Looking to buy a Markins ballhead

I'm looking to get rid of my RRS BH-55 bcoz' I want to try something different. Currently, I'm looking at the Markins M-10 or M-20. What I want to do is adapt the RRS QRL to the ballhead. What hardware is required to adapt the RRS QRL to the ballhead? If you have any pics of your ballhead set up, please post it. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Something like this uh? picture _ maybe contact Jim.

From the Markins site their QR clamps are 3/8-16 threaded. From this I infer that their ball heads have a 3/8-16 stud, so you'd need a 3/8-16 tapped RRS clamp. ISTR also that they use Red LocTite to secure the two,unless you specifically request otherwise, so be sure to ask that they not LocTite the clamp to the ball head when you order.

You have several options depending on what you plan to do with the B55. The simplest and easiest way is to buy the Markins ballhead without their Quickshoe clamp and then attach an RRS B2 LR II clamp onto the Markins. If you plan on using the RRS lever clamp from your BH55, you will need to remove it and then attach it to the Markins. Both the Markins and RRS ballheads use a 3/8-16 center stud. In either case, you will need a touch of loctite to seat the clamp onto the stud. If you are going to use the RRS clamp, you will need to break the loctite seal. If you do a search, you will find several threads addressing the issue. The alternative is to send the BH55 to Markins and let them remove the clamp and have it attached to the Markins ballhead.

jhom wrote in post #8819921
The alternative is to send the BH55 to Markins and let them remove the clamp and have it attached to the Markins ballhead.

I've done this with Markins and they're very helpful. The only charge to change the QR from the BH55 to the new Markins will be for the shipping back to you.

jhom wrote in post #8819921
You have several options depending on what you plan to do with the B55. The simplest and easiest way is to buy the Markins ballhead without their Quickshoe clamp and then attach an RRS B2 LR II clamp onto the Markins. If you plan on using the RRS lever clamp from your BH55, you will need to remove it and then attach it to the Markins. Both the Markins and RRS ballheads use a 3/8-16 center stud. In either case, you will need a touch of loctite to seat the clamp onto the stud. If you are going to use the RRS clamp, you will need to break the loctite seal. If you do a search, you will find several threads addressing the issue. The alternative is to send the BH55 to Markins and let them remove the clamp and have it attached to the Markins ballhead.

i broke the seal by whacking the quickshoe with a rubber mallet while handholding it. it was a very simple process. also, when i attached the RRS QR i did not use locktite and that connection has never come loose.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #8820263
i broke the seal by whacking the quickshoe with a rubber mallet while handholding it. it was a very simple process. also, when i attached the RRS QR i did not use locktite and that connection has never come loose.

ed rader

Whacking the Markins Quickshoe clamp with a rubber mallet is the method described by Markins. I'm not sure it is the same method used by RRS.

Tsmith wrote in post #8819333
Something like this uh? picture _ maybe contact Jim.

Yes! That's exactly it. Thanks Toney.

Jon wrote in post #8819487
From the Markins site their QR clamps are 3/8-16 threaded. From this I infer that their ball heads have a 3/8-16 stud, so you'd need a 3/8-16 tapped RRS clamp. ISTR also that they use Red LocTite to secure the two,unless you specifically request otherwise, so be sure to ask that they not LocTite the clamp to the ball head when you order.

Thanks Jon. I just wanted to be sure that I could use my RRS QRL on either the M-10 or M-20. Thanks for the heads up on the LocTite.

jhom wrote in post #8819921
You have several options depending on what you plan to do with the B55. The simplest and easiest way is to buy the Markins ballhead without their Quickshoe clamp and then attach an RRS B2 LR II clamp onto the Markins. If you plan on using the RRS lever clamp from your BH55, you will need to remove it and then attach it to the Markins. Both the Markins and RRS ballheads use a 3/8-16 center stud. In either case, you will need a touch of loctite to seat the clamp onto the stud. If you are going to use the RRS clamp, you will need to break the loctite seal. If you do a search, you will find several threads addressing the issue. The alternative is to send the BH55 to Markins and let them remove the clamp and have it attached to the Markins ballhead.

Thanks for the help and thanks for those options. I guess I can try to remove it myself first.

ed rader wrote in post #8820263
i broke the seal by whacking the quickshoe with a rubber mallet while handholding it. it was a very simple process. also, when i attached the RRS QR i did not use locktite and that connection has never come loose.

ed rader

So how many whacks did it take to remove Ed?

Selling you BH-55 without the plate then?

colbyb25 wrote in post #8821135
Selling you BH-55 without the plate then?

I'm gonna sell it with the screw realease plate and keep the QRL.

jdizzle wrote in post #8821111
So how many whacks did it take to remove Ed?

just one. screw everything down tight and give the arm of the QR a sharp rap with a rubber mallet in a counterclockwise direction. very easy to do. the guy at markins will tell you to use a regular hammer and a piece of wood but listen to me, not him .

ed rader

jdizzle wrote in post #8821236
I'm gonna sell it with the screw realease plate and keep the QRL.

I would be putting a PCL-1 on it anyway....how much are you trying to sell it for?