Really Right Stuff TVC-34 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod

The tripod is very strong and vibration-free, even on a windy day. It supports my camera with a large telephoto lens (the Sony 200-600mm) on a gimbal head and I can take sharp, long exposure, night time photos of the skyline of Manhattan very easily. I highly recommend this tripod.

For years I hemmed and hawed and put it off. It was too expensive. Too this too that. In the meantime I bought many different tripods and head. And sure enough they broke. I finally changed my mind when one broke and nearly dumped my lens and body. And I bought this. It is rock solids and I love it. I use it with my d4 and 200-400. It is plenty solid and steady. Love it and wish I bought years ago. Would have saved lots of money in the end

This tripod is very stable when I have my Nikon D5 / Nikon 500mm f4 attached to a sidekick on a BH-55 ball head. I started noticing my camera vibrate when attached to my other tripod (using live view magnified) I wasn't even touching the rig. With the RRS TVC-34 it was solid. I like how it can be raised for my viewing without bending and still be stable. It is a little heavy but I transport it using my ATV 4x4 to get back into the area where I do most of my work. This was an excellent purchase.

This tripod is very sturdy with no vibrations that ruin long exposures. It is the perfect height (I am 5' 10) fully extended. It should have came with the carry bag though at this price.

This is the third tripod I've ever owned. Hopefully it will be my last. I have only ever had aluminum tripods before this and both were fairly flimsy travel tripods (a Mefoto Backpacker and a Manfrotto Befree Advanced). The Manfrotto works for my Sony mirrorless setup under calm conditions but as I'm looking to get into wildlife photography, I needed something bigger that could support a 200-600mm lens and a battery grip, and perhaps a Wimberely Sidekick in the future. Enter the RRS TVC-34. I researched tripods relentlessly for a long time before purchasing this and I don't think it gets any better than this. I was initially on the fence about the TVC vs TFC (versa vs. fixed apex). I went with the TVC because RRS provides the option to convert it to a fixed apex, which is much better for compacting the tripod to travel. I will probably get a smaller ballhead for that. The apex is massive on the TVC model but it is really, really stable. I paired it with a BH-55 ball head. I am 5'11 and it's ever so slightly too tall for me when fully extended with shoes on and the BH-55 ballhead plus a camera mounted atop. I use the Sony life view display on the back so it's no problem for me. I really, really enjoy not having a center column; it makes the tripod loads more stable and simplifies the setup and collapse of the legs. Speaking of the legs - they're monsters. Incredibly thick, more than I was expecting. Carbon fiber feels great in the hands, very sleek and doesn't get super cold at night. I love how smoothly the legs extend. I don't need a 7-foot tripod so I didn't get the 34L variant, which helps with compaction. I also went for a 4-section tripod because it collapses well enough to fit into the side of my bag when carrying the tripod onto a plane. The twist locks to me are the cheapest part of the tripod; they feel well-constructed, but they are plastic and next to the carbon + aluminum of the rest of it, they can't really compare. I do enjoy how little throw it takes to unlock them. One of the reasons I've stuck with lever locks until this tripod is because I found twist locks a pain to unlock. By contrast, these are dead-simple: twist a quarter-turn and they're open enough to extend the legs. Twist back and they're rock-solid. No turning five times until they're half-unlocked! The binary nature of the locks is a huge plus. The feet are huge and provide enough traction on dry surfaces. I found that they slip a little on smooth wet ground, but anything will. The joints attaching the legs to the apex are simple and high-quality. I forsee the push/pull locking mechanism taking some getting used to, but I like that it stays unlocked until you push it back in. Tough to convey in writing but it is a good system. I had to tighten the legs when they arrived but they feel rock solid. On the whole, the entire thing is both larger and lighter than I was expecting. With the wide apex it is not light as a travel tripod and should not be viewed as such. It feels sturdy, rugged, ready to last a lifetime of supporting my camera and lenses. Initially I was hesitant to spend so much on a tripod as a graduate student with limited means. I've saved for this for a long time and I'll admit that it feels anti-climactic to set up and use. Something so simple doesn't feel like it should cost so much, but by buying this tripod over others I chose not to compromise on something so crucial for long-exposure, landscape, and wildlife photography. I enjoy supporting American companies and I feel great about the fact that this tripod will last my lifetime and that of my children.

Good height for someone who is 5' 10. Lightweight for its size and very sturdy. Works well with the BH-55 ballhead.