I'm looking for a new lightweight tripod, and am leaning toward a Feisol 3441S or 3441T. If I do get one of these, I'll also get the short center column. I've been looking at the Photo clam ballheads to go with this, and would like get the largest ball diameter that will still allow the legs to fold backwards on the tripod with the short center column.
I haven't been able to find info on whether the PC-36N or the PC-40N will work, and its been about a week since I emailed Kerry at reallybiccameras.com to ask about this and haven't gotten any response.
Does anyone know if either of these ballheads will work still allow the legs to fold back all the way when using a short center column? I believe the PC-33N will, but I'd rather not go that small.
I have a Markins M10 on my CT-3442 - it is just slightly too large for the legs to completely fold back over the ballhead. I would imagine the Markins Emille or Traveler would be a good fit for this.
Peyton wrote:
I would imagine the Markins Emille or Traveler would be a good fit for this.
^ +1. I've tried the PC-33 and Markins Q3T and prefer the Markins. As you can see from the pic below the Markins' ball diameter is bigger than the equivalent PhotoClam.
I have owned Feisol for many years and loved it. It is very compact and can fit into a carryon bag. Very light weight. My Feisol was the first item that I would pack in any trip I had. I used an Acratech GV2 ballhead with it and loved this combo.
I own both an Acratech and Markins Q3 both suit my Feisol well but the Markins is by far the best ballhead I have ever used.. Very smooth and even takes my 800mm F5.6 at a push..
The thing about the Markins is its design. You need a ballhead with a max panning base and ball housing of 50mm for the legs to fold back parallel to the center column. The Markins Q3T has a max outside diameter of 50mm and a ball diameter of 38mm. Nothing else comes close to those specs as that is the largest diameter ball you can currently buy with an OD of 50mm on the base/housing.
Kerry told me that the ProGold II was the largest head that would fit without getting in the way of the legs. I'm pretty sure he said the 36 would fit, the 40 was slightly too big.
I got the ProGold II and am very happy with it. Anything larger and the 3441 would not fit in the bag, if you care about that. It's a great travel combo.
