Am I expecting too much? Feisol & Markins

[rosalynsam]

After much research, I ordered a Feisol 3441t tripod and the Markins Q3 for my Canon 40D and 24-70L. I want to be able to tighten/loosen the twist locks in any order and quickly with a short turn, without having to hold onto the legs - I find myself still having to overcome the process, both setting up and taking down. Should I have to hold onto the leg at any point to tighten or loosen? What am I doing wrong, if so? To set up, I start at the "top" of the legs, to take down, I am loosing from the bottom up....is this correct? One way or other, I seem to have to go back and retighten or loosen. I tested a Gitzo G lock, at more $, and I didn't seem to have this problem. It isn't too late for me to return my set up - any suggestions would be helpful.

Also....with the Markins, having to attach the plate with a wrench makes it impossible to switch from a tripod to my stroboframe or other tripods quickly....and I really despise needing another tool to find/use when time is critical.

The suggestion I received was that I should just buy other set ups exactly alike....that is totally impractical with my budget. I need simple and quick, but don't have an unlimited budget.

[Lowner]

I have to admit that I would not buy a tripod that did not use the snap-lock arrangement, as used by Manfrotto and others.

I've had the twist-lock arrangement in the past and recognise your complaint. If you want to stay with a twist lock, I'm led to believe that the Gitzo locks can be used in the way you want. Although before you part with cash, I'd get that confimed.

[TheHoff]

You pay for the convenience of the G-locks. The new ones are excellent. You may also prefer the Manfrotto thumb type levers as suggested above -- did you try those?

[ben_r_]

Yes the Gitzos with their anti-twist legs and the G-Lock joints are def the way to go. Thats why they are the best out there. But like everything thats "the best" you have to pay a pretty penny for it. IMO however the Gitzos are ALL well worth their cost!

[rosalynsam]

I really love the lever locks, but I'm told they loosen and don't last, so I didn't go for that. Thanks for your replies so far!

[René Damkot]

Also....with the Markins, having to attach the plate with a wrench makes it impossible to switch from a tripod to my stroboframe or other tripods quickly....and I really despise needing another tool to find/use when time is critical.

The suggestion I received was that I should just buy other set ups exactly alike....that is totally impractical with my budget. I need simple and quick, but don't have an unlimited budget.

If I understand you correctly, you are referring to the quick release plate?

I'd get one for the camera, one for each lens, and one for the stroboframe.
IIRC a stroboframe can be fitted rith an Arca compatible QR.

The whole point of a QR is that it shoud be quick..
Not too much budget needed for that.

[Wilt]

I really love the lever locks, but I'm told they loosen and don't last, so I didn't go for that. Thanks for your replies so far!


Greatly exaggerated issue! I had a Bogen/Manfrotto and only adjusted the locks once in about 15 years! The Gitzo G locks totally overcame all past objections that I had about twist locks. The Manfrotto is great (except for its weight, relative to the Gitzo), yet I do wish the Gizto legs would simply telescope out on their own due to gravity once the locks are loosened (like the Manfrotto legs do)!

[rosalynsam]

Yes - regarding the quick release plate - I have a Manfrotto 322RC2, and the 3265 with the screw on type plate, and they are interchangeable. The salesperson I spoke to really played up Gitzo, and downplayed Manfrotto - not only from the "adjustment" issued but also quality. He said "anytime they have to sell a tool with the legs, that should tell you something"....well, once every 15 years is certainly acceptable on my part.....I really do need the lightest weight reasonable for backpacking and travel in general. I have a hard enough time carrying my camera and the basics. So...once again thanks for the info!


Good idea to the plate directly onto the Stroboframe. It seems to work, but the screw only goes a very short distance into the plate, with the added depth and seems very risky ...(it normally screws well into the base of the camera, directly without the plate). I assume I could just get a longer screw? If so, that would really solve a lot of problems, and I appreciate the suggestion! I'm a bit confused by suggestion that I need one for each lens.

[Lowner]

I've had my Manfrotto 055PROB for over 5 years and have yet to adjust anything.

The Arca-Swiss QR system, which the Markins clamps use, is for rapid switching from one piece of kit to another. To start unbolting it from one lens and reattaching it to the next defeats the point.

I know the kit is very expensive, but each piece of equipment should ideally have its own plate. Less frequently used items can maybe share plates. If you do some research, you'll probably come up with another manufacturer of A-S plates at a better price. Or if you are handy with metal, run a few up yourself.

I've just re-read your comment about lens confusion. You are aware that longer/heavier lenses attach directly to the tripod and the camera does not?

[René Damkot]

I have a manfrotto Carbon One monopod (449), and I've adjusted it a few times: I prefer the leg logs to be "just tight enough" (easy to open, yet not slipping), and they will not stay at that setting well.
I'd guess I readjust it every few months.
I prefer screw locks.

[Wilt]

I have a manfrotto Carbon One monopod (449), and I've adjusted it a few times: I prefer the leg logs to be "just tight enough" (easy to open, yet not slipping), and they will not stay at that setting well.
I'd guess I readjust it every few months.
I prefer screw locks.

I got to thinking...on my Bogen/Manfrotto, there were plastic 'keepers' over the tightening adjusters, which prevented them from loosening over time. That probably accounts for the difference in experiences between René and myself!

[jhom]

As already suggested, to fully utilize the AS system you need to attach an appropriate plate or bracket for each component you intend to use on the Markins. There is an initial cost for all the plates. But in the long run, the convenience of an AS system will more than justify the cost. There are several companies supplying AS components including Markins, RRS, Kirk, Wimberley, and AS.

With regards to the Feisol, they have decided not to incorporate an ALR system into their legsets. You are paying the difference in lower price. IMO, the ALR and g-locks of the Gitzo makes them the standard. But it is at a premium. While many users of the older twist lock design have learned to setup their legs, I found it inconvenient and stayed away from the older Gitzo for this reason. It is also one of the reasons I stay away from Feisol.

My advice is to spend some practice time setting up the Feisol. If it is not for you, then return it and either consider the flip locks of other manufacturers or more up to Gitzo.

[Bear073]

I recently bought the Feisol 3441S. It takes a bit of practice to get used to setting it up, but once I did, I have had not problems with it. The only reason I went with them was because of the height I could get opposed to the Gitzo for a lightweight traveler/mountaineer tripod. I am quite happy with it.

[argyle]

Get the Gitzo...you won't be disappointed (especially with the new G-locks). I can unlock the legs and set mine up in just a matter of a few seconds. Just wrap your fist around the G-locks, give them i/4-turn, extend the legs, tighten. Very fast and convenient. The other features of the Gitzo aren't bad either. ;)

As jhom has already mentioned, a compatible plate for each piece of gear that you intend to attach to the tripod is the recommended way to go. With the exception of an L-bracket, basic camera and lens plates can be had for around $50 or so from RRS or Kirk Enterprises. Another advantage to these items is that they all use the same size Allen wrench...just toss one in your bag and leave it there. Once you try an L-bracket, you'll wonder how you've gotten by without it.

[JohnJ80]

After much research, I ordered a Feisol 3441t tripod and the Markins Q3 for my Canon 40D and 24-70L. I want to be able to tighten/loosen the twist locks in any order and quickly with a short turn, without having to hold onto the legs - I find myself still having to overcome the process, both setting up and taking down. Should I have to hold onto the leg at any point to tighten or loosen? What am I doing wrong, if so? To set up, I start at the "top" of the legs, to take down, I am loosing from the bottom up....is this correct? One way or other, I seem to have to go back and retighten or loosen. I tested a Gitzo G lock, at more $, and I didn't seem to have this problem. It isn't too late for me to return my set up - any suggestions would be helpful.

I think you are suffering two problems - one the locks take more turns to lock than you are expecting, and secondly that the rotating leg segments are "negating" some of the locking you think you are actually doing. This problem was solved by Gitzo several years ago with their ALR legs (don't rotate, only the leg locks do). Gitzo has superb locks - that are much better than any flip lock I've ever tried. The other mfgs, from reports, don't seem to have mastered the locking as well. ALR is a must for me. You can probably solve your problem by just careful attention to detail. Feisol is a good brand and will work well.



Also....with the Markins, having to attach the plate with a wrench makes it impossible to switch from a tripod to my stroboframe or other tripods quickly....and I really despise needing another tool to find/use when time is critical.

The suggestion I received was that I should just buy other set ups exactly alike....that is totally impractical with my budget. I need simple and quick, but don't have an unlimited budget.

The idea on the plates is that you have a plate for each device (camera, flash, or lens). Then they all attach quickly and easily. If you are not doing that, then you might as well just use the screw attachment for everything. (if I'm understanding what you are saying).

Finally, Manfrotto really isn't the tripod you would turn to for backpacking. None of their models are very light. For that, you really should look at the Gitzo's who have the best tripods that are light that I have seen. However, it is back to the old maxim of looking for a tripod that is stable, light and cheap - you can have any two but you can't have all three. The Gitzo's are going to set you back a bit. That all said, a Gitzo 1540 with a markins Q3 on top of it is going to work very well for backpacking (and general use) and won't weight much over 3.25lbs total. The second best choice is one of the Feisols.

J.