before i order my markins q3 i have one question.......

i plan to use the QR that comes with the ballhead ... do i also use a markins plate on my 1d mark III?

i guess what is confusing me is why are we paying all this money for the ballhead and then significantly increasing the price by replacing the QR?

is there a problem with the markins QR...or is the replacing of the head an upgrade?

okay that's more than one question but the first question is the one i need answered before i can push the button .

ed rader

I use the existing Markins release. I don't shoot a ton with the tripod but I've not found any reason to replace it. I'm sure the screw mount takes a few seconds longer than the lever type QR but it isn't worth the bother to me. I use the Markins mount with any Acra- compatible plate... specifically the Kirks.

I'm sure there are valid reasons for some to replace it, but not worth the cash for me. It works well.

TheHoff wrote in post #6072175
I use the existing Markins release. I don't shoot a ton with the tripod but I've not found any reason to replace it. I'm sure the screw mount takes a few seconds longer than the lever type QR but it isn't worth the bother to me. I use the Markins mount with any Acra- compatible plate... specifically the Kirks.

I'm sure there are valid reasons for some to replace it, but not worth the cash for me. It works well.

thanx Alex -- i'm trying to do some one-stop shopping here and also get the plate for my 1d3 from markins...is there any reason not to do that?

ed rader

I've not used the Markins plate so I can't say but since it is really just a piece of machined metal, and Markins makes very nicely machined metal parts, I'd suspect it is a fine deal. I'd do a quick search and see if people say anything about bad blockages of the ports of the camera, but I can't imagine Markins would make something like that. I bought Kirk since the local shop carries a wide selection. Enjoy it!

TheHoff wrote in post #6072212
I've not used the Markins plate so I can't say but since it is really just a piece of machined metal, and Markins makes very nicely machined metal parts, I'd suspect it is a fine deal. I'd do a quick search and see if people say anything about bad blockages of the ports of the camera, but I can't imagine Markins would make something like that. I bought Kirk since the local shop carries a wide selection. Enjoy it!

okay thanks. i just called markins and the gentleman there gave me the game. i'll order now .

ed rader

So, Ed, what'd you end up ordering? Are you just going to stay with the Markins' shoe and then order a plate or two, for camera/lenses?

I've been looking at the M10, and getting a couple of plates. Though the RRS shoe and QR system seems really nice, the cost is getting darned near close to 700 bucks, including the ball head, the RRS shoe, and then plates for the camera, an 'L' bracket, etc.

Let me know.

I really liked the quick release advantage that the RRS quick lever release offered. Plus I was intended to go all RRS for all of my plates and accessories. So for those two reasons thats why I got rid of the Markins clamp and went with the RRS one.

Thanks Ben...but the combo becomes a tad expensive, at the moment. (trying to pay off an 85L soon). I guess I can get the ball head, and keep it's current clamp/shoe for now, and some day, if/when I have more money to spend, I'll upgrade to the RRS show and plates.

inthedeck wrote in post #6086733
Thanks Ben...but the combo becomes a tad expensive, at the moment. (trying to pay off an 85L soon). I guess I can get the ball head, and keep it's current clamp/shoe for now, and some day, if/when I have more money to spend, I'll upgrade to the RRS show and plates.

Not a bad plan at all! Id say your allotment of money towards the 85L is a wise one, and Markins will take good care of you for the time being

That's the hope. I'd love to be able to get the RRS QR and L bracket, but, that's another 300 bucks + that I can't spend right now. Though, I have no ballhead for the tripod, so, a ballhead is in order. M10 should carry my gear for a long while...no matter the shoe/clamp, for now. I'll order the m10 with loctite, and when I need to take it off, in a year or two, hopefully, it'll be easy enough.

inthedeck wrote in post #6086733
Thanks Ben...but the combo becomes a tad expensive, at the moment. (trying to pay off an 85L soon). I guess I can get the ball head, and keep it's current clamp/shoe for now, and some day, if/when I have more money to spend, I'll upgrade to the RRS show and plates.

that's what i'm going to do. i ordered the Q3 but the guy at markins asked me why i wasn't getting the the M10 as soon as i said i had the 1d mark III.

anyhow. i will use the OEM clamp. if i don't like it i will eventually change it out or something .

ed rader

Congrats on the new head Ed! You are picking up a nice piece there! I wanted to go Markins but, I went with a BH-55. The lever release from RRS is nice and the L plate goes well with 1Ds MK III and 1D MK III. Enjoy!