If anyone has a comment, one way or another on why I'm doing what I'm doing, just make it on my personal blog not here on Dgrin! That's why I put the link there in direct answer to Kdog's post.
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sexy! post a review of the leveling base if you can? I was debating between that and their pano slide vs. RRS. I've their original ball head (think horse show photography = dust = open design PLUS), and have been really pleased with Acratech's customer service and help so far. I'd love to stick with them.
The leveling base (I thought you might have seen mine in Moab) is a nice feature as it allows you to deploy the legs however you see fit (within reason) and then use the base to level the head. A level base is important when making pano shots and adding this piece of kit lets you do that easily.
It definitely adds to the height of the tripod which can be good if you need just an inch or two more height.
I haven't tried the base with a heavy lens, like a Canon 500 f/4 so can't comment on how it handles heavier weight. With the normal camera/lens combo, no worries. Same great fit and construction of other Acratech products.
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The leveling base (I thought you might have seen mine in Moab) is a nice feature as it allows you to deploy the legs however you see fit (within reason) and then use the base to level the head. A level base is important when making pano shots and adding this piece of kit lets you do that easily.
It definitely adds to the height of the tripod which can be good if you need just an inch or two more height.
I haven't tried the base with a heavy lens, like a Canon 500 f/4 so can't comment on how it handles heavier weight. With the normal camera/lens combo, no worries. Same great fit and construction of other Acratech products.
I REALLY should have been oggling people's set ups in Moab more than I did. Mostly I was just trying to keep names/faces straight and ID the Nikon users for questions I won't make it to this years shoot out, but I WILL to Catalina and I swear I'll be familiar with everyone's set up by the time I leave that island ....
Side note, I also just bought one of these Markins Tripod Bases Catone showed me this when we were at 12,000' in the Sierras for a week, look like a good thing to have.
Whoa - PROPS TO MARKINS - I accidentally ordered the wrong version of this for my tripod - I need the TB-21 not TB-20. I called them today, they're shipping out the correct one asap, not charging me, so long as I ship back the TB-20 in the prepaid mailer...
I had an Acratech V2 (minus the leveling base) and my biggest problem is it is difficult to angle the head up for sky shots. I used it for bird and airplane work and wound up yanking the camera off frequently. Construction is bomb-proof and they make a damned fine product.
I owned an Arca Swiss B1 and know several others that do too. This is one heavy mother, but man is it solid. I sold it only because I caught RRS fever/envy. It's an outstanding (but heavy) head.
Until switching to RRS, I used all Arca Swiss plates (genuine or copies) and never had a problem with any of them.
Re: the Kirk L-plates, is the vertical-side of the plate (the bit that covers the rubber flaps) as deep or offset from the body as the RRS was? I was always bothered by how wide it made the body overall on the 5D/5D2, whereas the 30D plate, you barely noticed it was on.
I had an Acratech V2 (minus the leveling base) and my biggest problem is it is difficult to angle the head up for sky shots.
I don't understand how this could be? With the whole open side, it seems like this would the easiest design ball head to do just this. What am I missing?
Edit: In fact, the vids on Acratech's site show and talk about this.
Re: the Kirk L-plates, is the vertical-side of the plate (the bit that covers the rubber flaps) as deep or offset from the body as the RRS was? I was always bothered by how wide it made the body overall on the 5D/5D2, whereas the 30D plate, you barely noticed it was on.
It's just as wide as it needs to be, in order to have the Remote Trigger in place and the camera on the Ball Head.
I don't understand how this could be? With the whole open side, it seems like this would the easiest design ball head to do just this. What am I missing?
Edit: In fact, the vids on Acratech's site show and talk about this.
There are a couple of combinations on the older style head that will jam up when you try to move in extreme directions. I don't know about the new design.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
Hm. My left hand is under the lens/body, nowhere near that side of the plate.
Some of the L-Plates from Kirk require a spacer block called an LBA-1 which clamps to the vertical portion and gives you about an inch of clearance, if you were shooting tethered, as the normal setup wouldn't be deep enough. I'm just saying these things aren't all created equal so that's why I asked if it was thinner than RRS. I'm glad to be able to use the wired remote without add'l hardware. I just find a large L-plate's bulk to be somewhat of a disincentive when there's no tripod around. I understand you have to have a minimum of clearance for something as important as a remote cable.
Andy, you're never gonna understand my pain, man. Don't shrug me again!( ) I can't take it.
I don't understand how this could be? With the whole open side, it seems like this would the easiest design ball head to do just this. What am I missing?
Edit: In fact, the vids on Acratech's site show and talk about this.
There are the two depressions that allow you to angle up or down at extreme angles. My problem was the action was clunky with a large lens (say 400mmor 500mm) and I wanted to make fast changes. If you have a subject that is static or slow...no problems I can see. For nature or an air show it was lousy. Other than action and needing to move the camera/lens a lot, I think Acratech makes a damn good product.
Interesting comparison... Acratech pano gear setup is a bit taller (1 3/4s inches) than the RRS. The Acratech setup is 1/3 lb lighter than the RRS setup, I like that.
I'll try it out at Lake Tahoe at the end of the week, and report back!
I have a feeling I may like the Gitzo Leveling base that I'll try in Tahoe, even better
'course, that means a different tripod than my current Gitzo 2530.... :uhoh
Interesting comparison... Acratech pano gear setup is a bit taller (1 3/4s inches) than the RRS. The Acratech setup is 1/3 lb lighter than the RRS setup, I like that.
It looks like you're not comparing apples to apples? I mean, the leveling base on the acratech, that's not on the RRS set-up, and you don't need it, do you? Am I missing something? It looks like it'd be roughly the same height and even lighter?
I'm still a stick in the mud though. I just like what I like, and I'm not liking the looks of the acratech. But I'm just being stubborn, I guess.
Not using the level that Andy's thinking of. The way you'd retrofit is with the Acratech leveling head.
For the Gitzo, you need a Systematic tripod with a leveling base.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
It looks like you're not comparing apples to apples? I mean, the leveling base on the acratech, that's not on the RRS set-up, and you don't need it, do you? Am I missing something? It looks like it'd be roughly the same height and even lighter?
I'm still a stick in the mud though. I just like what I like, and I'm not liking the looks of the acratech. But I'm just being stubborn, I guess.
What the leveling head does for you is make it easy to get to level. Normally, you'd set the sticks up and using the legs, level the thing. On un-even ground, this might be painful. With either leveling base, you twist a dial, level and you're done--quick, easy, done.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
What the leveling head does for you is make it easy to get to level. Normally, you'd set the sticks up and using the legs, level the thing. On un-even ground, this might be painful. With either leveling base, you twist a dial, level and you're done--quick, easy, done.
Yabbut what I'm saying is one has it the other doesn't. Is that wrong?
Yabbut what I'm saying is one has it the other doesn't. Is that wrong?
I believe so. With the RSS setup you level the QR clamp above the ball and the panning equipment is above that. With the Acratech, the panning equipment is below the ball so you have to level the foundation of the ball; hence the need for the the leveling base.
W00p y'all know me, I don't waste any time New gear from Acratech on the way.
GV2 Ballhead:
Leveling Base:
I've got exact same ballhead Andy. Its terrific. The only thing I don't like about it is that the knobs are a little small. Its cold up here in the winter and I don't like taking my gloves off!
"They've done studies you know. Sixty-percent of the time, it works every time."
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It definitely adds to the height of the tripod which can be good if you need just an inch or two more height.
I haven't tried the base with a heavy lens, like a Canon 500 f/4 so can't comment on how it handles heavier weight. With the normal camera/lens combo, no worries. Same great fit and construction of other Acratech products.
I REALLY should have been oggling people's set ups in Moab more than I did. Mostly I was just trying to keep names/faces straight and ID the Nikon users for questions
must. learn. more. about. toys!!
*cough* yes, leveling base next on list.
WTG Great Service
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I owned an Arca Swiss B1 and know several others that do too. This is one heavy mother, but man is it solid. I sold it only because I caught RRS fever/envy. It's an outstanding (but heavy) head.
Until switching to RRS, I used all Arca Swiss plates (genuine or copies) and never had a problem with any of them.
I have no pano gear, so no commentary on that.
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
Re: the Kirk L-plates, is the vertical-side of the plate (the bit that covers the rubber flaps) as deep or offset from the body as the RRS was? I was always bothered by how wide it made the body overall on the 5D/5D2, whereas the 30D plate, you barely noticed it was on.
Edit: In fact, the vids on Acratech's site show and talk about this.
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I wasn't expecting it to be different, but kind of disappointed it needs to be that wide.:cry When shooting handheld, it makes me want to take it off.
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Some of the L-Plates from Kirk require a spacer block called an LBA-1 which clamps to the vertical portion and gives you about an inch of clearance, if you were shooting tethered, as the normal setup wouldn't be deep enough. I'm just saying these things aren't all created equal so that's why I asked if it was thinner than RRS. I'm glad to be able to use the wired remote without add'l hardware. I just find a large L-plate's bulk to be somewhat of a disincentive when there's no tripod around. I understand you have to have a minimum of clearance for something as important as a remote cable.
Andy, you're never gonna understand my pain, man. Don't shrug me again!(
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There are the two depressions that allow you to angle up or down at extreme angles. My problem was the action was clunky with a large lens (say 400mmor 500mm) and I wanted to make fast changes. If you have a subject that is static or slow...no problems I can see. For nature or an air show it was lousy. Other than action and needing to move the camera/lens a lot, I think Acratech makes a damn good product.
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"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
{SORRY—thought this was addressed to me}
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I'll try it out at Lake Tahoe at the end of the week, and report back!
I have a feeling I may like the Gitzo Leveling base that I'll try in Tahoe, even better
'course, that means a different tripod than my current Gitzo 2530.... :uhoh
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They do make a 2531LVL MODEL. Retrofittable?
It looks like you're not comparing apples to apples? I mean, the leveling base on the acratech, that's not on the RRS set-up, and you don't need it, do you? Am I missing something? It looks like it'd be roughly the same height and even lighter?
I'm still a stick in the mud though. I just like what I like, and I'm not liking the looks of the acratech. But I'm just being stubborn, I guess.
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Not using the level that Andy's thinking of. The way you'd retrofit is with the Acratech leveling head.
For the Gitzo, you need a Systematic tripod with a leveling base.
Yabbut what I'm saying is one has it the other doesn't. Is that wrong?
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After today, it'll be the Acratech head ontop of the pimp Gitzo leveling base for me
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I've got exact same ballhead Andy. Its terrific.
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