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

Nevermind.... Ordered a Markins M10R.
A photographer I know is also looking for a ballhead. I might convince him to get the Arca, if only to do a comparison

Well, Markins started off by sending the L version

Good news is, it's cheaper to order straight from Markins international then from Markins Germany. (Reason I ordered international was that I want an R version (German site doesn't have them), not an L... See how that will be worked out. But it did save me about 50 euros)

René Damkot wrote in post #4877359
Well, Markins started off by sending the L version

Good news is, it's cheaper to order straight from Markins international then from Markins Germany. (Reason I ordered international was that I want an R version (German site doesn't have them), not an L... See how that will be worked out. But it did save me about 50 euros)

OK so now you have the opportunity to evaluate the L before sending it back for the R...what do you think of the L layout?

I have the Q3 which has left side controls. I prefer this configuration because I use my right hand to control and position the camera. My left hand adjusts the main lock knob and pan lock. With the L configuration, the drop notch will be in front if you orient the main lock knob to the left.

jhom wrote in post #4878549
I have the Q3 which has left side controls. I prefer this configuration because I use my right hand to control and position the camera. My left hand adjusts the main lock knob and pan lock. With the L configuration, the drop notch will be in front if you orient the main lock knob to the left.

But the front drop notch makes no sense for putting a camera into portrait orientation!

I believe that the Markins 'L' vs. 'R' designation is to indication the position of the crop notch, when the main control knob is pointed at you...

' L' is notch at 9 o'clock photo in message #18 ), 'R' is notch at 3 o'clock (photo in message #20). The R makes no sense to use in that 3 o'clock slot position because it forces the camera to be rotated clockwise into portrait orientation with the shutter button downward not upward; if you rotate the R slot to 9 o'clock, the main control knob is in front, under the lens.

Wilt wrote in post #4878286
OK so now you have the opportunity to evaluate the L before sending it back for the R...what do you think of the L layout?

Sucks big time IMHO... But then, I'm biased :P

I'm gonna give it a try, but for the few minutes I've tried it,it feels "wrong".
I've *always* used a ballhead with the "control" on the front. Biggest problem IMO is that, with the "main dial" facing me, the "pan control" should have been on the other side of the main dial.

Images on the Markins site might clarify what I mean: Click

Wilt wrote in post #4878638
But the front drop notch makes no sense for putting a camera into portrait orientation!

I believe that the Markins 'L' vs. 'R' designation is to indication the position of the crop notch, when the main control knob is pointed at you...

' L' is notch at 9 o'clock photo in message #18 ), 'R' is notch at 3 o'clock (photo in message #20). The R makes no sense to use in that 3 o'clock slot position because it forces the camera to be rotated clockwise into portrait orientation with the shutter button downward not upward; if you rotate the R slot to 9 o'clock, the main control knob is in front, under the lens.

Not a problem if you use a L bracket.

René Damkot wrote in post #4880013
Sucks big time IMHO... But then, I'm biased :P

I'm gonna give it a try, but for the few minutes I've tried it,it feels "wrong".
I've *always* used a ballhead with the "control" on the front. Biggest problem IMO is that, with the "main dial" facing me, the "pan control" should have been on the other side of the main dial.

Images on the Markins site might clarify what I mean: Click

I have a Linhof Profi II, and the controls and drop notch match the Markins depicted in message #18 and #37...is that similar to the head which you received in error?

Interestingly, the most logical position for the pan control would be on the opposite side from the main control knob, that way the same hand controls both functions and the drop notch is at 9 o'clock where the camera can be properly oriented while in portrait orientation. The pan control at 9 o'clock makes no sense with QR plates interfering with access to a pan control in that position when the camera is in portrait orientation.

Wilt wrote in post #4880079
I have a Linhof Profi II, and the controls and drop notch match the Markins depicted in message #18 and #37...is that similar to the head which you received in error?

Yep.

Agree that the position of the pan control could be improved in both cases... Opposite sides does seem best. I'll post a follow up tomorrow. Off to bed for now

jhom wrote in post #4880048
Not a problem if you use a L bracket.

Two questions:
What is that thing between the head and the triopd?
and what is that QR between the L bracket and the Head?

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #4880283
Two questions:
What is that thing between the head and the triopd?
and what is that QR between the L bracket and the Head?

1. Markins tripod base
2. RRS lever clamp

Here is a better shot of the setup:

Thanks, the angle of the shot in the first pick made the lever clamp look very weird,. but now I see it

I'll have to look up what the "Tripod base" does for us.

http://markins.com/cha​rlie/report4e6.pdf

Here is the Markins study that may shed some light on the subject. I would take it with a grain of salt.

Right. Follow up:

It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I still think the R version is better.

To clarify: I made a small gallery of imageshere. You'll have to imagine the camera with L bracket there, because obviously I needed it to take the pics

Biggest hassle (IMO) is, with the drop notch on the left, because reaching the pan control is very annoying then (images #6 (main knob in the way) and 7 (too far 'around')). IMO this makes using an L bracket mandatory.
#9 is not good, but okay. Only reaching the tension control is bad.

I think in all cases, the R version would do slightly better, since the position of the main and pan control are reversed.
If you want to imagine the R version: The pan control is on the other side of the main control, and the drop notch moved 180 degrees...

IMO the L version would be easier to handle if the pan control were at 90 degrees from the main control (like Linhof) instead of 45 degrees. (In image #7, you'd have to reach around 270 degrees, which is do-able, instead of 315 degrees)

Best solution would probably be to have the controls opposite though.

René Damkot wrote in post #4880013
Sucks big time IMHO... But then, I'm biased :P

I'm gonna give it a try, but for the few minutes I've tried it,it feels "wrong".
I've *always* used a ballhead with the "control" on the front. Biggest problem IMO is that, with the "main dial" facing me, the "pan control" should have been on the other side of the main dial.

Images on the Markins site might clarify what I mean: Click

It is a matter of relearning. My previous ballhead was a Manfrotto 468mg. The main lock and pan lock knobs were directly opposite each other. The drop slots were between the two knobs. I was use to that configuration before the Q3. However, in a very short time I have adapted to the Markins L configuration. I now prefer it and it is easier to use. Since I'm right-handed having the main lock knob to the left at 9 o'clock is most convenient. It is the most used control. I use the pan lock much less frequently. Having an L bracket makes the drop slot position somewhat irrelevant.