? for those with a markins ballhead...

[static808]

...greetings everyone,

just purchased a gitzo gt2531ex and am leaning towards putting a markins q3 or m10 ballhead on the legs. however, reports of weak panning locks have definitely gotten my attention. on a "normal" tripod, i wouldnt be worried as much about the panning lock since general use of the ballhead would be upright, and i rarely if ever carry my camera body on my tripod legs slung over my shoulder.

however, my intended use for the explorer tripod is to get into funky angles and positions, most likely with ballhead leaning or completely tilted over to its side. im thinking that in these situations, a firm pan lock would be crucial to avoid creep or sag.

i guess my question is whether you think the markins panning lock would be adequate for heavy use in the non-traditional upright position?? if you tilt your markins over to the side, does the weakness of the panning lock become more evident??

forgot to mention, to be used in conjunction with a gripped body and 60 or 100 macro lens. thanks!!

--Rob

[DisrupTer911]

from what I understand the pan lock knob works perfectly fine but is designed to allow the head to rotate in the base instead of having the entire ballhead rotate around the threaded stud and fall off.

[tvphotog]

I would use an M10 for that tripod, and I don't think you'll have a problem with the pano rotation. My Q3t is fine in that regard on a GT1541T. I don't think it should be a problem with your intended use. Call Steve at Markins in Vancouver www.markinsamerica.com, and ask him the same question.

[Wilt]

Something to think about...in the odd angle position you mentioned, it would be best to have the center of gravity at the mounting point above the ball head, to reduce torque anyway...if the ballhead pan locked firmly (like RRS), then the rotational torque makes the probable that the ballhead might become unscrewed from the tripod base unless there are good locking screws like Manfrotto has, or unless you Locktite the head to the tripod. I love my Gitzo, but the head can come unscrewed from the base more readily than my Manfrotto which I sold when I bought the Gitzo, and I don't want to use Locktite.

If the ballhead had limited locking, like Markins, the torque issue is different than if it locked firmly, but nevertheless reducing torque is still the solution.

[Lowner]

I use an M10 and the weak panning lock is certainly its achilles heel. However it is tight enough on mine that I have just this minute managed to loosen the head from the tripod while trying to turn it. Granted it has no locktite on it, which perhaps I need to adress, but it was done up pretty tight.

It is certainly secure enough to hold any of my kit - at any angle I wish.

[static808]

I would use an M10 for that tripod, and I don't think you'll have a problem with the pano rotation. My Q3t is fine in that regard on a GT1541T. I don't think it should be a problem with your intended use. Call Steve at Markins in Vancouver www.markinsamerica.com (http://www.markinsamerica.com), and ask him the same question.
thanks, i was leaning towards the m10 also hoping that the larger ballhead would have a stronger pan lock. im considering the q3 since i want the LEAST amount of weight possible hanging off the end of my extended, since as it is the setup can be quite unstable. obviously im intending to use the best possible technique (adding weight to other end of center column, mirror lokcup, remote shutter release, etc...).

quick question, if you place your 5d + 24-105 on your q3t, and hold your setup sideways, with the lens facing the floor but at a slight angle laterally, does your pan lock creep a tiny bit?? this is the situation im investigating right now... thanks!

[static808]

I use an M10 and the weak panning lock is certainly its achilles heel. However it is tight enough on mine that I have just this minute managed to loosen the head from the tripod while trying to turn it. Granted it has no locktite on it, which perhaps I need to adress, but it was done up pretty tight.

It is certainly secure enough to hold any of my kit - at any angle I wish.

nice to know. i wonder if theres some sample variation in these markins heads, since theres a varying degree of opinions regarding the pan lock. i so want this ballhead though since everyone raves about every other feature it has... just like tripods, i guess there is no perfect ballhead...

[tvphotog]

I don't use loktite on the ballhead and the tripod, just a strap wrench to tighten the ballhead, and I've never had problems with loosening there.

Rob, take a look at the M-10 equiv Kirk and RRS ballhead, They're excellent and I wonder whether you'd eliminate concern about the pano brake.

[static808]

I don't use loktite on the ballhead and the tripod, just a strap wrench to tighten the ballhead, and I've never had problems with loosening there.

Rob, take a look at the M-10 equiv Kirk and RRS ballhead, They're excellent and I wonder whether you'd eliminate concern about the pano brake.


you just read my mind. a local store is (supposedly) the only brick and mortar store anywhere that carries RRS stuff, and they have the bh-40 available. im gonna go check that out later today. thanks!

[ed rader]

...greetings everyone,

just purchased a gitzo gt2531ex and am leaning towards putting a markins q3 or m10 ballhead on the legs. however, reports of weak panning locks have definitely gotten my attention. on a "normal" tripod, i wouldnt be worried as much about the panning lock since general use of the ballhead would be upright, and i rarely if ever carry my camera body on my tripod legs slung over my shoulder.

however, my intended use for the explorer tripod is to get into funky angles and positions, most likely with ballhead leaning or completely tilted over to its side. im thinking that in these situations, a firm pan lock would be crucial to avoid creep or sag.

i guess my question is whether you think the markins panning lock would be adequate for heavy use in the non-traditional upright position?? if you tilt your markins over to the side, does the weakness of the panning lock become more evident??

forgot to mention, to be used in conjunction with a gripped body and 60 or 100 macro lens. thanks!!

--Rob

if you need a panning head that locks don't get the markins. it doesn't really affect what i do but it sounds like it may not be the best head for you.

ed rader

[Wilt]

The RRS BH40 is a superb head. I long lusted for an M10, but found a deal I could not pass up on the BH40 and have never regretted the decision. One thing that I absolutely love about the RRS is that I can give a 1/4 turn on the ballhead locking screw and that loosens it sufficiently for framing adjustment, and if I loosen it more the separate drag control leaves sufficient force to prevent it from freefall due to weight of the camera and lens.

[ben_r_]

I think the M10 would be fine for you. The 100mm macro is not a heavy lens and the panning lock should be strong enough for that combo at pretty much any angle. However, if you still have doubts, go RRS.

[static808]

thank you all for your replies! played around with the bh-40 and fell in love. messed around with the bh-55 too and that monster is plain old amazing, but is much too much ballhead for me. for the price, it better be! im sure the markins is smoother, but RRS is ridiculously smooth to me since im coming from a manfrotto 486rc2 on a 190mf3. i better not play with a markins head, since we all know that ignorance is bliss... and im currently in bliss!

i agree with most sentiments here that you cant really go wrong with the choices between RRS, markins and kirk. boils down to personal preferences, finances and sometimes plain old brand loyalty. thanks again everyone!

[bohdank]

I have heard that the RRS head does creep a touch when the camera/head is not set close to horizontal, such as tilted down, whereas the Markins doesn't. True ?

I'm looking to replace my 486RC2.

[tvphotog]

I have heard that the RRS head does creep a touch when the camera/head is not set close to horizontal, such as tilted down, whereas the Markins doesn't. True ?

I'm looking to replace my 486RC2.

True, even with my Qt3 and a 100-400 lens on the 5D2.

[argyle]

M10 here on my Gitzo, with an RRS lever clamp and no issues with the panning knob. I also secure the head to the tripod with nothing more than a strap wrench. Thought about the BH40, but I liked the fact that the Markins was about a full inch taller than the RRS head. Also, the Markins doesn't have any issues with creep (as some have reported). But either way, the RRS and Markins heads are both quality pieces of gear...you won't go wrong with either one.

[static808]

I have heard that the RRS head does creep a touch when the camera/head is not set close to horizontal, such as tilted down, whereas the Markins doesn't. True ?

I'm looking to replace my 486RC2.
ooooh, havent tested this yet. i'm gonna buy locally, so if i find this to be true, i've got 30 days to return it. i'll let you know as soon as i find out...

[bohdank]

Thanks...

I should have said 488RC2, not 486RC2.

[tvphotog]

Thanks...

I should have said 488RC2, not 486RC2.

Yes, I wondered about that.

[SL888]

Wow I'm having a hard time deciding between the M10 and BH-40. Deal with creep or a weak pan lock....

[JHunter]

Wow I'm having a hard time deciding between the M10 and BH-40. Deal with creep or a weak pan lock....

I have a M10 and haven't noticed any problems with the pan lock. It doesn't move around accidentally, but it will spin instead of get unscrewed if it's whacked hard. Perfect, IMO.

[foxbat]

Wow I'm having a hard time deciding between the M10 and BH-40. Deal with creep or a weak pan lock....
Don't rule out the Arca Swiss Z1 (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Arca-Swiss-Monoball-Z1-Ballhead-Review.aspx). In off-center positions the aspherical ball is designed to increase grip.

[bohdank]

Wow I'm having a hard time deciding between the M10 and BH-40. Deal with creep or a weak pan lock....

The panlock on the M10 is non consequential. I can't think of a single reason where it impacts or detracts from the functionality or safety of the head.

Now, creep/droop. That why I got rid of the 488RC2.