2007.05.20: Markins Q3 Emille Arca-Swiss Style Tripod Ball Head

Photo courtesy of Markins. I think that the anodized red will be a nice touch to add to a future carbon fibre tripod. The blue anodized ones are all sold out but I have too much stuff that's blue already . . . like most of my clothing bicycle frame, and one of my bicycle rims, hahah).

I've delayed this purchase long enough as the lack of a really efficient, lightweight head with good plates were chronically preventing me from using a tripod more during shoots. After much consideration of weight (only 0.84lbs . . . lighter than any other professional ball head that I researched), weight capacity rating (65lbs, more than triple my heaviest camera set up with the Bowens 3000W/s ring flash which I rarely use but keep trying to use to take decent photos), price (the only "professional" level ball head I found that was less expensive than this was the Acratech Ultimate which is 1lbs and is rated for only 25lbs and doesn't have a spirit level on the standard clamping platform, price for this head in red was just $340CDN), and shipping (the North American distribution centre is in Langley, British Columbia, Canada . . . 3day ground shipping for just $15, no brokerage) I selected the Markins Q3 Emille. With the Q3, there is no option for ordering just the ball head only with the platform. I would liked to have used a large Kirk platform but after finding information on Loctite's manufacturer's website for removing a Loctite'd platform I know that I have the option to change the platform in the future after better understanding my needs.

Jonathan's father will be working on CNC machining a custom Arca-Swiss style dovetail quick release plate for the Rollei 6008 AF. The design is for a 4.5" long plate with an anti-skew lip on one end to latch onto the body and enormous bottom coverage, much greater than any plate I've seen from Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff, or Markins. Thanks, Jonathan's dad.

Changing from the Manfrotto 329RC4 head (2.6lbs) that I currently use will shave almost 2lbs off of my tripod. However, I'll likely be looking to switch from the aluminium Manfrotto 055 Pro (5.3lbs) to a lighter, stiffer carbon fibre tripod. A few carbon fibre tripods are available that are less than half the weight, offer an additional 10" of elevation without raising the centre column, and have higher capacity ratings.