I need a ball head that will last for life... $300 --- i am willing to save $$$

[jjaenagle]

So i have a thread for a feisol tripod and was leaning towards a 498rc2 to go with it, but i think i may move to some better quality ball heads.

I have been looking into some markins and may go with that. Not sure where to look but this is where i have been starting...

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3.php

I am willing to save up to get a good one but would like to keep it around $300 plus or minus.
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What do you guys recommend for a good ball head?

I am looking at feisol standard and feisol traveler tripods, and i really dont know if i can even make it to gitzo... that will be like 6 years of saving.

Anyways, i really just want the good and the bad of Good ball heads.

[jhom]

I've had several years experience with Manfrottos and Markins ballheads. Without a doubt, I would recommend the Markins. The Markins excells in every area I find important for ballheads -- stability, useability, convenience, weight, and durability. At this point, I don't see any reason to be buying a new ballhead for my use.

I say save up for a Markins. If you get a Manfrotto you will eventually need to upgrade to a better ballhead.

[jjaenagle]

I've had several years experience with Manfrottos and Markins ballheads. Without a doubt, I would recommend the Markins. The Markins excells in every area I find important for ballheads -- stability, useability, convenience, weight, and durability. At this point, I don't see any reason to be buying a new ballhead for my use.

I say save up for a Markins. If you get a Manfrotto you will eventually need to upgrade to a better ballhead.


THanks! that is what i was thinking... i was looking at the 498RC2 and thinking it could last me for a while then i hear about markins...

What markins ball heads would you recommend?

[bohdank]

As on the other thread.... if you buy the Traveller I would get the Q3 Traveller. The knobs have been repositioned so you can fold the legs back over the ballhead making it very compact.

If you go for the larger tripod such as the 3342/3442 I would go with the M10 which does put you over the $300 mark.

PS: You need to add a camera plate to that.

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/PG-30U.php

You could look for less expensive Arca compatible plates.

[jhom]

THanks! that is what i was thinking... i was looking at the 498RC2 and thinking it could last me for a while then i hear about markins...

What markins ball heads would you recommend?

It depends on your intended use and the gear you have. I currently use an M10. It sits on a Gitzo 2530 tripod. It is used mostly with a 1 series and easily handles a 300 f2.8L IS. In my case, I use a Wimberley gimbal for longer lenses.

The Q3 is also excellent, I've had no problems using it with the 1D2 and 300. The Q3 is intended for shorter focal lengths but will handle more.

To short circuit your savings time, you might want to check the B&S forums for used Markins. You will see shooters selling their BH when they move up to a larger one.

Here is a general guideline for Markins -- Q3 for a 1 or 2 series Gitzo; M10 for a 2 series; and M20 for a 3 series.

[robscomputer]

I have two tripods, a Manfrotto Bogen combo and a Gitzo RRS combo. While they both are different in price, I don't think the cheaper tripod combo will break anytime soon and it's still a great bargain considering the amount I used it.

That being said, I do know the Gitzo and RRS holds my heavy camera better, which was a problem in longer exposure night shots.

Don't overlook buying used as well.

[jjaenagle]

PS: You need to add a camera plate to that.

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/PG-30U.php

You could look for less expensive Arca compatible plates.

b&h doesnt sell markins?

I just need to know how to shop for the camera plates...

So i just look for an arca compatible plate in general or will it be specific for Q3.

I really like the q3 traveler and i think i will go with a feisol traveler as well.

I would like to get the camera plate from b7h so i can use the gift card if i can, but im not even sure that they sell them.

[RandyS]

b&h doesnt sell markins?

I just need to know how to shop for the camera plates...

So i just look for an arca compatible plate in general or will it be specific for Q3.

I really like the q3 traveler and i think i will go with a feisol traveler as well.

I would like to get the camera plate from b7h so i can use the gift card if i can, but im not even sure that they sell them.
B&H should sell Arca Swiss, or compatible plates. Those would work.

[bohdank]

They sell some Benro plates for 1/2 the price but they are generic Arca plates. They will work in the Markins but I would tend to go with a plate that is also made specifically for your camera. The RRS one I bought for my gripped 5DII has a lip that curls up the front acting as an anti twist which I think is a very good feature of camera specific plates. The Markins has the same feature.

Don't skimp on the plate...you've gone this far.

[jjaenagle]

B&H should sell Arca Swiss, or compatible plates. Those would work.


ok.. so i just need to find anything thats arca compatible.... and it will work on a feisol..?

Also.. what category?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Tripods-Support/ci/8310/N/4294539271

[jjaenagle]

They sell some Benro plates for 1/2 the price but they are generic Arca plates. They will work in the Markins but I would tend to go with a plate that is also made specifically for your camera. The RRS one I bought for my gripped 5DII has a lip that curls up the front acting as an anti twist which I think is a very good feature of camera specific plates. The Markins has the same feature.

Don't skimp on the plate...you've gone this far.


Yea i dont want to skimp on the plate... i can use my bh gift card for that... i have $100 to spend.

what if i want to upgrade from the xsi later on?

[bohdank]

Then you get another plate and sell the one you have.

Buy a Markins or RRS plate... I would not buy a Benro or generic plate.

[jjaenagle]

Then you get another plate and sell the one you have.

Buy a Markins or RRS plate... I would not buy a Benro or generic plate.


ok... do they have those on b&h?

i may not be searching correctly...

[bohdank]

ok... do they have those on b&h?

i may not be searching correctly...

It appears that they do not sell Markins or RRS

PS: They sell Kirk

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=kirk+xsi&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

[jjaenagle]

It appears that thy do not sell Markins or RRS


ok thats all i needed to know... i will probably just get it from the official markins store and use the gift card to get my wife a new camera :)

Now i just need to get serious about saving up $700 for all this!

[jjaenagle]

So does the camera plate act as a quick release type plate for the ball Q3 ballhead?

[bohdank]

It's how you connect the camera to the ballhead clamp. It allows you to quickly mount the camera in the clamp or remove it, so, yes.

The plate screws in to the bottom of the camera via the tripod socket. The side facing the camera is contoured to fit the camera perfectly and extends to the front of the camera and curves up. This is why a camera specific plate works better than a generic one. The generic one os flat, without the lip to hug the camera bottom/front edge. The other side of the plate is made to mate with the clamp, perfectly, so you get a solid and stable connection.

[jjaenagle]

It's how you connect the camera to the ballhead clamp. It allows you to quickly mount the camera in the clamp or remove it, so, yes.

The plate screws in to the bottom of the camera via the tripod socket. The side facing the camera is contoured to fit the camera perfectly and extends to the front of the camera and curves up. This is why a camera specific plate works better than a generic one. The generic one os flat, without the lip to hug the camera bottom/front edge. The other side of the plate is made to mate with the clamp, perfectly, so you get a solid and stable connection.


yea thats what i thought. looking at the pictures, i really liked the design of the Q3 traveler and makes me more excited! I didnt figure out how the plates went together until i looked a little closer and put 2+2 together :)

[bohdank]

Ya, it's not complicated although a picture is worth a thousand words ;-)

[jjaenagle]

Ya, it's not complicated although a picture is worth a thousand words ;-)


do you normally keep the plate on your camera or do you just take it out when you know you will be using the tripod?

[bohdank]

It's always on. The RRS is very low profile and requires a hex driver to install/remove...too much work.... easier to leave it on.

I once went out to shoot some city panoramas...brought my tripod and when I pulled my camera out of the bag, realized that I forgot the plate. I had taken it off a few days earlier for some reason and forgot to put it back on.

[jjaenagle]

It's always on. The RRS is very low profile and requires a hex driver to install/remove...too much work.... easier to leave it on.

I once went out to shoot some city panoramas...brought my tripod and when I pulled my camera out of the bag, realized that I forgot the plate. I had taken it off a few days earlier for some reason and forgot to put it back on.


ahh... thats a shame. well, thanks for your help with all my threads haha. You should get them hire you as a rep for markins on this forum :)

[bohdank]

I'm waiting for my check :lol: