Ball Head choices....?

I have narrowed down my tripod search to the Gitzo 2530 Mountaineer.
I know absolutely nothing about ball heads, though! Based on what I've read in threads here and elsewhere, I have narrowed down my search to the following:
Bogen 468MGRC4
RRS BH-40 LR
Markins M-20

I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions with regard to these. Features, pros, cons, etc.
Also, do I need a plate to connect these to my 40d? (I do not have any lenses with brackets...just mounting the camera body to the tripod head.)
Thanks!

If you go for the Bogen/Manfrotto get the RC2; the RC4 release plate's intended for 2-1/4 cameras like a Hasselblad; it's really awkwardly big on an EOS.

Jon wrote in post #5488052
If you go for the Bogen/Manfrotto get the RC2; the RC4 release plate's intended for 2-1/4 cameras like a Hasselblad; it's really awkwardly big on an EOS.

Thanks...I wonder if the guy at the store knew that or really was suggesting the larger one. But, I've looked at the specs for both and the RC4 appears to be inappropriate. Thanks for pointing that out!

To be frank, I was only thinking of that one because a guy at the store I spoke with suggested that....I had been leaning toward the Really Right Stuff and Markins based on what I had read here. They both "look good" on their websites, but (as I stated earlier) I have no expertise at all with regard to these heads!

I agree that the RC4 might be a bit on the large side. I have a friend though that uses the RC0 and loves it while I think it is quite heavy and bulky even for a 1 series camera. I have the RC2 on my 486 and it seems like a decent setup. I do plan on moving to a Arcatech, or Markins in the near future though.

sml wrote in post #5487695
I have narrowed down my tripod search to the Gitzo 2530 Mountaineer.
I know absolutely nothing about ball heads, though! Based on what I've read in threads here and elsewhere, I have narrowed down my search to the following:
Bogen 468MGRC4
RRS BH-40 LR
Markins M-20

I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions with regard to these. Features, pros, cons, etc.
Also, do I need a plate to connect these to my 40d? (I do not have any lenses with brackets...just mounting the camera body to the tripod head.)
Thanks!

My recommendation would be a Markins M10 given your gear list. A M20 would fit fine on the 2530 but it really wouldn't give you more stability or functionality than the M10 on a 2 series Gitzo. I went with a Q3 on my 2530 because I wanted a lightweight setup that would adequately handle a 300 when necessary. I used to have a 468MG. It is a good ballhead but the Markins are clearly a step better.

Think Arca Swiss Compatible Quick Release

I first went with a Bogen-Manfrotto head with a RC2 quick release and consider it a "fair to middling" system. However for a better system; I would recommend getting a head that has an Arca Swiss Compatible quick release system. This allows you a greater selection of camera and lens plates.

I use an Arca Swiss Compatible QR system with a Really Right Stuff Right Angle "L" Plate for my 30D (when I am not using a lens that has a tripod ring).

The RRS Right Angle "L" Plate allows you to easily switch from landscape to portrait position and when you are in portrait position, the camera is positioned directly over the tripod head, instead of hanging off to one side.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

When I have the "L" Plate on my 30D, it conforms to the shape of the camera and makes hand holding very easy.

An aditional bonus with this "L" Plate is the ease of shooting panos with the camera in portrait position. This gives you the top-to-bottom view of a much wider lens. The left to right view is determined by the number of images you wish to combine into the pano.

Interesting...when I wrote to Markins and described my equipment (see my signature), their recommendation was the M20. All I said is that I was going to get a Gitzo tripod--I didn't specify which series.
I'm wondering why they suggested that. After reading Jim's posting, I looked at the specs and the M10 seems like it might work....but I certainly have no experience to determine that!!
The RRS comes highly rated by the folks at NAPP.
What should be the determining factor....what features should I be looking at...or for!?

Hi,

I'm curious to know why people would pick the Markins M10 over the RRS BH-40?

I'm leaning towards the M10 myself, but want to know what help you with your decision to go with the M10 over the BH-40?

Roadrunnr wrote in post #5489392
Hi,

I'm curious to know why people would pick the Markins M10 over the RRS BH-40?

I'm leaning towards the M10 myself, but want to know what help you with your decision to go with the M10 over the BH-40?

And I'd be curious how or why you decided to lean toward the M10! I can't even develop a preference yet! Don't know enough....
(Thanks for your response!)

sml wrote in post #5487695
I have narrowed down my tripod search to the Gitzo 2530 Mountaineer.
I know absolutely nothing about ball heads, though! Based on what I've read in threads here and elsewhere, I have narrowed down my search to the following:
Bogen 468MGRC4
RRS BH-40 LR
Markins M-20

I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions with regard to these. Features, pros, cons, etc.
Also, do I need a plate to connect these to my 40d? (I do not have any lenses with brackets...just mounting the camera body to the tripod head.)
Thanks!

I had the 468MGRC2. It is a great head...and quite an improvement over the 488RC2.

However, I have since switched to the Markins M-10, which is a VERY significant improvement in function, and smoothness....and "confidence"... over the 468MG. It is difficult to describe....you almost have to audition the heads....but the M-10 (and probably the M-20 or Q3) have just a "silky" feel to the tension adjustments The 468MG worked, but had a slight "gritty" feel. And once you set the M-10 "drag" it will nicely hold when you let go or move when you want....on the 468MG I was "riding the drag" knob quite a bit to fine tune it....not so with the M-10.

I did a lot of research on forums and among people I respect a lot. The weight of the input was the Markins. However, I did audition the M-10, Arca-Swiss Z1, and the RRS B-40. I bought the M-10.

Here's a discussion on FM.
Thread when I was thinking about my M10.

jrsforums wrote in post #5491079
I did audition the M-10, Arca-Swiss Z1, and the RRS B-40. I bought the M-10.

Interesting. Why the M-10 over the Z1? (As the guy on FM above compared and chose the Z1)

Well, I'm leaning towards the M10 just based on how many who has it and loves it... I haven't read too many ppl with the BH-40 so I'm just going with what has been proven by most already... as for the Z1, I've read somewhere that ppl have problems with the ball ceasing? (can't recall where I've read it).

The toss up for me is the fact that I'm in Canada, and there is a Markins store in Canada (near Vancouver), but there is a price difference of $40 (after shipping is included) between Canadian and US price - even though the exchange rate is pretty much par! I already called Markins and they sad that they will not adjust the pricing to reflect a more accurate exchange rate for me

So now I'm thinking: Q3 or M10? Q3 being much cheaper and affordable for me at this point... but will it hold up to my gear list?

I would love to hear more thoughts from you guys.

There is a store that sells Markins in Vancouver, do u mind telling me.... because I thought they only sell online just like RRS..... I just got the RRS BH40 and the Arca Swiss Z1.. and it is very sturdy and I am happy with both of it.... I never have any experience with the Markins... thats why i am curious where the store is... so i can have a look at them...

Thanks

http://www.markinsamer​ica.com/MA5/contact.ph​p

Markins Camera Co
19890 - 69A Avenue
Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3B4 Tel: 1-604-534-0685

Not sure if it's an actual store, but from talking to them over the phone, it seem to be a store..

OK...so I did a little more searching on the web and now I'm more confused...never had considered Arca or Kirk before!
Found these links:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …l-Z1-Ballhead-Review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …BH-1-Ballhead-Review.aspx

They all "sound" good to me!!
For some reason, I'm kinda leaning toward the Markins, but I'm not sure why! (Liked John's posting, I guess! Though I've heard some great things about RRS, too.)
This review of the Arca sounds great and it also got nice reviews on the B&H site.
Any more ideas of how to narrow the choice...or what factors to consider.
I'm getting the feeling that ya can't go wrong at a certain point....