Really Right Stuff TVC-34L Test Results

The RRS TVC-34L is the overhead long version of their 3 series.  It has the exact same construction with four sections and longer tubes.  Like all Really Right Stuff tripods, it is very light for its height and stiffness.  When extended to the same height as the TVC-33 version, the stiffness of the TVC-34L is slightly less than its smaller sibling, but not by much. 

NameRRS TVC-34L
ClassSystematic
Yaw Stiffness1117 +/- 3 Nm/rad
Yaw Damping0.253 +/- 0.025 Js/rad
Pitch Stiffness3200 +/- 9 Nm/rad
Pitch Damping0.624 +/- 0.062 Js/rad
Retail Price$1100
Weight4.53 lbs (2.055 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating50 lbs
Maximum Height67.8 in (172.2 cm)
Minimum Height4.0 in (10.2 cm)
Center ColumnNo
Base Diameter3.0 in (7.6 cm)
Folded Length23.7 in (60.2 cm)
Folded Circumference15.1 in (38.4 cm)
Folded Volume430.0 cu. in. (7.0 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle26.0 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter36.7 mm
Second Tube Diameter32.7 mm
Third Tube Diameter28.5 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter24.6 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookYes

The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement.  The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data. I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data.  All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating. The tripod is measured at full height, with the center column down.

Bonus Data:

Stiffness vs Height:

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:

Good looking data.  Nice exponential decay.

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:

A lot more damping in the pitch direction.  We certainly fit the right resonance.  The broadness of the peak in the frequency space is a direct consequence of higher damping.