DIY: replacing Markins Q3 plate with RSS B2 LR II

Unlike ben_r, i lack the pre-planning skills and so i did not order a Q3 ballhead with the knob release plate detatched... so...

the stuff...

Wish I had the proper tools when I tried to do the same mod to my Manfrotto ball head. I managed to snap off the column from the ball.

Nice work on documenting your mod. I always appreciate people that go out of their way to help others

did the same basic procedure to replace Manfrotto plate with RRS QR clamp. Also did it on gorilla pod. Put RRS L bracket on all bodies and plates on the 100-400's mounting ring foot.

Nice thread. Thanks. But I don't have a workshop, so I sent mine setup to Markins, and for the postage both ways, and the $5 stud, I let them do it. At no other charge for the work.

MannP wrote in post #10724455
Wish I had the proper tools when I tried to do the same mod to my Manfrotto ball head. I managed to snap off the column from the ball.

Nice work on documenting your mod. I always appreciate people that go out of their way to help others

ouch on your ball head snap...

my tool and stuff, as you can see from the bkgnd black case, is a leftover from my previous hobby of case modding for liquid cooled PC cases... now it's been neglected due to my new found love... hahaha

MCAsan wrote in post #10724480
did the same basic procedure to replace Manfrotto plate with RRS QR clamp. Also did it on gorilla pod. Put RRS L bracket on all bodies and plates on the 100-400's mounting ring foot.

jeebus! a RRS on a gorilla pod... lol! post some pics!!!

tvphotog wrote in post #10724704
Nice thread. Thanks. But I don't have a workshop, so I sent mine setup to Markins, and for the postage both ways, and the $5 stud, I let them do it. At no other charge for the work.

thank you... nice of them (Markins) to have done the work for you without extra charge...

i removed my markins QR by giving it sharp rap with a rubber mallet. took like 5 seconds.

ed rader

Removed mine by holding M10 ballhead (mounted on tripod) with cloth in one hand and twisting the clamp with the other. It came apart immediately.

Ditto to remove the RC2 clamp from my 486 ready for the QR-60 replacement on my monopod.

WOW! Great job with the write and thanks for doing this! If you dont mind Id like to reference this in my 1541T/Q3T review thread. I know there are a lot of people out there who are going to have to go through this process and will find this very helpful.

ben_r_ wrote in post #10726965
WOW! Great job with the write and thanks for doing this! If you dont mind Id like to reference this in my 1541T/Q3T review thread. I know there are a lot of people out there who are going to have to go through this process and will find this very helpful.

ben_r_
by all means... your thread is one of the reasons i went ahead with this mod and item selections...

this looks like Q3 Mk2, have they really improved the pan locking power?

ed rader wrote in post #10725242
i removed my markins QR by giving it sharp rap with a rubber mallet. took like 5 seconds.

Where did you hit it? Did you secure the ball head first? Did you attach anything to the clamp to increase the torque from the mallet hit?

rvdw98 wrote in post #10729830
Where did you hit it? Did you secure the ball head first? Did you attach anything to the clamp to increase the torque from the mallet hit?

when i spoke to Markins, they told me to tighten the knob on the clamp and hit the knob...

did not get good results, the vise grip seemed "safer"... and more controlled.

Great pictures and description Albert! Thanks so much for taking the time and trouble to document the procedure so well, and to Ben for linking to this page from the first page of his monster thread. I actually did more-or-less the same thing as you, except that I wrapped both the ballhead and clamp in old rags, and I used an adjustable wrench on the clamp. I found that just a sudden anti-clockwise jerk on the wrench broke the Loctite seal, I've done it twice now.

Nice DIY Albert. Knowing my strength,I would've turned the ballhead into an egghead.