RRS VS Kirk enterprises Ballheads

Thank you for that answer.

I'm assuming that you've actually used Arca Swiss, Acratech, Markins (and the rest) and done your comparisons? Of course you have - you couldn't know how much better RRS was than them without having done that. Never mind.

RRS top of the line stuff. Kirk if looking for cheaper stuff. Have Markins M10. No problem at all using 500mm f4 IS and 1dmk2 on it.

Well, I do make camera accessories for a living... It would make sense that I might have some experience with other accessory manufacturer's products.

gakoenig wrote in post #14095302
When it comes to buying any camera gear, if RRS is an option, RRS is the answer.

Amen to that. EXCEPT when it comes to ballheads. The Markins are stronger, lighter, smaller and cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing if I do say so myself.

Despite the BH-55 being over half a decade old it's still the champion of shear head locking ability according to comprehensive ballhead comparisions and tests. (The most comprehensive still available might be this one) But if you want a real love-fest, read reviews from reputable sites.

If you want lighter, RRS doesn't have what you are looking for. If you want camera locking ability that would require force on a tectonic scale to budge, RRS is the king of the hill.

gakoenig wrote in post #14096791
(Except for camera straps. If they ever make one, I'm going to need to amend that line...)

ben_r_ wrote in post #14097203
Amen to that. EXCEPT when it comes to ballheads. The Markins are stronger, lighter, smaller and cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing if I do say so myself.

Are you saying you just like the traditional Linhoff (I think they were the first with it) design over other styles, because aesthetically the Markins seems no different than 4 out of every 5 other ballhead designs - Kirk, Besel, Jusino, Giottos, HorrusBennu, Triopo, Slik, Fancier, Novoflex, Joby, Arca-Swiss, Induro, Benro, etc, etc. All have ballheads that would be hard to distinguish from 5 feet away.

Indecent Exposure wrote in post #14097892
Despite the BH-55 being over half a decade old it's still the champion of shear head locking ability according to comprehensive ballhead comparisions and tests. (The most comprehensive still available might be this one) But if you want a real love-fest, read reviews from reputable sites.

If you want lighter, RRS doesn't have what you are looking for. If you want camera locking ability that would require force on a tectonic scale to budge, RRS is the king of the hill.





Are you saying you just like the traditional Linhoff (I think they were the first with it) design over other styles, because aesthetically the Markins seems no different than 4 out of every 5 other ballhead designs - Kirk, Besel, Jusino, Giottos, HorrusBennu, Triopo, Slik, Fancier, Novoflex, Joby, Arca-Swiss, Induro, Benro, etc, etc. All have ballheads that would be hard to distinguish from 5 feet away.

? Im saying based on specs, price, internet product images and user reviews I think Markins is the way to go in this current market.

Top of the line ballhead, I will say RRS, no questions asked. But Markins is pretty good, smaller and lighter. Kirk and other way lower IMHO particularly when we talking supporting big superteles.

James,

I was surprised that my Manfrotto 468 MG hydrostatic head came in first in that linked test, however with the RC4 plates not my RC2 plates. It's nowhere near the quality of either the RRS or Markins, I fear, but it works for me with my G12 and all the stuff to which it is attached or is attached to it. I loved the Manfrotto 460Mg but it just couldn't handle the weight with a flash and rotating flash bracket added on.

One day, I'll get a DSLR and upgrade my tripod setup as well. That will be fun.

Kim

Phoenixkh wrote in post #14098846
James,

I was surprised that my Manfrotto 468 MG hydrostatic head came in first in that linked test, however with the RC4 plates not my RC2 plates. It's nowhere near the quality of either the RRS or Markins, I fear, but it works for me with my G12 and all the stuff to which it is attached or is attached to it. I loved the Manfrotto 460Mg but it just couldn't handle the weight with a flash and rotating flash bracket added on.

One day, I'll get a DSLR and upgrade my tripod setup as well. That will be fun.

Kim

For the price it's hard to beat and you could do a lot worse, that's for darn sure. Like you, it was a (pleasant) surprise to me.

What surprised me most was how well the Gitzo, a brand who's widely panned here, performed significantly better than some POTN favorites, like the Arca-Swiss Z1. Under load it performed better than middle performers and fan favorites offerings from Markins and Kirk. Not bad for such a "low regarded" head. It's yet another example of how opinions are nice and all, but nothing sets the record straight like hard, fast performance numbers.