I don't know about the older Markins models, but the Q20i has been exemplary for my use. The single control knob with long, precise movement is great with the BV-22. There is nothing else like it.
Not saying they are bad at all. Simply saying that the day when Markins pretty much where the only game in town (read Europe) for quality ballheads is over.
There are plenty of options for less money that will be as good and in some cases even better.
Wow - thank you for all your replies, it was night here in the UK so I could not answer immediately.
My Equipment is as follows: 5DMkII, 100mm/2.8 USM, 50mm/2.5 Macro, MPE 65mm, and 28mm/1.8 for dreamy bokeh shots of larger flowers. Both the 100mm and 65mm have tripod collars.
I use a focus rail in the studio for my Macro and Product shots, and would sometimes want to take it out and about for stacking especially shots from the MPE 65mm. I also have a flash setup (430EXII and various diffusers mounted on a Mini CB and the ST-e on camera) that I would use sometimes for moving subjects. It is fair to say that probably amounts to a fair bit of weight, so stability is really important.
Of course, if I had an unlimited budget the Arca Swiss cubes would be on top of my list despite their weight, but even the Markins is over budget for me at this point. The Novoflex is at the very top of what I can currently justify.
That would be brilliant - I really like the concept of the ball being below, and the fastening mechanism as well as the small size. It is at the very top of my budget, but just about manageable.
Do you use the arca swiss type clamping system? if so I advise you look at one of the many options that are available other the Arca's. they, in this case and my opinion, tried to pile too much in their clamp
Paul,
What clamp is sitting on top of the P0? It appears to be round but the only round ones I know of are the Sunway Diskcal but it doesn't look like one of those.
I also have a P0 and like it a lot. I do miss a real tension adjustment and I always feel like I'm going to break the teardrop panning knob but overall, a big win and small & light.
M-girl - can you give us a list of the ballheads that are within your budget? I think some distortion can happen based on pricing in the US vs. UK, as well as distribution.
Sure rw11 - it's tricky, because RRS seems to be so popular on these boards but are a nightmare to get in the UK and very expensive. My maximum budget is probably around £250, with the Arca Swiss at the top of that (I would probably get a Manfrotto 394 plate as this is the same as my 410). The Markins appear to come in at more than that over here.
I also need it to be relatively small and light, as my bag is 35cm across and my tripod (Berlebach Mini) is 25cm, so more than 10cm is a no-no. So far I have considered the Novoflex Magic Ball 50 (although too bulky with the handle really), the 3LT Equinox 360, the Manfrotto 468M (although bulkier and heavier than I would like) and the RRS BH 50 I think (again heavier than I would like) and the Siriu K20X (somewhat boring design, but like it for the value for money aspect).
Macrogirl wrote:
Sure rw11 - it's tricky, because RRS seems to be so popular on these boards but are a nightmare to get in the UK and very expensive. My maximum budget is probably around £250, with the Arca Swiss at the top of that (I would probably get a Manfrotto 394 plate as this is the same as my 410). The Markins appear to come in at more than that over here.
I also need it to be relatively small and light, as my bag is 35cm across and my tripod (Berlebach Mini) is 25cm, so more than 10cm is a no-no. So far I have considered the Novoflex Magic Ball 50 (although too bulky with the handle really), the 3LT Equinox 360, the Manfrotto 468M (although bulkier and heavier than I would like) and the RRS BH 50 I think (again heavier than I would like) and the Siriu K20X (somewhat boring design, but like it for the value for money aspect)....Show more →
I only have about $2000 of RRS stuff. They have not been the greatest for reliability, but RRS service is fine. Make sure that whatever you buy can be serviced without too much trouble. As mentioned above there is wide variety of A-S compatible equipment. Unless it is cheap junk, most supports will probably work for you. Don't overthink it either. Despite some ideas that support hardware should be a forever purchase, your needs and available gear will probably change over the years.
Sounds like a Markins is the best bet here, tho I'm not sure about quality or cost of the FLM
if you can wait, buy used - I've bought several used ballheads (in fact, all but my old Arca-Swiss were bought used) and have been pretty happy with them all - Acra-tech, RRS BH-40 & BH-25 and the larger Markins
The BH-40 is tops in everything but smoothness of operation. Even the contrasty silver knobs can help with use in dim light. But who would service an RRS in the UK?
The big Markins is very smooth ("like buttah") - I'd like the smaller one, and that might be what you want also...
Macrogirl wrote:
That would be brilliant - I really like the concept of the ball being below, and the fastening mechanism as well as the small size. It is at the very top of my budget, but just about manageable.
Ok finally done with today's shoot phew!
So the Arca Swiss monoball!
To me it's the fastest ballhead to work with, it's has one ring to control it all. Well almost, it's simple and i find that getting the tension sweet spot is much faster then with a standard ballhead like the Markins, Sirui and even the FLM.
I really don't miss the tension lock as i get much more tactile feedback from the big ring, opposed to the standard locking ball knob.
Also due to the aspherical design, it will requires less force when you hit the tension sweetspot, where traditional ballheads with symmetrical balls will require more, due them dropping once you pass a certain angle.
It's lightweight and compact, and simply works! There is no need to keep track of which side the knob is on, as you always have access to the ring.
One downside to the pan being on top is that panning while in portrait mode is not as practical. easily solved by getting a panbase, which i have on one of my copies.
You can purchase it with several options, without clamp (install your own) or with their monoballfix, quickset classic and quickset fliplock.
I choose the quickset classic (traditional screwclamp with built in monoballfix clamp) Works very well. One downside is that if you are used to have security pins on your plates/clamp it will not work in this clamp, unless you use their new monoballfix plates/clamp.
Personally i never used a security pin, a scew clamp is not getting loose unless i actively loose the clamp by turning the knob, Of course some people use security pins, just as they use straps, which i also never attach to my cameras.
In short if you'r budget allows it i can really recommend it!
For purchasing i really can recommend Robertwhite.co.uk, i'v gotten nothing but excellent service over the years.
sjms wrote:
Do you use the arca swiss type clamping system? if so I advise you look at one of the many options that are available other the Arca's. they, in this case and my opinion, tried to pile too much in their clamp
Yup and i have no issues with it incorporating their two standards, i'v used clamps from Sunway (still do) Sirui, RRS, Markins and Kirk and to date im more then happy with the Arca swiss quickset classic which i have on both my Monoball P0 and my Arca Swiss D4.
EB-1 wrote:
I only have about $2000 of RRS stuff. They have not been the greatest for reliability, but RRS service is fine. Make sure that whatever you buy can be serviced without too much trouble. As mentioned above there is wide variety of A-S compatible equipment. Unless it is cheap junk, most supports will probably work for you. Don't overthink it either. Despite some ideas that support hardware should be a forever purchase, your needs and available gear will probably change over the years.
EBH
you know you said their reliability was not great and i asked what went wrong. you never answered. i'd like to know because i've been using their stuff since 1991. where is the reliability issue?
howardm4 wrote:
Paul,
What clamp is sitting on top of the P0? It appears to be round but the only round ones I know of are the Sunway Diskcal but it doesn't look like one of those.
I also have a P0 and like it a lot. I do miss a real tension adjustment and I always feel like I'm going to break the teardrop panning knob but overall, a big win and small & light.
I bought both my copies with the original Arca Swiss clamp Quickset Classic. The Sunwayfoto has some round ones that will fit nicely if that what you prefer, or just about any clamp can be mounted to taste, given your purchase it without a clamp.
The P1 which i also considered does have the tension lock, but lacks portrait mode (without and adapter that is) and is more suited for very heavy gear.
Personally i don't miss the tension lock, i find it very easy to find the tension sweet spot, and i never loosen the ballhead quick enough to make my gear fall like a rock and crush my tiny hands..
Macrogirl wrote:
Sure rw11 - it's tricky, because RRS seems to be so popular on these boards but are a nightmare to get in the UK and very expensive. .
Yes they are a bit hard to source in Europe, but there are dealers who stock up on them. I'v dealt with this dealer a lot for my RRS plates and accessories.
Personally i don't really like their ballheads, i never seen the practical benefit of their design compared to the competition.
The single control knob with long, precise movement is great with the BV-22. There is nothing else like it. 
Well almost, it's simple and i find that getting the tension sweet spot is much faster then with a standard ballhead like the Markins, Sirui and even the FLM.