Tripod and Head - almost there

I've been reading postings and reviews, and agonizing for many months on a tripod / head setup. Got it narrowed down now but I need you folks to push me over the edge! And maybe someone else can benefit too. Many, many thanks to all of those who have posed similar questions before and those who have taken the time to craft well thought out and knowledgable answers.

I need something I can take hiking without thinking too much about the extra weight it will add. I don't have a long gear list but want something that will hold up with future gear, too - For example, I hope to add a 70-200 some time. But no 300mm on the horizon.

TRIPOD: This part is pretty much settled. I've decided to make the deep investment (for me anyway) in Gitzo. Considered the Chinese stuff, looked at Manfrotto and many others and decided on the weight/stability/quali​ty factors of the new Gitzos. I'd probably be fine with many of the others I've seen recommended too but I think I'll go with the Gitzo 2540. Considered the 1540 also, but with this being my only tripod I think the additional stability is worth lugging the extra 1/2 pound when I hike. Comments welcome.

HEAD: Not as certain - here's where I need the bigger push. Got it narrowed down (at least at the time of this writing!) to the Markins Q3, RSS BH-40 and Archatech V2. Only thing I can add is I'd like to do some panoramic work.

So, who wants to push?

I'd shove you into the 2540 without any hesitation as a single tripod choice. A 1540 would leave you wanting except as a travelish tripod. I think it's a little too light for all around.

As to ball heads, I have the Q3 and love it as a match to a series 1 tripod setup. I don't have experience with Archatech so can't comment there, but I think the BH-40 would be a nice fit to the 2540. The only thing I question is the slow motion control that you aren't getting with the lever lock on that mount. Sooooo, I would think you should consider the M-10 Markings instead or the Arca Swiss Z-1.

Stew

If you own one tripod, then the 2540. if you want to own more than one, then the 3540LS and 1540.

That said, the 3540LS is quite an exceptional tripod at an exceptional weight - 0.7lbs heavier than the 2540 but a ton more support. Really quite amazing. However, unless you get some longer glass, you don't need it.

I'd also steer you away from the Acratech stuff. It is not better than the others (RRS, Markings, Kirk etc...) and it doesn't offer any other significant advantages that I can tell.

I have a BH40 on my 1258 (precursor to the 2540, similar size and weight specs) and if I had to do it over, I'd do a Q3. It weighs almost half as much and should be just excellent on that tripod. I have a M20 on my 3540LS, and that is rapidly becoming my all time favorite. RRS needs to put their ballheads on a diet - otherwise they are pretty good.

The 2540 with the Q3 on it and removing the center column ought to get you to about 3.9lbs out the door - which is a heck of a light tripod with a ton of support. You could carry that all day and be happy about it.

Any ballhead you get should have a RRS QR lever clamp on it. For sure.

J.

Thank you Stew and John.

Regarding the Markins - Any significant advantages with the M10 over the Q3?

The specs are all on their site, but breifly the M10 is load rated at 90 pounds versus the Q3's 65 pounds. The weight of the M-10 is about 4 oz. more than the Q3 (1.09 pounds versus .84 pounds for the Q3). The ball on the M-10 is larger by about a quarter inch, which will make a little bit of difference in smoothness to an already great movement. Finally the M-10's base is about a quarter inch larger in diameter, which makes it a touch more esthetically pleasing on the 2 series than the Q3. Load-wise the Q3 is perfectly matched to your lens plans, but it would be nice, if this is a one time system purchase to last many years, to have a little more load capability, IMHO.

The Markins plate clamps are first rate. I have a quick release lever clamp on my Arca Swiss ball mount and don't consider it at all necessary for my style of shooting. I am perfectly happy with the Markings supplied clamp. John's comment on the RSS QR clamp would certainly take you up a notch, but unless you have a shooting style that requires you to be able to rapidly change camera orientation or to a second body, the Markins clamp is well made and wonderfully functional, with captive knob. Something to consider.

Stew

squiress wrote in post #3682980
The specs are all on their site, but breifly the M10 is load rated at 90 pounds versus the Q3's 65 pounds. The weight of the M-10 is about 4 oz. more than the Q3 (1.09 pounds versus .84 pounds for the Q3). The ball on the M-10 is larger by about a quarter inch, which will make a little bit of difference in smoothness to an already great movement. Finally the M-10's base is about a quarter inch larger in diameter, which makes it a touch more esthetically pleasing on the 2 series than the Q3. Load-wise the Q3 is perfectly matched to your lens plans, but it would be nice, if this is a one time system purchase to last many years, to have a little more load capability, IMHO.

The Markins plate clamps are first rate. I have a quick release lever clamp on my Arca Swiss ball mount and don't consider it at all necessary for my style of shooting. I am perfectly happy with the Markings supplied clamp. John's comment on the RSS QR clamp would certainly take you up a notch, but unless you have a shooting style that requires you to be able to rapidly change camera orientation or to a second body, the Markins clamp is well made and wonderfully functional, with captive knob. Something to consider.

Stew

Thanks Stew - I should have mentioned I had read through the info and specs on their web site before asking, but besides the load capacity I couldn't see the advantages. I was wondering if the increase in weight was worth it. Thanks for filling in the blanks. Minimizing weight is an issue, but I will consider the M10. In any case if I go with a Markins, which is now likely, I'll hold off on John's suggestion on the RSS QR clamp until I see how I like the Markins clamp (and maybe save a little $, at least for now).

You had mentioned hiking and the Q3 is the lightest in its class of the small ballheads. The BH25 is lighter, but it doesnt have the capabilities that the Q3 does and is better suited for the very lightest tripods. The Q3, IMO, is a lot more ballhead than the BH25 and is a better choice for hiking - 4 ozs to get panning control. The Q3 might be a touch small on the 2540 (check and see) but it would be perfect on the 1540 and perfect on either for long hiking.

The M10 compares to the BH40 and is pretty much a wash.

The M20 compares to the BH55. For weight critical applications there is no comparison - the M20 is almost half the weight of the BH55. RRS needs to put the BH55 on a strict diet. It is due for a redesign to take out the ridiculous extra weight - then it would be a fantastic ballhead without peer, IMO.

As a note, and I really like my RRS BH40, but I do notice an ever so slight jog when the ball is clamped tight. While not a big deal, it does get irritating with long glass on board (composition changes a bit). From what I've read, this is inherent in the method RRS uses to clamp the ball. This does not happen with my M20 - it moves not at all.

Reasons I like the lever clamp

1. The obvious - they set up and take down faster. Tripods, even the best, are more hassle than not using one at all. The lever clamp minimizes this further.

2. I find the snap of the lever locking down to be a better indication that it is locked than when I use my screw knobs. With A-S it is possible to get the plate not in properly but feel solid (until you bump it). This is much more difficult to do with the lever than with the knob.

3. You need to position the knob so that it is under the lens otherwise it pokes you in the face when you look through the viewfinder. THe lever is not a problem plus is easier to lock than the knob when under the lens.

4. I live in a cold climate (Minnesota). The lever clamp is much, much, much easier to use in the cold with gloves than the knob.

J.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #3683585
You had mentioned hiking and the Q3 is the lightest in its class of the small ballheads. The BH25 is lighter, but it doesnt have the capabilities that the Q3 does and is better suited for the very lightest tripods. The Q3, IMO, is a lot more ballhead than the BH25 and is a better choice for hiking - 4 ozs to get panning control. The Q3 might be a touch small on the 2540 (check and see) but it would be perfect on the 1540 and perfect on either for long hiking.

The M10 compares to the BH40 and is pretty much a wash.

The M20 compares to the BH55. For weight critical applications there is no comparison - the M20 is almost half the weight of the BH55. RRS needs to put the BH55 on a strict diet. It is due for a redesign to take out the ridiculous extra weight - then it would be a fantastic ballhead without peer, IMO.

As a note, and I really like my RRS BH40, but I do notice an ever so slight jog when the ball is clamped tight. While not a big deal, it does get irritating with long glass on board (composition changes a bit). From what I've read, this is inherent in the method RRS uses to clamp the ball. This does not happen with my M20 - it moves not at all.

Reasons I like the lever clamp

1. The obvious - they set up and take down faster. Tripods, even the best, are more hassle than not using one at all. The lever clamp minimizes this further.

2. I find the snap of the lever locking down to be a better indication that it is locked than when I use my screw knobs. With A-S it is possible to get the plate not in properly but feel solid (until you bump it). This is much more difficult to do with the lever than with the knob.

3. You need to position the knob so that it is under the lens otherwise it pokes you in the face when you look through the viewfinder. THe lever is not a problem plus is easier to lock than the knob when under the lens.

4. I live in a cold climate (Minnesota). The lever clamp is much, much, much easier to use in the cold with gloves than the knob.

J.

With the Gitzo 2540 tripod, I guess the question I need to answer is - with a difference of 4 oz between the Q3 and the M10 (and about 5oz between the Q3 and the BH-40), is it really that much of a difference to lug. If my math is correct I think that's a total of 3.94 lbs vs 4.19 lbs - seems like I'm splitting hairs when you add it up. Comments?

tcaran wrote in post #3684124
With the Gitzo 2540 tripod, I guess the question I need to answer is - with a difference of 4 oz between the Q3 and the M10 (and about 5oz between the Q3 and the BH-40), is it really that much of a difference to lug. If my math is correct I think that's a total of 3.94 lbs vs 4.19 lbs - seems like I'm splitting hairs when you add it up. Comments?

First, since John has a BH-40 he might comment on the ability to set tension with the lever clamp. The RSS ball heads are essentially vices that encircle the ball. When you clamp them you increase friction and surface area contact, but in a different way than the Arca Swiss derivatives that use a single knob and tensioner control. (You can get an idea (certainly will vary in some degree depending on manufacturer) of the clamping mechanism by looking at my Weifeng ball mount teardown in the FAQ section). The Markins are unsurpassed IMHO in allowing tension to be manipulated with the tension control knob and the locking knob.

Only you can say whether 4 oz is going to make a difference. Are you day hiking? What else would you be carrying along with your camera gear? The straw that breaks the camels back is simply that - a straw. And if you are limiting yourself to only one tripod, then I think you might want some room for a little growth. If you expect that not to be the case, then John's recommendation to go 1540 and 3540 is a good one, albeit more expensive.

And you've discounted completely the Chinese alternatives so I won't go into the economies of something like Benro and Feisol.

Limiting yourself to one tripod and one ballmount says you likely will carry a tadd more to cover a bit more support capability. Since both of these solutions are well under 5 pounds, both will likely get used alot no matter how you hike.

Stew

The ergonomics of the BH40 are better (I like the lever) but the Markins works better.

4ozs matters if you are really backpacking. Day hiking, no so much.

That all said, Galen Rowell said that the lightest tripod you should use is the heaviest one you are willing to carry.

It also depends on what you plan to do with glass. With the lenses in your sig, you are good with the 1540 and if you go up to 135mm. I've become a proponent of going a bit larger that one needs to on the tripod because you will get IQ benefits.

So, my recommendation is if you are going to be doing serious backpacking - 1540 and Q3 (very serious backpacking then the 0540 and BH25). Day hiking and if you intend to have only one tripod - 2540 with Q3 or M10 (either one, you pick). Two tripods, then the 1540 or 0540 as above (depending on application) and 3540LS with M20.

The BH40 look the coolest, but I think the Markins units operate better.

Get either with a RRS QR Lever clamp.

J

Well the deed is done - you guys pushed me over the edge. I just ordered the Markins M10 and the Gitzo GT-2540. I decided to go with a the M10 for a little better performance and future proofing. Again, thanks to all those other tripod-head threads, and especially to John and Stew for their help.

tcaran wrote in post #3687080
Well the deed is done - you guys pushed me over the edge. I just ordered the Markins M10 and the Gitzo GT-2540. I decided to go with a the M10 for a little better performance and future proofing. Again, thanks to all those other tripod-head threads, and especially to John and Stew for their help.

I think you will enjoy these two accessories alot! Post some pics in the picture forums. That of course is what this is all about.

Stew

I'm with Stew on this one - you have an excellent rig there and I think you will be very happy with this. You've made some good choices with this set up.

Let us know how it comes out. I'm always interested to hear one's impression on this stuff when you get it and use it.

J

You are on the right path. Get a Gitzo tripod. If you plan on stopping at 200mm and not adding any big primes (like a 400) a smaller size tripod will work. For larg lenses you want a larger one. But since you hike a ligher/smalle rone will be easier to carry. If you ever become a big birder, then get the monster tripod, gimbal, and heavy duty head.

For a ballhead get an Arca Z-1, Kirk BH1 or BH3, or one of the RRS models.

Get a RRS custom plate for your camera.

Then you will be set with a solid stable platform to photograph from.

Good luck.