Opinions Please - RRS, Markin, Arca or Kirk????

Last week I asked for opinions concerning the Manfrotto 488rc4 vs the 488rc2 and I got a lot of thoughtful replies. After reading through them I started thinking that maybe I should just bite the bullet and go for a top of the line ball head. So now my question is this...... Do I buy a RRS BH40, a Markin M10, an Arca-Swill Z1, or a Kirk BH1? After scouring the internet I'm leaning toward the RSSBH40 but they all seem to be really excellent products. At this price range does it more or less come down to personal preference?? I'm shooting with a 70-200 f4 IS (sometimes w/ a 1.4 tele-converter) and 24-105 f/4 IS and a 10-22 w/a, I don't think I'll ever be shooting with anything heavier (unless I hit the lottery & then it's a whole different ballgame) . I shoot mostly landscapes, nature and macro. This ball head will be mounted on a 550XPROB tripod. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mike

Well of the four I have only owned a Markins and let me tell you the quality is INCREDIBLE! I had both a bogen 486 and 488 before and they feel like toys to me now. I cant wait to get a 3 series gitzo and an M20 some day!

Here's a link that assisted me in making a decision:

http://www.websiteopti​mization.com/speed/twe​ak/ballhead/

I chose the Markins Q3 Emille using Wimberley plates:

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I have a Markins Q3 for my light weight tripod for traveling. I think the Markins M10 for the quality, price and its low weight is the one I would choose. The idea of having the tension control set into the main ball controller is outstanding. You might find it helpful to read this review on the Nikon site:

http://www.nikonians.o​rg …n-nikon_articles/markins​/

p/g wrote in post #6859379
Here's a link that assisted me in making a decision:

http://www.websiteopti​mization.com/speed/twe​ak/ballhead/

I chose the Markins Q3 Emille using Wimberley plates:

That is a very cool page! I had no idea Markins ever made a Titanium version of their ballheads!!!

When I first bought a ballhead, I went for the Manfrotto 488rc4. I returned it after a few days, because it was too basic, and there was some sag when locking down. I spent some time researching the higher end ballheads, such as Markins, RRS, etc.

I settled on the Markins M10, and it's in a whole different ballpark in terms of functionality compared to the Manfrotto stuff. It was nearly much a toss-up between the RRS and Markins, but I went for the Markins because it's just so slightly taller, to give me an extra inch on the tripod if I ever needed it. On the other hand, the RRS heads have a lower profile, and if you want to save an inch or so when your tripod is folded up, then that might be good. Also, Markins has two knobs over the RRS's three knobs, which I prefered.

Thanks for your opinions. There is no substitute for experience and since I have none with ball heads, I really appreicate the input. Now I'll just have to decide which one I think is best for my application, the Markins or the RSS. From what I see I can pretty much expect to happy with either one.

http://www.markins.com …ucts/ballheads/​m20ti.html

!!!!! wow thats more than my camera! lol

zeva wrote in post #6860649
http://www.markins.com …ucts/ballheads/​m20ti.html

!!!!! wow thats more than my camera! lol

WOW! But oh its so beautiful!

$945!?! Wow!

it is beautiful though...

Differences between Markins and Arca: Position of the locking knob (Left vs. right. I prefer Arca I think, but got a Markins ).
Arca has an elliptical ball.

Both are nice. No experience with RRS ballheads.

René Damkot wrote in post #6862705
Differences between Markins and Arca: Position of the locking knob (Left vs. right. I prefer Arca I think, but got a Markins ).
Arca has an elliptical ball.

Both are nice. No experience with RRS ballheads.

Interestingly, if you put the Markins where the drop slot (for putting camera in Portrait orientation) at 9 p'clock so that the camera grip is on top (and so that a battery grip is in the right hand where the supplementary buttons are located), the locking knob is facing the photographer and the pan knob is also.
But if you use the Arca Z1 with the drop slot (for putting camera in Portrait orientation) at 9 p'clock so that the camera grip is on top (and so that a battery grip is in the right hand where the supplementary buttons are located), the locking knob is facing AWAY from the photographer and the pan knob is also facing away. If you put the drop slot at 3 o'clock, both the locking knob and pan knob are facing the photographer, but then the camera has to be rotated clockwise into Portrait orientation and the battery grip buttons are on the wrong side for their placement

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I went with the Kirk and love it!

Wilt wrote in post #6864491
Interestingly, if you put the Markins where the drop slot (for putting camera in Portrait orientation) at 9 p'clock so that the camera grip is on top (and so that a battery grip is in the right hand where the supplementary buttons are located), the locking knob is facing the photographer and the pan knob is also.
But if you use the Arca Z1 with the drop slot (for putting camera in Portrait orientation) at 9 p'clock so that the camera grip is on top (and so that a battery grip is in the right hand where the supplementary buttons are located), the locking knob is facing AWAY from the photographer and the pan knob is also facing away. If you put the drop slot at 3 o'clock, both the locking knob and pan knob are facing the photographer, but then the camera has to be rotated clockwise into Portrait orientation and the battery grip buttons are on the wrong side for their placement

Yep, my thread about that is here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=436074.

Not a big issue, since the Markins is used without locking it down (drag setting is excellent), but I still prefer the "R" version.