Head For My New Tripod

So I finally picked out a tripod, Gitzo 2531, should be here by Thursday/Friday. Now I am really struggling with the head purchase (read as the wife won't approve). I have my heart set on the Markins M10, but the $400 price tag (including one plate) is a little too high for me right now. So my thought is to get the Mafrotto 488RC4 for $115. Now, I know there is a huge difference in quality, but the price is just out of my range right now on the Markins. I plan on buying a monopod in the not too far future and figured that I could at that time get the Markins, put it on the tripod and then put the 488 on the monopod. Anyone see an issue with that plan?

It took me four weeks to pick out the tripod, now I'm stuck on the head.

Jim, I would say that most folks who have handled them feel that the Manfrotto ...RC4 quick release system QR plates are much too large for EOS cameras and their associated lenses. The ...RC2 system is a much more appropriate size. I use the ...RC2 system and have had absolutely no troubles.

For use on a tripod, I highly recommend the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head. 'Tis what I use most of the time.

I use a 486RC2 ball head on my monopod.

Wait wait wait... You got a Gitzo and therefore didnt go cheap on the legs, good for you, but dont top off a great set of legs with an only decent ballhead! Wait till you can finish the job and get that Markins M10! You will be so happy that you did and the quality of the Markins will blow you away!

Oh Ben, How I know what you are trying to say. But if I wait till the $$ appear for the M10 then I will have a headless tripod sitting around for a few months. And that means I can't use the tripod until the weather is really ugly here (not anything you Californians know about :lol. The pain of seeing the legs in the corner would be too much. It would be like a beer sitting in the fridge but not being allowed to drink it.

Skip, doing a little more research I see that the RC4 is quite big. There are more threads here verifying that.