Why is RRS so expensive...?
The Mack
Registered Users Posts: 602 Major grins
The Mack
Registered Users Posts: 602 Major grins
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And speaking of $$$ - wait till you get into studio lighting
Have you ever seen the RRS stuff? Have you worked with it? How about Gitzo tripods? I spent $240 on a monopod! Yeah it seems like a lot. until you realize that your kids (if you have some) will use it after you are dead.
How much would you pay for a car that always worked and that you would probably never have to replace?
If there was a brand out there that earned the moniker 'you get what you pay for' then it would be RRS.
Let me look over my left shoulder at a copy setup I've got going.
I see a Gitzo traveller CF tripod with a a RRS BH-55 and quick release clamp, with a D300 and RRS L bracket and a $500 lens on it. There are two Alien Bees on stands with softboxes, a couple pocket wizards, shutter release cable some gaffer tape.
There are a couple pieces of black foamcore sitting atop an inexpensive small table I got at Ikea.
That is about....4800 bucks for that setup. The tripod and ballhead and bracket are about 20% of that. When I look at it that way it isn't that expensive for something that works well all the time.
For a $3000 lens I added about $500 worth of gitzo monopod and RRS monopod head/clamp so 17% for that rig seems fine to me.
There are cheaper alternatives but there are no finer alternatives that work as well over the long run. I don't own any Kirk stuff but guess that they are also at the top.
once
“PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”
http://jwear.smugmug.com/
Two words...Alien Bees.
A pair cost more than a good tripod/ballhead setup and the Bees are a high-value deal...IMHO.
how about some research?
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=45450
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293641-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_303PLUS_303PLUS_QTVR_Geared_Panoramic.html
and that doesn't even inlude a ballhead for that price.
The RRS Stuff is soooooo worth it. Machined for life. Easy to use. Best engineered stuff I've ever ever used.
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I read your thread, it's what made me look into the RRS stuff.
Sorry for bothering to post, seems like I hit a nerve with a few people
Forgive me, no more posts.
Bah don't be silly. I'm allowed to speak my mind, too, just like you are
Buy the RRS, you won't regret it
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New ballhead? Individual plate for each body? Plate for each telephoto? Honestly, I was going to (ask Nik or kdog), but with the lead times I didn't. Plus I am wavering between the Markins Q3 and the RRS BH-40. Do I regret not doing it sooner? ABSOLUTLEY!! I have a Bogen 486RC2, which is heavy, but not bad for a small to medium lens on a camera body. But only in an upright postion.
24-70 on the 5D with the ballhead on its side (portrait orientation)? Nope, don't do it. Telephoto in the wind? HaHaHa! Plus I use a strap on the body for hand holding those bigger lenses. Which makes the setup with the 3rd party adapter thicker and the Bogen plate just could not get tight enough. Swapping plates as I worked on a ridge at Dead Horse? FUN!! The whole experience wasn't a bust, just aggravating. Just not what you want to deal with standing sideways on Double Arch as the sun sets.
Now, Q3 or BH-40
-Fleetwood Mac
I had a hard time myself with that much money for the RRS Pano package, tho' much of the cost, in my case, was $170 for an L-bracket for my D80 (Kirk is the only one I could find for a D80 w MB-D80 vertical grip). I looked and looked and came up with this, as a worthy alternative to the RRS PCL-1, which is their panning head, one of the main components.
Now I haven't bought this yet... (waiting for my next stimulus check
The Manfrotto 627 Basic Panoramic Adapter and a Kirk QRC 1.75 quick release. Seems like it will do the same as the RRC PCL-1. YMMV. Then, add the $110 – RRS MPR CL 6” rail plate and a plate for your respective DSLR and you've got the "poor man's" RRS Pano Package. For me, this looks more affordable, might even allow me to buy the L-bracket for my D80, rather than the non L style. Again, haven't bit the bullet yet to buy this but does ring in at ~$220 with another ~$55 or so for a quick release plate (non-L) for your camera, so yer home for ~$275.
Just some thoughts. I'm all for quality. It's just hard for a cheap bastaaad like me.:ivar
Cuong