Help me pick out a new tripod setup

So I have the gear listed in my signature plus a 24mm F1.4L II. I don't anticipate moving to any large telephoto lenses anytime soon. I don't shoot sports/animals/etc anymore so the times I would use these would be too rare to make them worth it.

So I THINK I want something small, but probably more important being compact. The smaller it is the better chance I have of letting my wife let me take it with me places. So far I'm looking at the Gitzo 0541 or the 1541. Both are fairly short when folded up and light. I might sacrifice some stability but I don't have a particularly heavy camera and lens I don't think would overall be a big issue.

Now where I get confused is with all the other pieces I need. I believe it sounds like a markin ballhead is THE one to get. Which one I am not sure but maybe someone can help here.

I see people replacing the plate on the markin to a quick release RRS plate which looks rather nice(and pricey) and then buying a generic arca-swiss compatible plate for the 7D(why are they specified for specific cameras? I thought this was pretty much universal).

Anything else you could recommend would be helpful. I sacrificed my Dolica to the tripod gods by placing it in the ocean . It still works but is definitely a bit tougher to manipulate. Definitely wouldn't do that with this new one!

Here's one review you might find interesting.

Markins makes a perfectly acceptable lever QR which I think is the equivalent of the RRS. This is the Quick Release. The plates attach to the bottom of bodies and lens collars so the body or collar can lock into the QR.

The plates must be made to fit the bottoms of various bodies and lenses. You should buy the plates from only one manufacturer,RRS, Markins, etc. Then you set your QR jaws to the right opening width for all of them, as they will all have the same dimensions.

I wouldn't say Markins is THE one to get. I think there are lots of good ballheads. I'd say my RRS ballhead is on par with a Markins. Err on the side of better, if you are on the fence about something.

The Markins Q3T is made nice and small to work with the Gitzos traveler 1 series I believe (so the tripod folds up fully compact)

BUt if your setup isn't heavy, I would look to save some money on other ballheads that have the controls you desire.

Any other ballheads that are equivalent? I've heard the manfrotto ones droop a bit.

I can't speak to the Manfrotto, but remember as you look and compare ballheads, the larger the ball, the more stable the head (i.e., less drooping potential).

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #11956923
Any other ballheads that are equivalent? I've heard the manfrotto ones droop a bit.

The 488RC2 does and I have heard the 498RC2 does as well. I have not tried their new heads. If you don't mind trying trying a unknown brand, I recently got a HorusBennu LX-5 and it is excellent.

I have a review here: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1008624

Ok I'll look into all these options. Any opinions on the 0541 vs. 1541? Is the 0541 TOO small or TOO light?

Still don't understand why the plate has to be designed for the camera. All my tripods to date just came with a plate that screwed into the camera and was generic.

Just a heads up, from the Horusbennu company, their heads for traveler tripods are the LX-1, LX-2 (an update to the LX-1) and FX-34Q (more expensive than the LX-1 or LX-2 but MUCH higher weight capacity)

themadman wrote in post #11957714
Just a heads up, from the Horusbennu company, their heads for traveler tripods are the LX-1, LX-2 (an update to the LX-1) and FX-34Q (more expensive than the LX-1 or LX-2 but MUCH higher weight capacity)

Thanks! Any input on my previous question...or why there is multiple plate /QR sizes?

Would you recommend QR over the screw type?

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #11957801
Thanks! Any input on my previous question...or why there is multiple plate sizes?

A plate doesn't have to be designed to a camera, it is just nice to have one that fits your camera perfectly and does not protrude strangely.

themadman wrote in post #11957814
A plate doesn't have to be designed to a camera, it is just nice to have one that fits your camera perfectly and does not protrude strangely.

Ok that makes sense. What about the two different sizes of quick shoes?

http://www.markins.com​/2.0/eng/quickshoes.ht​ml

Whats the point of the different sizes?

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #11957996
Ok that makes sense. What about the two different sizes of quick shoes?

http://www.markins.com​/2.0/eng/quickshoes.ht​ml

Whats the point of the different sizes?

The bigger one is more suited to be able to hold larger plates better (more surface contact, hence a better hold).

I just recieved my FEISOL Carbon Fiber CT-3301 tripod today and I love it. Very solid, very light, 3 year warrenty, and cheap ($215). Though it isn't very compact (58cm folded up) it is DEFINITLY worth taking a look at. It also holds roughly 19 pounds so if you do decide to go bigger you would have something already.

WEBSITE
3301 Tripod

Had the 498 before, droops like no tomorrow.

Have the Q3t and 1541 combo now, money well spent. Your lenses will have no problem on the head