Markins base plate? Why?

About to pick up a Markins ballhead (I think - If it fits an RRS L bracket - I haven't gotten that far yet )

I was just wondering what the black/blue/or red base plates do?
Someone shine some light on this for me please

Thanks

A Makins QR will take a RRS L plate (I use that combo)
The Markins base plate allows you to remove the center column on a series 2 (and series 3?) Mountaineer tripod, and supposedly adds a bit of stability.

Just as Rene said...plus, it looks good.

But I think my new gitzo came with a top plate...you wont be able to see it when the ballhead is mounted but there isn't a hole there haha...so thats all...

Damn it does look real good

hmmm wasting money...?

Here is the Markins study that explains the usefulness of the tripod base: http://markins.com/cha​rlie/report4e6.pdf.

As already stated, the Markins ballheads will accept the RRS L bracket.

...and yes, it does look good...

M10 with a TB20 on a 2530

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I've sorta decided to go with an M10 and the RRS quick release (and from what I can see quality aside - it looks sexy)

The one thing Im unsure about is I think - but maybe I'm wrong - Is my plain base on my GT3541XLS bigger than your 2 series? If so (mine has a plate already build in (to cover the hole )) would there be all this extra room on the side if I attach an M10 right to the tripod?

Or even space left over if I attach a Markins base?
Your markins base perfects overlaps by like a MM...I have a feeling ill have all this extra tripod sticking out

Thanks for the help

Does it matter? As long as it's doing its job?

I posted in the other thread, but here is a pic of the two

3540 is a Systematic Tripod.
The Markins tripod base won't fit. As I said, it's for Mountaineer tripods, to replace the center column.

Size wise, the series 3 tripods are better matched to an M20.

That said, I have an M10 on my 1325 with center column:

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jhom wrote in post #6208607

Wow that looks nice!!!

TheHoff wrote in post #6208857

Hoff that M10 looks so tiny on the 3 series! While Im 100% sure it is more stable than MOST need, I didnt expect the M10 to be so much smaller than the base plate on the 3 series! Looks like when I finally get my 3541 Ill be pairing it with an M20. The M20 is more added stability that I probably dont need, only a bit more in cost, but looks like it will match the the 3 series better.

Awww it doesn't look nearly so odd when it is in use Seriously, with a camera on it, it looks perfectly normal.

The m20 is certainly the "right" head for the 3-series but the M10 works just as well. There is no instability because the base is larger than the head and I save some weight because I don't need the M20 capacity right now. For future-proofing, yea, get the M20, but if your lenses don't require it, the M10 is a dream and saves 70g and $50. (I found mine LNIB, special edition gunmetal grey, on the buy/sell so it was an easy choice)

wallybud wrote in post #6208624
I've sorta decided to go with an M10 and the RRS quick release (and from what I can see quality aside - it looks sexy)

The one thing Im unsure about is I think - but maybe I'm wrong - Is my plain base on my GT3541XLS bigger than your 2 series? If so (mine has a plate already build in (to cover the hole )) would there be all this extra room on the side if I attach an M10 right to the tripod?

Or even space left over if I attach a Markins base?
Your markins base perfects overlaps by like a MM...I have a feeling ill have all this extra tripod sticking out

Thanks for the help

At this time, Markins doesn't have a tripod base that will fit the GT3541XLS.

TheHoff wrote in post #6209771
Awww it doesn't look nearly so odd when it is in use Seriously, with a camera on it, it looks perfectly normal.

The m20 is certainly the "right" head for the 3-series but the M10 works just as well. There is no instability because the base is larger than the head and I save some weight because I don't need the M20 capacity right now. For future-proofing, yea, get the M20, but if your lenses don't require it, the M10 is a dream and saves 70g and $50. (I found mine LNIB, special edition gunmetal grey, on the buy/sell so it was an easy choice)

yeah I'm sure it looks much better with the camera mounted...Even though mine will look odd like that I can't trade off stability I don't need/extra weight for a better look...hopefully I can get one LNIB also at a lower cost (I just hope it's not red ) - Blue would ok as my camera strap is a picasso type blue and it'll match

jhom wrote in post #6209820
At this time, Markins doesn't have a tripod base that will fit the GT3541XLS.

Thanks...I didn't know they where only for mountaineer tripods either? That takes care of that

René Damkot wrote in post #6209270
3540 is a Systematic Tripod.
The Markins tripod base won't fit. As I said, it's for Mountaineer tripods, to replace the center column.

Size wise, the series 3 tripods are better matched to an M20.

That said, I have an M10 on my 1325 with center column:

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Sick...Thanks for the image
I can't wait till my tripod looks like that...even though I won't be "babying" it but I'll obviously be a lot more cautious when its new with scratches and such...would you recommend the lenscoat pads or the optech pads?

Those aren't scratches, those are marks of love.