I've recently bought the Markin's MK-10 ballhead to use with my Swarovski ST80 spotting scope. I have always been attracted to ballheads for their compact size and light weight. I originally had a Manfrotto 486 ballhead but found the tension adjust to be poor. The Markins tension adjustment is superb. It also has a panoramic bed and Arca- swiss style quick release clamp. If these weren't so expensive many more birders would have them.
What's right: very smooth movement, stays where you aim it, small and light weight. It is rated for 90 lbs of load! The tension knob has a limit dial so it will never get too loose. From scanning to locked with one partial turn of the tension knob (and maybe the pan knob). A joy to use, even if it does creep off the vertical axis a bit in use (but not so bad with the pan base). It is easy to aim, you are moving the scope with your hand, no handles or knobs. No lockups or freezes, just smooth movement.
What's wrong: the cost! While cheaper than an Arca-swiss it still was $512 Canadian by the time it came through my door-shipping and taxes and all. I also had to order a mounting plate from Really Right Stuff (an excellent company) to mount my scope on it- another $66 US. Content and images originally posted by Kevin Mac
Reviews
Leif's review
I recently purchased a Markins M10 ball head and I use it with a Uniloc 1600 tripod for photography. I wanted something that was light as I routinely walk a few miles on foot and I wanted it to be stable. I narrowed the choice down to the Kirk BH-3, the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead and the Markins M10. The other heads were either too heavy or too expensive. I ended up going with the M10 as I liked the positive user reviews.
I've used it now for a few months, and overall I am very pleased with it. The locking knob is large, has a rubber grip, and is very effective. Unlike many heads there is no separate tension knob. Instead the locking knob has a little dial, which limits how far you can undo the main knob. Thus the dial sets the minimum friction. I have not noticed it moving once set. There is a smaller metal knob that locks the panning motion. I find it a bit uncomfortable to use as the knob is small and the surface is knurled metal. The head comes with a quick release platform of the Arca-Swiss type. The platform has a locking knob and again the surface is knurled metal. (Please Markins, can we have rubber grips on all knobs?) My head came with a Markins QR plate specially designed for my camera which is incredibly small and beautifully made. (Note that the plate has to be ordered separately, and adds to the cost.)
The head is largely made from duralumin (an alloy of aluminium with other metals such as copper to make it easier to machine) and is black anodised for durability. (Anodising is the application of a thin layer of aluminium oxide, followed by the application of a dye while the oxide is young, and porous. Aluminium oxide is much harder than aluminium and hence it acts as a protective layer.) I believe that the internal bearing surfaces that support the ball are made from engineering plastics.
The quality of the machining is very high, and indeed the head has that quality feel associated with precision engineering.
In use the head is very smooth, and the locking knob is effective. One turn and the camera is locked solid. Note that locking the head does not change the framing, which can be a problem with cheaper heads (and even some expensive ones).
According to Markins all knobs are captive. This means that a knob will not fall off while you are carrying the tripod to the next site. If like me you've lost the locking knob of your tripod head, then you'll know how important this small feature is.
The head can be ordered from the Nikonians website, and if you are in the UK, it will be sent from Germany. In my case delivery took less than 2 days.
Overall I recommend the Markins M10. It is very expensive, but no more so than competing products. Just don't tell your family how much it costs, or you'll never hear the last of it.
Pros
- Light
- sturdy
- beautifully made
- effective.
- captive knobs.
Cons
- Price
