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Fitmiss
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p.1 #1 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I'm about to buy a Q3 ball head for a Feisol 3442 tripod. I have the following equipment:

Canon XSI
Kit Lens - 18-55

Potentially I'll buy:

Canon 17-55
A zoom no larger than 200 or 300

Will the Q3 be a good purchase?

Edited on Oct 05, 2008 at 01:37 AM · View previous versions

Oct 05, 2008 at 12:48 AM

mpmendenhall
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p.1 #2 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Yes, for a setup like that the Markins Q3 is a perfectly good choice. On the 200-300mm side, you'll be pushing the limits of a mid-sized ballhead like the Q3, but you should be fine if you're careful with mirror lockup and use a remote shutter release cable. On the wide angle side, this should be as solid a setup as you'll ever need. You might consider putting an RRS lever-release plate on the Markins head, which is much more convenient for quickly mounting and unmounting the camera.

(p.s.: be sure that you're buying a Markins ballhead, not the "Mqrkins" as in your post title. I don't think Mqrkins has anywhere near as good a reputation

)

Oct 05, 2008 at 12:57 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #3 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Yes it will be very good. but like Michael wrote, you are pushing the limit if the 300 zoom is a big f/2,8 lens. Otherwise it will be very nice

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:31 AM

roberto1979
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p.1 #4 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I shot with a 5D, Bigma, and full RRS pano set up on a Q3. It will easily handle a 300 f/2.8. I love that ballhead, and doubt I'll ever buy another.

Oct 07, 2008 at 07:27 PM

Fitmiss
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p.1 #5 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Thanks everyone for all your input. I have ordered a Feisol 3442 with center column and a Markins Q3 ball head. I'm sure I'll have it soon. It will be my first tripod and ball head. I think based on everything I've read I got it "right" the first time.

I think I now have to buy another piece in order to attach the camera to the ball head? Is it a quick release I need? I know I can count on this group to help.

Thanks again for the advice.

Oct 07, 2008 at 07:57 PM

Evan Baines
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p.1 #6 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

You'll need a QR plate for the camera. Markins uses Arca Swiss type plates, so you can use plates/brackets from just about any high-end manufacturer. Your options (from most to least desirable from a stability standpoint):

1) Dedicated L-bracket for the camera (RRS, Kirk) $$$
This is specific to your camera model, and provides a second mount to enable you to rotate your camera to portrait orientation without flopping the ballhead over on its side. Much more stable, and no need to adjust the tripod height and position to compensate for the altered perspective.

2) Dedicated camera plate $$
This is specific to your camera model, and is designed with anti-twist features that are particularly helpful if you've had to flop the camera on its side on the ballhead.

3) Generic camera plate $
This is just a generic Arca-style plate that will not provide any anti-twist features. One problem with this is that you may find yourself over-tightening this type of plate to fight twist, which can damage the camera's tripod mount.

For what its worth, my new Markins M10 just showed up in the mail and I'm really impressed.

Edited on Oct 07, 2008 at 08:19 PM · View previous versions

Oct 07, 2008 at 08:16 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #7 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Quick-Release Camera Plates, L-Plates or L-brackets are a few names. Most people prefer the L-Plates but the ordinary camera plates are also good. Buy one that are designed to fit your specific camera. RRS or Kirk are the best

Oct 07, 2008 at 08:17 PM

mpmendenhall
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p.1 #8 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Did you order your ballhead with or without a release clamp? If not, then you will need to buy a clamp (I like the Really Right Stuff lever releases; you can also get screw-knob clamps from RRS, Kirk, Markins, etc.).

You will then need a camera plate for the clamp. The clamps from Markins, etc. are all designed to clamp onto the same "Arca-Swiss" type camera plates, which you can get from RRS or Kirk. You can either get a "regular" plate that screws onto the bottom of the camera (so it can be mounted in "landscape" orientation on the ballhead, and you have to tip the whole camera/ballhead over to the side to get "portrait" orientation shots), or you can get an "L-Plate" for your camera, which is an L-shaped bracket so you can attach either the bottom or the side of the camera to the ballhead. L-plates are more expensive and heavier, but extremely convenient (and much more stable in portrait orientation than dangling the camera off-center with a regular plate).

Oct 07, 2008 at 08:21 PM

jmana
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p.1 #9 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Great ballhead. I wish I ordered it to have the plate and ballhead separated. I have an RRS QR Plate just lying around that I want to use. That blue locktite they use feels like the red locktite.

Oct 07, 2008 at 08:51 PM

adamdewilde
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p.1 #10 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

, jmana that's a good thing.. Well unless you wanna change your QR plates of course

The Q3 is REALLY nice, I just wish the panning lock was a bit better. I heard it was bad (it's a feature, not a flaw, I know I know), but I thought it was just people exaggerating about it. Honestly though I just picked one up the other day, it really is annoying and my only complaint. For the 70-200L IS, you're fine with this ballhead, in fact I mounted a friends 300 2.8, and I had no problems with 3/4th of a turn of the knob..

Best,
Adam

Oct 10, 2008 at 07:06 AM

Stunnaz
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p.1 #11 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I have the Q3T (traveler edition designed for Gitzo Traveler legs), and I understand that it's a modified version of the Q3. I have not had any problems with the panning lock on mine, it locks up tight without much effort.

I wonder if this is something they improved upon when developing the Q3T or if it's just I'm less critical of the panning lock.

Oct 10, 2008 at 01:13 PM

dcains
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p.1 #12 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I was supremely pissed at my Q3 last week. I had a tripod for sale, and needed to take a pic of it with a ballhead/camera/lens mounted. So I tried to pull my Q3 off my other tripod, and couldn't get it off for the longest time, because the damned panning lock wouldn't hold so I could unscrew the ballhead (no Loctite involved, BTW). I really only use the Q3 on my lightweight Gitzo with short, wide lenses, but I'm sorry, the panning lock simply blows (this is my second Q3). I've never bought the story from Markins that it's a "feature" not a problem. I might only have a Q3, rather than also a BH-40, if the panning lock actually locked.

Oct 10, 2008 at 01:27 PM

adamdewilde
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p.1 #13 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

But you know what, I tested all of the Markins ballheads at the store, and they're all sorta like that...
The Q3's are the worse of the bunch, but honestly the M10 and M20 is like that to an extent...

dcains I feel your pain about the tripod adventure... BTW, are you suppose to put loctite on the tripod, no right?

Best,
Adam

Oct 10, 2008 at 03:29 PM

jhom
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p.1 #14 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

dcains wrote:
I was supremely pissed at my Q3 last week. I had a tripod for sale, and needed to take a pic of it with a ballhead/camera/lens mounted. So I tried to pull my Q3 off my other tripod, and couldn't get it off for the longest time, because the damned panning lock wouldn't hold so I could unscrew the ballhead (no Loctite involved, BTW). I really only use the Q3 on my lightweight Gitzo with short, wide lenses, but I'm sorry, the panning lock simply blows (this is my second Q3). I've never bought the story from Markins that it's a "feature" not a problem. I might only have a Q3, rather than also a BH-40, if the panning lock actually locked.

On the plus side, the Q3 was on firmly. I have a strap wrench I got from Sears that solves the problem of removing/installing a ballhead. Works everytime without fuss or muss.

Jim

Oct 10, 2008 at 03:29 PM

adamdewilde
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p.1 #15 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Stunnaz, the travel base markins I tried, also same...

Oct 10, 2008 at 03:30 PM

4x4rock
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p.1 #16 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Do most of you put loctite on the Q3 when installed on tripod and hand tighten them or use a wrench of some sort?

I just purchased a Q3 and will be installed on my Dynatran tripod for now but I'm planning to get a Feisol of Benro CF later on. I'm afraid that loctite will make it super hard to remove the head to the new tripod later.

Oct 10, 2008 at 03:38 PM

sjms
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p.1 #17 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

blue loctite or type 242 will come apart under a hand type unscrewing with some extra torque. DO NOT GOB IT ON the thread

Oct 10, 2008 at 04:16 PM

dcains
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p.1 #18 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

adamdewilde wrote:
But you know what, I tested all of the Markins ballheads at the store, and they're all sorta like that...
The Q3's are the worse of the bunch, but honestly the M10 and M20 is like that to an extent...

dcains I feel your pain about the tripod adventure... BTW, are you suppose to put loctite on the tripod, no right?

Best,
Adam

The Loctite choice is a personal one. I didn't bother with the Q3 because I knew 'd never get it apart if I had. I actually prefer to Loctite the stud into the tripod and then wrap the ballhead end of the stud with Teflon plumber's tape. This creates a firm bond, much like the Loctite, to prevent the ballhead from coming loose under most circumstances. I use this on my heavier tripod and BH-40.

Oct 10, 2008 at 09:57 PM

dcains
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p.1 #19 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

jhom wrote:
On the plus side, the Q3 was on firmly. I have a strap wrench I got from Sears that solves the problem of removing/installing a ballhead. Works everytime without fuss or muss.

Jim

No place for a strap wrench to grip the tapered panning base on the Q3. I ended up cutting a strip of rubber from an old bike inner tube, and that helped me increase my grip to get the ballhead loose.

I really should say that in all other regards, the Q3 is an outstanding lightweight ballhead, else I wouldn't have bought this second one.

Oct 10, 2008 at 09:59 PM

jhom
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p.1 #20 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

dcains wrote:
jhom wrote:
On the plus side, the Q3 was on firmly. I have a strap wrench I got from Sears that solves the problem of removing/installing a ballhead. Works everytime without fuss or muss.

Jim

No place for a strap wrench to grip the tapered panning base on the Q3. I ended up cutting a strip of rubber from an old bike inner tube, and that helped me increase my grip to get the ballhead loose.

I really should say that in all other regards, the Q3 is an outstanding lightweight ballhead, else I wouldn't have bought this second one.

With a little manipulation, I used this strap wrench http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945533000P?vName=Tools to install/remove my Q3 when I had it. I now use it for my M10. The wrench is in my bag whenever I travel with my tripod and need to remove/install the ballhead.

Jim

Oct 10, 2008 at 10:19 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #21 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I never use any loctite or wrench on the Q3 or any other ballhead that I own. Just hand-power is enough. And I like to have the option of changing the heads between my tripods without any hassle.
You really don't need to tighten the ballhead that hard on your tripod.

Oct 11, 2008 at 08:45 AM

adamdewilde
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p.1 #22 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Yeah, you know something, I don't seem to have a problem with the ballhead on the tripod moving.. I just find the panning base creeps when using the Gitzo 2531EX sideways with a long lens on it... So I'm thinking of going to the store tomorrow and trying all the Q3's to find one thats better then the others as far as panning base locking is concern... Do you think I'll find one?

The 3 that were on display along with the two traveler editions had that problem, also the M10 and M20 I tried seem to suffer... so that was 6 markins ballheads that had questionable panning locks... So maybe it won't matter if I try all the Q3's they have in stock..

Best,
Adam

Oct 12, 2008 at 04:49 PM

kenyee
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p.1 #23 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

The panning lock thing is supposedly a "feature". Markins claims you get better images (helps dampening)...

...
The added a rubber ring to the pan lock on the latest Q3 so hopefully they improved the lock as well.

Oct 13, 2008 at 03:41 PM

Fitmiss
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p.1 #24 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

I just purchased a "slightly" used Q3 that was originally purchased in March. Does it have the rubber ring? How do I know if it is the new version? I wonder if Markins can send the rubber ring to update the ballhead if not.

Oct 13, 2008 at 03:56 PM

adamdewilde
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p.1 #25 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?

Yep, how do we tell if ours has a rubber ring?

Best,
Adam

Oct 14, 2008 at 06:02 AM


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