cbretteville Posted May 21, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) A question placed before the collective: I am the happy owner of a Gitzo GT1541T carbon fiber tripod. I like it a lot and I find that after getting it I use a tripod more than I used to. It its all down to the weight, weighs a little less than a 1kg without a head. I know the lightest ball heads don't have a quick release plate, but I'd really like to find one that has, but still has a weight that matches the tripod. It doesn't make sense to me to put a 450g head on a 1Kg tripod. Any one have a recommendation for a good match for the 1541T? Thanks, Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 21, 2011 Posted May 21, 2011 Hi cbretteville, Take a look here Recommend me a light weight ball head with quick release plate. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
-ph- Posted May 21, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 21, 2011 Hi Carl, I am using the 1541T withe BH-30 LR from ReallyRightStuff. To my understanding, they designed this ballhead to fit to the 1541, with a little fiddeling it fits with the lever release clamp between the folded legs of the tripod. It works nicely and is rock solid. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 21, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 21, 2011 Lots of threads on this, including here, which includes another link within the thread. If you search 'best head for 1541 tripod,' for instance, several threads will cover various options. Markins is one such viable option. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 21, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2011 Carl I have the RRS BH30 on mine with one of the smaller clamps with screw lock on it. It supports my camera very well and fits well within the folded legs when collapsed. I initially tried the BH25 which is smaller but the collapsed tripod size is the same anyway. The BH30 retains the panning base function of the larger models too. I can show you some photos of the heads as fitted if you like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted May 21, 2011 I'd appreciate that Geoff, as well as some advise on the plates. RRS would like us to get one for each type camera I guess, but I'd like to limit the number if possible. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted May 22, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 22, 2011 I have the larger Markins version (Q20), but this one seems to be made for the Gitzo Traveller series Markins.com The Markins head I have IMO is as good as the Arc Swis B1 (which I also have) but substantially lighter and smoother operating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 22, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Will do Carl. I just shot some for you. Send me a PM with your email adress and watch your in-box. I'll post some comment on the plate and clamp types too. I'd appreciate that Geoff, as well as some advise on the plates. RRS would like us to get one for each type camera I guess, but I'd like to limit the number if possible. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcoles Posted May 22, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 22, 2011 I use the Markins Ball Head- Q-Ball Q3. Purchased in 2009 for $239. It is light, has an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate. It works great and locks down solid. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 22, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 22, 2011 Here is a pic, from the link I provided above, showing how the Markin Q3T fits within the folded tripod. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 22, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 22, 2011 Carl I uploaded shots of the RRS BH 30 and 25 ballheads on the Gitzo 1541T tripod in case someone else is interested too. Either can have different clamps fitted, either with the QR lever or screw closure. The screw ones are a little more compact which is helpful with the Traveller but either does fold up inside the legs fine.. I ended up putting my panning clamp (for stitching panoramas) on the BH25 instead of the BH30 since it is more than strong enough for that anyway and the panning clamp means the rotating base is redundant. Really Right Stuff With the M9 I use the dedicated L Plate which I like a great deal. It is especially convenient when swapping from landscape to portrait. I use it for panoramas. But that one won't fit the film M's. There is/was a small bi-directional base plate that fits (not an L plate) but there is a new more generic L plate design that should fit too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted May 22, 2011 Geoff, Jeff and Bob: Thanks, I really appreciate your efforts and input. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted May 22, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 22, 2011 I initially tried the BH25 which is smaller but the collapsed tripod size is the same anyway. The BH30 retains the panning base function of the larger models too. I would very much agree with this comment - I have a BH-25 and the lack of a panning section is frustrating. Also, whatever head that you go for, do ensure that it will allow for easy vertical shooting as the BH-25 is too short to do so (on my Gitzo 1228 MkII). I'd recommend the Kirk baseplate for an M digital - I have this and the RRS recommendation and find the Kirk to be a better plate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted May 22, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 22, 2011 Carl I uploaded shots of the RRS BH 30 and 25 ballheads on the Gitzo 1541T tripod in case someone else is interested too. ... Geoff, Your lens appears to be front-focussing very badly! The focus is on the tripod and you've missed focus completely on the brick wall that you were obviously trying to shoot. Sounds like a trip to Solms for your lens. It might pay to ship the brick wall to Solms as well so that they can set the it up as you had it and investigate properly. Thanks for the photos, they're really helpful. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted May 22, 2011 Your lens appears to be front-focussing very badly! The focus is on the tripod and you've missed focus completely on the brick wall that you were obviously trying to shoot. Sounds like a trip to Solms for your lens. It might pay to ship the brick wall to Solms as well so that they can set the it up as you had it and investigate properly. ROTFLAO! Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 22, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 22, 2011 Sigh! You are right! This is the worst brick wall test I have ever seen. That's what you get at breakfast time on a rainy Sunday morning after the apocalypse the day before. So should I send my Panasonic TZ10 back to Japan for calibration of the Program mode focus settings? The little green smile detection box thingies were on the right bits of the subject .I just got a RRS tripod plate for it too! Geoff, Your lens appears to be front-focussing very badly! The focus is on the tripod and you've missed focus completely on the brick wall that you were obviously trying to shoot. Sounds like a trip to Solms for your lens. It might pay to ship the brick wall to Solms as well so that they can set the it up as you had it and investigate properly. Thanks for the photos, they're really helpful. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 23, 2011 Share #16 Posted May 23, 2011 The Markins Q3T. It was designed for the Gitzo 1541T which has been discontinued. For the legs to fold back parallel to the center column the requirement is a ballhead that has a panning base and ball housing <=50mm. Both the Markins and the Photo Clam PC-33NS fulfill this requirement. Both are excellent ballheads (the Photo Clam is on the right in the attached top photo) but the Markins has the bigger ball at a 38mm diameter and so is preferred. It's very well made, fit and finish are excellent and it's very smooth in operation. The only con is the panning "lock" which is not a lock at all but a brake. Once you get used to it it's not an issue but it does seem to irritate some users. I use two Q3T ballheads and strongly recommend it. The lower picture below shows a Q3T on a 1541T so you can see how the combination looks. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/152265-recommend-me-a-light-weight-ball-head-with-quick-release-plate/?do=findComment&comment=1680478'>More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted May 23, 2011 Share #17 Posted May 23, 2011 The only con is the panning "lock" which is not a lock at all but a brake. Once you get used to it it's not an issue but it does seem to irritate some users. Just yesterday I was noting that it was difficult to firmly attach my Q3T to a tripod (actually not the traveler). Used it for years, just never realized it was a brake. Not much of a problem, but always thought mine had an issue. The larger Markins has a lock. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted May 23, 2011 Share #18 Posted May 23, 2011 If they still do, Kirk Enterprises sells a small Arca-style QR clamp with a 1/4x20 female thread which can convert any small bh. If the bh has a platform that can be removed, it's even more compact. I did that with a Kaiser small bh (think it's out of production now) and use it on my little Gitzo CF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted May 23, 2011 @peter: Thanks for the shots, the Q3T looks good on the 1541 (I own one btw). @bocaburger: Looked up Kirk Enterprises and it seems they still make the universal clamps in various sizes. Good suggestion, thanks! Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 23, 2011 Share #20 Posted May 23, 2011 Just yesterday I was noting that it was difficult to firmly attach my Q3T to a tripod (actually not the traveler). Used it for years, just never realized it was a brake. Not much of a problem, but always thought mine had an issue.I take a small strap wrench on trips and wrap it round the panning base of the Q3T which is virtually impossible to grip. I tighten it just a bit more than I can do with my hand and the ballhead is properly secured. Important for me as I put the tripod in checked luggage but keep the ballhead in my cabin carry-on so it goes on and off the tripod quite a bit. If you want more information than you can probably digest about the 1541T/Q3T rig there's a 2+ year thread on the topic on another forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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