Markins Q3 or M10?

WuffRuff · 12th June 2009

To go with Gitzo G1128Mk2.
My largest gear (taking into acc future) is prolly 70-200 f2.8, which according to the website, Q3 is well-suited.

But I'm thinking will M10 offer better stability as the load rating, and hence strength is higher? The better stability might be better for macro, which I do.

Price difference is not much between these two, esp. in the 2nd hand market.

CS TAN · 12th June 2009

Do take the weight factor into account and get the right tool for the job. Even CF tripods are not light. The difference of the in weight might be too much for one to bear after adding all your gears up (camera, lenses, and other accessories). Of course, the higher loading ratio the better just in case you need it. But, do you buy a 8-seater MPV for a family of two just for the rare occasions that your friends might be coming from overseas to visit you? Same logic...

WuffRuff · 12th June 2009

I did take into acc the weight and this is also a cause for my dilemma because the weight difference between these 2 is only 113g. If the weight difference was more significant, I would easily have chosen the lighter one.

I do from time to time need the higher loading capacity.
The problem is camera rental cos. do not rent ballheads, while you can get a taxi or take public transport or rent a car when your relatives come over (going with your analogy).

For my case, I could use the Q3 on these occassions, but I'm thinking it would perhaps be like squeezing 5-6 adults into a four seater... can work but not as well.

Hmmm... so should I get a 4 seater and squeeze in the extra relatives on their occassional visit or get a 8 seater, given the cost is not much greater and the weight is 113g more?

egnaro · 13th June 2009

Originally Posted by WuffRuff

I did take into acc the weight and this is also a cause for my dilemma because the weight difference between these 2 is only 113g. If the weight difference was more significant, I would easily have chosen the lighter one.

I do from time to time need the higher loading capacity.
The problem is camera rental cos. do not rent ballheads, while you can get a taxi or take public transport or rent a car when your relatives come over (going with your analogy).

For my case, I could use the Q3 on these occassions, but I'm thinking it would perhaps be like squeezing 5-6 adults into a four seater... can work but not as well.

Hmmm... so should I get a 4 seater and squeeze in the extra relatives on their occassional visit or get a 8 seater, given the cost is not much greater and the weight is 113g more?

did u realise that M10 size actually fit lot of tripod disc nicely? not sure about Q3...

I was like u, considering Q3 or M10, I ended up go with M10 since addition 113gm and $100 is not very significant to me. more buffer the merrier. well that me la...

Tachyon · 13th June 2009

I always give myself 1.5-2x beyond the max payload. M10 was the natural choice for me.

WuffRuff · 14th June 2009

I went with Q3...
Even with buffer of 3x the weight, the max load of 30kg is more than enough for me.
I'm not gonna have more than 10 kg of equipment in the near future.

WuffRuff · 14th June 2009

I carried them both in the shop and even though the difference on paper is only 113 g, I could feel a significant weight increase. Besides, Q3 diameter matches my current tripod nicely.

OT: How come the edit function is no longer available?
So I had to make another post.

CS TAN · 14th June 2009

Originally Posted by WuffRuff

I carried them both in the shop and even though the difference on paper is only 113 g, I could feel a significant weight increase. Besides, Q3 diameter matches my current tripod nicely.

OT: How come the edit function is no longer available?
So I had to make another post.

I think you have made the right choice. Just like you have said, even though it is only 113g difference in weight, once you start carrying it together with other photo gears, every gram counts.

"OT" reply, I think you have used the "post reply" instead of "quotes" or "quick reply". I noticed sometimes by using the "post reply", I cannot edit the post also.

MachIII · 14th June 2009

I think Q3 or M10, that will depends on the type of tripod to use. Imagine a M10 to fit a 0 series Gitzo.... Looks weird to me.

Both are excellent ballheads.

IamJeFfy · 14th June 2009

anyone can achieve the sweet spot on the Q3? i can't seems to 'locate' it.. it doesn't seems to work like a gimbal?

12th June 2009	#1
WuffRuff Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: opp. East Coast Park Posts: 827	Markins Q3 or M10? To go with Gitzo G1128Mk2. My largest gear (taking into acc future) is prolly 70-200 f2.8, which according to the website, Q3 is well-suited. But I'm thinking will M10 offer better stability as the load rating, and hence strength is higher? The better stability might be better for macro, which I do. Price difference is not much between these two, esp. in the 2nd hand market. __________________ The best photographer is one who is inspired by the innate nature of his subjects.

12th June 2009	#2
CS TAN Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Posts: 2,122	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? Do take the weight factor into account and get the right tool for the job. Even CF tripods are not light. The difference of the in weight might be too much for one to bear after adding all your gears up (camera, lenses, and other accessories). Of course, the higher loading ratio the better just in case you need it. But, do you buy a 8-seater MPV for a family of two just for the rare occasions that your friends might be coming from overseas to visit you? Same logic... __________________ 5DMKII 24-105L 85L 1.4EXII 580EXII 430EX Soon: 35L 135L

12th June 2009	#3
WuffRuff Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: opp. East Coast Park Posts: 827	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? I did take into acc the weight and this is also a cause for my dilemma because the weight difference between these 2 is only 113g. If the weight difference was more significant, I would easily have chosen the lighter one. I do from time to time need the higher loading capacity. The problem is camera rental cos. do not rent ballheads, while you can get a taxi or take public transport or rent a car when your relatives come over (going with your analogy). For my case, I could use the Q3 on these occassions, but I'm thinking it would perhaps be like squeezing 5-6 adults into a four seater... can work but not as well. Hmmm... so should I get a 4 seater and squeeze in the extra relatives on their occassional visit or get a 8 seater, given the cost is not much greater and the weight is 113g more? __________________ The best photographer is one who is inspired by the innate nature of his subjects.

13th June 2009	#5
Tachyon Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 415	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? I always give myself 1.5-2x beyond the max payload. M10 was the natural choice for me.

14th June 2009	#6
WuffRuff Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: opp. East Coast Park Posts: 827	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? I went with Q3... Even with buffer of 3x the weight, the max load of 30kg is more than enough for me. I'm not gonna have more than 10 kg of equipment in the near future. __________________ The best photographer is one who is inspired by the innate nature of his subjects.

14th June 2009	#7
WuffRuff Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: opp. East Coast Park Posts: 827	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? I carried them both in the shop and even though the difference on paper is only 113 g, I could feel a significant weight increase. Besides, Q3 diameter matches my current tripod nicely. OT: How come the edit function is no longer available? So I had to make another post. __________________ The best photographer is one who is inspired by the innate nature of his subjects.

14th June 2009	#9
MachIII Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: West Posts: 112	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? I think Q3 or M10, that will depends on the type of tripod to use. Imagine a M10 to fit a 0 series Gitzo.... Looks weird to me. Both are excellent ballheads.

14th June 2009	#10
IamJeFfy Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,081	Re: Markins Q3 or M10? anyone can achieve the sweet spot on the Q3? i can't seems to 'locate' it.. it doesn't seems to work like a gimbal? __________________ BOOMZzz!