anthony_zipple1

I am also a Black Rapid fan. My one complaint is that it is not a quick release device. I need to unscrew the connector from the L plate on my camera to switch to a tripod. A Really Right Stuff Screw-knob Clamp with 38mm jaws and strap bosses solved this for me. I can now quickly swap back and forth from strap to tripod. While I have never had a body release from the clamp, I use a an Optech uniloop as a safety. This set up is about twice your max price of 50 but well it if you already use an L plate. If not, the RRS QD plate and strap is also a good bet at about 77 pounds. Again, higher than your ceiling of 50 but for the security and ease of use I find these solutions well worth the added cost

<p>A great full size pod with a good head that travels well will be more than $200. You can, however, get reasonable aluminum pods with a decent head in this range. They are a bit heavier. The heads will not be as smooth as you would ideally want. The capacity will be a little limited. But for an inexpensive solution, they work. Look at Oben aluminum pods at B&H. things like:</p> <p>https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/864557-REG/oben_at_3471_ba_126t_at_3471_aluminum_tripod_with.html</p>

I have 4 full sized tripods and a couple of table top pods. had a Bogen 3221 with an old Arca Swiss B-1 head for years really solid but heavy and my daughter has it today. My favorite big set up is a RRS 34L with a RRS BH-55 head. Very tall, very smooth, very solid, veryy reliable. My favorite light pod is a Gitzo Traveler with a RRS BH-30 head. I also have a Gitzo Mountaineer with a RRS BH-40 head that I use for field work. All of these are great. Gitzo and RRS pods, RRS. I also have a relatively cheap pod and head with a boom like arm that I occasionally use for macro work but it is not that precise and it irritates me. I use it only when I need to extend the arm horizontally.

Pretty shameful. I would be more sympathetic but this is not the first problem like this for B&H. I like the pricing at B&H but not that much. No more B&H purchases for me until this is resolved.

I used to have a 24.70 f 2.8 but sold it and uses a 24-105 as my general lens for a few years. I decided recently that a smaller, sharper 24-70 f4 was better for me. It is a great lens. While slower, image quality rivals the f2.8 and it is much easier to haul around. In general, I like it a lot and will stick with it but I sometimes miss the extra length of the 24-105. All three are fine lenses. None are perfect. You make the choice that works best for you.

These are very different lenses. I have used the 24-105 as a general, walk around lens and generally like it. That said, its corner to corner performance wide open is good but not great. I played with the 24-70 f/2.8 and loved the speed and image quality but hated the weight and price. I small now using a 24-70 f/4. It is not as fast as the 2.8 or quite as sharp in the corners but it is very good. It is shorter but sharper than the 24-105. I like it a lot as a smaller, lighter and quite good walking around lens.

These are very different lenses. I have used the 24-105 as a general, walk around lens and generally like it. That said, it's corner to corner performance wide open is good but not great. I played with the 24-70 f/2.8 and loved the speed and image quality but hated the weight and price. I small now using a 24-70 f/4. It is not as fast as the 2.8 or quite as sharp in the corners but it is very good. I like it a lot as a smaller, lighter and white good walking around lens.

As Bill notes, RRS is a great bracket. Kirk is also very good. I am using a Kirk MKIII plate on my 5DS an like it a lot. I have a RRS plate on my MKII. Both companies deliver good stuff. http://www.kirkphoto.com/Quick-Release-Camera-Plates.html

I think I paid $60 for this. Sturdy enough, portable enough, cheap. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UE50O2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage