Ballheads and accessories for Gitzo CF Tripods

[Tareq]

Hi all again,

So i think i will post this question 1 million times before i decide anything.

Now i have 2 Gitzo CF tripods: GT1540T and GT5540

I was confusing on which ballhead i should consider to buy for light gear such as 5D/30D/1-series with 10-22/16-35/24-70/70-200/100-400/100macro, as you know there are about 3 or 4 most popular brands of ballheads that are recommended:
-RRS
-Markins
-Kirk
-AcraSwiss or so

In fact i like the look of Markins, but i also like the L-bracket of RRS [for landscapes and portraits orients], and also i like the RRS clamps somehow, QR i don't know which is good and plates are differ as well.

so for those 2 tripods and those gear above what will be your choice?

I was asking those questions as i was looking to get only 1 ballhead but seems all are worthy and working good with those tripods and gear and i can't go wrong with any but i prefer to stuck with 1 ballhead as possible for both tripods, but it seems i may end up with 2 ballheads if many will recommend me 2 ballheads to use with each tripods [i will not use both tripods at the same time], i think all those ballheads are lightweight and doesn't matter if one is little more few lbs, and the prices is not that big deal even i want cheaper as much as possible, and the performance and durability and versatility or whatever that make one ballhead is better over the other, can someone post a list comparing those 3 or 4 ballheads according to important points like load and weight and hight and price and so?

Waiting for your reviews and recommendations :D

[René Damkot]

Markins Q3 and M-20. Maybe Q3 and Arca Swiss Z1.
I started a thread a wile back, trying to decide between an M10 and a Z1: Click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=436074&highlight=Arca+Z1+Markins+M10).

You could use the standard QR, or get a RRS QR to go with those...

[Tareq]

Markins Q3 and M-20. Maybe Q3 and Arca Swiss Z1.
I started a thread a wile back, trying to decide between an M10 and a Z1: Click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=436074&highlight=Arca+Z1+Markins+M10).

You could use the standard QR, or get a RRS QR to go with those...

So you still recommend Q3 with another ballhead if i will get 2 heads?
ok, i will check about plates or QR to see which i can use good or all can be handy?
maybe as you and others recommend to use Q3 on my light traveler tripod, what about that best Gitzo 5 series GT5540?

[Tsmith]

Markins Q3 would be perfect for your GT1540T.

[Tareq]

Markins Q3 would be perfect for your GT1540T.

OK, i added Q3 to my list, so what else with Q3 for this tripod i should include?

[blonde]

just remember that you can mix and match. for example, you can do:

Markins M10 or M20 with a RRS clamp and a RRS L plate.

[sevans16]

check my sig. I would do a Q3/M10 and M20 with RRS clamps and plates. I got the M20 with clamp as it was only 30.00 extra with ballhead. I really like the RRS clamp better!! I have both.

[Tsmith]

add the Kirk plates to the list too as my 40D Kirk plate fits the Q3 perfectly.

[Tareq]

just remember that you can mix and match. for example, you can do:

Markins M10 or M20 with a RRS clamp and a RRS L plate.

that what i was going to do, but not sure if it is a good idea, as i am not sure about the compatibility, i don't want to have any failure.

[Tareq]

check my sig. I would do a Q3/M10 and M20 with RRS clamps and plates. I got the M20 with clamp as it was only 30.00 extra with ballhead. I really like the RRS clamp better!! I have both.

should i just think of Markins ballheads and choose another plates and QR or clamps?
ok, i will get Q3, but you also prefer M20 for Gitzo 2 or 3 or 5 series more than other brands?

I added Q3 and RRS L bracket and clamp to my future purchase, now i will think of another head.
I forgot to tell that Wimberley Head II is in my list too.

[Tareq]

add the Kirk plates to the list too as my 40D Kirk plate fits the Q3 perfectly.

hmmmmmmm, in fact i didn't check Kirk that much, not sure about it but i heard good things about it, maybe i have to give it a look.

[sevans16]

if your going to do the knob style clamp the Markins clamp is great. I went with RRS soley for the lever release.

[Tareq]

if your going to do the knob style clamp the Markins clamp is great. I went with RRS soley for the lever release.

OK, thank you very much
I think i have to buy as soon as possible and stop thinking a lot, i am sure i will never feel disappointed with anything i will get.

[Wilt]

that what i was going to do, but not sure if it is a good idea, as i am not sure about the compatibility, i don't want to have any failure.

If you do not try to use non-RRS plates with the lever action RRS QR, you will be fine.

[Tareq]

If you do not try to use non-RRS plates with the lever action RRS QR, you will be fine.

Ah ok, i will keep that in mind, thanks :)

[jdizzle]

I have the RRS BH-55. No complaints whatsoever.

[Tareq]

Now which RRS clamp should i get? there are many clamps.
Which RRS plate? Lever?

[malla1962]

If you do not try to use non-RRS plates with the lever action RRS QR, you will be fine.I use RRS, Kirk and wimberly plates with my RRS lever clamp with no problems at all.;) and the BH-55 is amazing.

[Wilt]

I use RRS, Kirk and wimberly plates with my RRS lever clamp with no problems at all.;) and the BH-55 is amazing.

Point was that the RRS lever clamp has clear statement from RRS about specific compatible plates...RRS, Wemberley. So the use of any other plates is questionable until you have heard from someone who has tried (and succeeded) with another plate (Arca, Kirk, Markins, etc.)

[argyle]

Point was that the RRS lever clamp has clear statement from RRS about specific compatible plates...RRS, Wemberley. So the use of any other plates is questionable until you have heard from someone who has tried (and succeeded) with another plate (Arca, Kirk, Markins, etc.)

I've been using Kirk L-brackets with my RRS lever clamps for about two years now...definitely have not had any compatibility issues at all, even when carrying the camera/tripod slung over my shoulder. Everything stays nice and tight, just like it should.

[Tsmith]

My Kirk EOS 40D plate works great on my new Markins Q3, perfect fit.

[Wilt]

My Kirk EOS 40D plate works great on my new Markins Q3, perfect fit.

The Arca-style plates are interchangeable if you use the screw clamp QR, because you adjust things until snug. The problem specifically is that the RRS lever QR assumes certain dimensions of the plate and the Markins plates do not work properly in the RRS lever QR. Now we know than Kirk plates are fine in the RRS lever QR, too.

[Tareq]

Just when i will get my MKIII i will order one ball head with RRS clamp and plate to work with, later on if i feel that i need another ballhead i will go for it, the problem i am asking this questions is that i will get Q3 for my GT1540T but i use this tripod only for travel and still there is looooong time before i will travel so mostly i will keep it till the time of travel, so almost i decided which ballhead for my light travel tripod, but now i am still going back and forth for my GT5540LS, MK10/20 great, BH40/55 great, ArcaSwiss also great, and now Kirk coming on the line, i have many choices ad all of you using one or some of them means all of those ballheads are tested by you and all recommend them, so here is my confusing coming, i can buy Q3 now but i want to buy a ballhead for my 5540 first as i will use it for my hiking and outdoors here mostly and i can wait for 1540T, so how can i end this confusion?

[Tareq]

An in fact i am more leaning toward RRS and Markins heads over AS or kirk, just plates or clamps and QR i don't care which one i should get, but seems i am headed to stay with Markins and RRS better, and really i like the idea of L-bracket as i do many landscape and portrait orientation outdoor photography.

[malla1962]

Point was that the RRS lever clamp has clear statement from RRS about specific compatible plates...RRS, Wemberley. So the use of any other plates is questionable until you have heard from someone who has tried (and succeeded) with another plate (Arca, Kirk, Markins, etc.)I hear what you are saying and I have seen it on the RRS site the they the do a part EX on other plates.;)