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Archive 2008 · Opinions on ballhead needed

  
 
DocsPics
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p.1 #1 · Opinions on ballhead needed


Anyone familiar with a Markins M10 ballhead ? I am looking for one to mount on a Gitzo monopod to carry a 5D with a 300/2.8.

I am familiar with an Acra Z-ball. Appreciate any information on a comparison of the two.

Doc



Jun 04, 2008 at 03:28 AM
JohnJ80
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p.1 #2 · Opinions on ballhead needed


I have a Markins M20. What are you concerned about?

That is a lot of ballhead for a monopod. Have you given any thought to not using a ballhead at all - just mounting the clamp right on the monopod?

J.



Jun 04, 2008 at 06:19 AM
Steve Spencer
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p.1 #3 · Opinions on ballhead needed


Hi Doc,

On a monopod many people are happy with just being able to tilt the lens up and down because side to side movements can be made by simply turning the monopod. So most people seem to forgo the ballhead on a monopod. To tilt the head up and down there is the MPA1 from Kirk:

http://www.kirkphoto.com/monopod.html

This more robust new head from Really Right Stuff:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=MH%2D01&eq=&Tp=

And this even more robust option from Acratech:

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOS&Product_Code=LLH&Category_Code=Ballheads

You pay more for each upgrade in sturdiness. If you don't need to tilt the head up and down--as is common for sports shooters--then simply mounting a quick release clamp on the monopod can work very well and is a common solution.

So although the M10 is a great ballhead for a tripod, I can't see how it would be that useful on a monopod. If you need to tilt the lens up and down I would go with one of the monopod heads listed above, but if you don't then I would just mount a clamp on the monopod. I hope this helps.




Edited on Jun 04, 2008 at 09:11 AM



Jun 04, 2008 at 09:10 AM
DocsPics
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p.1 #4 · Opinions on ballhead needed


Great advise. Thanks to all.


Jun 04, 2008 at 05:10 PM
msalvetti
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p.1 #5 · Opinions on ballhead needed


That RRS head looks really elegant. I think I want one!

The Acratech looks really extreme.

The Kirk (or really the Manfrotto swivel with anyone's QR clamp) is probably more than enough (I use it with my 100-400).

Mark



Jun 04, 2008 at 05:44 PM





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