Markins is playing with a lever release now

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Archive 2010 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

sjms
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p.1 #1 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

A neat new spiffy lever release. about time too. it also has some relative advantages over the RRS design. while still advising single manufacture plates for dimensional repeatability there is a level of width adjustment (requires screwdriver). in addition the lever can be easily flipped over for either direction locking. i don't know if all parts are captive but with their design history i'd say to a certain extent they are within the limits of possibly the screw adjuster. does not seem to have an intermediate (for plate positional adjustment) position detent like RRS though

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http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/M10.php

Feb 27, 2010 at 02:18 PM

jhom
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p.1 #2 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

Good some competition and some interesting features.

Steve...when are you going to get one to let us know how it works as compared to the RRS version?

Jim

Feb 27, 2010 at 03:09 PM

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p.1 #3 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

I don't like the way it sticks out just waiting to catch on something or poke something.

EBH

Feb 27, 2010 at 03:23 PM

jhom
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p.1 #4 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

From the pictures of the Markins lever clamp, it doesn't look like the lever sticks out any further than the RRS version. In fact, looking at my own setup with a M10 and RRS lever clamp, it looks shorter than the RRS.

Feb 27, 2010 at 03:31 PM

sjms
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p.1 #5 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

jhom wrote:
Good some competition and some interesting features.

Steve...when are you going to get one to let us know how it works as compared to the RRS version?

Jim

debated it but probably not. great news for "the holier then thou i won't buy RRS stuff" crowd though. i'm pretty much geared up and have no need to jump on this one. i've got my 3 tripods and 3 heads. i'll let somone else take point on this. might make a nice gift for a friend i know but not just now.
RRS TVC-33/BH-55
Gitzo GT2540ex/BH-40
Bogen/Manfrotto really old 3021/M10

Edited on Feb 27, 2010 at 04:59 PM · View previous versions

Feb 27, 2010 at 03:38 PM

sjms
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p.1 #6 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

jhom wrote:
From the pictures of the Markins lever clamp, it doesn't look like the lever sticks out any further than the RRS version. In fact, looking at my own setup with a M10 and RRS lever clamp, it looks shorter than the RRS.

in reality the markins is out on the side where the RRS after it curves in the finger flip point is more centered in the scheme of things. that is quite a bit of difference there.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

note the curve on the RRS vs the Markins. the RRS tucks things in whereas the Markins will put the fingertip point out outside on longer rail edge.

here on a RRS it still remains tucked under

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Feb 27, 2010 at 05:13 PM · View previous versions

Feb 27, 2010 at 03:40 PM

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p.1 #7 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

I'm not sure if it makes a big difference once your camera body is mounted on the clamp. For something to catch the lever, it needs to be able to work itself around and under the perimeter of your mounted gear, ballhead and tripod. Obviously, anything is possible. But, is it probable?

My concern with the new Markins lever clamp would be the screw adjustment feature. I would think with use the adjustment would change and cause problems with the limited tolerances needed with a lever mechanism.

Feb 27, 2010 at 04:01 PM

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p.1 #8 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

i kind of doubt it but then again anything is probable around here as has been demonstrated more times then not. the issue never came up on the AS version. it just came apart if you went too far and you found out when too far was too late. i have confidence in the design. this one (Markins) tends to innovate more then just emmulate.

i'd be more concerned with the kind of individual that believes that good enough isn't good enough and tightens it more and lays into it with the lever. that can damage the mechanism as that lever can impart just a bit of force.

its not just camera body mounting. when a lens plate (big lens) is on the markins the end is more exposed and thats when people tend to wander around with tripods over their shoulders. with the big glass on the body becomes just a teeny little part then

Edited on Feb 27, 2010 at 05:32 PM · View previous versions

Feb 27, 2010 at 04:16 PM

sjms
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p.1 #9 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

also i can see photoclam coming out with one soon enough now that markins has supplied the design template for them. as i sad before the devil is in the details

Feb 27, 2010 at 04:18 PM

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p.1 #10 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

sjms wrote:
also i can see photoclam coming out with one soon enough now that markins has supplied the design template for them. as i sad before the devil is in the details

Actually, Photo Clam has had this on their site for a while now but I haven't seen it advertised anywhere: http://www.photoclam.com/main.php?pg_ctrl=productM&mode=view&idx=91

Mar 04, 2010 at 02:46 PM

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p.1 #11 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

you know your right i saw it and forgot about it completely because there was no info on it at the time. still isn't. thanks for jogging my memory. seems soon enough is just about now

needs to be available across the entire lineup.

a better lever end design then markins. looks to be a xross over between RRS AS Markins. nice shotgun approach. this one i have to look into.

Mar 04, 2010 at 02:53 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #12 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

sjms, no need to take unprovoked pot shots -- unless you really want to have that conversation again.

I agree with you about the curve of the lever -- the Markins looks like the old Manfrotto clamps, though obviously more finely engineered. I'll be sticking with my existing RRS lever clamp, but I'm really glad to see more options. Choice is a good thing.

Mar 04, 2010 at 03:39 PM

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p.1 #13 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

Another lever design from a Chinese company I've heard of but know nothing about: http://www.kangrinpoche.com/list.asp?id=200

The ballhead looks a lot like Photo Clam but the clamp appears to be a different design. It's great to see some competition out there in the ballhead/clamp arena.

Mar 04, 2010 at 04:11 PM

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p.1 #14 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

oh, now everyones copying the copies of the copies of the copies

Mar 04, 2010 at 08:37 PM

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p.1 #15 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

Its about friggin time Markins came out with a lever release. When I bought the markins, I didn't think I would care about it not having a lever release. But every time I mount my camera now, I really wish I had one!!

Mar 04, 2010 at 10:06 PM

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p.1 #16 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

What is the world coming to? ...Lever clamps by more than one company ... anti-rotation legs now on Feisol ... RRS tripods ... PhotoClam ballheads ... don't you love competition?

Mar 04, 2010 at 11:24 PM

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p.1 #17 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

Maybe one of the reasons there aren't a bunch of different lever releases available in the US is because of the RRS patent on theirs.

I'm all for competition, but not if it steps on someone's patent.

It's a big feather in your cap to get a patent on something you came up with. Defending it in court may cost more than the money you make producing the parts protected by it.

Mar 05, 2010 at 02:15 AM

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p.1 #18 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

another korean ballhead company uses a totally different mechanism, also with different plates which are really thin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRGO0V6o3c

Mar 05, 2010 at 03:01 AM

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p.1 #19 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

I don't like the fact that you can patent such simple things like a lever release mechanism. It isn't like any lever for a head clamp has already been used for some other application for about a century now.

Mar 05, 2010 at 03:16 AM

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p.1 #20 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

jaehoppa wrote:
another korean ballhead company uses a totally different mechanism, also with different plates which are really thin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRGO0V6o3c

interesting but totally incompatible. so in this case irrelevent unless you want to go to another system. the point is interopability between components.

Mar 05, 2010 at 04:08 AM

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p.1 #21 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

Steezus wrote:
I don't like the fact that you can patent such simple things like a lever release mechanism. It isn't like any lever for a head clamp has already been used for some other application for about a century now.

its not quite as easy as you think to do. and not cheap either. your must prove uniqueness and its got to do what you say it supposed to do. you as an individual need to willing to put up or shut up. patent pending by the way means we put in for it and we're waiting until its finally given the thumbs up by the patent office but we're putting it out anyway so think twice before copying it as it probable will go through. that can be an extended period of time too. and in the end you may not get it after all.

patents as you know only go as far as the ability to protect them via legal means. there are certain countries that have less then adequate control against infringement.

Mar 05, 2010 at 04:27 AM

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p.1 #22 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

jrand wrote:
Maybe one of the reasons there aren't a bunch of different lever releases available in the US is because of the RRS patent on theirs.

I'm all for competition, but not if it steps on someone's patent.

It's a big feather in your cap to get a patent on something you came up with. Defending it in court may cost more than the money you make producing the parts protected by it.

absolutely dead on.

Mar 05, 2010 at 04:41 AM

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p.1 #23 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

sjms wrote:its not quite as easy as you think to do. and not cheap either. your must prove uniqueness and its got to do what you say it supposed to do. you as an individual need to willing to put up or shut up. patent pending by the way means we put in for it and we're waiting until its finally given the thumbs up by the patent office but we're putting it out anyway so think twice before copying it as it probable will go through. that can be an extended period of time too. and in the end you may not get it after all.

patents as you know only go as far as the ability to protect them via legal means. there are certain countries that have less then adequate control against infringement.

Riiiiight.... But I am saying I do not like it. I can see for more complex designs, but a lever for these clamps are all based off of designs older than all of us here, they are just applied to a photo application. I just think that this is one part of our legal process that is ridiculous, just like the majority of lawsuits in our country.

Mar 05, 2010 at 10:27 AM

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p.1 #24 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

ok, you don't like it.

do you think velcro should never have been patented? after all it is simple design that occurs in nature?

when you work on your own and are self sustaining you only have one thing that is yours, that's your ideas. what are yours worth?

Mar 05, 2010 at 11:08 AM

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p.1 #25 · Markins is playing with a lever release now

The only thing a patent guarantees is a paycheck to the lawyer that:
does the discovery research
writes the application
files the extensions
defends it in court
etc.

I'm not sure they return their fees if the patent is proven in court to not be valid.

Who wins in this situation every step of the way?

You can do all this without an atty.

Look at the intermittent wiper patent that the big auto companies stole. Just a dirt simple circuit that had a novel application.

Many times the simplest form of mechanical design can be the most elegant way to create a solution. Like the RRS clamp.

Mar 05, 2010 at 03:49 PM


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