Ballhead for M11 + Grip?

[kinetic]

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I have this ballhead: http://www.markins.com/4.0/html_en/q3i-trq.php

I've always used it with a baseplate on my cameras, but now that I have the M11 with the grip, it has an arca-style base built right in. Unfortunately, my ballhead doesn't seem to fit it (it's too small), though I'm going to try to adjust it a bit more.

That being said, I'm looking for something small like my Markins that can hold the Leica M11 + a lens (my heaviest one is just under 400g).

Anyone have a good one they like? I've searched and there's about 1,000 different ones available, but just wanted to poll here to see if there was a community favorite.

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[Sandokan]

I use tripods and heads for my heavier cameras - I rarely use an M on a tripod. My heads are rated to hold >20Kg and none are as small as yours. I had a small Sirui and although it was rated to 20kg, the ball was small and if you put a SL with lens on it in portrait mode, the head slipped and made levelling the camera a hit and miss situation. I hated it and hated tripods. I saw others with larger heads who did not have this problem. I persevered. 

I like the Arca Swiss P0, although I think they have a newer range out which also features an eliipsoidal ball so it doesnt need the separate control for tension. 

I have moved away from ball heads because if you are a little out in one direction, you have to loosen and try to get all directions levelled. 

I moved to 2 or 3 way heads such as the Acratech and Induro PHD-3. The latter was my favourite for a long time until I discovered the simplicity of using a geared head. I have the D4 Arca Swiss as well as the P0 geared head. For my really heavy camera, I have a Riess Head. 

Sorry but I think all are too big for you but do try the P0 in a shop as it is single hand use and very precise when the camera is loose enough to move without worrying it is over loose and will flop. I have a liking for FHM products even if I do not currently have one. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Kinetic,

Welcome to the Forum.

I have a medium sized, Large Leitz Ball Head with a grooved ball that is small. I use it with lenses that weigh up to 550 grams in both horizontal & vertical format. I "snug" it tight. But not too tight. Because overtightening can unnecessarily wear out a ball head, or anything else.

This ball head has NEVER slipped. And I use a tripod whenever I can. Because a photo taken with a tripod, when possible, is generally a better photo.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

Edited May 22, 2023 by Michael Geschlecht

[darylgo]

FLM in Germany has excellent ballheads, from small to extra large.   They hold a great deal of weight for their size and a small one should be fine for the M.   They have a rather complex drag/tightening mechanism that requires practice but once set it is the best ballhead with drag set to keep the camera stable yet moveable.   Similar to Leica repairs take months, so they're made for each other.  FLM supplied tripods and heads to Leica recently and they were sold under the Leica name.  

My other favorite is the Arca Swiss D4 with gearing to facilitate fine movements and precise framing.  It is on the large side for a Leica M but if you have been frustrated as I have with ballheads lacking fine adjustment then the D4 solves it beautifully.  Otherwise the FLM does the best job with fine adjustments.  

One suggestion to avoid a new ballhead purchase is to fit a plate to the bottom of the grip.  Does it have a 1/4-20 tripod thread at the base of the grip?  Second solution is to replace the quick clamp on the Markins head with a screw down clamp.   

 

 

[Photoworks]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L9QJWSQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ULANZI U-80L this is good for the leica table tripod.

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/bh30-ball-head?quantity=1&custcol19=2

I use the RRC BH-30 Ballhead for many jobs, and they are great.

Leofoto makes a few that are good quality, I use this one on architectural jobs, it works better on an L bracket because it doesn't tilt too much.

https://www.leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=702

[Sandokan]

6 hours ago, Sandokan said:

...  Sorry but I think all are too big for you but do try the P0 in a shop as it is single hand use and very precise when the camera is loose enough to move without worrying it is over loose and will flop. I have a liking for FHM products even if I do not currently have one. 

I did of course mean FLM

https://www.flm-gmbh.de/en/ball-heads/simple-ball-heads-with-friction/index.php

[LocalHero1953]

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I have the Markins head similar to yours with the screw clamp. I am surprised that yours doesn't fit the Leica grip, as my Markins clamp is the only one I have that fits all my plates (I have five plate brands and four clamp brands). On my clamps with a lever there is an adjustment that can compensate for different plates - the link in your post seems to refer to it. Have you tried that? It is such a light, compact and excellent head that it is worth exploring all possibilities. Or perhaps trying/getting the screw version of that head.

The worst for compatibility is Smallrig: its lever clamp only holds a Smallrig plate and Peak Design plate. The Smallrig plate cannot be gripped by my Gitzo 3-way head nor by the Acratech ballhead I sold last year.

Edited May 22, 2023 by LocalHero1953

[J S H]

20 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I have the Markins head similar to yours with the screw clamp. I am surprised that yours doesn't fit the Leica grip, as my Markins clamp is the only one I have that fits all my plates (I have five plate brands and four clamp brands). On my clamps with a lever there is an adjustment that can compensate for different plates - the link in your post seems to refer to it. Have you tried that? It is such a light, compact and excellent head that it is worth exploring all possibilities. Or perhaps trying/getting the screw version of that head.

The worst for compatibility is Smallrig: its lever clamp only holds a Smallrig plate and Peak Design plate. The Smallrig plate cannot be gripped by my Gitzo 3-way head nor by the Acratech ballhead I sold last year.

This is good advice. You don't need a new ballhead - at most you only need a new clamp with a screw adjustment rather than a lever. If there is an adjustment capability built onto the existing lever clamp, I'm guessing it can be made to work. The Arca dovetail on the M11 grip doesn't seem to be wider, but it may be a little bit thicker (taller top to bottom). That extra thickness and the layer of rubber on the bottom make it a little tougher to mount, but it does work with all of my heads and clamps.