Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
11-09-2008, 08:56 AM   #1
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE Michigan USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,300
K20D ~ Markins M10 w/ Feisol 3342

Did my part to help keep the world economy alive by pulling the trigger on a ball-head/tripod set-up.

Many thanks to forum member Eaglerapids and others for the doing much of my legwork. I will spare you from a rehash of the rationale used to make the leap.

On the other-hand, here are some links I found helpful in sorting things out:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/41105-rrs-bh-55...ct-3342-a.html

Markins ball heads (4) - Nikonians Review

Discussion Forums @ Nikonians - Tell me the Bad Things about the Feisol Tournament Class

Discussion Forums @ Nikonians - Feisol Tournament CT3442 and Markins Q3 ball head

Discussion Forums @ Nikonians - Feisol 3342 with Markins M10 - first impressions and quick test

You ask about the bottom line...? The M-10 & Tripod were purchased using Microsoft's Live Search eBay/PayPal discount promotion for US buyers. Since the Markins M-10 needed to come from Korea, I was a bit apprehensive. It was delivered to my door (duty free) in three days (EMS/USPS). Likewise, the Feisol arrived from Oregon in three days (USPS). The camera plate for the Markins (PG-50 purchased retail... Grrr ) took two days (USPS). As expected, all items arrived brand spankin' new and ready to go. Wow-x3!!!

The M-10/Tripod combo weights in at a shade less than 3.5 pounds. So it should be pretty easy to schlep around. As others have reported (per the links, above), everything seems to work smoothly and it stands rock solid. Also, with the legs fully extended, the eye piece of the camera (set-up as shown) sits at a comfortable (no need to stoop) eye level for me. I'm about 6 feet tall.

Anyway, I'll give the set a workout out and will report back, if I discover any material issues.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help.

Of course, comments and questions are always welcome.

Cheers...

Attached Images
   

Last edited by Michaelina2; 11-09-2008 at 12:47 PM. Reason: clarification
11-09-2008, 11:12 AM   #2
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Wheatfield's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The wheatfields of Canada
Posts: 15,903
I decided to bite the bullet and get a replacement for my aging Manfrotto 055. I have a 3341 and their BH-70 ballhead coming.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the Markins head.
11-09-2008, 02:38 PM   #3
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Eaglerapids's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Idaho,USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,619
Congrats Michaelina2!! I think you will enjoy that setup which is probably better balanced than mine with the M-10 considering it's at least a half pound lighter than the BH-55 and it's a great choice for you since it's taller than the BH-55 helping to get the camera up to your eye level (you're taller than me). I took my rig out yesterday and I have to say I'm very happy with it. Rock solid and fun to work with. I went out this morning also but it's raining and I basicly just went exploring for new places to shoot.
Will the CT-3342 fold over the M-10? My BH-55 came with a hood (for want of a better term) and what I'm doing is putting the tripod in it's bag and the hood on the ballhead and this protects it in the truck. I'm going to have to look around for a bag that will zip up with the tripod and ballhead attached but for now this will have to do.
11-09-2008, 03:10 PM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Eaglerapids's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Idaho,USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,619
Wheatfield, do you mean the Feisol CB-70H?
FEISOL Ball Head CB-70H

If so there will be many people interested in what you think of it. Also do you mean the Feisol CT-3371 for your tripod? I don't see a 3341.

11-09-2008, 03:40 PM   #5
Veteran Member
soccerjoe5's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Philippines
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,343
Congratulations buddy! I am using the M10 with a Manfrotto 055xprob and I'm loving it as well. Did you get the ballhead pouch/cover? I can't recommend it enough! It's made of leather and neoprene and I use it over the head when not in use and during travel. Very high quality stuff.

I don't mind getting my legs all scratched up but I like keeping the head all protected.

I'll try to take photos soon.
11-09-2008, 04:45 PM   #6
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Wheatfield's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The wheatfields of Canada
Posts: 15,903
QuoteOriginally posted by Eaglerapids Quote
Wheatfield, do you mean the Feisol CB-70H?
FEISOL Ball Head CB-70H

If so there will be many people interested in what you think of it. Also do you mean the Feisol CT-3371 for your tripod? I don't see a 3341.
Hi, my name is Mr. StumbleFingers...

What I meant to say was a CT-3371 legs and a CB-70H head. For laughs I also got a center column, though I don't know how much use it will get.
11-09-2008, 05:39 PM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE Michigan USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,300
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Eaglerapids Quote
... what I'm doing is putting the tripod in it's bag and the hood on the ball-head and this protects (it).... I'm going to have to look around for a bag that will zip up with the tripod and ball-head attached but for now this will have to do.
Thanks for the note. I really do appreciate your willingness to share your journey to BH/Tripod success. Now, I don't have any excuses for a shaky shot either, eh?

Unless the Center Column Platform Kit is installed (see follow-up entry, below, with photo), the M-10 interferes with the tripod's reverse leg action. It almost works, but... This issue is discussed in one of the Nikonians threads (above), so I knew it before I made my decision. The smaller Markins Q3 does, but I felt the leg-flip was really a small benefit to lose given the huge advantages offered by the larger M-10 mounted on the Platform Base.

For protection, I have a Giottos bag that zips over the "heads-up" set-up. Also, I doubt anyone would seek out a Giottos to steal. So, I guess I'm covered...

Again, thanks for your help. I look forward to seeing your eagle shots!!

Cheers...


Last edited by Michaelina2; 11-15-2008 at 03:14 AM. Reason: clarification
11-09-2008, 05:53 PM   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE Michigan USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,300
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by soccerjoe5 Quote
Did you get the ballhead pouch/cover?
The M-10 is really a smooth puppy, eh? Thanks for the recommendation. Gives me something to ask Santa about...

Cheers...
11-09-2008, 06:16 PM   #9
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 120
A spare golf driver cover is good to protect tripod heads too.
Not as good as neoprene/leather custom made for the head but good enough.

Wash it first though...they tend to stink.

Cheers
Shang
11-11-2008, 10:06 AM   #10
Veteran Member
soccerjoe5's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Philippines
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,343
QuoteOriginally posted by sychen Quote
A spare golf driver cover is good to protect tripod heads too.
Not as good as neoprene/leather custom made for the head but good enough.

Wash it first though...they tend to stink.

Cheers
Shang
Hahaha true true! What I like about the Markins cover though is that it clips on to the little eyelet on the 055XPROB's, and that's where I put little things like filters and caps. Just a little neat thing.
11-12-2008, 01:26 PM   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE Michigan USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,300
Original Poster
UPDATE: M-10+Feisol 3342 w/Center Column Kit

Follow-up for the curious...

Yes, the tripod's legs can be reverse folded over the Markins M-10 head when it's mounted on the long center column supplied in kit form. When folded, as shown, everything fits nicely in the Feisol tripod bag for convenient storage and transportation. As shown, the head-kit-tripod combo tips the scale at 3 lbs 14 oz vs. 3 lbs 8oz for the head-tripod combo w/platform base.

In the field, depending on conditions and your plan for the day, you can easily swap out the column kit base for the platform base.

Finally, I do not detect any compromise in steadiness using the head-kit-tripod combo configuration. It all seems rock solid.

Cheers...
Attached Images
 
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, days, discussion, eye, feisol, forums, markins, nikonians, tripod
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Feedback from markins Q3 users trublubiker Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 10 07-24-2015 03:29 PM
For Sale - Sold: FREE - Markins Camera Plate PG-50 dgaies Sold Items 1 07-16-2010 07:13 PM
Defective Optio M10 iengine Pentax Compact Cameras 1 07-10-2010 03:40 AM
Question about Markins ballhead safety pin Edvinas Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 1 08-20-2009 05:10 AM
RRS BH-55 & Feisol CT-3342 Eaglerapids Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 19 11-11-2008 12:27 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:36 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top