Just wondering if anyone has used the Markins PG-40N and can comment on quality and satisfaction. Any comparison to the similar Kirk or RRS products would be an extra bonus.
I like the general design of the square bi-directional Markins plates, and had a plate for my old 10D which was fine. However, I bought a PG-40N for a 40D and thought it was an unacceptably poor fit - the contour of the plate didn't match the body. I returned it and purchased a RRS plate instead. The latter is uni-directional, but fits like a glove.
Gil_W wrote:
It would be nice to find a bit cheaper then RRS L plates, but they are hard to beat for quality and fitting a camera right.
Gil
Actually my main issue (as described in my Kirk 20/30/40/50 D plate thread) is shipping polices, choice of shipper, brokerage charges etc... Markins is Canadian, so all of those problems go away.
All of the standard QR plates from everyone seem to be about the same cost for the product itself - everything equal I'd order a Kirk, probably. It yanked some wind out of my sails to hear the Markins plates described as "unacceptable". Of course, this is why I ask for opinions in advance...
I can't comment much on the Markins plate, but I do have the Kirk plate for my 40D and really like it. The fit to the camera is very good and the plate has two safety stop screws that can be used to prevent the camera plate from sliding out of a loose clamp. The Markins plate has a detent to engage a spring pin found on the Markins ball heads that does the same thing as the Kirk safety stop screws. I don't know what the RRS 40D plate has in the way of safety. -Jason
Of course, this is why I ask for opinions in advance...