Quick setup for TALL tripods

A 6'2" photographer, I recently decided to get a tall tripod, especially for the advantages it will provide when shooting on a hill. I ordered the Gitzo GT3541XLS and was in love. Then I ran across the RRS TVC-24L: a whole pound (25%) lighter, smaller girth at the spider (for easier carrying on my pack), and a much smaller folded length (23.3" instead of 27.5" for the Gitzo) - not to mention the fact I *LOVE* how I can call RRS and actually talk to a human after the first ring rather than tracking down someone at Gitzo. I've now got both in my possession and love everything about the RRS except one thing...the Gitzo fits me perfectly (on level ground) when only extending two legs out from the main leg section, with the fourth leg section only being needed when working on a hill. This makes for a very convenient and very quick setup (just extend two legs out 100% and I'm done) whereas the RRS is too short with only 3/4 legs extended but too tall with all 4 fully extended.

MY QUESTION IS....

For those of you who have tripods taller than you, how do you quickly setup the thing to a good eye level? This may sounds like a stupid question, but coming from a shorter Gitzo mountaineer, it was ALWAYS shorter than me, so my process was to fully extend, then level (by compressing one or two of the legs) and then bend over and commence complaining about my back pains. Now I've got an opposite problem of sorts. I've thought about putting a mark on the leg to indicate how far I should extend it to be at my perfect height for level ground. The best answer would be to really get out and use the thing in the wild, but unfortunately both B&H (for the Gitzo) and RRS will only accept a return in like new condition...so I'm simulating use in my house :)

and commence complaining about my back pains.

Yes, that sounds right. I have a GT2542L that I love. My solution to the problem you describe is to leave the highest legs partially extended - about 6-7 inches - when in the field. It carries just fine, although it spends more time over my shoulder than lashed to my pack.

Hi Scott: Several tripods come with markings on the smallest section of the legs, which makes it convenient. I do it about like Jim sometimes, but after awhile it's pretty easy to remember how far they need to extend. A dab of paint or similar to mark your preferred height certainly shouldn't hurt anything.

Don't know how well this will work for you, Scott, but it's something I do out of habit with my old Gitzo 1325. I never collapse the lowest leg section all the way, I always leave a hand's width sticking out, about 3 or 4 inches. I do this so there is enough to grab and pull easily when extending it and also, so that when I'm using it at a low level on a beach or tidal flat, the joint is above the mud/seawater. If you don't need to collapse the tripod all the way for storage, just lock the lowest section to a predetermined amount of partial extension, and leave it there. Then extend the upper sections fully and it will be at the correct level for you.

I also follow Buck's suggestion about never closing the lowest leg section all the way. I also mark my tripod for ultimate position on level ground.(white on black).

I have just the opposite problem! I'm 5'1 and fully extended, I have to step up on my tippy toes to look though the view finder. I have often thought about bringing a little step stool with me in my gear, but that is one more thing I have to carry. I've also considered bringing a 6ft ladder with me to get a higher perspective on subjects. Hmm...how to get one of those that will fold up and still fit in the back of my honda well. I have also found rocks that I can move to use temporarily as step stool, but then I make sure to put it back where I found it.

Maybe some home made wooden boxes that could set your tripod up higher so you don't have to bend down would help...