Thank you to everyone, that posted in my Tripod Thread. Now, I need to figure out the other half of the equation. I have searched, with the search feature, through almost all the threads in the past 6 months, with the keyword "ball head"... I did not find much of any results, that helped, as most everyone seems, to be either looking at a less expensive route, or for a travel setup.

I have thoroughly, searched the RRS & Markins sites. Each head I have listed below, has a weight rating, but what else, helps identify the strengths & weaknesses of the heads I have listed. No matter which head, is chosen, I am intending to mount a B2 LLR II QR Plate, and order a ball without a head attached.

Maximum Gear Load/ Focal Length, I can ever for-see using, is a: 500/4 IS + 1D or 300/2.8 IS + TC + 1D....

Also is there a stability difference, between Flat Plates & L Brackets for bodies?

Thus far, this is the list I have:

1. RSS BH-55
   
2. RSS BH-40
   
3. Markins M20
   
4. Markins M10
   
   
   Any & all input will be greatly appreciated.
   
   Thanks,
   
   James

I think this question has been answered a lot of times here, that's why you've not gotten a response till now. However, now that I've taken the time to write that, I may as well answer your question! I've used the 55, 40 and 10 (not the 20). I've not tried them head to head though, so my impressions are from memory. The 40 is a surprisingly sturdy head for its size and it's beautifully made. The 55 is however better in just about every way ('surer' locks on the knobs, generally more tactile, better pan base, smoother action etc). It is also very big and heavy, I really notice it when I'm lugging it round. If I used a tripod a lot for hiking, I would not be happy, but I don't.

A friend has the M10 and I've played with it, but not used it in anger. If memory serves it's roughly equivalent to the 40. Honestly, other than the clamp, I thought it was a nicer to use article although perhaps not quite so aesthetically pleasing. I preferred the smoothness of everything on it, I think others here have had the same experience. It offered the same overall feeling of sturdiness.

I think with a 500 or a 300 with TC you will want the bigger head (and this is also the advice of RRS, I think a 300 on it's own is their max rating for the 40).

I've had a screw clamp and the lever clamp. I always thought the screw clamp was perfect and for some unknown reason I recently bought a RRS LLRII for my 55, and gosh darn it, it's excellent. The general advice is that screw clamps are a bit more secure with super-heavyweight setups or monopods, but I think it's a marginal concern.

I don't really believe there's a stability difference in flats and Ls (I cannot visualise how there could be really, other than the L plate has an even larger contact area with the base of the camera so theoretically could be more stable). I like an L plate, although if I fill my Vertex 200 Lowe bag, I have trouble fitting a D3 in--if the back is absolutely brim full I have to take off the L plate (those few mms make all the difference).

C

Conor,

Thank you for your detailed reply. I am aware, that this question has been asked numerous times, however, I spent the better part of a day, reading through past posts', using the Search Feature, which I typed "Ball Head". I found some helpful information, but not much, as it seemed, most were looking for lightweight travel setups.

From what I have read on the RSS site, the 40 is rated for 18 lbs, the 55 is rated at 50 lbs.... What actual difference is there, besides, their weight rating? The most weight, I can conceivably have is approx 12.5 lbs, total head weight.

Thanks again,

James

James,

I had the same dilemma as you and did a LOT of reading on this. I think Conor's summary really well captures the consensus of opinions on this subject. My general impression is that you can't go wrong with any of the BH's you mention, plus the Arca Swiss Z1.

In the end I opted for a Markins M20. I chose Markins for two reasons:
(i) it is lighter (main reason)
(ii) some people argue it is smoother (as Conor suggests)

I went for the M20 over the M10 as I'll be using it with my 300 f/2.8 (with teleconveters).

Regards,

Justin

Weight ratings are to be taken with a very large dose of salt. They are useful only as a "kinda sorta" guide. There are NO standards, only the manufacturer's word for it.

The advantage of an "L" plate is that it allows the body to be rotated 90 degrees from landscape to portrait. Of course, a tripod mount on a lens allows more movement.

I can't give you any comparisons, since I use only one of the heads you listed. It's a Markins M20, and can only say that I am very pleased with its weight and smooth operation. If I had to buy a replacement today, it would be another M20.

When using big lenses like the 500/4, a Gimbal head is much better. I have the RRS BH-55, Arca Swiss Z1 & Markins Q3. And I never use any of those with a big lens. If buying a ballhead of those you listed, get one of the biggest heads. Like BH-55 or M20

I have a BH-55 and love it. By boss has the BH-40, and it will not play nice with my 400mm. After using it, I don't think I can use any other ballhead without comparing it to the RRS BH-55. I have an ArcaSwiss Z1b as well, but prefer the BH-55 over it.

Lars is right, a Gimbal setup is better for big lenses, so I have a Wimberly Sidekick on my BH-55, and it's fantastic. It's not a True Gimbal, but it works very very well atop my Gitzo 3-series.

I'm not tuned into the really big guns yet and I'd take Lars advice on that.

As runamuck said, the load ratings are just a click above nonsense.

I had a BH40 and replaced it with a Markins Q3. I looked at the BH55 and bought a Markins M20 instead - it's lighter and it just works so darn well. I have to confess, I've become quite a Markins fan at this point. I think the RRS stuff looks better, but I think the Markins heads work better. They are smooth, they have (IMO) the best friction control on the ball.

Definitely pus on the RRS QR lever clamp. They are better than pockets.

J.

runamuck wrote:
Weight ratings are to be taken with a very large dose of salt. They are useful only as a "kinda sorta" guide. There are NO standards, only the manufacturer's word for it.

The advantage of an "L" plate is that it allows the body to be rotated 90 degrees from landscape to portrait. Of course, a tripod mount on a lens allows more movement.

I'm not so sure that weight ratings are to be taken with a dose of salt. I found that a new BH 40 was unable to support a Nikon D700 and 105 VR using an L plate with the drag control set about as tight as I could get it. A light load for any quality BH. As soon as I tipped the camera forward a fair amount it continued to fall, off center loads are tough on low capacity ballheads. This is a load that my Markins M10 doesn't even notice. I routinely use a Markins M10 and sidekick with a 300 AFS 4, and Markins recommends it and more. RRS does not recommend a BH 40 with a sidekick.

Thank you to everyone for the input.

I have narrowed my choices, to the, M10 or M20.

What does the M20 do, besides having a 100 lb load rating, that the M10 does not do, which has a 90 lb load rating?

Thanks,

James

The M20 would be more stable with a 300 2.8 or heavier just because of the physical size. For the lenses you have listed as max you want the M20. For BIF a full size Wimberley should be on your list too.

BIF, will come later.

I just bought the 3541XLS today. Purchases, to come this week are a BH, plus the RRS LLR II Plate, & some body & lens plates.

Geniousc,

Thank you for the input.

The M20 is also the right match for a #3 Gitzo, the M10 base size would be too small. I don't want to muddy up the issue for you but the Arca Z1 is also an excellent BH , I have both the Arca and M10. the big difference is the knob placement. The main knob is on the left side for the Markins and right side for the Arca when in typical operating position. They both perform about equal with the pan lock being more effective on the Arca. I would say the biggest consideration is the knob placement.

Gene

Alright, I just bought the Markins M20, to go with my 3541XLS.

Now, I'm getting ready to complete my purchase at RRS, for the LLR II Clamp & needed plates.

Thank you to everyone, for your input.

James

tell markins to NOT loctite their clamp to the M20 prior to shipping.

Beat me to it - but definitely get it without loctite applied.

J.