Markins Ballhead users

[BUGSnBIRDS]

Hi, I'm a newbie to these forums and just starting out in the digital era of photography. Been awhile since I used film so much to re-learn.
I am after a Markins Ballhead and expect to have to get one dropped from overseas.
To those who already have one, what sort of plates and clamps do people use? There are screw knobs as well as quick release systems.

Thanks and happy snapping :)

[dmdigital]

Can't comment specifically on Markins as I use Really Right Stuff. I prefer to use an L-bracket on the camera body as this lets me rotate camera orientation a lot quicker and easier. I predominantly use a quick release lever clamp but if I'm putting the panoramic rails etc on I'll change this to a screw clamp PCL-1.

[kwokask]

I use an RRS L-plate on my Markins Q3 with the stock screw clamp. What tripod legs are you attaching it to?

[davidd]

Hi

I use a Markins M10, with a Kirk L-Bracket for my D300. Great gear, really well made. I also have a RRS MPR-CLII nodal plate which I use with the L-Bracket for panos. You can't go wrong with Kirk or RRS gear, both excellent quality. I have the screw-type clamp for the Markins, it really does not take much time to tighten.

[tomtom1]

Great choice in ballhead.

I have a Q3T, and it's excellent. This is paired with a RRS LRII lever clamp, and RRS L plate as the Markins came with a screw clamp.

Markins have since designed their own lever clamp, but not sure how this performs, or whether any L plates are available.

If you do want to change out the clamp, make sure you order it direct from Markins, and specify no loctite on the order.

[BUGSnBIRDS]

Hi everyone

Thanks for those replies.

When people refer to screw release - i.e.http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/M20.php
Do you have issues with over-tightening?
What do people see as pros and cons of screw v quick release?

The L-bracket (either RRS or Kirk) just screws into the quickshoe or is that not required and you can go naked (without quickshoe)?

Are other attachment required to take RRS and Kirk products for L-brackets and lens foot plates?
Can you mix and match L brackets and foot plates from RRS and Kirk or do you tend to run with a single brand.

Apologies if these questions sound on the thick side but it's a step up from the Manfrotto 3-way pan tilt junior head I had so need to ensure I get the right bits and bobs that fit together.
The plan is for it to be positioned on a Gitzo tripod and take up to 300mm prime and 70-200mm zoom lenses.

:) :)

[tomtom1]

Hi everyone

Thanks for those replies.

When people refer to screw release - i.e.http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/M20.php
Do you have issues with over-tightening?
What do people see as pros and cons of screw v quick release?


Haven't really heard of any issues overtightening, though I've never used my screw clamp in the field.

Screw
pros: supposedly more secure, can fit a variety of different qr plates
cons: slower to mount and clamp qr plate

Lever
pros: faster getting camera on/off
cons: chance that lever can be bumped/undone accidentally, can't mix/match plates

I use a RRS lever clamp and l-plate. It is incredibly well made, and I have no concerns regarding it's ability to hold the camera in a variety of off-axis positions. The shape of the lever makes it difficult to catch on things, and I usually position it so it is tucked under the camera anyway. The convenience of this combined with an l-plate is far better for me than a screw clamp.



The L-bracket (either RRS or Kirk) just screws into the quickshoe or is that not required and you can go naked (without quickshoe)?


These all have an 'arca-style' standard which is referring to the shape of the qr plate dovetail. The plate slides into the clamp, then you tighten the jaws around it which holds your camera in place.

You don't (and can't) screw plates directly onto your ballhead, which would be defeating the purpose of a quick release system.



Are other attachment required to take RRS and Kirk products for L-brackets and lens foot plates?
Can you mix and match L brackets and foot plates from RRS and Kirk or do you tend to run with a single brand.


You generally screw the plate directly onto your camera, you shouldn't need anything else.

To attach clamp to ballhead you may need an extra stud if you can't use the one that comes with it.

I don't think mixing brands is recommended (for lever clamps), as they are designed to fit together. I'm sure it is possible, but if you don't currently own anything, there is no good reason to do this.



The plan is for it to be positioned on a Gitzo tripod and take up to 300mm prime and 70-200mm zoom lenses.

:) :)

Make sure you get a gitzo tripod rated up to 300mm, which means a 2 series or above. I can't remember if the smallest Markins heads are useable at 300mm, but they would probably be ok using a tripod collar.

[Big Pix]

I use http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=10&cat=1&page=1 along with http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=3&cat=2&page=1 for a 300mm and 500mm lens. I find this a very stable setup

Also use a Kirk http://www.kirkphoto.com/2.5in_Quick_Release_Clamp.html on a Manfrotto ball head on different tripods...... find that the Acratech lens and camera plates fit the Kirk "quick release clamp" without any problems

[BUGSnBIRDS]

Haven't really heard of any issues overtightening, though I've never used my screw clamp in the field.

Screw
pros: supposedly more secure, can fit a variety of different qr plates
cons: slower to mount and clamp qr plate

Lever
pros: faster getting camera on/off
cons: chance that lever can be bumped/undone accidentally, can't mix/match plates

I use a RRS lever clamp and l-plate. It is incredibly well made, and I have no concerns regarding it's ability to hold the camera in a variety of off-axis positions. The shape of the lever makes it difficult to catch on things, and I usually position it so it is tucked under the camera anyway. The convenience of this combined with an l-plate is far better for me than a screw clamp.



These all have an 'arca-style' standard which is referring to the shape of the qr plate dovetail. The plate slides into the clamp, then you tighten the jaws around it which holds your camera in place.

You don't (and can't) screw plates directly onto your ballhead, which would be defeating the purpose of a quick release system.



You generally screw the plate directly onto your camera, you shouldn't need anything else.

To attach clamp to ballhead you may need an extra stud if you can't use the one that comes with it.

I don't think mixing brands is recommended (for lever clamps), as they are designed to fit together. I'm sure it is possible, but if you don't currently own anything, there is no good reason to do this.



Make sure you get a gitzo tripod rated up to 300mm, which means a 2 series or above. I can't remember if the smallest Markins heads are useable at 300mm, but they would probably be ok using a tripod collar.

Hi tomtom1 - thanks for those responses, much appreciated:th3:

[BUGSnBIRDS]

I use http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=10&cat=1&page=1 along with http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=3&cat=2&page=1 for a 300mm and 500mm lens. I find this a very stable setup

Also use a Kirk http://www.kirkphoto.com/2.5in_Quick_Release_Clamp.html on a Manfrotto ball head on different tripods...... find that the Acratech lens and camera plates fit the Kirk "quick release clamp" without any problems

Hi Big Pix...thanks. Plates and quick release/screw clamps and L-bracket requirements getting clearer now :th3:

[2cr4ck]

Regarding cons on lever, I believe you can mix/match plates but will be inconvenience, double check with Markins