Question – What happens when you have multiple heads that you want to use with multiple support methods?
Maybe you have a gimbal head and want to use it on a tripod, then later want to use a ball head on that same set of legs. Or perhaps you want to use your gimbal head on both your tripod and monopod. For that matter, you may have other swaps you want to do.
The problem is, it’s always a hassle swapping tripod heads all day long. Well, not anymore. In the video below, I’ll show you how you can swap heads back and forth between one tripod and another or between a tripod and monopod in just seconds.
Clamp:
Really Right Stuff B2-LR-II Lever-Release Clamp (60mm)
Dovetail (Small, round)
Really Right Stuff TH-DVTL-40 Round Dovetail Plate
Dovetail (for larger heads, like the BH-55)
Really Right Stuff TH-DVTL-55 Dovetail Plate
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books, Secrets To Stunning Wildlife Photography and Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System as well as my new Noise Reduction video workshop. They’re filled with hundreds of tips, techniques and information just like this. Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look 🙂 )
Alternative http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/category-s/200.htm
Awesome – I just received a foot for my 500PF from your company and it’s excellent. I’ll be recommending your stuff in the future. Great build quality and much more reasonably priced than the others.
Hi Steve… Instead of adding the additional clamp on top of the tripod, why couldn’t you just add the DVTL-40 to the bottom of the Gimbal and then just clamp it directly onto BH-55 ballhead instead of removing the ballhead.
Yup, you could, but I don’t want to lug the extra weight around. Plus, if the main knob came loose, everything would fall over.
Arca Swiss makes a dedicated system for this, well worth checking out for people with multiple tripods and heads
https://www.arca-shop.de/en/tripod-heads/upgrade-conversion/39/quicklink-set
So will you still use the DVTL-40 on your Gimbal head and switch to the DVTL-55 to your ballhead? Or the 55 on both?
Hi Steve…I did this on my Really Right Stuff 34L for my BH-55 and the Really Right Stuff Gimbal. This is an awesome solution and I used it also for my Magic Carpet Slider and Syrp Genie Time Lapse motion control unit. It works great!
Hi Steve, Love your videos and I have all your eBooks as well. They are great. A comment on your quick release setup. I notice that you use and recommend the TH-DVTL-40 on your BH-55 ball head. On the RRS and the B&H web sites they state that the TH-DVTL-40 is made for the BH-40 ball head which has a diameter of 2 inches and that the TH-DVTL-55 is what should be used for the BH-55. It has a diameter of 2 ¾ inches. I use a RRS TA-U-LB leveling base on my WH-200 Gimbal that has the same diameter… Read more »
Thanks – I updated the post to include a link to it.
Hi Steve
I ask RRS about using the TH-DVTL-55 to secure my PG-02 HB using a B2-LR-II clamp. I have found the 55 QR plate slides around in the clamp (until locked) causing misalignment to the center of the tripod.
They told me to eyeball it to get it centered. I saw that you used the TH-DVTL-40 which has two retaining screws. Is that to keep it perfectly centered ?? Have you found this problem with the 55 plate.
I don’t have the larger plate – yet (one is on order). However, I don’t know that it;’s usually that critical (at least not for what I do) to have perfect center alignment, so I admit that I’ve never given it much thought or attention. The smaller QR plate’s pins do not help with centering though – just for safety.
Morgan’s Revenge. Every time I watch one of you videos on tripod I need to go buy more stuff. I have a TA-4 Leveling Base on my RRS tripod. For a Gimble Head this gives you a way to level the base in a second or two and their is no need to mess with your tripod legs to level it.
Enjoy
Would you stop showing me cool new things for my RRS Tripod. Just kidding I love this stuff. Keep up the videos…
Hi Steve,
That’s the first time I’ve seen you use the RRS tripod. Did you switch from your Gitzo’s to the RRS tripods or are you just testing out the RRS. Excellent tip on changing out the various tripod heads. Thank you! I have both of your ebooks and have read them numerous times. So many wonderful tips and great information in those ebooks. I’m anxiously awaiting for your upcoming ebook.
Not switching, just adding 🙂 The Gitzo 3 series is now the “beater” tripod and video tripod. I also still have the 5 series as well. I find the RRS 3 series is just a bit more robust than the Gitzo 3 series so it works great for big glass and shorter stuff. I tend use it as a single, do-it-all traveling tripod – especially when space is limited. So, it’s the one here in Costa Rica with me.
Thanks Steve for that tip, always love your videos!
Outstanding idea. I use the RRS leveling base with my BH55 but I am confident this will work fine. No more Sidekick and I get the benefit of the full Wimberly head. Thanks Steve.
Great idea. I just bought this setup. So long sidekick. Thanks Steve.
will it work with most tripods? By the way I love your wildlife photography secrets.
As long as it has a 3/8″ mounting stud, which is pretty standard.
will this work with most tripods? I use an alta pro tripod. By the way I love your “Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography”.
Thanks Steve… been meaning to email you with this exact question !
Did I mention I was a mind reader too? 😀
I remember you explaining in in CR… I went to the RRS webiste (thinking how many different plates can they sell) and my eyes glazed over…. so now I have ordered what I needed.
That’s fantastic Steve. Thanks.
I would have concerns the Really Right Stuff clamp could come undone by accident.
I suppose anything is possible, but it locks down pretty well. In addition, I use QR clamps like that for my BH-55 and WH-200 and have never inadvertently pulled the lever.
OTOH – I have seen countless loose heads on tripods that weren’t securely fastened and working their way off. So, I think it can happen either way.
Check out the Zenelli Quick Release Plate (BandH sell the Conversion) that has backup lock on the QR mechanism. Apparently this can be bought alone, although it’s part of the CARBONZX gimbal – pricey but the Rolls Royce of gimbals(!)
I’ve come to rely on the S African made Gimpro gimbal that has very similar 2 stage QR lock to RRS. No problems as it takes rare event to swing it fully open. But then I always clip a safety lanyard to big rig’ although not everyone likes these as they can snag
link here https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1247386-REG/zenelli_qgz_quick_release_plate_conversion.html
Wish I had known before I purchased another Gitzo tripod. Am going to consider acquiring these devices. Thanks very much, Steve!!! Enjoy Costa Rica!
Wish I knew about this a few days ago; getting on plane in a few hours for Costa Rica! 🙂
I just started using it a little over a month ago, had to be sure it worked well before suggesting it to everyone. See you Wednesday!!
It looks AWESOME … Buying as soon as we get back! Thank you for testing and recommending!
Great great great advice!!!!!!. Thank you very much, these save me time, wheight and also money.