| Nice review Edvinas, I will have to get a review up of my gitzo 1932 (basalt) and photo clam pc-33ns ballhead. The photo clam is a 'knock-off' of the markins heads (which were at a time also a knockoff!). I can't say enough praise for these higher end ballheads, they are just a pleasure to work with. Friction controls, tight lockdown without any movement of the camera are both worth their weight in gold. It was interesting to read about your gripe with the panning base - I had read about that as well, and although price was the main deciding factor (after ebay cashback I got the photo clam and plate for under $200), the photo clam does not have this pan base locking problem. Another nice thing with the photoclam is a dual level (vertical and horizontal) is built into the side of the head, rather than its base, so it is visible with the camera mounted (the markins setup makes absolutely no sense!)
I gave the feisol legs some serious consideration (the way the tournament folds is very compact), but went with the gitzo (again on ebay) after having been able to handle them at a local shop - the twist locks are a breeze, and a 3.2lbs it is quite lightweight (same weight as what I was using previously, however a full foot or more taller, bringing it almost to eye level without the center column extended).
I found your comments regarding hanging a bag interesting as well - hanging it on the center column fully extended down also produces a pendulum swing which is difficult to counteract as well. I think the best solution is a bungee or string to step on in either case (center column or not).
Thanks for the review! | 
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