Markins Q3T Problems....

I've had my Q3T for about three weeks and have loved it. I haven't really used it outside yet so it's basically brand new but today I had a problem...

The panning knob (I think that's what it's called) is locked tightly and won't come loose. However, the Q3T is not locked into place; it continues to pan but the knob is stuck completely.

I've paired it with a Feisol 3441S RAPID (which I LOVE by the way) and I'm going to Yosemite on the 30th and I want to bring it!


Anyone have any ideas? I emailed Markins and I'm waiting for a reply. Has this happened to anyone else?

Perhaps the drag tension is set too tight, so that the when the ball lock is released the tension is still preventing motion of the ball.

Does it move freely or do you need to apply force (a fair amount). The panning lock on the Markins is not designed to lock it down 100% but it should not move freely as if the knob was loose.

As stated above, the panning knob essentially works a brake rather than a lock. I believe the reason has to do with vibration dampening, I don't remember the details but there have been a number of reports of over-tightening the knob. Users have a reasonable expectation of this function being a lock but Markins are different, lets put it that way. It doesn't help either that Markins call it a "panning lock knob" in the manual...

You need to get some purchase on the surface of the knob. Using three or four layers of a fabric such sacking that has some friction on the knob will help. A vise grip pliers would be the handiest tool to use; wrap the fabric around the knob, apply the pliers and turn CCW. The handle on the pliers should give you enough leverage to turn the knob. Failing all of this, take the ballhead off the tripod (use a small strap wrench on the panning base if necessary), place the fabric-wrapped knob into a bench vise and turn the ballhead CW in relation to the knob. That should loosen it.