Just picked up the TVC24l and love it! Can't go wrong with anything RRS!

Reading some of the comments I think a lot of people are missing the message here from Nick. This opinion that the RRS tripod is the best money can buy is Nick's opinion and he says that in his opening comments. I use Gitzo Mountaineering range which I love however my opinion is that RRS 34L is the best tripod money can but. The reason I bought the Gitzo over the RRS was all to do with shipping to Australia where I'm from.

I have the non- L (not tall) version of this tripod. It really is fantastic. Very solid and yet light. I use mine for architectural photography a lot which means that I use a big heavy geared head (Manfrotto 405) most of the time. If you are not a fan of center columns, this tripod might change you mind. I got the optional center column which saves my butt when I want to make small adjustments to the camera height. The center column on this thing is a beast! SUPER solid and stable. I never feel like I am compromising stability. My vote is get this tripod with the center column and you have the best of both worlds: smaller tripod when you don't need the column and the same (ridiculous) height when you need it. Thanks Nick!

Another great video. Really helpful to me as a beginner. I recently struggled getting my first tripod due to the lack of information available. Your input here is really great.

this video inspired me to sell my Induro CT213 tripod and purchase the RRS TVC-34L great review and keep up the great content!

Hey Nick thanks for this video. I was all over your Feisol videos and they helped me decide to pass on that model. RRS is way too expensive here in Japan, so today I went with a Gitzo 35 series, extra long version. I think it goes even higher than your RRS. Besides what you mentioned about hillsides and water work, another important function of these super high tripods is raising the perspective of the camera in architecture/real estate, in high-ceiling rooms. I also totally agree with that `buy nice or buy twice` line: same is true for lenses and data cards, in my experience. Thanks again, and I love your work.

Thanks for the informative tripod review Nick. Expression at 4:50....priceless!

Great work Nick, I really miss the Northwest sometimes. Keep up the hard work.

I am considering buying a new tripod soon. I narrowed down my selection to Gitzo GT3543LS and RRS RVS-34L. Your video helped me in making the decision process bit easier. Great video and by the way great photographs too, keep up the good work and come down to OZ soon.

About six years ago I was up in California and called in at Really Right Stuff in SLO from my home in Western Australia and checked out their gear; it was great and they were really helpful though just out of my price range a little. I finished up getting the Gitzo GT3541XLS which as you say has similar features. Like you I had run through the gamut of using inferior product so I bit the bullet and happy to have done so. For me I love the twist locking system rather than the clip lock which is far too frail. Thanks for your posts.

I have the same exact tripod and I added the adjustable center (Elia Locardi's recommendation), and I use it all the time. They aren't cheap but you will never regret it. I've used it for a year and a half with no issue. I put it in my checked bag when I travel. If I can't, I use a Gitzo Mountaineer that is really too small for serious work but will do in a pinch. I also recommend the RRS ball heads. Like you said their products aren't cheap and for some small things there are cheaper and just as good options. Great video Nick.

Good insight dude! I hope one day i will have that kind of money to buy this tripod :)

Nice video. I didn't know you could get the spikes from Desmond. Glad I watched this; I was gonna break down and get the RRS spikes. I have the TVC-34 model. Thanks again!

I like your saying of 'if you don't buy nice, you're going to pay twice'. Just googled this tripod, and wow, it's not cheap. Just bought a Sirui tripod head to go on my Manfrotto and it feels great.

Great review as always Nick. Re the spikes (which I also use) have you tried out their Rock Claw feet? I can thoroughly recommend these and they are similarly priced to their spikes.👍

Nick, Have followed you for a while now, and appreciate your advice. Like you, I am on my 6th tripod now, just got it last year, and already it's crappin out on me. I ordered my RRS Versa yesterday from B&H, it is in shipment and should be here tomorrow. (they are SO quick!) I also ordered the BH55 ballhead as I have the Canon R5 and RF 15-35mm 2.8 landscape lens along with other RF series lenses (all tanks in weight). Excellent video! As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" in this type of equipment. I can't wait to use it! THANK you for this review! 📷

Status update? Standing the test of time? Also do you feel like the 34L was overkill? As a landscape and occasional wildlife photographer I’m not looking at packages over about 10lbs and the 24L seems like it covers that?

Great tripod! If possible check out FLM tripods, made in Germany. They are even better made than gitzos or RRS. FLM makes the best tripods as far as I know. I use one, it's amazing. I also used different gitzos and the same feisol, you had.

Welcome to the club of having a good quality tripod. Can you please post a link to the spikes you have for these? I'd like to get an affordable set for my rrs tripod

I have been wanting a carbon fiber tripod for a long time and have been putting it off, well I just watched this video again because it is time to finally upgrade and I took your recommendation on the really right stuff tripod except I went with the 24L which seems to be only about 2 1/2" shorter and a pound lighter and a $100 cheaper, I cannot wait to finally get the tripod, and I got the RRS big ball head and L bracket to go along with it, I'll just keep my very old gitzo and studioball as a backup, I love all your videos

for people who can't spend that much money for a tripod i can recommend the Velbon Ultra 655. small packing size, fast extendable, low height, pretty stable and affordable. @Nick: i like your chanel keep up your good work. greetings from germany

Ugh one day I'll have the funds for a RRS! Quick question though, what gloves do you have? I've been looking for some that have the fingers open up but can't find any that seem warm. Thanks!

Do you have any thoughts on Acratech ballheads vs. the RRS ones (particularly the BH-55)?

It's like I am never NOT on KZfaq :P -- Hey Nick, did your Feisol 3472 ever FLEX when using it on a slick rocky surface? Ever get a chance to use it in a sandstone or similar situation where you could apply pressure down on the camera and the legs would flex out? My Feisol 3442 does that in those circumstances and wondered if your old Feisol did it and more importantly, if your RRS 34L has done it. Great review man...some day I will buy one instead of a down payment on a new car. ;P --Aaron

I’ve been using a cheap $130 tripod for years because it was a gift from my spouse. I now have an excuse to upgrade because its failing. My biggest debate right now is, what is the max height i should get. I was thinking something that when fully extended would be exactly nearest my eye level for ease of setup. But, this video gives me some points to - though I don’t know if the ability to shoot on an incline outweighs faster setup. I do shoot primarily landscape with an interest in wildlife - is the extra versatility just better?

Great video, as always! One Question... what kind of gloves, with the free finger tips, are you wearing during the movie...?

I'm still using a Gitzo G1325 which I've probably had for 30 years. But, I did just buy a Benro TMA38CL to use as a travel tripod.

May I ask where did you buy the spike. Thanks in advance

if the fittings are as good as you say but you need even more height - you can buy carbon fibre tubing quite cheaply to make longer legs.

Hey Nick, thanks for your awesome channel! I understand RRS is the best, but I'm just getting started and I bought a new mirrorless camera and lens, I find it difficult to buy a $1000 tripod, even though I know it's an essential piece of equipment for a landscape photographer. What would be the beginner version of the RRS? I travel quite a lot and I'm looking for something light yet sturdy (I know haha who isn't right?). I'm currently thinking about the Benro TMA27C Series 2 Mach3 with their V0E Triple Action Ball Head (17.6 lbs).

Gitzo for me but even they have little issues after years of (ab)use.

same one I got will never get anything less, easy to clean and there are tons of removable parts. btw get a real ball-head bro bh-55. Never had legs probs, love the leveling options, almost went with the gitzo but nope good thing i didn't. This tripod is for the rest of your life with proper care. it does have some weight but you dont want a flimsy tripod when shooting its firm and solid. I took mine all over the world its great use the bag when traveling its allot easier.

Is the Manfrotto Befree Tripod any good?

Nick, I just love your informative reviews! That RRS tripods is certainly nice, but for my style of landscape photography, I find the Leofoto Ranger Camo series more than sufficient. Load capacity is 35 lbs, which is of course overkill. BTW, is that an Acratech ball head you have on it?

Hi Nick, nice video and love the tripod, but at a 1,000 bucks it's a little out of my price range

well, imo you have to compare the rrs with the systematic series from gitzo..not with the mountaineer

The best landscape setup imo is the Manfrotto Befree paired with a Canon 6dmkii. Why break your back carrying such heavy gear? Go farther and longer with a lightweight setup.

Agreed!

My Manfrotto 055/3221 is a tank. Had it for 25 years. Not one bolt has ever come loose. Did you look at the ProMediaGear stix?

Hello Nick, this seems to be indeed the best tripod ever, my problem though is that for my hikes i try to pack light and 5lbs + BH55 head, for a tripod, is a lot if you are carrying food, tent, sleepingbag and all that jazz to be at a remote spot for 2-3 days. What tripod would you suggest for that kind of scenario, maybe the 24l + BH40?

It looks great, they really do. But I bought an Innorel 80 (and you could buy a 90 if you want it bigger) and it looks really the same. The Innorel is without centre column 160 cm high. With head it is 170 cm or so. Which is close to where my eyes are at. No centre column means it is very rigid, I do not like these column to much for especially long exposures. Etcetc. The innorel is very well made, the carbon legs are 33 mm (the 90 is 40 mm) and very stiff. When I twist the locks and hold the tripod down I get the legs extend purely due to gravity. My Rollei carbon tripod which is more expensive doesn't do that at all. So 130 euro which includes shipping without a central column and no ballhead, but with feet and spikes and the option to install a bowl (for 16 euro including shipping) is a really fantastic price. The bowl is superhandy to get the tripod level without having to move the legs. Yes you can also do it with the ballheadd but the bowl to my mind is easier. One thing: I did have to make 2 out of the three legs fluent by extending them and collapsing them a few times. Also the nuts at the tripod head were really stiff. Just make it a little looser and it is perfect. Like you say: sooner or later you'll need to twist them so it is nothing specific to this tripod.Whether it is Innorel or Benxi or whatever...a tripod of that for 130 euro is a steal. The 90 version with 40 mm diametre carbon leg (topleg) is 212 euro. I mean if I by a Leophoto or Benro it is 600 euro or more and they are at least comparable.One thing: I only have the thing for a day now so longterm might be different. But as it is for anyone not wanting to shell out so much for the RRS there is a cheap and reliable alternative for a fraction of the cost. Even for a fraction of the Mefoto, benro and what not.

I've had my manfrotto 190 for years and never had an issue with it 🤣😍

ByThom on tripods redivivus. Don't forget the $800 ball head to go with it.

all true

hi nick. any difference in the springs for the leg locks since the day 1?

I go with Sirui Tripods. Never let me down. SIRUI N-3205X with integrated monopod was my choice

Hey there Nick, How tall are you?? I watched this, then found a TVC-34L on Ebay and bought it yesterday. Waiting on it to arrive, I researched the specs more and finding info that says the TVC-34L is only 68.8" which is 5' 7"..?? That would come to about my upper lip or nose maybe. Looked like it went over your head so thought it was going to be plenty tall, but I'm 6' tall, so am confused as to what I have coming in the mail. Just curious.

What's the ball head are you using on the tripod?

Nice work Nick, I tested the RRS and the FLM and wrote a review on DP and at the end the FLM was a better quality and less costly and a bit more stable in my vibration tests, the 3 best tripods are FLM & RRS and Gitzo and you are 100% correct spend that money for a near lifetime use!

Remember, Nick is 5 feet tall. hehe. i would love to have that tripod, bit expensive,.

I have the same tripod, not as tall though. Spike or no spike for Iceland?

Nick come on man $1,160 for a tripod is just an over kill!! you are a very talented photographer and i love your work but i don't agree with you on this one. I have the Manfrotto Carbon-One since 2003 for $200 and still looks ok and going strong. is like everything! If you look after it, it will last!!

It's amazing that a tripod like this operates the same way as my INDURO at a fraction of the cost of this $1098 tripod...And? I can get a high quality lens with the rest of the money... Imagine that?!

1000$ and they can't throw in the spikes!! That's crappy marketing. I'll pass just based on principles. Gitzo adds the spikes for free. I'll try the mountaineer series.

What happened to Mama bear?

how much???

There is one big issue I don't quite understand that is why nearly all high-end tripod don't have center column. I think in both portrait and landscape shoot, having a center column provides more versatile. It will be much more convenient when adjusting the hight frequently. Apart from holding super telephoto lens, it's quite stable, most landscape photographer don't use such a heavy canon and most of upper 3 series tripod don't have such a feature. This tripod is very tall, but I found most photographer(except low angle need) always choose a not very tall tripod to them. I think bow too much to aim and shoot is quite a agony. Is there any insides in it that I didn't know so I ask like this? Thanks.

I have an older Bogen 3221 with a newer Manfrotto ballhead BHQ2 that I am well pleased with. Cost was under $200.

This tripod is tall? The gitzo 5563 begs a differ.

I got a Sirui R5214X. It's readily available at a few places at eBay and it comes with a high quality case. It is a copy of Really Right Stuff. R5214X actually has larger leg diameter but otherwise, looks so similar you would have trouble telling them apart without actually seeing the logo. I've seen the Really Right Stuff TVC-34L in person so I know. This is my 2nd Sirui product so I know they hold up well enough. I think in terms of vibration dampening, Gitzo is still better than either of these products. I'd really like someone to do a laser pointer test on these to see how much difference there are among them.

Floppy legs. I've had the RRS -24 for 3 years. It works and has worked well for that time with one exception: floppy legs. The connection at the spot where the leg is hinged to the base would lose friction and when I would pick the tripod up, the leg would be loose. In the process of setting it up, I had to be especially careful. I went to the RRS site and found a video about the problem and how to solve it. I called an got a free tube (1 1/4" X 1/4" - about) mailed without charge of some blue stuff that I applied and that kept the legs appropriately tight. The next time I needed the blue stuff, I was charged postage. I've bought a pack of ten and keep two tubes double-wrapped in my gear bag. I let it cure overnight when needed. It's inconvenient. When I don't have floppy leg problems, the tripod is okay. I've had other owners write they have not had a similar experience. The video is no longer posted. Perhaps the problem has been solved. I plan to buy Girtzo when I next buy a tripod.

Why the heck are quality tripods so expensive? Tripods are inherently basic. Minimum parts and only a few casted parts.. Genuinely curious what makes them so costly.

As a drummer I find tripods a rip off compared to the build quality and price of drum stands

HI Nike, great Video. As you know I have that same tripod and love it. I agree with you about buying the best and not buying cheaper tripods only to have them fail. Another topic I'd like you to research since you do s lot of low light and night sky photography. Here is an interesting link. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this filter. petapixel.com/2016/12/22/slide-filter-cuts-light-pollution-canon-nikon-dslrs/ Joe

RRS good tripod just a Gitzo copy, The Gitzo Systematic 5 series is what sets the standard.

I like Gitzo tripod more, but as the ballhead I think RRS is much better than Gitzo, so I got Gitzo 2542ls tripod with RRS bh55 ballhead.

Nick - I have enjoyed most of your videos, including this one. However, I was disappointed that you did not address the head on top. It does not look like an RRS head, so maybe that's why you avoided it, but I would like to have learned more about it, and, for that matter, why you didn't just buy the RRS BH55 head. I've been wanting a RRS tripod for a while now, particularly for its quality and carbon fiber legs. However, I own two Gitzos, each of which I bought new - one in 1985, and the other in 1993. They are as good and dependable today as they were when new. They just don't wear out, so my problem is trying to "justify" a RRS replacement. PS - I own plenty of RRS attachments and brackets, etc. All outstanding quality and precision. PSS - I've NEVER had a problem with the legs loosening, as you mentioned on the RRS. Anyway, keep up the good videos. And mention your "head" somewhere in your talks.

for my $20K plus Leica M10P and Noctilux M-50 f/0.95 50mm lens, there is nothing I will trust other than a RRL tripod... period.

1098 USD???? Really expensive Stuff

just a random question, are you sponsored by under armour? i like their stuff too, but i see you wearing only under armour hats... lol

Why didn't you reveal the price of the tripod in the video? I was waiting for you to do that. You kept saying that if you can afford it, it's worth buying. Then...no price. Disappointing and frustrating for me, the viewer. Then again, maybe there's a reason why you couldn't reveal the price. If there was a reason, please let me know. Otherwise, this is something you might consider changing in future videos.

... you mean to tell me that a tripod is worth $1,000. this is fake information. I can buy 20 tripods at Costco that will last my generation for 1,363 years before I buy one really rip off pod