Ultimate Really Right Stuff Tripod Guide – 2026

There comes a time in every photographer’s life when they need to buy a tripod. Sadly, many people screw this up and buy the cheapest option they can find, only to have it break within a year or two, doing more harm than good to their photography. About 25 years ago, I made this mistake by buying one of those cheap SLIK tripods.

After that, there comes another milestone in a photographer’s life: deciding to buy a “proper” tripod that will last a lifetime. During this second search, many people discover the made-in-the-USA tripods from Really Right Stuff. In this guide, I will share over 15-years of experience with a wide range of Really Right Stuff tripods. All your questions will be answered if you’re considering buying one.

RRS is renowned for its beautiful designs and faultless machining. Everything produced in the factory looks like a work of art, as much as that is possible with a tripod, at least. But RRS products don’t just have a pretty face; they deliver performance to support that.

Some people will hesitate at the price of these tripods, but once you use one, you’ll quickly see that they cost more because they’re worth it. Every joint is buttery smooth, every leg lock is silky, and every piece of machining is perfectly anodized. It’s like the old supercar comparison: A Porsche and a Ford can both get you to the grocery store, but one just feels better and does it with more style.

Why an RRS Tripod Guide Is Needed

As with anything expensive with so many options, deciding which RRS tripod to choose can be agonizing. Over the years, I have owned RRS Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 tripods, carbon ones, aluminum ones, ones with center columns and ones without, ones with removable apexes and ones with fixed apexes, Mk1 and Mk2 versions, even ones classed as “Short” versions and ones classed as “Long” versions.

I have paired those tripods with just about every RRS tripod head they have ever made, from the BH-25 to the BH-55, and various versions of their gimbal. Some, like my partner Kait, might call this “a problem.” But I’m just going to call it research, and now you can all benefit from a decade of in-field testing.

Disclaimer: All of my RRS tripods were purchased at full price, just like a regular customer. I have been a contributor to Really Right Stuff’s seasonal magazine, Light and Shadow, and have been a pre-production product tester in the past, but I’m under no obligation to gush nice things about all of their products. They don’t even know I’m writing this guide. My priority here is to help you make the best decision.

RRS Tripod Model Names and Nomenclature Explained

RRS uses a simple alphanumerical system to construct the product names for its wide range of tripods. Once you see the explanation below, you’ll understand the spec sheets and details in this guide much better and instantly appreciate the differences between tripods such as the TVC-34L, TFCX-14, and QVC-44.

• Example 1: TVC-23 – This is a Series 2 Carbon tripod with a Versa apex and 3 leg sections.
• Example 2: TVC-32G – This is a Series 3 carbon tripod with a Versa apex and 2 leg sections. It is a Ground pod designed for low-level usage.
• Example 3: TFC-24L – This is a Series 2 carbon tripod with a fixed apex and 4 leg sections. The L designation means it’s the Long variation, so all of the leg sections are slightly longer than the regular version of the TFC-24, thus making it taller when extended to maximum height.
• Example 4 – Ascend-14 L BH – This is a Series 1 tripod with 4 leg sections. It’s part of the Ascend series, in the long variation, and it also has a built-in ball head.
• Example 5 – TFCX 14 – This is a Series 1 carbon tripod with 4 leg sections.

Really Right Stuff Tripod Specifications

Now that you understand the tripod’s naming scheme, this table compares the essential specifications of maximum and minimum height, folded length and diameter, and capacity and price. As you study the specs, you’ll notice a few correlations between the tripod designs and the resulting specifications.

For example, fixed-apex TFC versions of tripods are slightly lighter and have a smaller folded diameter than their TVC siblings. More leg sections decrease the folded length of a tripod to make it more packable, but they also slightly reduce the maximum capacity and increase the price. Long and Short variations of tripods have different folded lengths and somewhat different maximum capacities.

Note on pricing: I used to include the current price in the second column of this table, but prices fluctuated so much in recent years that I have given up constantly tweaking them. Please click the link to check the current pricing.

RRS Out of Stock – What Are The Alternatives?

Over the last few years, it has become challenging to get an RRS tripod as they are often out of stock. If you find one in stock, don’t consider it too long! If you miss it, you could wait for months before it becomes available again. If you need a tripod ASAP for an upcoming trip, and you can’t find it in stock right now, you should look elsewhere. If that happens, I recommend looking at another made-in-the-USA tripod company, ProMediaGear.

In search of a heavy-duty Series 4 tripod and unable to get the RRS one I wanted, I recently had to make this decision myself. PMG’s tripods are equally good as RRS tripods, and they don’t seem to suffer the same supply issues. While I would have liked to add to my RRS tripod collection, I have been mightily impressed with the ProMediaGear TR424L tripod, just as I have been in the past with their tripod heads.

Choosing an RRS Tripod

TFC Vs. TVC Tripods

With one exception, every Series 2 and Series 3 tripod is currently available in two variations: TFC (Ultralight) and TVC (Versa). The exception is the ultra-short TVC-32G Ground Pod, which lacks a TFC version. Series 1 tripods do not offer this choice.

To understand the difference between a TFC and a TVC tripod, you need to know that in the Really Right Stuff tripod terminology, the apex is the part where all three legs meet at the top. Some might call this the top plate, but RRS refers to it as the apex. TFC tripods have a fixed apex, while TVC tripods use a removable Versa apex that includes a standard flat plate with a 3/8″-16 stud but also supports a variety of Versa accessories, such as leveling bases, video bowls, and center columns. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each version.

TVC to TFC Conversion

RRS offers a conversion kit to turn a TVC tripod into a TFC tripod. The kit costs just over $100, which should help ease some people’s worries about choosing the wrong model. If you’re unsure which one is right for you, the best option is to buy the TVC version, knowing you can always convert it to a TFC tripod later using the kit. Since the fixed apex is the same size for both Series 2 and Series 3 tripods, only one conversion kit is offered. This also means that if you own both a Series 2 and Series 3 tripod, you can buy one conversion kit and move that fixed apex between your tripods as needed. The conversion operation requires no special skills and takes about five minutes.

TVC to TFC Conversion

Rather than calling RRS and asking the question themselves, one particularly lazy and obnoxious commenter tried to imply that my information about converting one type of RRS tripod to another was incorrect simply because they couldn’t find anyone else mentioning it. So, let me be clear: TVC tripods can be converted to TFC tripods using the dedicated conversion kit that RRS sells on its website in the Tripod Accessories section.

You can also convert a TFC tripod to a TVC tripod. However, the kit to achieve this conversion (TFC->TVC) is not listed on the RRS website. Instead, you need to ask RRS to create a custom order for the parts to do this. Note that it is much more expensive than converting from TVC to TFC because the TVC apex is much larger than a TFC apex and requires machining from a larger billet. Plus, the parts order must include a Versa plate and a hook. In short, it’s possible to convert tripods this way (TFC->TVC), but you may be better off selling your TFC tripod on the secondhand market and buying a brand-new TVC instead.

TFC Tripods – Pros and Cons

A TFC tripod features a fixed apex. All legs connect to a machined aluminum section with a removable stud for attaching your tripod head. On TFC tripods, this stud is reversible and removable–a feature RRS oddly does not mention on its website. This allows you to use either a 1/4″20 stud or a 3/8″16 stud on top of the tripod. You can also remove it completely to leave a 1/4″20 threaded hole, which can be used with the BC-18 Microball or the BPC-16 Panning Microball.

All TFC tripods come with a hand strap that hangs below the apex. This strap can be used to apply downward pressure while shooting, increasing tripod stability in windy conditions. TFC tripods are slightly lighter than their TVC counterparts (see specifications table for exact values), and their folded diameter is smaller, making them easier to pack into a suitcase, Pelican photography case, or duffel bag for travel.

While you cannot add a Series 3 RRS leveling head to a TFC tripod because it lacks the removable apex plate, you can install an RRS Universal leveling head, which screws onto the TFC tripod’s 3/8″16 stud. This option doesn’t look quite as neat as the integrated Series 3 head, but has the advantage of maintaining the TFC tripod’s smaller packed diameter and can be easily removed if you want to lighten your tripod on the fly. It’s not possible to install the optional Series 3 or Series 2 center columns on TFC versions.

One other downside I’ve noticed after many years of using TFC tripods is that they are a bit harder to carry by hand compared to TVC versions of the same tripod. When the legs are collapsed, there’s no space to grip one leg of the tripod. On a TVC tripod, the gap near the apex allows your fingers to wrap around one of the legs.

TVC Tripods – Pros and Cons

A TVC tripod features a removable Versa SureGrip™ apex. The standard Versa platform included with all TVC tripods has a fixed 3/8″16 stud. Using a hex key, you can remove this platform and replace it with a Versa leveling base or a Versa Quick Column. TVC tripods also come with a removable aluminum hook on the underside of the Versa platform. These tripods are slightly heavier than their TFC counterparts, and the wider apex results in a larger minimum diameter and a somewhat bulkier kit to pack into your bag.

Which One Is Right for You?

If you are sure you do not need to use any of the Versa accessories, there is no point in buying the TVC version of the tripod. You might as well go for the TFC version and save some weight and space. The decision doesn’t have to be any harder than that, but if you need more convincing, RRS has a handy video to watch below. As mentioned earlier, if you are still unsure, the safest bet is to buy the TVC version, since you can always buy the conversion kit to change a TVC into a TFC at a later date.

RRS Tripod Series Number Explained

RRS tripods are divided into three series: Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 (Series 4 tripods have been discontinued). The lower the series number, the smaller the uppermost leg diameter, which affects the maximum capacity. Thinner legs mean a lower maximum capacity. Series 1 tripods are the smallest and lightest, with capacities up to 30 lbs, while Series 4 tripods are the largest and heaviest, supporting up to 85 lbs in the case of the TVC-33 and TVC-34.

While the series number is a helpful starting point for understanding an RRS tripod’s capacity, it isn’t the only factor that influences this important specification. Tripod capacity is also impacted by maximum height (a taller tripod generally has a lower capacity).

Number of Leg Sections

RRS tripods have 1, 2, 3, or 4 leg sections. Adding more leg sections lets you shorten the tripod’s collapsed length while keeping a similar maximum height. However, it slightly reduces stability because the more leg sections you have, the smaller the diameter of the lowest leg section becomes.

Take the TVC-33 and TVC-34 as examples. The latter has four leg sections, so its collapsed length is shorter (20.9″ vs 25.4″), making it a bit easier to pack for travel. However, it is also slightly shorter in maximum height, and because of the thinner lower leg, there’s a higher risk that strong winds or heavy loads could cause instability.

Size Variations

As we know from the nomenclature section, some RRS tripods are labeled with size variations such as L, S, or G for Long, Short, or Ground.

• G – Ground Pods – For eye-level wildlife photography and filmmaking
• L – Large – For taller photographers or those that shoot on uneven terrain
• S – Short – For shorter photographers or those who value weight as a priority (now discontinued)

A common mistake I see landscape and wildlife photographers make is buying a tripod that’s too short for them. Too often, people consider their height and purchase a tripod that, at its maximum height, holds the camera near their face. If they were just using a $50 tripod that lasts a few months, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But since this guide covers tripods costing over $1000, I assume you’re making a long-term investment. In this case, it’s important to get this right.

The problem is that the ground is rarely flat when you’re out in the field. Once one tripod leg needs to be longer than the others, the maximum tripod height that would have aligned your camera near your face now only reaches chest level. Sometimes, you might manage to look down on a flip-out LCD screen on a dark morning to compose a shot, but soon enough, you’ll be shooting in bright sunlight, wishing you could put your eye to the viewfinder. Spending hours hunched over isn’t worth the small weight savings of choosing a slightly shorter tripod. Trust me.

I’m only 5’9″, but I opt for the L version of every RRS tripod that offers it: Ascend-14L, TFCX-14L, TVC-24L, and TVC-34L. Each year, I encounter situations that require extra height, and sometimes it makes a difference in my photography by providing a unique angle or revealing a background that others can’t capture.

If you mainly work in a studio or buildings for architectural photography, having extra height may not be necessary. But if you’re a landscape or wildlife photographer often working on uneven ground, consider buying a tripod that will raise your camera at least 6-8 inches above your eye level. That way, when you’re in the field and need to extend a downhill leg, as I did in the photo above, you’ll still be able to get that camera back to your eye level.

Mk1 Vs. Mk2 RRS Tripods

In 2019, RRS began selling Mk2 versions of all its tripods. I will briefly compare the two versions because many Mk1 tripods are available on the second-hand market, and Mk1 owners might be wondering whether to upgrade to an Mk2.

The main upgrade in the Mk2 version is the leg locks. The only visual difference indicating that a tripod is part of the new Mk2 lineup is the slightly different appearance of the new leg locks. According to RRS, “The new sealed twist-lock minimizes the number of contaminants, such as sand and grit, that gets caught inside the twist locks. In addition to improving the feel and operation of the twist locks, the seals extend their life. This new feature is also important in sub-freezing environments, preventing moisture from entering the assembly and freezing.”

RRS also states, “Mark 2 tripods use a 360-degree collet and wiper shield that can be easily removed from the twist locks for cleaning. If you need to clean the twist-locks in the field, the process is now much easier. Gone are the days of hard-to-remove and reinstall split gibs; maintenance is now simple!”

And finally, “We designed a discreet air vent to port air out just under our pull-tabs towards the center of the tripod. These air vents prevent pressure gradients from building up, allowing smoother leg extraction and collapse. The inward-facing vents also ensure airflow is directed toward the center of the tripod and away from mounted lens elements. Positioned at the top and inside of each leg, the air vents are also less likely to let water or other debris enter the leg assembly.”

Although these are welcome improvements, I believe there’s no need for anyone to upgrade their Mk1 tripod to an Mk2 to get the new leg locks. I also think that if you find a good deal on a second-hand Mk1 tripod, go ahead and buy it confidently! It’s still a great tripod. I have owned both types of tripods and don’t notice a huge difference.

Tripod Models Discussed

RRS Series 1 Tripods

The Series 1 tripod range has undergone more changes than any other part of the RRS tripod catalog over the past fifteen years. Gone are the old TFC-14 and TQC-14 models, both MK1 and MK2. Now we have the Ascend 14, which has four variations, along with the TFCX-14, TFCX-14L, and the TFCX-13, an ultra-compact model for those who prefer significant weight savings over maximum height.

The Ascend-14 Series

The Ascend-14 Series is Really Rights Stuff’s answer to the all-purpose ultralight tripod. Although the folded diameter of the Ascend tripod is the same as that of the RRS TFCX tripods, the Ascend-14 manages to fit a quick column between the folded legs using a clever scalloped design. This lever-locked column can be inverted for ground-level shooting or shortened to save some weight. The Ascend-14 tripod is available in four different versions: Ascend-14 BH, Ascend-14 PL, Ascend-14L BH, and Ascend-14L PL.

The BH versions of the tripod feature a built-in ball head. With its inverted design, this head resembles the RRS BPC-16 Microball. The PL versions of the tripod have a standard platform with a 3/8″16 stud. The platform on the PL versions is sized to perfectly match the RRS BH-30 ball head. The L versions of the Ascend-14 are taller (66.6″ vs. 58.2″) and have a longer folded length (19.6″ vs. 17.1″) than the non-L versions.

The Quick Column on all Ascend tripods adds 10.1″ (26cm) to the tripod’s height. The Max Height measurements in the tripod specifications table include the column height. If you want to know how tall the Ascend tripods can go without raising the Quick Column, you’ll have to subtract 10.1″ from the specified max height. This means the Ascend-14L, with its Quick Column lowered, is only 2 inches shorter than the regular Ascend-14 with its column raised. If you avoid using tripod center columns, the L version of the Ascend-14 is the one for you—and the one I chose.

TFCX-13 – A Bit of an Odball

The RRS TFCX-13 is a 3-section Series 1 tripod with a very short maximum height of 41.19″ (104.62 cm). This compromise in height results in a weight of just 2 lb (965 g). An optional 7″ riser can be screwed to the tripod’s Apex, but do note that this is not a center column. It cannot be retracted between the tripod’s legs. Thus, when attached, it adds to the folded length unless you detach it.

The TFCX-13 is a niche tripod that might appeal to ounce-counting hikers or those planning to stay behind their tripod all day in a photo blind. Just avoid using this as your only tripod. It would be the wrong choice for 99.9% of readers of this guide. Judging by how this tripod was marketed—primarily through hunting websites—it seems to have been designed mainly for the RRS SOAR catalog.

TFCX-14 and TFCX-14L

A year after introducing the extra-short TFCX-13, RRS added the TFCX-14 and TFCX-14L tripods to their catalog. These tripods use the same leg sections as the Ascend 14 and 14L, so you can think of them as Ascend 14 tripods without the center column mechanism or the option for an integrated Microball, which saves weight (about 0.7 lbs) and money.

The TFCX-14 effectively replaces the long-discontinued TFC-14. The original TFC-14 had a maximum height of 47.1 inches, while the new TFCX-14 offers a maximum height of 48.38 inches. The old TFC-14 had a folded length of 17.8 inches, whereas the newer TFCX-14 is slightly shorter at 17.25 inches and also weighs 0.2 pounds less. The addition of an L variant, in the form of the TFCX-14L, is appreciated.

What I find confusing is RRS’s use of the TFCX name on these two newer Series 1 tripods. When the eXtra-short TFCX-13 was introduced, adding an X to the name made some sense so that this tripod could be singled out as a special-purpose product that didn’t reach the heights usually expected of a tripod. However, it makes no sense, at least to me, to apply the X to the product names of the TFCX-14 and 14L. These are very welcome tripods (back) in the RRS lineup, but the TFCX name might confuse people who are expecting to find something eXtra compared to any of the other fixed-apex TFC tripods.

Converting Ascend 14 to TFCX-14 or Vice Versa

Notably, since the TFCX-14 and 14L share the same legs as the Ascend 14 and 14L, you can place a special parts order with RRS customer service to obtain the parts needed to convert one tripod type to the other. You will not (yet) find a specific conversion kit listed on their site for this, but I have been told that it is possible.

RRS Series 2 Tripods

The Series 2 tripods are the true all-rounders of the RRS tripod lineup. They are lightweight and small enough for extensive travel while maintaining a large enough capacity (85 lb) for just about any lens and camera. My top pick from the Series 2 lineup is the TFC-24L. If I could only have one RRS tripod, this would be it! It offers a huge maximum height in a compact package, with enough capacity to hold a gimbal and a 600mm lens.

Series 2 tripods are designed to pair perfectly with the BH-40 ball head, though there are no hard-and-fast rules here. Those opting for a lighter TFC Series 2 tripod (TFC-24 or TFC-24L) should also consider the smaller BH-30 ball head or, if you are willing to go off-brand, an Acratech GXP. I often pair a GXP with my TFC-24L.

RRS Series 3 Tripods

The Series 3 tripods offer the stability recommended for long-term usage of super-telephoto lenses and the damping necessary for critical sharpness with high-megapixel medium-format cameras. The higher your camera’s resolution, the easier it is for micro-vibrations to show up in your images as a lack of sharpness.

While many people fixate on tripod weight capacity, they often forget to factor in their cameras’ resolution. I use my current Series 3 model, a TVC-34L, with big lenses like my Sony 600mm f/4 GM or Nikon 800mm PF for wildlife expeditions and landscape work with my higher-resolution Sony a7R or a1 series cameras.

Series 3 tripods are designed to be paired with the BH-55 ball head or the PG-02 Mk2 gimbal head. If you choose the TFC version of a Series 3 tripod (TFC-33, TFC-34, or TFC-34L) to save some bulk and weight, consider pairing it with a BH-40 ball head instead.

RRS Series 4 Support

Series 4 Tripods

For some reason, RRS has discontinued all of their 3-legged Series 4 tripods. Though I’m sure they sold fewer of these than the 1, 2, or Series 3 tripods, the move still surprises me because these were highly regarded. If you want a tripod with a higher capacity than the Series 3 RRS tripods and options for a 100mm video head, look at the excellent ProMediaGear 4-Series tripods. PMG tripods are every bit as good as RRS tripods, and I now own their TR424L tripod myself when I was unable to acquire an RRS Series 4 tripod.

Series 4 Quadpod

Looking for high-capacity RRS support for your camera? Check out the (now discontinued) QVC-44 Quadpod. It supports 120 lb, extends to 75.5″, and weighs 8.19 lb (3.72 kg). Uses a 75mm Versa Apex, compatible with RRS Series 3 tripod accessories. RRS says it was designed for a natural history filmmaking unit to support a large camera slider with a single central support instead of two.

RRS Ground Pod

Like other sections of its catalog, Really Right Stuff’s selection of Ground Pods has been greatly simplified. We used to have a TVC-32G, TVC-42G, and TFA-32G. The Series 4 Ground Pod was discontinued along with the other Series 4 tripods, and the Aluminum TFA-32G was recently phased out due to rising base material costs cutting into margins. This leaves us with the very capable TVC-32G.

While I could have categorized this under the Series 3 subheading, the TVC-32G’s significantly shorter height and impressive 200-lb capacity deserved more attention. With a maximum height of 14″ and a minimum of just 2.9″, this tripod is designed for wildlife photographers and filmmakers who need reliable support for heavy camera setups while capturing eye-level shots. Sometimes, that means flattening the tripod and lying on the ground. In other situations, it might involve using the tripod at its full height while kneeling behind it or sitting on a small stool in a hide.

You might think you can shoot from both positions using a larger tripod by adjusting the leg angles, but this is only partly true. If you flatten a larger tripod to shoot from ground level, the longer legs make it much harder to move the tripod around as you crawl across the ground toward your subject. To shoot at a 14″ height with a larger tripod would require spreading the lens out wide using the adjustable leg locks. When you do this, it greatly affects the tripod’s stability. The TVC-32G, however, has more than twice the capacity of any other Series 3 tripod at these lower heights, and it takes up much less space in a hide.

RRS TFA-01 Pocket Pod

The RRS tabletop tripod is called the TFA-01 Pocket Pod. It features ratcheting leg stops, like a full-sized tripod, allowing you to lock the legs in three positions. Once locked, it is rock-solid. Pair this tiny tripod with the fantastic RRS BC-18 Microball, and, believe it or not, you have a pocketable support capable of holding a super-telephoto lens. These tripods are handy when visiting “no tripod” tourist areas. Keep this in your pocket, and you’ll always have a stable platform on a flat surface or to brace against a wall.

RRS SOAR TFCT Tripods

Really Right Stuff doesn’t just make tripods for photographers; they also offer a range of tripods and heads under the RRS SOAR (Sport Optics and Rifles) brand. Most of the tripods in the SOAR lineup are identical to their photographic counterparts, though they feature a dedicated apex that supports the SOAR-specific head, the RRS Anvil 30. However, there are a few exceptions in the TVC-22i, TVC-22i Compact, and TVC-43i models. These tripods feature inverted leg sections. The lower leg section is thicker than the upper one, whereas in a regular tripod, the lowest leg section is the thinnest.

The main benefits of this tripod are for competition rifle sports. It has only a single leg lock on each leg, and the inverted design means the locks are at the top when closed, making it quick and easy to grab when you need to deploy the legs rapidly during rifle contests. Another advantage is that when the legs are extended, the single-leg lock is positioned in the middle of the legs, so there’s never a lock down low in the mud. In short, these are specialized items and not designed for photographers.

RRS Tripod Accessories

In this section, we will look at the various accessories that Really Right Stuff offers for its tripods.

Interchangeable Tripod Feet

Two types of accessory tripod feet are available: Spikes and Rock Claws. I chose to go with the spikes because they are more suitable for the sandy, snowy, or, to some extent, muddy landscapes I tend to shoot in. The Rock Claws are definitely a more specialized accessory. As the name suggests, they provide a little more grip on rock, but in my experience, the standard rubber feet actually provide a very good grip on rock anyway.

Quick Column

Optional center columns are available for Series 2 and Series 3 tripods. You need a TVC-model tripod to use one. A center column has two purposes: First, it allows you to add additional height to a tripod while keeping the folded length smaller than simply buying the taller version. Second, it allows you to quickly adjust the height of your camera without altering all three legs.

I would not recommend buying one of these columns if you plan to use it constantly. The aluminum center column adds weight to your nice carbon tripod and instability, particularly in windy conditions. Buy the tripod size you need for your height, and only consider the optional column for particular uses such as indoor products and portrait photography, where the speed of height adjustment is useful and the negatives of a center column are less apparent.

RRS Tripod Bags – Discontinued

It has come to my attention that, in 2026, all five sizes of RRS’s tripod bags are no longer available on the RRS website and are listed as discontinued elsewhere. That’s a shame. To avoid this guide being unnecessarily long, I have removed most of the additional info about these bags since it’s no longer relevant. For the time being, I’ll leave the specification table below, just in case someone finds a bag on the second-hand market. They were nice bags.

Tripod Bag Size	Recommended Tripods/Monopods	Length	Internal Dimension	Weight
Compact	TQC-14, TFC-14, TFA-32G, MC-14, TFCX-13, MC-25(no head)	21″(53.5cm)	4.3×19″(11.0x47cm)	13.2oz (375g)
Small	TVC-24, TFC-24, MC-34, MC45, MC-25(with head)	26.5″(67cm)	4.3×25″(11×63.5cm)	16.4oz (465g)
Medium	TVC-23, TFC-23, TFC-24L, TVC-24L	31.5″(80cm)	4.7×28″(12x72cm)	20.5oz (580g)
Large	All Series 3 tripods	35″(89cm)	4.7×31.5″(12x80cm)	23.3oz (660g)
Extra Large	All Series 4 tripods	38.5″(98cm)	7.8×35″(20x89cm)	32.1oz (910g)

RRS Tripod Strap System (QD)

RRS has been integrating a quick-release standard into their camera and lens plates called the QD (Quick Detach) system for a while. This system is borrowed from the firearms industry, where it turns out people like quickly detaching guns from straps just as much as photographers like detaching straps from cameras. Who knew?! The system is catching on in the photo world. Really Right Stuff doesn’t make its own straps, but it resells the straps made by firearms manufacturer Magpul. (see my review).

To use these quick-release straps with an RRS tripod, you need to purchase two items: A QD Apex mount and a QD tripod collar. Both the collar and mount feature a QD-compatible connection. With both parts installed, you can use any strap with QD connectors on both ends to create a 2-point tripod harness.

Using the same QD strap with your camera

What’s great about the Magpul straps is that they can be converted from 2-point to single-point attachment. This means you can buy one strap for your tripod and use that same strap as a single-point attachment on your camera. If I’m carrying my tripod over my shoulder with the strap, my camera is always in a bag and, therefore, doesn’t need the strap at the same time.

If you have a spare camera strap that you already love, you can also buy a pair of QD swivel adapters from B&H, RRS, or Amazon and put them on your existing strap to convert it for use with the RRS tripod strap set. I’d bet any photographer has at least one spare strap lying around, so this might be a good option for those who cleaned out their bank account buying their dream tripod 🙂

Leveling Base

A leveling base, also known as a leveling head, is a tripod accessory that helps you quickly level the tripod’s top platform without making tiny adjustments to each leg. Position the legs roughly in the right place, then loosen the leveling head and use its built-in bubble level to create a perfectly level platform. This is important for shooting stitched panoramic images to keep the horizon level, and it’s also vital for video shooting to ensure panning motions stay level and don’t drift upward or downward.

RRS makes two leveling bases. The first is the TA-3, designed to fit the Series 3 Versa tripods. The second is the TA-2U Universal Leveling Base, designed to fit into the Versa apex of Series 2 TVC tripod or to be screwed onto any 3/8″16 stud. Both the RRS leveling bases have the option to be fitted with either a flat plate and a 3/8″ stud, or an Arca-Swiss lever-release clamp for quick-release of your various tripod heads.

Video Bowl

A 75mm video bowl is available for all Series 3 TVC tripods. If you plan to shoot a video with your tripod and own a fluid head with a 75mm bowl, you must buy this accessory. Note that the Series 3 Leveling Base comes with a video bowl, so if you are planning to buy a leveling head, you won’t need to purchase the video bowl.

Where to Buy

Really Right Stuff is an American company and fine folks to deal with directly from their own online store if you can. B&H Photo also stocks most of its products and may offer cheaper shipping options for people living outside the US. I’m in Canada, and B&H will ship any of these items to me for free and also let me pre-pay all taxes and duties. The same can be said for many other international destinations.

If you decide to buy any RRS gear after reading this guide, I’d be grateful if you click the links on this page. I may earn a small commission when you do this, which allows me to dedicate so much time and effort to creating useful resources like this one. Here are all the links for your convenience:

Tripods and Monopods

• Series 1
  • RRS TFCX-13 – Really Right Stuff
  • RRS TFCX-14 – Really Right Stuff
  • RRS TFCX-14L – Really Right Stuff
  • RRS Ascend 14 BH – RRS / B&H Photo / Adorama
  • RRS Ascend 14L BH – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS Ascend 14 PF – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS Ascend 14L PF – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
• Series 2
  • RRS TVC-24 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFC-24 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Adorama
  • RRS TVC-24L MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFC-24L MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Adorama
• Series 3
  • RRS TVC-33 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFC-33 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TVC-34 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFC-34 MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TVC-34L MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFC-34L MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
• Ground or Pocket Pods
  • RRS TVC-32G MK2 – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
  • RRS TFA-01 Pocket Pod – RRS / B&H Photo / Adorama
• Monopods
  • RRS MC-34 Monopod – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Tripod Accessories

• RRS 7″ Riser for TFCX – Really Right Stuff / B&H Photo
• RRS Universal TA-2U Leveling Base – RRS / B&H Photo
• RRS Series 2 TA-2-QC Quick Column – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
• RRS Series 3 TA-3 Leveling Base – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
• RRS Series 3 TA-3-QC Quick Column – RRS / B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
• RRS Series 3 TA-3-VB Video Bowl – RRS / B&H Photo
• RRS Series 4 TA-4-VB Video Bowl – RRS / B&H Photo