Review: Gitzo 1541T Tripod, Markins Q3T Ballhead w/ RRS B2 LR II Clamp

Prefer a sling bag.

And the Vanbar website is wonky, doesn't show me anything for that product...

rishu_pepper wrote in post #11887145
Prefer a sling bag.

And the Vanbar website is wonky, doesn't show me anything for that product...

There is a shoulder strap that comes with the Gitzo bag, and several other people on here have commented that they had great luck Vanbar...

I got mine from Vanbar, but their web site is a bit tenuous I agree. I don't like the bag either and dumped it for a 27" Domke tripod bag which is much more comfortable to carry on my back.

Jaybrams wrote in post #11886534
In the meantime, I tried out the 1541t with the Kirk head, and the head just can't get a tight fit on the tripod. It constantly unscrews when I turn the head on the panning base. The whole head turns on the mounting screw. I sure hope its different with the Markins when it arrives.

This doesn't sound right. The stud that protrudes out of the tripod base that you screw your head onto - it's not loose is it? Have you tried locking the panning base tight and using a strap wrench to tighten the Kirk head onto the tripod base?

I haven't used a strap wrench, just physical force. Since I'm planning to use the Markins with this, I didn't want to use extra force with the Kirk since that is not the head I will be using regularly when the Markins arrives. I can say that the Kirk never had this problem on the Manfrotto. It doesn't feel loose on the stud, but just doesn't tighten on to the base of the 1541t. I'll wait for the Markins to see how that fits. If it does the same thing, I'll go to Sears and get a strap wrench. I am concerned if you put to much pressure it might crack the tripod base. But, I've not heard anyone complain of this so far.

That's weird. It could be some anomaly either in one thread or the other just where the ballhead meets the tripod base. Let's hope the Markins screws on OK. I've not had anything like this with mine, I have a 1541T and also the Benro equivalent. I swapped two Q3T ballheads back and forth between the two tripods and no problems so far. I've also had a Photo Clam ballhead on both tripods. I have the small Sears strap wrench, it's great for ballheads and very light in weight so you can take it on a trip.

for those of you that picked this tripod up during the amazon sale, I just received my $80 rebate today

itsmejson wrote in post #11900512
for those of you that picked this tripod up during the amazon sale, I just received my $80 rebate today

Yay! Mine should be here in a few weeks, then.

Adam Jones wrote in post #11901215
Yay! Mine should be here in a few weeks, then.

told you i'd update you lol

itsmejson wrote in post #11901755
told you i'd update you lol

Haha You decide on a head yet?

Adam Jones wrote in post #11902039
Haha You decide on a head yet?

negative squadron leader lol. I'm still deciding between the markins and pc-33ns, however just recently kerry @ reallybigcameras told me about photoclams new pc-34ns. So i plan to hold off until he gets more info on it.

what about you?

itsmejson wrote in post #11902057
negative squadron leader lol. I'm still deciding between the markins and pc-33ns, however just recently kerry @ reallybigcameras told me about photoclams new pc-34ns. So i plan to hold off until he gets more info on it.

what about you?

PM sent

How do you get the clamp off of the Markins ballhaead?
i bought the RRS clamp, but I don't see how to remove the Markins clamp.
Any help is appreciated.

BC

Markins uses red Loctite to seal the clamp onto the ball stem. It's a bit of an issue that has been discussed at length in this thread. The easiest way to spin it off is to use heat, that's how Markins does it themselves. One or two people have broken the seal with a vise and wrench, much like you would with blue Loctite. Best to search within the thread for "red Loctite" and read the details of how various people dealt with it.

Bobcatt wrote in post #11905115
How do you get the clamp off of the Markins ballhaead?
i bought the RRS clamp, but I don't see how to remove the Markins clamp.
Any help is appreciated.

BC

This is why in my review I mentioned to call and talk to Markins immediately after you place your order to request they not Loctite the clamp to the head...

Youll probably have to send it back and have them remove it since they use the permanent Red Loctite. Or heat it with a blow torch and vise clamp it down and try to get it off yourself.