Any owners of Markins M10 *and* Arca Z1 out there?

Glad I'm not alone

Still no-one showed up with experience with both Markins and Arca...

The Arca is easier to get, since I'd need to order the Markins from either Germany (not a big deal) or the USA (for the R version) (a bigger deal)

Shame it's impossible to get a "hands on" (Any dutch members on here with a Markins?)

You want to have the main control knob be on the the left with the pan knob to the right of that. Whatever that is called, that is how you want it. I believe that is the "L" version. In that scenario, you can have your right hand on the camera, finger on shutter button and left hand easily managing both ballhead controls. I believe that also works out for the notch (which I never use since I have L brackets on my bodies).

It is hard to designate a left and right side of a round object.

J

Per their website, Markins calls this configuration the 'L'...(all descriptions assume eye looking down to ballhead like a clockface) With drop slot for portait orientation positioned at 9 o'clock, main lock knob is at 6 o'clock, pan control is at 3 o'clock.

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JohnJ80 wrote in post #4707136
You want to have the main control knob be on the the left

I think I can agree there...
And I could see a slight advantage of the L version when dropping the camera for shooting verticals: Click.
However, when using an L plate, it's almost irrelevant, since you will only be using the drop slot when shooting up or downward at an extremer angle...

The way I figure, I'd be shooting upward more often then downward, and with the notch toward you, a L version puts the main control right (a very big *dis*advantage), right? If so, a R version would make more sense.

OTOH, the *only* place I can find that still offers the Regular version is here. Presumably all others ditched it, because the Left version is waaay more popular. So I'm in doubt because I'm thinking: "I must be missing something, all those people can't be wrong"...


@Wilt: I see you were typing as I was

I think I follow about the same reasoning, and I'm beginning to think I might prefer the R vesion...

Confusing! What Wilt said: shutter release is at the bottom, bad.
Pix of my M10-R

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Actually, Rene didn't I read somewhere that you use L brackets? If one uses L brackets, it really makes no difference at all - I would guess.

J.

Oh joy, we get to spend another $80-100 to avoid the issue of Portrait orientation and knob placement (Markins is not alone on this, BTW...common issue for other heads, too!)

JohnJ80 wrote in post #4710051
Actually, Rene didn't I read somewhere that you use L brackets? If one uses L brackets, it really makes no difference at all - I would guess.

J.

Yes, I use an RRS L bracket.

The difference it makes, like I stated in a few posts, is the orientation of the knobs when shooting up or down (drop slot toward or away from you (12 or 6 o' clock position)

Looks like it'll be a R version for me.
Now I only need to decide between Arca and Markins...

Wilt wrote in post #4710293
Oh joy, we get to spend another $80-100 to avoid the issue of Portrait orientation and knob placement

50 bucks off ebay actually

And it's the best money I've spent recently. Would not hesitate a second to get one for my next camera... Very, *very* highly recommended.

IMO it does a lot more then "avoid the issue of Portrait orientation and knob placement".
Camera is way more stable on a monopod, since you're straight above it.

Also, Arca style QR is *way* better then the RC2 I used before. No play whatsoever.

So is the need for a 'custom' anti-twist plate alleviated by use of an L bracket? If so, then the cost for an L bracket is offset.

The L bracket is essentially a 'custom anti-twist plate.' Typically, you purchase an L bracket designed for a specific camera body. The advantage is that the bracket is designed to allow you access to the various camera controls/plugs. The disadvantage is that when you get a new and different camera, you will likely need to buy a different L bracket that is designed for it. However, this is not that bad. L brackets are in constant demand and are typically easy to sell.

coorz wrote in post #4709032
bad.
Pix of my M10-R

Does that mean you want to get rid of it?

Edit: I could come by to see the thing in 'real life' maybe, since I'm dutch as well?

Nope not selling, had a Gitzo 1377 before, this Markins is shockingly small and a light package together with the Manfrotto MF3 carbon.
BTW Enschede is quite a long way from Amsterdam!
edit BTW there's a M10 for sale at marktplaats, a bit older ad but maybe still available...

Ah, I figured you might want to like to get an L version

On the ad on Marktplaats: That's the one featuring a red M10 and includes a Gitzo 2220?
That's also an M10L

I know the distance, but I might be in the Rotterdam area monday...

Actually i'm at customer site for another 2 weeks in Delft, but there's no way we could meet here at office.
You're welcome to check it out when i'm back at my office (schiphol).

Ah, that's nice... Thanks! I'll PM you in a few weeks then.
I could check the Arca at Konijnenberg then first, and the Markins later

At least then I'll know what I'll be getting.