Review: Gitzo 1541T Tripod, Markins Q3T Ballhead w/ RRS B2 LR II Clamp

Yea I dont think Id be okay doing to blow torch deal either. As I understand it you can also send it back to Markins and they will remove it for you, so theres another approach.

And yea, that RRS clamp really is worth the extra money, especially if youre going to be going RRS with your other accessories anyway.

@Tommydigi - Will do.

@ben_r - Do you know if the threading on the Markins plate normal or reverse? I'm going to try to and put it in a vice and carefully twist it off. Just want to make sure which way to turn it.

mnml wrote in post #13208867
@Tommydigi - Will do.

@ben_r - Do you know if the threading on the Markins plate normal or reverse? I'm going to try to and put it in a vice and carefully twist it off. Just want to make sure which way to turn it.

Its normal, clock wise to tighten. Just be as gentle as you can. Maybe try light taps with a rubber hammer too...

great idea on using a rubber hammer. thanks!

What is the advantage of the RRS clamp over the Markins clamp that comes with the Q3T? They both have a built-in level, right? I'm just wondering why it's worth spending the extra money for the RRS clamp?

Also, is there any disadvantage of an L-plate as compared to a standard plate? For instance, is it just as quick/easy to remove the camera with an L-plate?

I don't think the RRS clamp has a spirit level. I use Markins screw clamps on my Markins ballheads as well as my Linhof and Arca-Swiss heads. I think the Markins clamps are very well designed and built, and I particularly like their added safety feature; a spring-loaded safety detent pin. The reason I prefer screw clamps is that I use plates from a number of different manufacturers and the screw clamp design handles that situation much better than the lever designs.

Actually the RRS lever clamp doesn't adjust to slightly different plate dimensions but the Markins lever clamp does, although it is fiddly. Also the RRS lever clamp weighs 150g, almost twice the weight of the screw clamp on the Q3T which is 78g, and with a travel tripod weight matters. So is it worth spending the extra money? RRS stuff is well made and looks nice and their marketing is great. But I've used Markins clamps for 4+ years and they work very well indeed; never a problem and they work on any plate I care to buy. So I at least don't spend the extra money...

There is no disadvantage to L-plates over universal plates, except for the obvious one that an L-plate is designed for a specific camera and will not fit a different camera.

peter_n wrote in post #13212763
I don't think the RRS clamp has a spirit level. I use Markins screw clamps on my Markins ballheads as well as my Linhof and Arca-Swiss heads. I think the Markins clamps are very well designed and built, and I particularly like their added safety feature; a spring-loaded safety detent pin. The reason I prefer screw clamps is that I use plates from a number of different manufacturers and the screw clamp design handles that situation much better than the lever designs.

Actually the RRS lever clamp doesn't adjust to slightly different plate dimensions but the Markins lever clamp does, although it is fiddly. Also the RRS lever clamp weighs 150g, almost twice the weight of the screw clamp on the Q3T which is 78g, and with a travel tripod weight matters. So is it worth spending the extra money? RRS stuff is well made and looks nice and their marketing is great. But I've used Markins clamps for 4+ years and they work very well indeed; never a problem and they work on any plate I care to buy. So I at least don't spend the extra money...

There is no disadvantage to L-plates over universal plates, except for the obvious one that an L-plate is designed for a specific camera and will not fit a different camera.

Depends on which RRS lever clamp you get.
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …mp-with-dual-mount&key=it

I prefer the extra detent on the RRS clamps - it's nice to know that if the lever snags something there's a chance it won't go to "wide open", letting my gear fall out.

peter_n wrote in post #13212763
I don't think the RRS clamp has a spirit level. I use Markins screw clamps on my Markins ballheads as well as my Linhof and Arca-Swiss heads. I think the Markins clamps are very well designed and built, and I particularly like their added safety feature; a spring-loaded safety detent pin. The reason I prefer screw clamps is that I use plates from a number of different manufacturers and the screw clamp design handles that situation much better than the lever designs.

Actually the RRS lever clamp doesn't adjust to slightly different plate dimensions but the Markins lever clamp does, although it is fiddly. Also the RRS lever clamp weighs 150g, almost twice the weight of the screw clamp on the Q3T which is 78g, and with a travel tripod weight matters. So is it worth spending the extra money? RRS stuff is well made and looks nice and their marketing is great. But I've used Markins clamps for 4+ years and they work very well indeed; never a problem and they work on any plate I care to buy. So I at least don't spend the extra money...

There is no disadvantage to L-plates over universal plates, except for the obvious one that an L-plate is designed for a specific camera and will not fit a different camera.

The RRS B2 LR II lever clamp which I recommended in this thread, does indeed have a bubble level built in.

The ability to adjust a lever clamp is a moot point if you stay entirely with a single branded quick release and accessory system, which is also whay I suggest to everyone. You never have to worry about compatibility issue that way.

The catches built into the RRS clamp and the stops in their plates are a nice feature. Lets that halfway/midpoint in their lever clamp arm position let you adjust without worrying about the rig falling out.

And no there are no disadvantages to camera specific L plates others than perhaps cost, but they really are IMO the only way one should go. Anything else will not be as secure or stable.

my original plan was exactly ben_r's setup... but I actually like the red Q3T and according to Markins, they can't ship the red one without the loctite, it's already there.... i still want the rrs clamp but I'm afraid to take out the markins clamp since it's already "loctited" in... any suggestions? or should I just stay with the markins clamp...

thanks

tagakweens wrote in post #13213742
my original plan was exactly ben_r's setup... but I actually like the red Q3T and according to Markins, they can't ship the red one without the loctite, it's already there.... i still want the rrs clamp but I'm afraid to take out the markins clamp since it's already "loctited" in... any suggestions? or should I just stay with the markins clamp...

thanks

Call them and ask them if you can send it back to them and have them remove it. My guess is that Markins America gets these from an out of country source already "assembled" which is why they can request the clamp separated.

tagakweens wrote in post #13213742
my original plan was exactly ben_r's setup... but I actually like the red Q3T and according to Markins, they can't ship the red one without the loctite, it's already there.... i still want the rrs clamp but I'm afraid to take out the markins clamp since it's already "loctited" in... any suggestions? or should I just stay with the markins clamp...

thanks

i totally forgot to leave a not about the loctite when I ordered mine. all it took was a chamois and a vice grip and it was off. took maybe 10 minutes to do

ben_r_ wrote in post #13213793
Call them and ask them if you can send it back to them and have them remove it. My guess is that Markins America gets these from an out of country source already "assembled" which is why they can request the clamp separated.

when I ordered it, I already told them if they can take it off, they refuse to, and they also said that it already has loctite on it.....

daveyboi wrote in post #13213941
i totally forgot to leave a not about the loctite when I ordered mine. all it took was a chamois and a vice grip and it was off. took maybe 10 minutes to do

i would be too afraid to try this, specially knowing that it's actually "loctite" in....

it is possible to damage the ball, right?

i don't see how? if your grip is on the release and turning the ballhead, the actual ball is locked in place.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=917189

It also depends on what kind of Loctite their using. They might not be using the red permanent type anymore. If that's the case it might be quite easy to break the hold.