Need a ball head for a GT-2530 Mountaineer + some other questions...

Hey all,

Thanks in advance for your time with yet another request for a recommendation for a tripod. I have been researching all the posts and I have narrowed down my search, but I need some final help.

I am looking for a very lightweight yet sturdy tripod for both travel and home use. Cost is secondary to me inasmuch as this will likely be my one and only tripod purchase and I want to do it right. I am 6’2” tall if that matters, and I primarily will use the tripod for landscape shots during vacations, and also around town when I go shooting with friends. I only want to purchase one tripod.

My gear consists of a Mark IIn and Mark III, and a selection of L lenses. The 70-200 f/2.8L IS is currently my largest and heaviest lens.

The weight of the tripod, and the time it takes to set up the gear, take a shot, and break down the gear, is of paramount importance. Yet I want it to be as sturdy as possible.

After doing much research and reading reviews and posts, I have elected to go with the Gitzo GT-2530 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Rapid Column). Here is the link:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&sku=475926&is=​REG&si=rev

It appears this is an awesome tripod for my use, unless anyone feels differently given my description above.

Here are my questions:

1. I need a recommendation for a ball head to use with this tripod. I don’t want to go cheapo, but I also do not need to go completely overboard either. Ideally, I want to select a ball head that matches the quality of my tripod selection. When you answer, please give me the manufacturer and model so I can try and find it at BH… I can’t always find the model numbers posted here.

2. What else do I need in terms of a quick release mechanism, i.e., I want to attach a plate I guess to the bottom of the body to assure I can attach and detach the body quickly to the head. Do I need to buy that separately, or does all the hardware already come with the head?

3. Am i missing anything else to be sure the package is complete?

Thanks!!!!

Adam

Markins M10.
RRS L plate for the cameras.
Arca QR plate for the lens.

Markins M10 is the lightest head with terrific holding that I would use, and the Linhof Profi is only 1 ounce heavier. The RRS is a great head but weighs considerably more than both. On my 2530, I have the Linhof Profi which I originally purchased to handle my medium format SLR as well as my 35mm film SLR. (Even as light as the Markins and Linhof are, the tripod is a bit head heavy. So with a shoulder strap attached at the head (under my QR) and at the bottom of the legs, the tripod tends to go head downward a bit; so I attach the strap to the bottom of the center column and it rides perfectly.)

QR system...the fastest and best of the Arca-sytle plate QR is RRS lever clamp, but it also is not quite compatible with all of the other Arca-style QR plates from all the other vendors. It is compatible with some.
I like my Linhof Quickfix QR because it locks automatically (not even a lever to throw to lock; no accidental release) but because it was for my medium format system I purchased the larger Quickfix II QR base and plate, which protrude back about a 1/4" behind the back of my 40D; the smaller Quickfix I would be better for 35mm and dSLR as the only camera to be mounted.

Either a Markins Q3 or M10, available from Markinsamerica.com. I have a Gitzo 2530 + Q3 setup. It weighs in a 3.8lbs without the center column. I've added a Markins TB20 tripod base. This is a great lightweight general purpose setup. I can mount a 300 f2.8L IS on it without problems.

If you intend on anything heavier or longer focal length, I would suggest an M10. At that point, I would then start thinking about a 3 series Gitzo.

I have switched the Markins Quickshoe that comes standard with the Markins ballheads to an RRS system because I prefer the RRS lever clamp. Markins does not make a lever clamp. I also use RRS L brackets and lens plates.

Here is my setup:

This is EXACTLY the information I was looking for. Thanks! I need to digest this stuff and if i have questions I will post. I mean it.... Thank you all for your time.

Another plus for the Markins M10. I have a similar setup: GT2540, Markins M10 with the TB-20 tripod base, and an RRS lever clamp.

If you decide to go with the Markins head, and you're considering the RRS lever clamp, be sure to specify on your order with Markins "No Loctite", and they'll ship the head/clamp loosely assembled for ease of disassembly. You also have the option of ordering the Markins without the screw clamp, but it'll only save you about $30. I took the Markins clamp and put it on my monopod. But you do need to check with RRS for availability of the lever clamp...their machine shop has been running behind lately due to demand.

I will likely go with the M10, TB-20 base, and the RRS lever clamp.

Does this mean I do not need to order the camera plate from Markins (apparently the M10 does not include the plate)? In other words, do I order a camera plate and the lever clamp from RRS? Any idea which model numbers for the Mark III for both the plate and lever clamp from RRS?

BD-57L for the 1DMk2n, B1DMkIIIL for the Mk3.

Thanks! One more question... I promise (I hate the feeling of being a pest):

Here is the page of the lever release clamps:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …ampsLR&iTpStatu​s=0&Tp=&Bc=

But which is the clamp for the B1DMkIIIL? Also, I assume the LR clamp, whichever one it may be, attaches to the M10 without any additional hardware?

Thats all.... I promise!

The Markins M10 head comes with a 3/8" titanium stud. You'll need the RRS lever clamp that has the 3/8" female threaded hole (IIRC, the RRS part number is B2LRII).

IMPORTANT: CHECK WITH MARKINS TO SEE IF THE STUD IS INCLUDED IF YOU DO NOT ORDER THEIR CLAMP. IF NOT, YOU'LL NEED TO BUY THE STUD.

I like my Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V2

I am a bit perplexed as to why I havent seen it posted as It is a nice like weight option that is plenty strong and capable.

Hey this is probably a stupid question but here goes....

What is the difference between the RRS L plate and the non L plate? Is the purpose for added stability or is it simply to mount the camera in a portrait configuration on-the-fly? If I want to mount a plate to the camera and leave it there all the time (so I have complete ready to go freedom between using the tripod and not using it), it seems the non L plate seems better suited for that purpose, because having that L plate mounted all the time would be cumbersome.

Can I still position the ball head to utilize a portrait configuration with the non L plate?

1080iAddict wrote in post #5567160
Hey this is probably a stupid question but here goes....

What is the difference between the RRS L plate and the non L plate? Is the purpose for added stability or is it simply to mount the camera in a portrait configuration on-the-fly? If I want to mount a plate to the camera and leave it there all the time (so I have complete ready to go freedom between using the tripod and not using it), it seems the non L plate seems better suited for that purpose, because having that L plate mounted all the time would be cumbersome.

Can I still position the ball head to utilize a portrait configuration with the non L plate?

If you can swing it budget-wise, the L-bracket is the way to go. It allows you to switch between landscape and vertical orientation in a matter of seconds. Without the L-bracket (camera plate only), you'd need to use the drop slot on the head to get the vertical orientation...this also means that you'd have to re-compose your shot each time that you switch back and forth between landscape and vertical, plus the added issue of potential instability since the camera would no longer be centered over the tripod.

The L-brackets are not cumbersome at all...they weigh mere ounces/grams. My brackets are on each camera body 100% of the time. They also offer a bit more camera protection as well. Once you have one, you'll wonder how you did without it.

Thanks! Its a good thing my birthday is in July. Time to start accumulating gift cards!

I have a Kirk L-Plate for the 5D with grip. I remove it when not using the tripod for just that reason -- I also think it is cumbersome. It doesn't weigh much but it still has bulk. That said, it is very useful when using the tripod. Without it you have to use the slot on the side of the ballhead for portrait orientation and that can be annoying to downright impossible; not to mention how the framing changes.