Archive 2008 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #1 · 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.
p.2 #2 · 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..
p.2 #3 · 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.
p.2 #4 · 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.
p.2 #6 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Sorry BTW that we've hijacked your thread.. Honestly speaking though, the Markins Q3 is a great ballhead aside from the panning lock..
And in all reality unless you have a tripod such as an GT2531EX you shouldn't have a problem with the panning lock.
I assume by now you've gotten your answer, and will be buying a Q3.
p.2 #9 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Alright, so you're saying on the VERY new Q3's the locking pan knob is silicon?
AFAIK that isn't correct, the newest models have silicon knobs for the plate and the ballhead, the panning knob doesn't come in silicon as far as I know. Unless of course you're telling me that the JUST RELEASED newest ones have rubber there to, in which case A) they haven't even updated there websites, and B) I just picked mine up a week ago or so, so I'm SOFL.
p.2 #12 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
If your fingers hurt from turning the panning lock, it's metal. I'm not sure how more clear I can get??
yep, panning lock has silicon...friend picked one up greymarket from a fleabay seller who bought it from markins directly.
p.2 #13 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Yeah I just seen photos of them, I get what you mean kenyee....
They appear to have silicon knobs now on the panning base, I'm wondering though, since the markins website doesn't show them as being silicon, it must mean they're new?
This is the pictures of the Q3 with the silicon panning knob: here
I'm curious if they've just added the knob, or if they've improved the panning lock, it's strange though, because they haven't added the silicon knob to the M10's or M20's as far as group shot I've seen where the Q3 is changed but they remain the same.
This begs the question, have they fixed the panning knob, I'm only curious because I have the opportunity to bring mine back to the store, and await the new shipment.
p.2 #16 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Basically for the money, they're small light and hold a lot of weight. - My two cents for going off topic all this time.
BTW, kenyee I did the smart thing and msg'd Markins, they told me that the ones with the silicone panning knobs are actually the prototype models, the current models are the ones pictured on the markins america website, they're the ones that people will have now if they've recently ordered from markins. And the fact that the panning knob doesn't completly lock, is still a feature and something thats needed in order to insure a long lasting product.
p.2 #17 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Thanks, Adam. I was wondering about that as well. FWIW, the friend who bought it from fleabay got one w/o the rubberized pan knob even though the seller put up a picture w/ the prototype knob. Weird that Markins decided to remove that on the production models though...
p.2 #18 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
The rubber probably didn't hold up well enough. Look at my panning lock knob and you'll see bits of skin that's been ripped off my fingers from trying to get the knob tight enough.
p.2 #19 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
Just as a note, the panning lock isn't bad on the ones that don't have the rubber ring. It is more than enough to hold your ballhead and lens in position without moving.
p.2 #20 · Markins Q3 Ballhead - Is it the right one?
dcains, that's exactly what I think too.
I just had a chance to use the Gitzo explorer and the Markins Q3, and I must say I'm really impressed with both, although I think the Gitzo takes a while to get use to.
The Markins is great, but I have another comment about it, it has a indent where you can turn the ballhead sideways but the knob gets in the way, so I wish there were two such spots on the ballhead.. (although, I'm sure most people just buy an L bracket, so keep in mind that you'll probably want an Lbracket)...
...
