Sweaty palms, dry mouth, trembling...the Great White has arrived....

[Colin Southern]

You did'nt read my post a while back with pics? Hmmmmm.

Yes that one and the 1D-X. Then just a couple of days before returning, friend wanted me to bring him a 2xIII TC. Not to let the opportunity pass, tried it in the field and IQ seems ok, so went and got one for myself.

So as you can see, there was no way to get a Gitzo and that Sachtler fluid head. Maybe next trip but that is another 3k and this time will surely look into what you did.

RRS have just announced their fluid head -- only $1695!

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductD...ype=4&eq=&desc

[Bobobird]

Ahhhh Colin, both the shop assistant and I did not try pushing it into the .....

But as I said, the Sirui surprised me by how sturdy it was. It was a 4 section so I did not try swinging. Did put all my weight on top of it and lifted my legs for a bit and it did not budge.

[Bobobird]

RRS have just announced their fluid head -- only $1695!

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductD...ype=4&eq=&desc

There is only one fluid head worthy - Sachtler FSB 8 and roughly the same price. On these I would more trust a company whose core business is heads. Same with Gitzo, I would'nt get one from RRS! The accessory stuff, that is ok but as pointed out earlier, design standards seem to be slipping so...

One thing about gimbals and fluid heads is that the tripod legs prevent us from following through with an object going directly overhead.

[FlyingSquirrel]

You did'nt read my post a while back with pics? Hmmmmm.

Yes that one and the 1D-X. Then just a couple of days before returning, friend wanted me to bring him a 2xIII TC. Not to let the opportunity pass, tried it in the field and IQ seems ok, so went and got one for myself.

So as you can see, there was no way to get a Gitzo and that Sachtler fluid head. Maybe next trip but that is another 3k and this time will surely look into what you did.

Nope, didn't see the post. I don't usually browse through all the forum areas that much (busy). CONGRATS! Dang, that lens and body are NIIIIICE!!! Would love to have an amazing camera like that....but again I love the 1.6 crop on 7D. Well, guess I need to keep an eye out for some of your pic sharing threads (will go back and find the thread you speak of when I have the time). I intend to get out this weekend and let loose with my new setup!!!

I will probably be drawing a crowd all day with my new lens

[Colin Southern]

Having experienced the tripod foot and the protruding screw heads - I am starting to have doubts about their design standards. What they did to this one was way too unprofessional. The Canon foot is better designed but of course much heavier.

Mind you, that foot is new and came out specifically for the 200-400....

I'm trying to find that foot on the RRS website so I can see what they've done, but am only finding the Nikon 200-400 version - don't suppose you've got a part number or a link?

[Bobobird]

@Matt - coooool, hope you get some great shots.
7D - if rumours about it are true might sell the 5D3 and get that v2. I still somewhat miss the 1.6 on the sold 550D.

No need to search - thread here - Some with new hardware

@Colin
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...00-400&key=cat

[Colin Southern]

@Colin
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...00-400&key=cat

Thanks Bobo - I've no idea why that didn't show up for me!

It looks like a typical RRS design to me -- what is it that you don't like about it?

[Bobobird]

The screw heads at the bottom should be recessed into the plate itself.

[Colin Southern]

The screw heads at the bottom should be recessed into the plate itself.

I assume you're meaning the 4 underneath where the foot attaches to the lens?

If so then - yes - would have looked a bit nicer, but to achieve that they'd have to have either countersunk the holes a lot (creating a weak point?) or increased the thickness of the plate (adding weight for no benefit).

[FlyingSquirrel]

@colin and bobo

Note that the RRS foot linked to above is for the 400/500/600 and 200-400 (so that is the same foot I got for my new lens as well). I think it's weird that they made it all one crappy design for all lenses (or "lazy" might be a better word than "weird"). Seems like they should have custom done each one, IMO.

By comparison, take a look at the design of the foot for the version ONE of the 500mm which is much closer in design to the stock foot for that lens http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductD...-500mm%2ff4-IS

[Bobobird]

That old one is what RRS is about. Guess it no longer should be the go-to for elegance.

[FlyingSquirrel]

That old one is what RRS is about. Guess it no longer should be the go-to for elegance.

Agreed. From now on I will do more research for other options to compare before assuming RRS is the best for what I need. Too bad...

[FlyingSquirrel]

p.s. I checked out your thread. Nice pics, exciting gear! Congrats!

[Colin Southern]

I'm afraid that I really can't agree with you both on this one. I checked out both items and although one is a little more "curvy / sexy" (almost a Star Trek look to it), I'm not seeing anything "crappy" about the other. To my eye it looks different, but not really any worse (or better).

Possibly their thinking is if the interface to the Canon lens is the same for a number of lenses, then they may as well just run with the same part.

I'd be happy with it if I had one.

With regards to cheaper alternatives, I'm not saying I wouldn't buy one, but I'm far more skeptical of knock-off products these days (pretty much ever since manufacturers learned to chrome plate plastic!). I've been bitten sooooo many times in the past buying a cheap product that looked like a quality product on the outside, only to discover how poorly made it really was when it broke (in one case dropping a couple of grands worth of lighting gear to the ground). For what it's worth, here in NZ we seem to have a LOT of crap-quality photographic accessories on our markets.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Colin, I hear you on both points.

- As long as the RRS foot does its job and keeps my lens where it should be, I will be happy enough. When I'm having fun out there and getting great shots, the look of the lens foot won't matter

- True, there certainly is a lot of crap out there. Since everywhere I shop online (minus RRS) has customer ratings on products, I generally go by the ratings when deciding whether to chance an off-brand. I have found a number of brands that are "in between prices" where they are not super cheap, but not super expensive. Most of them have turned out to be really nice. Sirui is one of those.

[Bobobird]

I agree with the crap stuff part. But there is good stuff out there as well. One just needs to know where to look.

[Hero]

The screw heads at the bottom should be recessed into the plate itself.

You don't realy want to have those recessed. Inbus heads tend to get loose over time and one day you will wreck the head. If it's not recessed you can carefully saw or grind a slot in the head and use a large screwdriver-head to get it out. If it's recessed you're just about done with..

[Colin Southern]

If it's not recessed you can carefully saw or grind a slot in the head and use a large screwdriver-head to get it out.

Spoken like someone who works on RC Helicopters! (don't ask me how I know!).

(GraBits also work well)

http://www.thegrabitstore.com/Pages/default.aspx

[Bobobird]

They do? Even if "glued"?

[FlyingSquirrel]

They do? Even if "glued"?

If a screw is threadlocked properly (proper amount applied, proper threadlock type used, proper tightening upon application), there is VERY little chance that they will work loose (unless the parts are being utilized in a manner inconsistent from what they were meant to be used for)