Review: Comparison pics of Markins Q3 and Q3T, with Gitzo GT1541T and GT2531 tripods

There's a lot of chatter and hard decisions being made between the two smaller Markins ballheads, and compatibility with the Gitzo traveller and GT2531 tripods, and the differences between these also. Seeing as how I'm now a proud owner of all of these (needed another tripod set for the hubby....) I figured I'd post some pics to help those choosing to decide.

In terms of compatibility of both ballheads and the GT1541T, I find the legs fold up about the same for each ballhead, the limiting factors are the nobs, not the panning base on the older Markins (Q3 Emille). The sexy red ballhead below is the older Q3 ballhead, the black one is the Q3T.

The big difference between the two tripods is the bottom leg diameter, the standing full height, and the fold up length. My 6" husband has to bend to use the traveller tripod fully extended, and the GT2531 is much more solid, all the way to the ground (all leg sections extended). But it doesn't fit into my day pack. Take into account here that I've removed the GT2531 center column (my husband doesn't need to bend to use this pod w center column extended), cause I use it lots for macro, and it gets in the way - I'm short also.

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Tripod on RHS is the traveller, LHS is the GT2531, center column removed.

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Tripods fully compacted, traveller on LHS.
Below, is bottom leg section diameter comparison.

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Last pic - all legs extended comparison of both tripods. Center column of the GT2531 has been removed, and isn't extended much for the traveller.

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nice! the 2531 looks sooo long compared to the 1541T!!

chinoamigo wrote in post #8170959
nice! the 2531 looks sooo long compared to the 1541T!!

The 1541T is pretty short, even with the center column extended.

I have the Gitso GT1541T with G1178M ball head and with 5D mounted (with grip) i have to bend only slightly to look through viewfinder. i am 181cm or about 6ft tall.
I love this tripod and i find it very versatile. That QC3 head looks cool, how do you find it handling wise?
Great comparison though Alice, its really helpful to those trying to decide which model to get.

Thanks for the comparison Alice. Feel like giving up my Benro for some Gitzoooo hehe. May I also ask whereabouts you got the Markins head and RRS plate in Aus or did you have to order it overseas. Cheers!

Excellent to see all this compared! Great job and thanks!

fungry wrote in post #8171483
Thanks for the comparison Alice. Feel like giving up my Benro for some Gitzoooo hehe. May I also ask whereabouts you got the Markins head and RRS plate in Aus or did you have to order it overseas. Cheers!

Had to get it all from OS. I got the 2nd Markins head (the red one) from someone selling 2nd hand on this forum in the US.

ben_r_ wrote in post #8173087
Excellent to see all this compared! Great job and thanks!

Thanks!

yabbie wrote in post #8170724
There's a lot of chatter and hard decisions being made between the two smaller Markins ballheads, and compatibility with the Gitzo traveller and GT2531 tripods, and the differences between these also. Seeing as how I'm now a proud owner of all of these (needed another tripod set for the hubby....) I figured I'd post some pics to help those choosing to decide.

In terms of compatibility of both ballheads and the GT1541T, I find the legs fold up about the same for each ballhead, the limiting factors are the nobs, not the panning base on the older Markins (Q3 Emille). The sexy red ballhead below is the older Q3 ballhead, the black one is the Q3T.

The big difference between the two tripods is the bottom leg diameter, the standing full height, and the fold up length. My 6" husband has to bend to use the traveller tripod fully extended, and the GT2531 is much more solid, all the way to the ground (all leg sections extended). But it doesn't fit into my day pack. Take into account here that I've removed the GT2531 center column (my husband doesn't need to bend to use this pod w center column extended), cause I use it lots for macro, and it gets in the way - I'm short also.

6 inches? Do you stuff him in your bag for travel too?
Thank you for the write up, I've been looking at these and it helps quite a bit to see them in real pics and get real world info from people who have used them. They seem to be quite popular around here lately, and I could use a lighter tripod for on the go shooting. My venerable 055X is good for home studio and location stuff, but what makes it great also makes it bad for hiking/travel. Thanks again!

Duncan Frenz wrote in post #8175928
6 inches? Do you stuff him in your bag for travel too?
Thank you for the write up, I've been looking at these and it helps quite a bit to see them in real pics and get real world info from people who have used them. They seem to be quite popular around here lately, and I could use a lighter tripod for on the go shooting. My venerable 055X is good for home studio and location stuff, but what makes it great also makes it bad for hiking/travel. Thanks again!

Ah, what's the one for feet? I live in a metric country.....so used to m not ft.

It was me, I sent you new one(red) it looks nice with the gitzo...

yabbie wrote in post #8175860
Had to get it all from OS. I got the 2nd Markins head (the red one) from someone selling 2nd hand on this forum in the US.

It was very nice to see the comparison of the last segment of the legs between the two. Thanks for the post.

But for me the fact that the series2 is almost twice as long as the 1541t collapsed and is a pound heavier made the decision for me. It's the difference between thinking twice to take the heavier set of sticks or just packing it on my Think Tank all the time.