G1325/G1227/G1025 same as BH55Pro/ Markins 20/ BH25/ AUB head.
I got 9 of your PM and explained to you all including the L & camera brackets, same as pointed you to where to get the heads by yourself, now you're coming back with the same questions.

Again many mini meets in the past, opened the doors for you to access all resources on spot and you didn't make it.

Have yourself AU$1800.00 ready as huynhie mentioned and you're in business

Some one has not been listening in class... now you have Birddog angry


Maybe Birddog should make members sign memo of understanding before they touch his toys

huynhie,
Not a angry from me, but it's an ignorance from people, keep coming back with a same questions and same subjects.
Next one will be: I don't have CC so where's in Sydney can I buy with Cash?

Birddog114 wrote:shockadelica,
I got 9 of your PM and explained to you all including the L & camera brackets

thats funny
ive only sent you 3 messages regarding this
1 asking for the hotshoe bubble and 2 about prices

no reply contained any information about L or any other brackets

hmmmmm..could the site be playing up?

and there is no ignorance here
when i bought my first SLR i found this site and posted this question

http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=6451&highlight=

for someone who was about to buy manfrotto 055 set of legs
and then come to a minimeet after finishing work at 4am with 0 hours sleep
and to have now decided on a set of gitzo legs

i dunno.. i like to think that i listen to advice
am i ignorant?
sorry but i dont see it

shockadelica- wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:shockadelica,
I got 9 of your PM and explained to you all including the L & camera brackets

thats funny
ive only sent you 3 messages regarding this
1 asking for the hotshoe bubble and 2 about prices

no reply contained any information about L or any other brackets

hmmmmm..could the site be playing up?

Yes there were some information about the heads in your PMs + you have been at the mini meet and played with them.

You're in Sydney, why don't you make yourself available at one of the mini meets and the answer will be direct to the items which you are referring to. That's more easy than you keep asking something can be visual on the web but not physical touching or trying on.

Those parts, stocks of lenses, L brackets, heads, tripods are the resources which we have on the day, if I don't have, I can ask members bring along their toys for you to chimp on them, like last week, Jenno brought the all setup of macro shooting, which you'll never see it anywhere in any photographic shops nor on any events, the mini meets are aiming to those purposes, helping members to have more understanding and be able to evaluation the gears prior to their purchases.

Those mini meets are not for commercial purposes nor a trading place,
and I mostly don't have them ready for members to purchase, though members are recommended to order direct from manufacturers but in some cases, I may be able to help to get them with a pre-arrangement and mutually sharing the shipping and other costs. As said many times, buying from RRS or Kirk or Markins, I have to pay the same prices as you pay, no less no difference no if no but, just I have more times and knowing them, so I can put my hands in.

On one of your PM, you told me you are so busy and asked me to let you come on one Wed. afternoon to talk and see the items which you like to get and I agreed but still you haven't make up your mind.

sorry i thought i was going to come on a wednesday with my order
thats why im trying to make up my mind before hand

can i just ask a question
does markins make an L bracket for the d70s?

i have played with afew heads but im just unsure
perhaps the m20 is too big for me and my gear
or is it ok to use the m20 with beginner gear
like the kit lens for now
----------

(added)
i like the m20..thats the one i want but im thinking that if i have to get a L bracket from RRS it might be better for me to also get a head from them

Shockadelic, don't worry if you've asked the question once, twice, or whatever and get a response to it (thats if you did). Sometimes having it repeated to you a few times helps you make a decision.

Anyway here's my take after having some experience. Don't go the Markins-M10 in my opinion, it's 80g lighter than the M-20, marginally smaller, holds 5kg less and has a price difference of $65. I mean why bother, the specs are pretty much the same and the M-20 holds 5kg more, it's not going to be a significant weight difference that it's going to break your back carrying it. Something that should be noted is that Markins state that the M-10 can hold 40kg, and the M-20 hold 45kg. I very much doubt this seeing as the RH55PRO is rated for less.

Now the RH-55PRO, the bees knees of ballheads. Lower profile head, nicer control knobs, holds 23kg and I think Birddog has probably tested this out. The lower profile head I think also helps with load support as there isn't as much leverage. Price difference to the Markins M-20, not much. Build quality over the Markins M-20, from what I've seen it looks better. Now here is the difference and something you should bear in mind depending on what your photographing. The RH-55PRO weighs an extra 300g then the Markins M-20 at 843g. If you're out and about and already are loaded up with kit such as telephoto primes and say a wimberley head then this might be a bit of a heavy head to carry in the pack if you want to take some landscape shots when you're out and about.

If you've got a lot of cash, I'd have one of these plus a lightweight head for trekking light, but that's just me.


As for the brackets, buy an RRS BD70-L, no Markins don't make brackets and why would you bother anyway. RRS are the bees knees
You also don't need an RRS BD70 as the BD70-L allows for landscape and portrait orientation, whereas the BD70 only allows landscape.

Kirk and Arca Swiss probably do L-Plates, don't think Wimberley do, they only do landscape if I'm not mistaken.

Art,

go to the Really Right Stuff website and check out the resources page. There is alot of usefull info there that will help with your purchase

kipper wrote:Shockadelic, don't worry if you've asked the question once, twice, or whatever and get a response to it (thats if you did). Sometimes having it repeated to you a few times helps you make a decision.

There're many resources on the web in between the manufacture's sites may help you to see what you need.

There're many meets which opened and benefited to a a majority of members in Sydney who want to see & test the gears prior to purchase, same as face to face talk which help them to make a decision.

There're many talks about L brackets & camera brackets + heads + tripods on this board for members who want to study more carefull prior to spend their hard earned cash.

Anyway here's my take after having some experience. Don't go the Markins-M10 in my opinion, it's 80g lighter than the M-20, marginally smaller, holds 5kg less and has a price difference of $65. I mean why bother, the specs are pretty much the same and the M-20 holds 5kg more, it's not going to be a significant weight difference that it's going to break your back carrying it. Something that should be noted is that Markins state that the M-10 can hold 40kg, and the M-20 hold 45kg. I very much doubt this seeing as the RH55PRO is rated for less.

IMHO, I never take seriously with rating of the quoted holding the load capacity on those ballheads in theorical, thus many factors will contribute + gears which you have and propose to have, they're unrealistic, same as something may overkill with your current setup and you're not intent to get a 400/ 500/ 600mm.

Kirk and Arca Swiss probably do L-Plates, don't think Wimberley do, they only do landscape if I'm not mistaken.

RRS, Kirk, AS do the L plate, not Wimberley, Wimberley only has the camera plates.

wow thankyou Kipper
thats what i needed to hear
really appreciate the response to my question
and that info definately answered alot of my questions

Hi,

I'm starting to think about real tripod but there are too many bits and pieces ...
So, for start I will need:

- Legs (some Gitzo stuff)
- Head (RH-55PRO)
- Quick release like BD70-L or at least BD70

Am I missing something here?

If I'm getting further, I'll need some stuff for macro setup

- Flash arm (B87-B?)
- Focusing slider/rail (B150?)

And again, am I missing something? Some little funny plate, absense of which will screw up whole setup?
And related question: Nikon cable from hot shoe to the flash on the arm - how much it would be?

what exactly is overkill?
does it just mean i'd be spending or carrying more than i should be?
if so then thats ok

but if it means my kit lens wont co-operate too well with a bigger head
maybe i should think twice

shockadelica- wrote:i dont think i'll look into upgrading for around a year

I alway thought that Gitzo, RRS etc. are very serious toys and you're buying them at least for ten years but upgrading in around a year or two .... that's cool

Matey,

check out the RRS website and also Thom Hogans site. It'll have most of your questions answered.


AUD1800 will buy you a set of gitzo legs, a head and a bracket. What YOU have to personally decide on is the size of the legs, the brand of head (most people will stear you to RRS) and whether you want an L-Bracket or just a plate.

This decision process is help if you attend the meet as there are a few member that have this equipement and many other gadget that go with it like Jenno flower holder from the US(which was a brilliant site to see if I do say so myself).

The beauty about being a member of this site is the fact that you have physical access to this equipement which no shop in Australia has. So make use of this benefit and attent the meet like everybody has suggested.

huynhie,

I've seen Ray's setup last Sat. - It's great

I don't have any problem with decicions - my main concern is I'm afraid to miss some part and buy a bunch of wonderfull but useless toys because they don't work without some little missing part. That's why I'm asking experienced people here to have a look at my list and point me to mistake if I made one

Hlop wrote:

shockadelica- wrote:i dont think i'll look into upgrading for around a year

I alway thought that Gitzo, RRS etc. are very serious toys and you're buying them at least for ten years but upgrading in around a year or two .... that's cool

yeh im thinking of uprgrading to the gitzo gold plated in a year
and the ballhead with the big diamonds on it aswell

Hlop wrote:huynhie,

I've seen Raydar's setup last Sat. - It's great

I don't have any problem with decicions - my main concern is I'm afraid to miss some part and buy a bunch of wonderfull but useless toys because they don't work without some little missing part. That's why I'm asking experienced people here to have a look at my list and point me to mistake if I made one

Hilop,
You're coming to the Boat Harbour, Stockton meet on this coming Saturday, you'll see and inspect all the gears which you are requiring same as you can try all of those with the shooting excursion as sunset, landscape.

Hlop,

There are only three major components, the legs, head and bracket. Everything else is an accessory - like the spiked feet, the leg warmers, the spirit level, the neoprene ballhead holder, the remote release holder etc

shockadelica- wrote:yeh im thinking of uprgrading to the gitzo gold plated in a year
and the ballhead with the big diamonds on it aswell

Ball head with the diamonds? It's snobish, mate

huynhie wrote:Hlop,

There are only three major components, the legs, head and bracket. Everything else is an accessory - like the spiked feet, the leg warmers, the spirit level, the neoprene ballhead holder, the remote release holder etc

i know it was to Hlop
but thankyou
you also just answered my question
this is what i was unsure about

and now that i know i was right about needing those 3 things
and have previously looked into them
i can start to make decisions


Hlop, you from DeeWhy? very nice area
i grew up in newport
plan to live there again once i settle

anyway- back to the topic

Hlop wrote:huynhie,

I've seen Ray's setup last Sat. - It's great

I don't have any problem with decicions - my main concern is I'm afraid to miss some part and buy a bunch of wonderfull but useless toys because they don't work without some little missing part. That's why I'm asking experienced people here to have a look at my list and point me to mistake if I made one

Mikhail

I just recently took the plunge on what you list. The only thing missing from that list is a replacement lens plate or a replacement collar for your 80-400 VR since that will allow you to attach the 80-400 in the Arca Swiss mount on the BH55 Pro (in my case I got the 70-200 replacement foot for obvious reasons). One thing I didn't get, but need to is an arca swiss mount for my monopod. Not sure if this is an issue for you.

stubbsy wrote:Mikhail

I just recently took the plunge on what you list. The only thing missing from that list is a replacement lens plate or a replacement collar for your 80-400 VR since that will allow you to attach the 80-400 in the Arca Swiss mount on the BH55 Pro (in my case I got the 70-200 replacement foot for obvious reasons). One thing I didn't get, but need to is an arca swiss mount for my monopod. Not sure if this is an issue for you.

Uh-huh! Thanks, Peter! Lens plate definetely is a part I wasn't thinking about! And this would be a missing part. Not too critical but if missing it brings some inconvenience

shockadelica-

Yeah, I'm from Dee Why and I love Northern Beaches area

If you own a 70-200VR (LCF-10) or an 80-400VR (???) then an RRS replacement foot is a must.

Don't even bother getting a camera plate, just get the BD70-L. It's worth it's weight in gold and already stopped my camera from cracking when I dropped it

It's not much difference in price and the option to use landscape/portrait is awesome. Remember for landscape panos, portrait is seriously recommended as it is better for stitching and reduces the chances of wobbly horizons.

Thanks Darryl!

Actually, I was thinking about L-plate from the very beginning because I'm planing to get a flash arm in the future.

But what do you mean saying about replacement foot? Rplacement collar or just lens plate attachable to the it's own collar?

I bought a lens plate for the 80-400VR on Ebay last week (RRS 97L)... It fits onto the existing collar. I also bought an L-plate from Deano - via Birddog last weekend...

After much deliberation, I have just ordered a RRS BH-55LR.

Next on my list is the Gitzo 2227... If only Mr. Poon would fix his web-site so that I can check on the price... it seems to have been down all morning...

Hlop wrote:Thanks Darryl!

Actually, I was thinking about L-plate from the very beginning because I'm planing to get a flash arm in the future.

But what do you mean saying about replacement foot? Rplacement collar or just lens plate attachable to the it's own collar?

The B97L is the lens plate to suit the 80-400VR, though to attached it to the stock foot, it'll work with the head or some QRP with Arca Swiss type, it'll be higher and there's some vibration down the line.
On the other way, RRS has:
RRS LC-A11 package/ replacing collar and foot.
This is my recommendation to go with the 80-400VR

leek wrote:I bought a lens plate for the 80-400VR on Ebay last week (RRS 97L)... It fits onto the existing collar. I also bought an L-plate from Deano - via Birddog last weekend...

After much deliberation, I have just ordered a RRS BH-55LR.

Next on my list is the Gitzo 2227... If only Mr. Poon would fix his web-site so that I can check on the price... it seems to have been down all morning...

leek,
the HKS website is not working and prices there are not upto date.
Well, congrat to join the RRS BH55Pro camp!

leek,
Or you can look at his eBay store, if everything's OK, then PM me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gitzo-MK2-G2227-Car ... dZViewItem

Birddog

Can you supply an (Arca style) L plate for my D70s,
and if so how much and can I pick up?

Even if it's only for a KIRK BH3....

Cheers
Marc

marc wrote:Birddog

Can you supply an (Arca style) L plate for my D70s,
and if so how much and can I pick up?

Even if it's only for a KIRK BH3....

Cheers
Marc

Marc,
I think you can order it direct from RRS. If you can't then PM me.
I can get them and having some in transit atm.
I have to pay freight charges + GST to bring them in the country

Marc, as Birddog says, best to buy direct. Buying a few things from RRS usually results in no GST. Birddog usually orders quite a few of them to keep in stock for members so will most likely get hit GST.

huynhie wrote:Hlop, There are only three major components, the legs, head and bracket. Everything else is an accessory - like the spiked feet, the leg warmers, the spirit level, the neoprene ballhead holder, the remote release holder etc

I know its been covered below, but here is a list, just for completeness:

Needed:
* Legs.
Most leg sets (definitely manfrotto or gitzo) have a standard 3/8" screw, which does NOT fit in a camera.

* Head
Most heads have a 3/8" screw to connect to the legs and provide some sort of QuickRelease plate to attach the camera to the head. If they dont have a QR, then usually will have a 1/4" screw (same as bottom of camera). QR is usually either manufacturer specific (eg manfrotto) or Arca-Swiss dovetail compatible

* Attachment Hardware.
This is the difficult bit. If your head's QR is 1/4" screw, then most cameras and lenses with tripod mounts will fit directly to this.
However, most high-end heads use Arca-Swiss dovetail type mounts.
Therefore, to mount your lenses and camera you need appropriate brackets.

For the camera, this can be a:
- Camera Plate (either generic plate, or camera specific is better since it helps inhibit twisting)
- An L-Plate, which goes across the bottom and up one side of the camera, with mounting dovetails on both bottom and side. This allows the camera to be mounted to the head in either a landscape or portrait orientation.

For lenses with tripod mounts, you need to convert the mount to Arca-Swiss QuickRelease. This is usually either by attaching a QR plate (generic or lens specific) to the bottom of the current tripod mount OR replacing the current tripod mount. You typically want one QR plate per lens to avoid messing with swapping plates when you swap lenses.

For example, the 70-200, you can either put a plate on the bottom of the removable foot OR mount a plate directly to the collar OR you can replace the removable foot with a new one that is dovetailed.

Other 'Nice To Haves' (in addition to the initial list)
* Leveling plate - this goes between the head and the legs and allows the head to be levelled independantly to the legs. In conjunction with a spirit level this will let you set up truely horizontal panning
* Panoramic Rails - these allow you to line up the front of the lens with the centre of pan movement and helps avoid distortion when doing panoramas

HTH.
Rob

Edit: Corrected transposed screw sizes.
1/4" is in bottom of Camera. 3/8" is on top of tripod.

kipper wrote:Marc, as Birddog says, best to buy direct. Buying a few things from RRS usually results in no GST. Birddog usually orders quite a few of them to keep in stock for members so will most likely get hit GST.

Genarally, for small items, yes, your order won't attract GST with the value under AU$500.00 by USPS/ Australia Post or under AU$250.00 with UPS/ Fedex/ DHL.

But sometimes you will get caught with the demand of ransom from the Boys in blue even the value of the order is just AU$200.00, and it's long delay of clearance from ACS with many questions and hassle (yes and No).

It happened with the value of the order at AU$200.00.

And it also happened with the value of the order at $8987.50, escaped smoothly without GST charged.
So, praying for your luck!

kipper wrote:Marc, as Birddog says, best to buy direct. Buying a few things from RRS usually results in no GST. Birddog usually orders quite a few of them to keep in stock for members so will most likely get hit GST.

Thanks Birddog&Kipper, will do.

Cheers
Marc

Robboh, in the interests of making sure there is no more misinformation on this site, may I suggest that most Nikons have 1/4" threads and that all tripods have 3/8" thread. That is definitely the case with my 3 Nikons and Gitzo 1348 and Gitzo self leveller.


Sorry to appear pedantic.

robboh wrote:

huynhie wrote:Hlop, There are only three major components, the legs, head and bracket. Everything else is an accessory - like the spiked feet, the leg warmers, the spirit level, the neoprene ballhead holder, the remote release holder etc

I know its been covered below, but here is a list, just for completeness:

Needed:
* Legs.
Most leg sets (definitely manfrotto or gitzo) have a standard 1/4" screw, which does NOT fit in a camera.

* Head
Most heads have a 1/4" screw to connect to the legs and provide some sort of QuickRelease plate to attach the camera to the head. If they dont have a QR, then usually will have a 3/8" screw (same as bottom of camera). QR is usually either manufacturer specific (eg manfrotto) or Arca-Swiss dovetail compatible


HTH.
Rob

Glen wrote:Robboh, in the interests of making sure there is no more misinformation on this site, may I suggest that most Nikons have 1/4" threads and that all tripods have 3/8" thread. That is definitely the case with my 3 Nikons and Gitzo 1348 and Gitzo self leveller.

Sorry to appear pedantic.

BAH!! Good catch, sorry, off with the fairies!!! I'll go correct it

great post robboh!!

very informative indeed. is there a sticky already? i didn't see one.

Birddog114 wrote:
But sometimes you will get caught with the demand of ransom from the Boys in blue even the value of the order is just AU$200.00, and it's long delay of clearance from ACS with many questions and hassle (yes and No).

Yes Birddog, I know all about it...
They've caught me many times ......and I even work for them!!  BTW.....I'm off to work now

Cheers
Marc

OK Birdy - I know I said that I wanted a G2227, but now you've got me worried...

I was just reading some old threads about Gitzos and saw your criticism of the 2227 in this thread: http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26 ... 7&start=18

Is there really a lot of difference in the sturdiness of the 2227 compared to the 1227??? Personally, I was attracted to the 2227 because of the flexible angling on the legs and also the offset centre column... I saw Jenno's on Saturday and it seemed quite sturdy to me...

Will it be suitable for use with the 80-400VR though??? or would the 1227 give just a bit more stability... I can't see me ever buying any heavier glass than the 80-400VR, so if it will cope with that then it should be fine for me...

All advice gratefully received...

John, Chris (sirhc) has the 1227

leek wrote: Is there really a lot of difference in the sturdiness of the 2227 compared to the 1227??? Personally, I was attracted to the 2227 because of the flexible angling on the legs and also the offset centre column... I saw Jenno's on Saturday and it seemed quite sturdy to me...

It's upto your taste and choice! I have no problems with it, whatever suits you

Will it be suitable for use with the 80-400VR though??? or would the 1227 give just a bit more stability... I can't see me ever buying any heavier glass than the 80-400VR, so if it will cope with that then it should be fine for me...

Well , any tripod will hold the 80-400VR even the Aldi 10 buck ones

The G 1227LVL will give you more flexibility and lighter than the G2227,
Who knows, one day your other half won a lottery ticket and you're off to the moon with a 500 or at least with the 300VR

Birddog114 wrote:The G 1227LVL will give you more flexibility and lighter than the G2227,

Just wondering if you'll have one with you this Saturday ....  BTW, why there is a hook at the bottom of center column?

Hlop wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:The G 1227LVL will give you more flexibility and lighter than the G2227,

Just wondering if you'll have one with you this Saturday ....  BTW, why there is a hook at the bottom of center column?

I only have the G1227 not the 1227LVL, I don't need LVL model and the difference in between the two is the level on the 1227LVL.

The center column with the hook for you to use it to hang the pot to cook your food over the camp fire when you're on camping

Otherwise use it to hang your bag or other heavy stuff to keep the legs sturdy

Hlop wrote: BTW, why there is a hook at the bottom of center column?

The hook is to further stabilise the tripod with a backpack or some other weight. This is mainly used in windy conditions.

Birddog114 wrote:
The center column with the hook for you to use it to hang the pot to cook your food over the camp fire when you're on camping

Otherwise use it to hang your bag or other heavy stuff to keep the legs sturdy

I'd prefer to hang the pot - food is cooking while I'm trying to shoot some pictures ... Just a dream

Actually, the LVL is the leveling base attached to the G1227, and it's useful with macro shooting, it also comes with the center column with the hook as you preferred to have for cooking with the pot