Lever Clamp Ballhead question

Received a Markins Q3T ballhead and have a question. How tight should it be to close on the plate? Don't want to damage it. Am using all the same RRS plates. Thanks

I have an RRS lever clamp and L-plate. It requires a fair amount of force to lock it down. Not so much that your hand hurts or anything, but enough that you know its clamped tightly.

Tight enough that the lever can be flipped all the way closed without forcing it and also not come open easily? I can't think of a good way to explicitly describe since there's not marked gauge or anything. I have the Q20 and it takes a bit of effort to unlatch; using the Markins plates.

Good question. I just experimented with different tensions on the set screw until it seemed to close with thumb pressure, but not to see to have to force it.

Of course, I had had the RRS lever release and knew the feel of that one, so I set the Markins to about the same tension.

tvphotog wrote in post #12652675
Good question. I just experimented with different tensions on the set screw until it seemed to close with thumb pressure, but not to see to have to force it.

Of course, I had had the RRS lever release and knew the feel of that one, so I set the Markins to about the same tension.

I'm curious, did you replace an RRS head with a Markins? Why?

Yes, because the RRS I had on a previous travel tripod was too wide at the clamp for my new Feisol 3441t setup. The smaller RRS did not have the same threaded screw as the attachment point on the tripod. The Markins was the same. I've been very happy with the Markins, same quality as the RRS.

If you look at the first photo in the review, you can see that the Gitzo legs folded under the release clamp; the same RRS on the Feisol would have placed the clamp within the legs, and the clamp would have prevented tight closing of the inverted legs.

I guess I have it about right then. Not so tight as it feels like it will break, but a little difficult. Same combo as you Jay. Thanks for the review.
Set it up with the 7D and it is the perfect height without using the center column.

Way lighter than my Manfrotto 3021pro and pistol grip head. The new one does not droop!!!

tvphotog wrote in post #12652809
Yes, because the RRS I had on a previous travel tripod was too wide at the clamp for my new Feisol 3441t setup. The smaller RRS did not have the same threaded screw as the attachment point on the tripod. The Markins was the same. I've been very happy with the Markins, same quality as the RRS.

If you look at the first photo in the review, you can see that the Gitzo legs folded under the release clamp; the same RRS on the Feisol would have placed the clamp within the legs, and the clamp would have prevented tight closing of the inverted legs.

Thanks! I hadn't seen that review before, it's a good writeup. you've got me thinking...

mike_d wrote in post #12652631
I have an RRS lever clamp and L-plate. It requires a fair amount of force to lock it down. Not so much that your hand hurts or anything, but enough that you know its clamped tightly.

Same here.