Ball head - Markins or Kirk? - DPChallenge Forums

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

03/29/2008 09:06:21 PM · #1

I've narrowed down the choice of a new ballhead to either the Kirk BH-1 or the Markins M20. The Kirk is 50% heavier, and i'm not entirely sure what its load rating is. The new head will be on a gitzo 1325, used with my current gear and hopefully soon a sidekick and some new long glass. I'll be spending a lot of time in Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier parks later this year, and that's where the main use will come in. Does anyone have suggestions or comparisons for these two heads that would be of use when i make my final decision?

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/29/2008 09:22:17 PM · #2

Really Right Stuff BH55 is the class of the field IMO. Approximately the same price range. They are awesome well-made.

R.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/29/2008 10:22:51 PM · #3

I just got a ArcaSwiss z1.... compare against this as I love it so far....

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/29/2008 10:23:30 PM · #4

Originally posted by robs:

I just got a ArcaSwiss z1.... compare against this as I love it so far....

Isn't that a lot more expensive? They DO make killer good products...

R.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/29/2008 10:31:36 PM · #5

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Isn't that a lot more expensive? They DO make killer good products...

Nah... It ran @$330 with a clamp and the BH55 is @$400 depending what clamp you use. At some point I will swap to an RRS lever clamp & LPlate but I could not swing that many $$$ at this point. You might be thinking of the older B1?? as I believe it was a lot more $.

Message edited by author 2008-03-29 22:32:06.

FireBird

03/29/2008 10:50:07 PM · #6

I'm using a M10 on my 1325 and it's bulletproof. I've used it with the Sigma 120-300 with tele. It's a heavy beast and the 10 didn't sag or anything. I can only imagine how much better the 20 would be. I don't think you could go wrong with the 20.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/29/2008 11:29:27 PM · #7

Originally posted by robs:

You might be thinking of the older B1?? as I believe it was a lot more $.

Probably. I'm not up to date on Arca Swiss. We used them for some professional gear and they were ungodly expensive but worth it in context. If I could still afford their products I'd gladly pay for them...

R.

talmy

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

03/30/2008 12:01:54 AM · #8

Originally posted by shamrock:

I've narrowed down the choice of a new ballhead to either the Kirk BH-1 or the Markins M20.

Seems nobody here can compare these, and I can't either! I have the Kirk BH-3, which weighs 2/3 as much. Been using it with no problems for four years now on a Gitzo 1227. Simple design with smooth operating controls, I've taken maybe 10,000 picture using it with no signs of wear to the mechanism. It just handles my D200+Bigma, but I wouldn't want to go heavier. I can't imagine a BH-1 having any problems with any lens

codys

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/30/2008 12:16:48 AM · #9

Originally posted by shamrock:

...I'll be spending a lot of time in Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier parks later this year...

I'm Jealous

03/30/2008 09:07:12 AM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Really Right Stuff BH55 is the class of the field IMO. Approximately the same price range. They are awesome well-made.

R.

Thanks Bear. I actually had forgotten about RRS. My only concern with them is that i prefer the quick release lever over the dial, and they warn that you shouldn't use their QR system with any plate other than RRS or Wimberley. But they do have their L-plate for the MB-D10 in stock, so that may make the decision for me.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

03/30/2008 09:07:43 AM · #11

Originally posted by codys:

Originally posted by shamrock:
...I'll be spending a lot of time in Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier parks later this year...

I'm Jealous

So go with me :). Last time i went, i had non-photographers along, and they didn't want to stop anywhere, i swear...

Message edited by author 2008-03-30 09:08:10.

ErikV

Nikon D7000

03/30/2008 12:22:41 PM · #12

Got a RRS BH-55 with quick release clamp last fall. It is great. But I have not used any of the others that have been mentioned, so I can not give you comparative information.

FWIW, Thom Hogan //www.bythom.com/support.htm favors the RRS BH-55 over many others including the Kirk (read the part that describes his current support kit).