What we can see from that, is that the L version of the Ascend-14, with its Quick Column lowered, is only 2 inches shorter than the regular Ascent-14 with its column raised. This clamp can now be added to any of our RRS ball heads. It needs to support my rifle and any weight I put onto it while stabilizing my shot. Overall I would consider the RRS 1-Series tripods to be superior to the Peak Design Travel Tripod, but when comparing the prices you would certainly hope this to be the case. This pin/scallop combo prevents unwanted movement of the rifle in addition to the friction tension of the clamp. I had a question for you! Back then I used the BH-25, but the BC-18 is smaller, lighter, cheaper and in my experience actually holds more weight. The spikes stay out of the way, but can be accessed by extending the shortest leg, then spinning the rubber foot up to expose the spike. Now it totally defeats one of the main purposes of having a 3 series tripod having such thin legs at the bottom but for the rare occasion when I need that extra length shooting sea cliffs and want to get away from the cliff face it can come in handy. The best example of this comparing our TVC-24L to the TVC-23. RRS clamps are the foundation of the RRS quick-release system. If the plate is under spec it will slide freely. Enfield No. Weighing in at only 4.3 pounds while being capable of supporting 50 pounds, a TVC-33 Versa Series 3 tripod combines the Really Right Stuff ideal of soul-satisfying feel and finish with best-in-class strength and resilience. From spotting targets or game to taking shots, a tripod is a useful tool for just about everything. RRS Carbon Fiber Ascend Tripod Line. 1 Single-Shot Rifle: Tips to Improve Its Accuracy, How to Clean a Rifle Barrel the Effective and Harmless Way. I asked them why they discontinued the previous one was there some defect? | Easy adjustments - Holding a rifle for a precise shot is enough to think about. In this guide, I will share over a decades experience using a wide range of Really Right Stuff tripods. Originally a photographer by trade, I knew even the slightest movement in the wrong conditions would ruin a shot. Note on pricing: I used to include the current price in the second column of this table, but prices fluctuated so much in recent years that I have given up constantly tweaking them. products, Alaska Guide Creations K.I.S.S. A customer will know the products they are considering will be compatible with RRS gear if the manufacturer indicates their products adhere to the "RRS Dovetail Standard" on their website, product manuals, or on the product themselves. One thing that is worth knowing, and might ease your buyers anxiety, is that RRS will sell you the parts to convert one type of tripod to the other if you realize you either bought the wrong type or happen to own a TVC tripod from the days when TFC tripods did not yet exist (TFC was only introduced in about 2019). Once you see it explained below, you'll be able to understand the spec sheets and details in this guide much better. The top lid of the bag is reinforced to be harder than the rest of the bag and provide added protection for your tripod head. And thats really all there is to the update. A screw knob stule clamp designed to directly thread onto the "No Clamp" versions of ARMS-17s compatible Thunderbeast, B&T Atlas, and Magpul bipods. 2-Series tripods are designed to pair perfectly with the BH-40 ball head, although again there are no hard and fast rules here. All legs are joined to a machined aluminium section that has a stud on it for attaching your tripod head. We also make items that fit a multitude of products if you don't wish to outfit every item you own with an independent plate. The new Deathgrip Infinite from BOG comes down from their long line of affordable, thought-out hunting products. Really Right Stuff BGE11-LB L-Plate for Canon 5D Mark III, 5DS, Best tripod for Swaro BTX 95mm? | Sniper's Hide Forum RRS Fluid head is crazy good. I have been using RRS tripods for over a decade now, and in that time I have used all manner of different sizes and capacities. Really Right Stuff: Harris Clamp Adapter with B2-AS-II Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp, Really Right Stuff: BH-40 Ball Head with SC-ARC, Really Right Stuff: B2-LR-II - 60MM Lever Release Clamp, Really Right Stuff: QD Leg Collar for Tripod Series 2, Really Right Stuff: Stock Hardware Kit for Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: 340mm Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 24L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Really Right Stuff: AI Key Slot Hardware Kit for Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: 240mm Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: M-LOK Hardware Kit for Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: 180mm Universal SOAR Rail, Really Right Stuff: Cinch-LR Elite Binocular Adapter, Really Right Stuff: Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head w/R-LOCK (No Adapter), Really Right Stuff: Compact Harris Bipod Clamp & Adapter, Really Right Stuff: Plate For Vectronics PLRF25C, Really Right Stuff: 340mm Universal SOAR Rail, Stocks, Really Right Stuff: 340mm Universal SOAR Rail, MLok, Really Right Stuff: 340mm Universal SOAR Rail, Keyslot, Really Right Stuff TA-3-FB: Rubber Ball Foot for Series 2/3 tripods, Really Right Stuff: Ultralight Tripod TFC-34 Mk2, Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 34L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Really Right Stuff: Cinch-LR Bino Adapter, Really Right Stuff: BH-55 LR SOAR Series Ballhead, Really Right Stuff: VYCE Equipment Support Mount w/VR-76 QR Plate, Really Right Stuff BAXR15: Auxiliary Plate for Accuracy International AIAX AICS, Really Right Stuff BAX15: Auxiliary Plate for Accuracy International AX/AXMC, Really Right Stuff BPNS: Laser Range Finder body plate, Terrapin X, Really Right Stuff BMLOK-240: M-LOK ADAPTER PLATE, Really Right Stuff CA-R 50: Picatinny RRS Clamp Attachment, Really Right Stuff: QD Mount For Fixed & Tapered Apex Tripods, Really Right Stuff HCA: Clamp Adapter for Harris Bipod w/SOAR Lever Release, Really Right Stuff BLPD: Leupold Spotting Scope Foot, Really Right Stuff FAS-Clamp: Fore-Aft Sliding Lever Release Clamp, 78mm, Really Right Stuff BTC-Pro: Clamp for Atlas Bipod, Really Right Stuff B76: Multi-Use Fore-Aft Plate, Really Right Stuff B22: Multi-Use Fore-Aft with One 3/8" Screw, Really Right Stuff NATO-DVTL: NATO Dovetail Adapter, Really Right Stuff Apex QD Mount: Mount for RRS Series 2/3/4 Tripods, Really Right Stuff QD Strap System SET: No Straps, No Swivel, Really Right Stuff MPR-Cinema: Cinema Rail 180mm (7.1"), Really Right Stuff VR-76: VYCE Support Mount for 76mm Rail. They are simply smaller and larger versions of a particular series base model, delivering either a taller or shorter maximum extended height. If you dont think you will use it, you might as well get the TFC-14 version which has the added virtue of a removable 3/8 16 stud. You have made a wise decision, John. It should also be noted that the load rating of the TFC-14 is 50lbs, while all the Ascend-14 tripods have a load rating of only 30lbs. Spinning the threaded spikes from the inside to the outside gives you even more traction in soft terrain. Great experiment. If you think you might want this tripod now, or in the future, youd better buy one now before they are gone forever. Cant remember why now, but its really three times. These kinds of tripods are particularly useful when visiting no tripod tourist areas. The difference between the tripod series is the diameter of the uppermost leg section. I can tell you that it was published in a post on the RRS Facebook page, directly by RRS themselves. We reached out to those companies and began to work with whomever was willing to cooperate to adopt a common dovetail standard. Ball Heads | Quick Release System | Really Right Stuff Dont even think about comparing the PD Travel Tripod to any of the 2-Series or 3-Series RRS tripods, though. Over the last few years, it has become tough to get an RRS tripod as they are almost perpetually out of stock. If you do not need the fancy quick column in the Ascend series, you can save a lot of money by opting for the TFC-14 instead. Versa Tripods. You can expect those items to ship with a carrier method to match the stated delivery speed. The carbon version of the PD tripod is $599.95 where the RRS TFC-14 is $835. The load capacity is 50 lbs vs 17.6 lbs. Compare Compare Items. To provide a better shopping experience, our website uses cookies. I had planned to purchase a spike foot set for my tripod but you made me realize the price was per piece. The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. Long and Short variations of tripods have different folded lengths and somewhat different maximum capacities. It is a Ground pod, designed for low-level usage. | The L version has a maximum version of 66.6 (169 cm) without the head. These I tested are only a small batch of the wide range of tripods on the market. The rubber feet must be fully spun off before spinning on the spike feet. Our aluminum tripods are the strongest, most versatile, feature-rich ground and tabletop tripods on the market. So, of course, I ordered my strap set for a Series-2 Mk2 tripod. For the 3-Series, its a 75mm bowl, and for the 4-Series, its a 100mm bowl. Really Right Stuff SOAR - Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head I regularly got great images using a Canon 100-400 on mine, as long as I used best practices such as cable release and mirror lockup on calm weather days. Thank you for the detailed Analysis. Vented hinges - At the top of the legs, vent holes make deployment of the legs fast and worry-free. Cups and collars are usually sold together as a pair. To make my shot more stable, I can tie off to heavy objects, or even myself if need be. Military, Law Enforcement, Competitive Shooters, and those that want the tallest, baddest tripod on the market, Increased height is ideal for those shooting or operating in steep terrain and or unknown environments, The most reliable and capable TFCT tripod, One of the most stable TFCT tripods with a maximum load capacity ranging from 45-85lbs, Features the Anvil-30 ARC ball head equipped with R-Lock, Backwards compatible with non R-Lock products, Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 34L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Load Capacity 1st Position Fully Extended:80lbs/ 36kg, Load Capacity 2nd Position Fully Extended:45lbs/ 20kg, Load Capacity 3rd Position Fully Collapsed:65lbs/ 29kg, 1st Position Maximum Height:71.1"/ 181cm, 1st Position 3/4 Segments Extended:54.4"/ 138cm, 2nd Position Maximum Height:49.7"/ 126cm, 3/16" hex keys (required to adjust leg angle tension), 9/64" hex key (required to loosen/tighten Anvil-30 screws), Really Right Stuff: Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head w/R-LOCK (No Adapter), Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 24L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Really Right Stuff: Ultralight Tripod TFC-34 Mk2, Really Right Stuff: BH-40 Ball Head with SC-ARC. Because the quick-release plate is the heart of the RRS quick-release system and one of the best reasons for choosing Really Right Stuff as your foremost support gear partner. As we know from the nomenclature section, some of the RRS tripods have size variations labelled L, S or G for Long, Short or Ground. Thank you! They're not limited to tradition front-rifle support, but can be used as rear supplementary support as well. This is a 3-series carbon tripod with a Versa apex and 2 leg sections. To use these quick-release straps with an RRS tripod, you have to purchase an RRS Strap Set which consists of a collar that goes around one of the tripod legs, and a small cup that screws to the apex of the tripod. You can find a post comparing screw-clamps to lever-release clamps here: https://shuttermuse.com/lever-release-clamp-vs-screw-knob-clamp-for-ball-heads/. Even if you have ARCA plates without holes for the pin, the rail clamp can still be used in its traditional configuration. BOG built this one with a purpose. I have never tried this. Really Right Stuff Ascend-14 Tripod Modular Quick Column w/Platform AC-14-PFQC. I love this guide and I used it to make my decision to buy a RRS tripod and one of their Ball Heads. This little ball head can support more than you think. Ill try and use your affiliate links to help you out when i buy from BandH, Appreciate the use of the affiliate links, that is what keeps this site ticking over . Tons of great information and analysis. On the other hand, the cheaper TFA-01 Basic doesnt have the leg position ratchet and instead relies on the stiffness of the leg collar to hold the tripod legs at varying angles. The carbon fiber weave looks like snake skin, and the mossy green anodizing on the upper section stands out. The Vortex Radian Carbon, while a bit hefty, still finds a home in the worlds of competition and hunting. Required fields are marked*. 5 Best Shooting Tripods for Long-Range Precision Rifles (Photo by Ben LaLonde). This particular model, the TCFT 34L with the Anvil 30 ARC, extends to over six feet tall at its highest point, and can support anywear from 45 to 85lbs, depending on how high you extend its four sections. They are as follows: In the next part of this guide, I will discuss each of these factors in turn, and compare the variations where appropriate. The key thing is that at maximum extension, you need your camera to be at eye level at the absolute minimum. Again, was there a defect in the previous one that none of the reviews (which were all raving about it) detected? Kudos to you and your experimentation! Regarding your other issues, I cant understand how you paid customs three times. Featuring R-Lock, this clamp easily attaches to RRS-compatible dovetails and sections of Picatinny. Sitemap There are a few variations of it on the market, but at its core, it is the gold standard for rifle mounting. Note that for low-level photography in sandy and muddy places, the TFA-32G is a clear choice. Before construction was finished in 2018, RRS moved its employees and production into the new, yet unfinished building. Its also the most tested and fielded of any of the above models. They are sold as individual items, so make sure to add three of them to your cart if you decide to purchase them and want a complete set. Without the Deathgrip, the carbon fiber tripod comes in under six pounds. 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If you find one in stock, dont consider it too long! What this means is that the lower leg section is actually thicker than the upper leg section. One is always in my camera bag or tripod bag, and another lives in my travel bag as a backup for when Im away from home. The red line is a generalized . Im aware that they do still show stock of this tripod, but who knows how long that will last? For months, six departments shared the same room with all desks, chairs, and computers inches from each other. The grippy knob doesnt take much of a rotation at all to go from very tight, to quite loose. Prior to RRS, camera plates with dovetail rails were by and large extruded from dies, cut to various lengths, then either slotted and/ or tapped. Really Right Stuff Tripods | B&H Photo Video So I went ahead and tried it, and yes, the lower leg section of the 34L can be replaced with the three lower sections from the tvc/tfc-14. Do you know anybody selling a used one? Early on in life, I learned the value of a quality tripod. Please Note: This program is not compatible with other offers and programs, and specifically military, guide, law enforcement, and dealer programs that already offer incentives will not stack RED shipping speeds on top of other benefits. I want knobs, levers, and dials I can quickly operate one-handed without stressing. Its the old supercar analogy: A Porsche and a Ford are both cars that can drive you to the supermarket, but one of them is simply going to feel better and do it in more style. The knob isnt as fast as a throw lever, but does allow the user to adjust the tension in the ARCA plate exactly where they want it. To use one, you need to have a TQC tripod with the removable Apex plate. Our multi-purpose plates come in a variety of sizes with removable screws along a varied length channel, or our VYCE equipment support mount. There comes a time in every photographers life when they need to buy a tripod. A centre column has two purposes: Firstly it allows you to add additional maximum height to a tripod while keeping the folded length smaller than simply buying the taller version of the tripod. RRS continues to grow as a worldwide leader in photography products - which resulted in multiple business relocations. Choosing a Tripod: Part II | Really Right Stuff Blog I did go with the compact lever plate design on MH-01 because its smaller/lighter and I use a small ThinkTank Photocross 13 (the side pocket is small) a lot. I have not been able to purchase a RRS tripod since I started trying June 2021. Barrel Break-In: What It Is. UNMATCHED QUALITY, INNOVATION, & MADE IN THE USA. The Invert60 Ball Head features a combination picatinny and ARCA rail clamp with an adjustable quick throw lever to loosen or tighten onto your rail of choice. Fax: +1 (570) 486-4037, 2023 EuroOptic. Note that the 3-Series and 4-Series Leveling Heads come with a video bowl, so if you are already planning to buy a leveling head, you wont need to purchase the video bowl. RRS carbon fiber tripods provide superior strength and vibration absorption with minimum weight. Its not a make or break of course, but I definitely was expecting it as a premium tripod option. The good news is that it makes swapping them over, the job of mere seconds. Their Sport Optics and Rifle division has kept ahead of the curve with highly engineered, durable, and lightweight tripods capable of supporting even the heaviest of rifle platforms. This is the one I chose for myself. Really Right Stuff | Bipods, Monopods & Shooting Sticks - MidwayUSA About Us Its not RRS responsibility to pay your duties and sales tax. I dont know. The ARCA clamp itself can open more than wide enough to accommodate not only the Deathgrip head, but most any ARCA-style rail on the market. Having different tubes for different series tripods would be a serious production economy faux pax. The Fat Boy Traverse tripod with their Invert60 Ballhead is flashy to say the least. And again, if you made a mistake when ordering your tripod, why should RRS take the hit on the shipping fee as well? One single rubberized knob controls tension on the 60mm ball head. Lastly, the throw lever now features a paddle style safety lock to prevent accidental release of the clamp. When fully extended, the three-section legs bring the Invert60 ARCA clamp to 69 inches off the ground. RRS began as a photography equipment company in 1990, designing and creating more consistent and well-thought-out quick-release plates, tripods, and other accessories. The ballhead itself does not suffer from any lock up slack. The Remington Model Seven is ready, willing and able to handle just about any task. Lets start with Ground Pods. With its inverted design, this head is very similar to the RRS BPC-16 head. If you have a spare camera strap lying around that you already love, you can also buy a pair of QD swivel adapters from B&H or Amazon and simply put them on your existing strap to convert it for use with the RRS tripod strap set. After a while, I regretted that decision because my camera was always too low, and constantly bending down in the field was frustrating. The kit comes with a soft carrying case, and an additional ARCA plate for optics. I really appreciate that Im sure you are going to love your new tripod! Popular for light weight enthusiasts and hunters who need the advantages of a traditional ball head. Even if it was lightly used then it should have been refurbished and sold at a discounted price. Clamping adjustments are made with a single oversized, rubberized knob. The twist locks only require a quarter turn, and the rubberized knob is generously sized, giving sure grip in any conditions. Do you have any insights? While this option may be a bit big and heavy for backcountry hunts, it is sure to be a solid platform for predator hunting, competition, and regular range day shenanigans. I live in Canada too. Me again, such a great and comprehensive review of everything RRS, I would love to know if you could share photos of what the TFC 24L (non versa) looks like with the BH40 head on it and if you have it, the new levelling base. Your email address will not be published or shared. IMPORTANT: The collar size is different depending on which series of tripods you are using. I can now say that PMGs tripods are equally good as RRS tripods, and there are no supply issues. With the L versions maintaining the same 4-section design, their folded length is a little longer. The tripod above comes in just under 2kg, not including a head. The compact head will be a better fit for me I think. The legs have little to no flex, and when folded, integrated stops in the hinge prevent the legs from crossing over in the way of each other. As I mentioned, the series doesnt entirely define the capacity. I have rarely seen 4-Series tripods used by still photographers unless it is in a studio or as an additional tripod kept in their cars trunk. I chose the ball head for this review. By submitting a comment this form also collects your name, email and IP address so that we can prevent spam. This is a HUGE shame, but B&H Photo does still have some stock of the tripod at the time Im adding this note. The legs are all the same, so the conversion kits simply consist of a new apex and the required bushings and screws to attach your existing legs. A basic way to describe the "Arca" style would be that "Arca" can mean any dovetail rail that appears similar; however, the critical dimensions can be significantly imprecise. Adding on to this: a tripod like this is exactly what Im looking for. Revealed: The Best-Selling Lenses of 2022, Curiosity: The Best-Selling Cameras of 2022, Really Right Stuff Updated Their Gimbal Design [For the Better], Really Right Stuff Updates Their Ground-Level Tripod: TFA-32G, Best Accessories for the Peak Design Travel Tripod, Really Right Stuff Ascend-14 Vs. That said, it has significant disadvantages for photographers. Mine is always in my bag as well. The rubberized twist locks on the legs require only a quarter of a turn to loosen or tighten, and the rubber feet feature integrated steel spikes. Whether shooting rifles or even photos, it has been, more times than not, the one I reach for. I really wish RRS made a series 2 tripod to compete. The process was inherently imprecise compared to CNC machining operations. Over the years I have owned RRS 1-series, 2-series and 3-series tripods, carbon ones, aluminium ones, ones with centre columns and ones without, ones with removable apexes and ones with fixed apexes, Mk1 and Mk2 versions, even ones classed as Short versions and ones classed as Long versions. Ideal for users who need to do a little bit of everything while supporting a heavy load. Choosing a Tripod: Part I | Really Right Stuff Blog Due to their design, they come with the centre column attached. The 3 and 4-Series leveling heads are essentially identical, but one is a little large than the other. The weave and glue types etc. . Thanks a lot. This is a bit cumbersome when speed is of the essence. But with larger mirrorless cameras, heavier lenses or DSLRs, you definitely need the TFA-01 Ultra if you want to have varied leg angles. Thanks for the kind words Bill. Two for the ball, and one for the pan. L and S versions of the tripods are fairly self-explanatory. The design of the Radian Carbon tripod from Vortex is very reminiscent of my early photography days using Leofoto tripods and heads. When I have contacted RRS directly they tell me 10 1/2 weeks. Haha! Working on even a moderate slope will lose you a huge amount of your tripods maximum height, and the result is that if you bought a tripod whose maximum height theoretically puts your camera at eye level, much of the time in the field you will find that its still too low if youre on uneven ground. Much appreciated. The Deathgrip Ultralite head is made from magnesium to remain lightweight but strong. Its low profile, precision control knobs, rugged housing, and quick release clamps make it the ball head of choice for professional photographers worldwide. Right, RRS had no obligation to pay the second shipping fee, but being aware of the whole situation, if they had been really good businessmen, thats what they should have done to keep me as a customer. In my time spent with it, it punched well above the price point at which it is offered. Crazy but if you're between two tripods, buy both, try them in your living room, and return the one that doesn't work best for you. Leofoto make the LS-365C, which is a 5-section tripod with 36mm outer tubes. You can also find this brand via Amazon and their own online store. I had narrowed it down to RSS (after a lot of research), because I also wanted to support an American Made company. Micro ball head with screw know clamp is the perfect compact ball head to add to your MPR rail, or mount directly to your spotting scope. The Rock Claws are definitely a more specialized accessory. The L designation means its the Long variation, so all of the leg sections are slightly longer than the regular version of the TFC-24, thus making it taller when extended to maximum height. You can keep a ball head on the flat platform, say a BH-30 or BH-40, and they swap that whole thing in to replace the built-in head when you dont need to travel as light. All our tripods have the built-in ability to change the leg angles and be positioned from ground level all the way to standing with our pull tab technology. Lastly, the Mark 2 version of the tripods now feature an updated Sure Grip that uses the same hex screws as Really Right Stuff's L-plates. At its full height, the Recon V2 with the 55mm Ballhead is just a couple inches shy of six feet tall, making standing shots a breeze, even at high angles. At $32 each ($96/set), this isnt an insignificant purchase but they are extremely well made. Really Right Stuff - Home UNMATCHED QUALITY, INNOVATION, & MADE IN THE USA Learn More TRIPODS From Cinema set to city sidewalks, Stockholm to studio, we have a tripod that fits your needs no matter where your photography takes you. Ive used it with medium format digital cameras, Nikon D5 with 70-200 and 200 f2 (not a light package) as well as my iPhone. This is probably why screw-knob clamps seemed to be the only option for years and why most companies still push them today. Time-tested and proven by professionals in any conceivable field condition, RRS tripod heads set the industry standard for dependability, functionality and elegance. These differences in diameter create differing capacities, although the capacity is also affected by the height of the tripod so not all tripods from a singular series have the same capacity, although they do all have the same diameter of the top leg. Hi Dan, what a great review. I guess the leg diameters might be handy. Here is a photo of the new levelling head on a TFC 2 series tripod: https://shuttermuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ta-2u-lb_2.1-06.png. The latter has 4 leg sections so its collapsed length is shorter (49cm vs 61cm) which makes it a little easier to travel with. If you tend to shy away from using tripod centre columns, the L version of the Ascend-14 might be the one for you. I simply dont understand your logic. They would have recovered their money in no time, because I would have kept buying from them.