New Markins Ballheads with lever clamps

do you notice if you to align with the detend pin, it will fit slant. How do you reverse the pin?

Noobic,

My Markins QR-60 clamp has a pin opposite the little spirit level. It comprises of a small pin and a spring, both of which are held in place with a small brass hex headed screw seen on the reverse of the clamp. By removing the screw, its easy to remove the spring and pin.

To reassemble so the pin does not project, reverse the pin and fit it so that the shoulder that was nearest the spring goes in first. Now replace the spring and the brass screw. If your clamp is similar, the pin will no longer project but everything is still there if it's ever wanted in the future.

My RRS B2 LR II lever clamp has no pin as standard. RRS seem to agree with me that it's not needed.

I have compared in person both the Markins and Photoclam versions. I think the Markins, while being totally original, is not a mature and indeed safe version.

The Photoclam version is clearly a copy/improvement over the Arca Swiss flip lock system. ( I am not sure if there is any copyright infringement issue here.) (http://photoclam.com/r​equire/zoom.php?idx=91)

The one that impresses me is actually from Kangrinpoche, I like the safty pin lock. (http://www.kangrinpoch​e.com/morepic.asp?id=2​06)

do you care to share why? Just saying with out explaining is pretty pointless. Are you physically comparing all the locks, or just looking at the images?

The A-S QR lever didn't get very good reviews. There was a problem with the adjustment loosening over time. I'd prefer a QR lever that did not have an adjustment for just that reason.

j.

keitaro wrote in post #10651626
do you care to share why? Just saying with out explaining is pretty pointless. Are you physically comparing all the locks, or just looking at the images?

the Markins is step-less, there is no stop between half open and fully open, unlike the RRS version which does. So if you accidentally open the lever, it can go unchecked all the way to fully open. While this design avoid the problem of over-tightening before settling to its final position (like the RRS version), I still think it is not safe, especially you have a heavy load.

heliar,

Is that a Markins lever clamp on the bottom? Because it would appear to have the same flat machined into the lever as the RRS version on top.

heliar wrote in post #10672686
the Markins is step-less, there is no stop between half open and fully open, unlike the RRS version which does. So if you accidentally open the lever, it can go unchecked all the way to fully open. While this design avoid the problem of over-tightening before settling to its final position (like the RRS version), I still think it is not safe, especially you have a heavy load.

This is the reason that I would stick with the RRS. And the jaws of the RRS are 60mm vs 48mm for the standard Markins lever, though they make a 60mm for heavier gear (as per their description.)

Also, and I don't know how the rest of you feel, but the more stuff you add to a simple piece of gear like the lever release (an adjustment screw and a 180* flip lever,) the more are the chances for problems.

tvphotog wrote in post #10808482
Also, and I don't know how the rest of you feel, but the more stuff you add to a simple piece of gear like the lever release (an adjustment screw and a 180* flip lever,) the more are the chances for problems.

So far, I haven't had any issuse with my Markins M10 with QRL. Only time will tell if I run into that problem. You can't make a judgement just by looking at photos of the set up. You have to use it to see if any problems arise. I agree that the RRS is nice and well built but, so far, the Markins QRL is doing a great job.

jdizzle wrote in post #10808557
So far, I haven't had any issuse with my Markins M10 with QRL. Only time will tell if I run into that problem. You can't make a judgement just by looking at photos of the set up. You have to use it to see if any problems arise. I agree that the RRS is nice and well built but, so far, the Markins QRL is doing a great job.

Thanks. Perhaps you're right.

Anyone else using the Markins lever QR, and what's your verdict so far? Any issues with the lack of an intermediate setting like the RRS has?

I'm glad RRS is getting some competition on the QR lever plate. That said, I still think the RRS QR lever is the better design.

J.

I've been using the new lever clamps for the past few months. I have not had no issues. I've even walked around with my tripod slung over shoulder with my camera still mounted. That is how confident I am with their system.

Do you really mean you HAVE had no issues? What you said indicates you HAVE had isssues. (double negative...). I think we know what you mean, I'm just saying........

Wallace River wrote in post #10815515
DWhat you said indicates you HAVE had isssues. (double negative...).

I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less.