RRS (Really Right Stuff) vs. Markin

Looking to move to a new ball head on the tripod and also a mount on a monopod. Looking at these two and wonder if there are anything to be concerned about.
Will predominately shot with 5dm3 maybe some 7d with some 70-200 II and 300 f4 along with some 24-105 etc.

Both RRS and Markins are high quality products. Some prefer one brand or the other. Just about the only negative I have heard for either on these forums is that some Markins heads can stiffen up in extreme cold - from memory, though, those photographers were shooting in Norwegian or Alaskan winters, so probably not an issue for most.

For RRS, the only issue that I can recall is that the low profile design means that some tripod baseplates are too wide for the clamp to clear the baseplate in portrait mode.

I have a Markins, which is excellent. Can't speak about the RRS from personal experience.

I love my Markins head; the only complaint I've got appears to be a DSU* error, which I plan to correct over the long weekend; ball is tough to adjust when using anything smaller than my 70-200 or 100-400.

*DSU = Dumb, stupid user

I have the BH-55 Pro for my TVC-34L and MH-02 Pro Monopod Head for my MC-34 Monopod. I don't have heavy gear at the moment but wanted to get it right, if not the first time, eventually.

I couldn't be happier. Both work very smoothly.

I prefer the RRS knobs and form over the Markins, but both will hold the gear just fine.

Thanks so far. The Markins website has the following about the lens plate screw Has anyone had a bad experience with the rss plate screw.
From markins website.....
The head is 22% bigger than competitors' screws, which provide extra force to resist separation (12mm vs 9.8mm diameter).

There is an extra pitch to provide stronger fastening strength (3.5 vs 2.5 pitch).

I've got three Markins ball heads - Q20, Q10, and Q3T. What I like is the drag tension is build into the main knob so I dont grab it accidentally and change it like I did on my Manfrotto ball heads. The three knob design is not for me.

You can't go wrong with either. It's a matter of preference.. just like prime-cut "New York strip" or "Rib-Eye" steaks... which do you prefer... You'll just have to decide for yourself. I wouldn't trade my RRS gear for Markins and I'm willing to bet there are just as many Markins fans who would say the same in reverse... RRS has a 15 day return policy iirc... try them both out and keep what works best for you. It's not really a choice of which is better so much as a choice of which is better suited for you...

I have the markins q20 Would not trade it for anything else. Greatest head IMO, no problems whatsoever

As everyone has said both are quality ballheads. I've used three Markins heads and they are very well made and finished. I no longer use them as I've had mine lock up in 1ºF (-17ºC) temperatures after feeling more and more heavily damped. Also I had taken the precaution of reading the instruction manual about this issue and acted on it. I understand others have had the problem and while I like the Markins very much my take on it is it's unreliable in very cold weather.

I've never used a RRS ballhead but I use other RRS products and they are well made. AFAIK RRS heads don't lock up in extreme cold. As Damien points out above, if you have a non-RRS tripod of systematic design (no center column) like a Gitzo or Feisol the clamp may not clear the baseplate if you use the drop slot. The workaround is of course to use an L-bracket on the camera.

Thankfully, there are several manufacturers who make excellent products. When I switched over from the Manfrotto RC2 quick release system to the Arca Swiss style quick release system, I purchased a bunch of things from Kirk Enterprise Solutions. They couldn't have been more helpful. I got my old Giottos tripod with the Manfrotto 468 head to work as well as possible.

I save up for camera gear every year and when it was that time, I ended up purchasing a new tripod and monopod from RRS. I am still amazed at the quality and even more importantly, the ease of use. As others have said, from what I've read Markins also makes excellent gear. I can say the same thing about Kirk, in fact, I had to get my L bracket from Kirk because RRS doesn't make a one piece L bracket for the 60D.

It is nice to have quality choices. We are fortunate.

I have a Markins that has soldiered on through some very cold weather (-20ºC or so), but I do keep the entire tripod in a padded bag until it's actually time to shoot, so maybe that helps to insulate it. Anyway, the cold weather issue is reported enough that it's something to consider if you intend to work in those conditions.

I have both RRS BH-40 and Markins Q3T. Both are good ball heads, but they are different. My Q3T is more smooth than my BH-40, at least at light weight loads. My BH-40 is better when heavier loads. I am comfortable with 300mm/2.8 on my BH-40, but not on my Q3T (but both Markins and RRS have bigger ball heads for even heavier loads).

With naked fingers the Q3T is a joy to use with precise controls (after having covered the panning control knob with a rubber band). With gloves or mittens there is not such good control ovre the knobs, then I really like the shape of the main knob in the BH-40. It is easy to feel or see if it locked or unlocked.

I haven't managed to get my Q3T to work in the cold. It got locked up in about -15- -20°C, so I just packed it away for the rest of the winter. I have no idea of what themperature the problem starts. I have used my BH-40 down to about -35- -40°C without any issue.

When outside for several days, there is not much help in insulating a dead tripod, but it can ofcourse help if one is outside just few hours.

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Phrasikleia wrote in post #16090465
I have a Markins that has soldiered on through some very cold weather (-20ºC or so), but I do keep the entire tripod in a padded bag until it's actually time to shoot, so maybe that helps to insulate it.

I think this might make a difference. My Markins got progressively worse (binding) over a period of about three days until it finally locked up.

Mine was locked up when first trying it after being outside 2-3 hours.