which ballhead? which camera plate?

[aloha03gs]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/aloha03gs/017.jpg

right now I am leaning towards either the Markins Q3 or Markins M10? also i wanted to know which camera plate would you recommend for this setup. also where is a good place to order these items? (cuz I know BH doesnt carry Markins; from what I know)

keep in mind...i am looking for lightweight and i am gonna carry this setup while traveling...

thank you very much for your input and suggestions

Cody

[patrick835]

L plate (RRS or kirk) and M10 will be a great companion. RRS clamp if you don't mind spending some more and the tripod base in case you would like to take the column out.

[Bumgardnern]

What tripod is that? I am very interested in this thread. I'm looking for a head and legs myself. I have the MKIII to and want a nice light but sturdy tripod like I think you are going for.

[Tsmith]

I've got a brand new Kirk BH-3 up for sale if interested, just click the link > right here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=472503) _ I just noticed your in Hawaii though _ :confused:

[jhom]

Since you are using a 1 series, I would recommend a Q3. You can order it from markinsamerica.com. The Q3 or M10 comes standard with a Markins quickshoe. You can get lens and body plates from Markins, RRS, Kirk, Wimberley. If you are interested in a RRS lever clamp, I would suggest you order the Q3 "without loctite" so that you can easily replace the Markins quickshoe. Otherwise, the quickshoe is loctite on the ballhead. You can order the Q3 without a quickshoe but you don't really save much. In fact, you might want to try the Markins quickshoe before deciding on another clamp. RRS gear is available at reallyrightstuff.com.

[aloha03gs]

What tripod is that? I am very interested in this thread. I'm looking for a head and legs myself. I have the MKIII to and want a nice light but sturdy tripod like I think you are going for.

gitzo 1540T

[aloha03gs]

Since you are using a 1 series, I would recommend a Q3. You can order it from markinsamerica.com. The Q3 or M10 comes standard with a Markins quickshoe. You can get lens and body plates from Markins, RRS, Kirk, Wimberley. If you are interested in a RRS lever clamp, I would suggest you order the Q3 "without loctite" so that you can easily replace the Markins quickshoe. Otherwise, the quickshoe is loctite on the ballhead. You can order the Q3 without a quickshoe but you don't really save much. In fact, you might want to try the Markins quickshoe before deciding on another clamp. RRS gear is available at reallyrightstuff.com.

thanks for the advice. i really appreciate it!:D

[foxbat]

Q3 + RRS L plate (http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html). Nothing wrong with the M10 mind you but it it would be overkill on a 1540.

[Magic_Puzzle]

I use the M10 and absolutely love it. Markins makes an outstanding ball head and it works great. I have a RRS "L" bracket on my 40D and it is a wonderful setup with the M10 when it comes to mounting and moving the camera from vertical to horizontal with a twist of the knob. I prefer the twist type of quick shoe personally, but I am sure that the lever type release would work just as well.

[argyle]

Since you are using a 1 series, I would recommend a Q3. You can order it from markinsamerica.com. The Q3 or M10 comes standard with a Markins quickshoe. You can get lens and body plates from Markins, RRS, Kirk, Wimberley. If you are interested in a RRS lever clamp, I would suggest you order the Q3 "without loctite" so that you can easily replace the Markins quickshoe. Otherwise, the quickshoe is loctite on the ballhead. You can order the Q3 without a quickshoe but you don't really save much. In fact, you might want to try the Markins quickshoe before deciding on another clamp. RRS gear is available at reallyrightstuff.com.

Jim:

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Gitzo GT2540 Mountaineer, and will go with a Markins M-10. Do you find the need for the tripod plate from Markins to go along with the M-10? It adds almost another inch in length to the setup and was wondering your thoughts on this. Markins claims that it reduces vibrations up through the tripod...

[aloha03gs]

Q3 + RRS L plate (http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html). Nothing wrong with the M10 mind you but it it would be overkill on a 1540.

thanks for the suggestion. i am now leaning towards this route. this is pretty much the setup i was looking for. now i wonder if any of these items would be avaliable locally..if not then i guess i will order them online..

[jhom]

Jim:

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Gitzo GT2540 Mountaineer, and will go with a Markins M-10. Do you find the need for the tripod plate from Markins to go along with the M-10? It adds almost another inch in length to the setup and was wondering your thoughts on this. Markins claims that it reduces vibrations up through the tripod...

In reality you do not increase the setup by an inch when you replace the center nut with the TB20. The TB20 is ~1.25" tall. The center nut is ~1.125" tall. Remember, you will be removing the Gitzo disk platform that is ~3/8" tall. So, you will end up with a net reduction in overall height.

With my gross testing I think the tripod base helps to reduce some vibration. It is not substantial but I can tell some difference when I mount my 300 with 1.4x TC. More importantly to me is the perceptual difference between the native 2 series and one with the tripod base. It looks more stable with the base than having everything perched on top of the center nut. Technically, the tripod base should offer a better coupling between the ballhead and center casting of the Gitzo than the center nut because of the greater surface area and contact areas. But, as you realize it is my sujective opinion. I don't have any real objective data.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5561/q3tb202530rrski1.jpg

[ggibbs1971]

If you want to save a few bucks. Try fredmiranda.com,they have an excellent B/S forum.

[argyle]

In reality you do not increase the setup by an inch when you replace the center nut with the TB20. The TB20 is ~1.25" tall. The center nut is ~1.125" tall. Remember, you will be removing the Gitzo disk platform that is ~3/8" tall. So, you will end up with a net reduction in overall height.

With my gross testing I think the tripod base helps to reduce some vibration. It is not substantial but I can tell some difference when I mount my 300 with 1.4x TC. More importantly to me is the perceptual difference between the native 2 series and one with the tripod base. It looks more stable with the base than having everything perched on top of the center nut. Technically, the tripod base should offer a better coupling between the ballhead and center casting of the Gitzo than the center nut because of the greater surface area and contact areas. But, as you realize it is my sujective opinion. I don't have any real objective data.

Thanks Jim. I should have realized that, but I just looked at the basic specs for dimensions...didn't think about what was being removed. Looks like a pretty sweet setup.

[drPheta]

I recently picked up a Markins M10 for my Gitzo 2220... this ballhead is TOP NOTCH. I have my gripped 40D and 70-200/2.8 on the setup, and it does not budge. Even when I have the M10 loosened for me to make my adjustments, no slipping untill it really lean the camera/lens combo over. When I tighten the adjustment knob to lock in my composition there is no drifting.

I 100% recommend Markins (either Q3 or M10). The M10 is so light that I don't forsee it being overkill on a lightweight tripod, unless you get into the 4+ section legs.

As far as clamps go, I was wondering why RRS or Kirk or Markins or etc. Well, RRS has fantastic service, and their product is also superb quality. Expensive, but well worth it. I was waitlist #56 for the L bracket on my 40D, and it arrived 2 weeks after my order. I called them up, knowing there was a wait on the L brackets, and they answered my call quickly and courteously.

Yes, the head/plate combo will cost 2 to 3 times as much as the other good quality ones... but the security and quality of my Markins/RRS setup more than makes up for it. No more drifting, swiveling, and smooooooth operation.

[argyle]

I recently picked up a Markins M10 for my Gitzo 2220... this ballhead is TOP NOTCH. I have my gripped 40D and 70-200/2.8 on the setup, and it does not budge. Even when I have the M10 loosened for me to make my adjustments, no slipping untill it really lean the camera/lens combo over. When I tighten the adjustment knob to lock in my composition there is no drifting.

I 100% recommend Markins (either Q3 or M10). The M10 is so light that I don't forsee it being overkill on a lightweight tripod, unless you get into the 4+ section legs.

As far as clamps go, I was wondering why RRS or Kirk or Markins or etc. Well, RRS has fantastic service, and their product is also superb quality. Expensive, but well worth it. I was waitlist #56 for the L bracket on my 40D, and it arrived 2 weeks after my order. I called them up, knowing there was a wait on the L brackets, and they answered my call quickly and courteously.

Yes, the head/plate combo will cost 2 to 3 times as much as the other good quality ones... but the security and quality of my Markins/RRS setup more than makes up for it. No more drifting, swiveling, and smooooooth operation.

Earlier I ordered an RRS lever clamp for my Markins M10...I'll just use the Markins screw clamp on my monopod. I'm #47 on the wait list for the RRS clamp...I just hope that I have it in time for my trip to Havasu in early May. There seems to be a run on the RRS gear lately...most everything is backordered at the moment. If their gear wasn't top-notch and of the highest quality, people wouldn't be lined up for it.

[omewilli]

I recently bought this combo for the MarkIII & 100-400 & 300 f2.8 IS

Gitzo 3540 & Markings 20 with their clamp (only $30 more) & wemberly sidekick. P20 lens

I can't be happier.

Thanks to all the people in this forum helping me threw the "maze" putting it together and help me spend my money.

Now I only need a large backpack to put it in.