Getting a new ballhead: Markins v RRS

Traubrey

Traubrey

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Ray
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Hi

I would value some advice after spending hours researching a new ballhead.

I'm going to buy a new Gitzo tripod (GT2541 or GT2541LS) and plan to buy a new ballhead as my current set up scares when I have my Nikon 70-200mm on it and petrifies me when I have the 300mm on.

After going through a few heads I now want one that will last me and cater for my needs. Generally, it will be used when I am hiking around the Peak District and used in conjunction with my Nikon D7000 and 10-24mm. I will also use it with my 70-200mm and 300mm, so there is a broad range there. I generally photograph landscapes, birds and some macro.

Doubt I will get a lens bigger than 300mm, but you never know.

I had narrowed my search down to a straight fight between a Markins M10/M20 and an RRS (either BH-55 or BH-40). The BH-55 looks immense but also carries a weight to it which may be irritating when I am hiking up to 10 miles through the countryside.

As I am moving to the Arca Swiss system, I will be getting new plates, and I am plumping for RRS on that front. I will also be adding a Wimberely Sidekick at some point.

Any real world advice would really be welcome as I am beginning to go around in circles.

Thanks in advance

Ray
 
It may be worth looking at the Arca Swiss P0 ballhead, it weighs 290g and will carry 20kg, fairly unique idea of operation as well.

LINKY

They do them with QR gubbins but not the same size as their standard plates (at least I don't think so), I would buy a Kirk 2" QR Clamp and screw it on the top.

Although I am not sure how it would work with a Sidekick.
 
I have an old Arca and it is one of the best bits of kit I own. Turn the knob and it loks solid no matter what you have on it.

Howveer, I'm also mightily impressed by an FLM ballhead I have from Speedgraphic. I got the 32F to go on a 1541 and it's solid with a D3 and 70-200. Strength/weight/price they are IMO as good as you can get - http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/heads/ball__socket/115_0c.html

I just got a cheap Arca plate off eBay and used their recommended Endefast glue to hold it in place. Never budges. FWIW their own Arca plate is extremely well made but doesn't fit my Kirk L brackets.
 
Thanks chaps, both look like they could do the job.

However, after spending far too long reading up about as many ballheads as I can, the consensus seems to be RRS, Markins, Arca Swiss & Kirk.

I am pretty sure the tripod will be the Gitzo GT3541LS (not sure when the updated GT3542LS will be out).

At the price range of the heads I am looking at, it should be that they are all excellent and maybe it is just down to personal taste.

Any other comments would be warmly welcomed.

Ray
 
I was pretty set on getting an RRS BH-40, but that Arca Swiss has thrown a spanner in the works, more research needed!
 
Just some comments really, based on the fact that you seem to be willing to spend a bit.

I think you're trying to do too much with just one tripod and head - light weight hiking on one hand, and longer/heavier lens stuff on the other. I use a general purpose tripod, and it's fine for the general stuff that I do, but either side of that it's compromised.

In an ideal world, I'd get a Gitzo Traveller for out and about (the bigger Travellers make pretty good general purpose tripods too) and something much more substantial for bigger lenses, together with a gimbal.

Heads are something different again, very important because they're the main user interface, and also quite personal. I'm not sure you will find the right answer without actually trying these things for yourself, which means actually buying something like RRS and standing the shipping if you don't like it (though I understand they are very good about this).

You're on to the good brands, but based on experience I would say the Arca Z1 takes a lot of beating. Sticking with Arca, becuase it's really good and I rather like some of their innovative designs, I know without even having seen a D4 that it will be fabulous, and the little P0 (with an extra pan plate) might make a great light weight trekker. I'd also take a look at the light Markins Q3T, and another one that caught my eye goes under the name of the Photoclam Pro Gold II Easy PQR, which I think is actually a Markins Q3 underneath, but with a cool panning top clamp.

The list goes on really, not easy choosing. Have you seen this comparison test? It's in German but you'll get the gist of it. A google translation is entertaining ;) http://www.traumflieger.de/desktop/ballhead/ballheads4.php

PS The best tripod tripod accessory I have is an L-plate. Get one, fit it and forget it. Marvellous.
 
Do consider the Novoflex Magicball - available from Speedgraphic.

Its a fabulous piece of kit, more flexible than a normal b&s head. Very quick to remove the camera from as well, so you don't need a quick release plate.

As far as tripods go the Gitzo GT2531EX is as flexible as a Benbo - possibly more so , lighter and made of much better materials.
 
Thanks for your considered responses and suggestions.

I had been sorely tempted by the Arca Z1 but was put off by a seller who said Kirk were better.

I have an L plate lined up. Cannot quite work out if I want the battery grip version or non-grip.

The German comparison was interesting. The usual suspects are all up there, but the BH-55 really does come at a price in weight.

As has been commented, with the set up I'm looking for a compromise between portability and something robust to handle a big lens.

Thanks again everyone.
 
Finally took the plunge and fudged it by ordering both the Markins Q20 & RRS BH-55 as well as RRS L Plates.

I can then finally decide when I get them both.
 
Traubrey said:
I had been sorely tempted by the Arca Z1 but was put off by a seller who said Kirk were better.
Click to expand...

Arca Swiss & RRS are probably the top of the league, with Markins and Kirk just behind .... but any of the four mentioned will do a first class job for you.

There is nothing much in it they are all really well made products.

Those Markins do look nice :thumbs:
 
I went with a Markins Q10 with quick release.

It was the RRS I wanted but at the time there was a considerable price difference.
Plus Markins could be bought through eBay for a very good price.

As much as I love it I do still carve the RRS.
 
Also one of the reasons I went with the Markins was weight as my main goal was to have a small but fairly sturdy setup.
 
I have the RRS BH-55 ballhead, just for landscapes now and as said above, it's a top class ballhead.

To be honest, it is OTT for a 17-40mm lens and a 5D Mark II but will not be getting rid of it; it's a ballhead for life.

The ball action is silky smooth as butter and to me, the layout of the knobs are very intuitive. It's heftier than the others but the build quality is superb, looks nice and the quality of the finish is again first rate.

I'm not sure how much one of these costs now, as you can only get them direct from the USA and of course, import duty and taxes must be factored in.

I paid about £262 including customs, duty and taxes and took about 7 days to reach me. IIRC, they use Parcelforce once the item hits the UK.
 
I didn't see it, but did anyone notice that the P0 head also has top pan which is much easier to keep horizons level when panning after leveling camera. This will also help with stitched panoramas. The P0 also has 3 types of Quick Releases available including Classic Arca-Swiss w/knob lock which will accept any Arca-Swiss style plate and Fliplock classic.
Both of these have dual channel QR allowing use of the newer smaller Monoball Fix plates as well. And the last style is the Monoball Fix which accepts only the newer smaller Monoball Fix plates.
Hope this helps the info out there.
Rod
 
RKlukas said:
I didn't see it, but did anyone notice that the P0 head also has top pan which is much easier to keep horizons level when panning after leveling camera. This will also help with stitched panoramas. The P0 also has 3 types of Quick Releases available including Classic Arca-Swiss w/knob lock which will accept any Arca-Swiss style plate and Fliplock classic.
Both of these have dual channel QR allowing use of the newer smaller Monoball Fix plates as well. And the last style is the Monoball Fix which accepts only the newer smaller Monoball Fix plates.
Hope this helps the info out there.
Rod
Click to expand...

Hi Rod, taking a wild guess that you might be one Rod Klukas http://rodklukas.com/wp/ Arca Swiss' US representative, can I pick your brains on the D4 head? These things are not often found in our local camera dealers ;) For anyone else interested, and sorry for the hijack, this is the Arca Swiss D4 http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/access...ds/arca-swiss-d4m-head-quickset-fliplock.html

Or more particularly, the D4m. If you release all the locks, does this head move freely in all dimensions, like a ball head? Is it in any way comparable to a ball head in that sense? Any comments appreciated.

In a similar vein, when the geared D4 is unlocked, is it possible to position the head by moving the camera, or must you do that by turning the gear knobs?

Thanks.
 
markta said:
I have the RRS BH-55 ballhead, just for landscapes I'm not sure how much one of these costs now, as you can only get them direct from the USA and of course, import duty and taxes must be factored in.

.
Click to expand...



Also available from "Kerso" Ian Kerr on here.

C
 
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