Which BH best for me...??

Hi all,
I thinking of change my 488R2 BH to a lighter and solid BH.
As I have spend money on the current BH I felt should have get the best of me and don't want to waste anymore money to upgrade.
Meaning one shot one kill and will last me a very long long time....
I have checked the internet and review. So I decided to choose between these 3 BH.
Till now I’m still unable to decide and make up my mind each will be the best for me.


Here are the 3 BH’s that I have decided.
1) Markins Q-Ball Q3 Emille (Black)
2) Acratech GV2 Ballhead
3) Acratech Ultimate Ballhead


Hopeful those who own those BH’s, Please kindly give me your advice and review.
Thank you very much..!!

I own the model up from the Markins Emile (M-10) and it's a beautifully crafted head - probably the single most solid piece of gear I own. From speaking with people who have the Emile it sounds like it shares the same awesome build and solid functionality.

Doesn't budge a bit when you tighten it and all of the knobs have quality rubberised grips. With the M-10 at least it's extremely easy to set the tension to the point where you can move the camera/lens combination around with a single finger but it'll stay right where you put it once it lets go.

To better answer your question, it would be helpful to know if you plan on longer and heavier lens in the future? Also, what type of shooting do you do?

While the Markins Q3 is an excellent BH, its limitations begin to be apparent when you use focal lengths greater than 300mm.

Jim G wrote in post #6498667
I own the model up from the Markins Emile (M-10) and it's a beautifully crafted head - probably the single most solid piece of gear I own. From speaking with people who have the Emile it sounds like it shares the same awesome build and solid functionality.

Doesn't budge a bit when you tighten it and all of the knobs have quality rubberised grips. With the M-10 at least it's extremely easy to set the tension to the point where you can move the camera/lens combination around with a single finger but it'll stay right where you put it once it lets go.

Thanks for the feedback..!!!
I saw the website, and also felt the same as you.
the BH look really solid.
but is it light??

Markins Q3 all the way! Super light and super strong!

jhom wrote in post #6500053
To better answer your question, it would be helpful to know if you plan on longer and heavier lens in the future? Also, what type of shooting do you do?

While the Markins Q3 is an excellent BH, its limitations begin to be apparent when you use focal lengths greater than 300mm.

I still quite new in DSLR...
Yet, I dont want to limit myself cos of the BH.
May be later, I"ll get a 100-300mm or 70-200mm.

I like to hiking and love to shot landscape, macro and sometime...

Hope you could advice me...thanks..!!

I just got the Q3 and it will hold the 70-200 with camera fine. It holds my 1D MK II and 70-200 with no problem and even with the 300 f2.8.

Kirk BH-3 is another good option in the same price range.

Given your intents and purposes, I would recommend the Q3 because I've had personal experience with it. I don't have experience with the others. However, I can confidently say that you will love the Q3 after using the 488. It is worlds ahead of the 488.