Ballheads and plates and brackets, oh my!

(aka, yet another tripod head question.)

I just picked up a Gitzo 1541T compact tripod, which I love, and which holds even my heaviest gear quite solidly. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for my current ball head, so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and replace it sooner rather than later.

Having read Ben's excellent 1541T review (which convinced me to buy the 'pod in the first place) and various other comments around here and in the tripod FAQ, it looks like I probably want to go with a lightweight compact head from either Markins or RRS, or a combination of the Markins head with a RRS plate/bracket.

I'm not currently invested in any bracket/plate system worth keeping, so I'll be starting from scratch with either setup. Based on my equipment and usage, it looks like I need 1 camera plate, 1 lens plate (for the 100-400mm) and possibly an L-bracket for portrait mode. Whichever system I pick, needs to last me (besides potential new brackets for a camera upgrade) as I really don't want to have to go through this again for a long time.

So, my choices are as follows, please critique, suggest alternatives, etc as you see fit.

I'm leaning more towards the Q3T, either complete or combo, due to it's nice integration with the folding legs of the 1541T tripod. On the other hand, that means I either have to special-order the head without the lock-tite and/or plate (I think) or not have an L-bracket for portrait mode. (On the other, other hand, the L-bracket would interfere with the rotating LCD on my 60D, which would be annoying.)

Almost forgot - I mainly use the tripod for landscapes and low-light photos when out wandering around the city or on road trips. Primary use is with the 24-105mmL on my 60D, secondary would be either wide angle lens, occasionally the 100-400mmL. Ease of use (particularly leveling) and stability are my primary goals here.

So, sorry about the long winded post, but I'd really appreciate some feedback and advice on these options, as my previous ballhead choice was based on "hey, that's cheap, I'll get that one!"

Bonus question - If I get a RRS camera L-bracket, am I reading right that it's modular so most of the time I would only need the bottom portion, and attach the side only for portrait mode?

The 60D L plate is, as you say (in a departure from previous RRS practice) one you could detach the L part from. I don't know why you'd want to, since you'd still have to carry the L component and attach it when needed. It's offered more, as I understand it, so you can buy the base and upgrade later to the L without having to dump the base plate. By removing the L-component most of the time, you would almost be negating the value of a QR plate. Removing the whole L bracket from the camera involves removing one screw (from the tripod socket); removing the L side from the base plate involves removing 2 screws (and I don't know if they're secured to the L or if you'd risk losing them while the plate was detached). Did RRS tell you the L plate would interfere with the 60D's rotating screen? I'd suspect that even if it inhibited full range of motion, you could achieve 75-90% of the range. The ytend to be good about things like that.

Special-ordering the Q3T without Loctite is easy - just type "No Loctite" into the "special instructions" section of the order form. I got my Q3T with the Markins lever clamp (which is adjustable, by the way, so you can set it up for the RRS plates), but without Loctite. However, I'm swapping a RRS B2-LR2 on because the RRS clamp is, IMO, much nicer. Among other things, it has a detent at the half-open position so the plate can slide but not pop out easily.

Here's what RRS says about the L-bracket on a 60d:

Since I leave my LCD closed most of the time, then flip & twist to use it, the L-bracket would be a fairly big impact.

I didn't realize the Markins head could adjust for the RRS plates, that means I have the option of going with the Markins-only setup for now, then adding the RRS L-Bracket/plate later once I see just how much portrait tripod shooting I do?

meglet wrote in post #12275802
Here's what RRS says about the L-bracket on a 60d:

Since I leave my LCD closed most of the time, then flip & twist to use it, the L-bracket would be a fairly big impact.

I didn't realize the Markins head could adjust for the RRS plates, that means I have the option of going with the Markins-only setup for now, then adding the RRS L-Bracket/plate later once I see just how much portrait tripod shooting I do?

just go with the rrs plate even if you keep your markins lever release... i did...

That's a tough one. I would think that if using the screen, including flipping and twisting, is a big part of your routine you might grow to dislike the L Bracket. That said, shooting in portrait orientation is soooooo much easier with the L Bracket.

I bought a regular camera plate thinking that I usually shoot landscape orientation and if I needed portrait I could always use the portrait notch on the ballhead. It didn't take long before I wanted an L Bracket.

I'd expect that you could at least fold the screen out 90 deg. and rotate it to face out without running into the bracket. I rather suspect that it'd only be folding the screen out to around 180 deg. that the bracket would start interfering. Certainly worth asking RRS that specific question; I'm sure other 60D users would want to know just how much the L bracket limits use of the articulated screen.

I'd ask RRS what their experience is with the rotating screen and their L bracket. I like the third option, and agree with Jon that you only need the L bracket. That saves you money on the bottom plate as well.

The lever on the RRS QR is a bit prominent, and may hinder your getting the inverted legs to sit on the ballhead base when the stick are collapsed. But if you choose the RRS lever QR, Markins will put the it onto the QT3 for you if you ship it to them.

But also consider that Markins makes their own lever QR which, unlike the RRS, is adjustable to any plate system. You could get the QT3 with the Markins lever release and avoid some hassles. I have the Markins QR and find it to be excellent.

Jon wrote in post #12277202
I'd expect that you could at least fold the screen out 90 deg. and rotate it to face out without running into the bracket. I rather suspect that it'd only be folding the screen out to around 180 deg. that the bracket would start interfering. Certainly worth asking RRS that specific question; I'm sure other 60D users would want to know just how much the L bracket limits use of the articulated screen.

Yeah, I would think you could twist the screen when it was opened out to 90 degrees.

Here's some pictures of it here: http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …s-Base-%2b-L-Plate&key=it

I would definitely ask RRS to clarify what they wrote.

So it looks like I'll just need to adjust my use of the LCD a tiny bit to account for the L-bracket being in the way (made a bracket mock-up to try it out.)

Based on that, I think I'm going to go with the Markins Q3T head with lever, and the RRS L-bracket and lens plate.

Do I need to order a QR plate in addition, or am I reading correctly that that's part of the L/lens bracket parts?

Weird, I thought I posted in this thread.

I've played with a 60D and unless the L bracket has a ridge right next to the LCD, you should be fine. I was able to flip the LCD and only had to open it 70 degrees or so.

Think of the L bracket as a "L-shaped" piece of metal with 2 separate QR plates attached to it (one for landscape and one for portrait orientation). It's actually made from one piece of aluminum, but I figure that's the best way to visualize it.

If you think you might use the tripod for another camera, lens, or camcorder, you might want to order an extra plate. I bought an extra universal plate just in case.

I just bought the same tripod and decided to take a chance on the photoclam ballhead.
I am really impressed with the price and quality

So, now I have to re-think my plan, as I ended up ordering a grip for my 60D, and while I may not use the grip all the time, I will not be able to use an L-bracket with it, and may or may not need an extra plate. I haven't used a grip before, so I have to wait for it to arrive this week and see how everything fits together to see how the tripod plate would work.

And thanks, woehlerking, for throwing yet another choice into the mix to add to my confusion! How well does the tripod fold over itself with the PC-30 attached?

Well, work is dragging their feet on my promotion anyway, so I have a little more time before being ready to order my "congratulations to myself" ballhead.

You'll need another plate for your grip. This is why I said it's a good idea to get an extra universal plate. RRS makes their L-plates form fitting to the camera body. This ensures no possible twisting. If you look at pics of the battery grip, you'll notice how much wider the base of the grip is compared to the camera body. If the 60D base plate's mounting screw had front-to-back adjustability, it might be possible. This would probably be unbalanced, but usable. Unfortunately, it's side-to-side.

I would start out with a Wimberley P-5 Universal plate, which you will want to have anyway. Later pick up a dedicated plate for your camera/grip, but you may find that the P-5 is all you need if you don't need an L bracket.

http://www.tripodhead.​com/products/camera-body-main.cfm

I am glad that I read this post... I have a 7D and will be getting a RRS L-plate for that camera. Right now I am stumbling along sing the L-plate from my 40D on my 7D. It works but, not well.

I just looked at the 7D L-plate on the RRS website.
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …for-Canon-7D-without-grip

I love the new plate setup which will allow me to hang the camera by a shoulder strap or hold it by a hand-strap. The previous hand strap I used needed to be screwed into the tripod mounting screw hole, so I couldn't use the hand strap and an L-bracket. I could also not use a hand strap in conjunction with a neck strap. I can see that as a great combination...