Yuki Imaura | Markins Ball Head

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Theme

Landscape Photography

Photographer

Yuki Imaura

Date

- June 2020

Location

Nikko City, Tochigi, etc.

Device

Review

My first encounter with landscape photography

X-T3 / XF10-24mmF4 R OIS / 1/20 s F8 ISO320

I started taking landscape photos in earnest after I entered the workforce. I liked traveling alone by train or motorcycle, and as I was taking photos with my camera, I gradually became more and more absorbed in photography.

A few years after I started taking landscape photos, I realized that my hobby as an elementary and middle school student was collecting postcards that I bought on trips. Postcards with beautiful landscape photos of the place printed on them felt like glittering treasures, and I remember always seriously worrying in souvenir shops about which set of 10 postcards to buy. So it may have been a very natural progression for me to start taking landscape photos.

The destination for the discerning

Since I started taking photos, it seems that my troublesome personality has been exacerbated. Although I tend to start from the form of everything I do, I am also the type who is particular about small details. Because of this, I tried out various photography equipment, but in the end I couldn't find anything that suited me, so I kept buying and then getting rid of it.

I have used various cameras, from SLR to mirrorless, with sensor sizes ranging from Micro Four Thirds to medium format. Of course, each time I used a tripod and head that was optimal for the equipment.

I have been using the Manfrotto 055 type tripod for a long time, but I tried several 3-way and free heads, but I was not satisfied with the fixing strength and operability, so when I was using a 35mm full-size SLR camera, I used a heavy gear head.

Then, when I changed my equipment to a mirrorless camera, I also had to reconsider my heavy tripod and head, and that's when I came across Markins' ball head.

Markins' Impact

At first, I tried a lightweight 3-way type head to match my mirrorless camera, but I was not satisfied with the fixing power and operability of the lighter head. I was wondering what to do and expanded my options to include ball heads, and was shocked by the "Markins Q3iQ-BK Lever Shoe Ball Head" that I happened to touch in a store.

Until now, my impression of ball heads was that the angle of view was not firmly fixed unless the knob was fully tightened, and the moment the knob was loosened, the framing would fall apart. However, with Markins' ball head, the framing is almost completely locked by just tightening it lightly, and when fully tightened, it exerts incredible holding power. Also, when loosened, it does not loosen all at once, so it is easy to fine-tune the framing.

Since then, I fell in love with Markins ball heads and have been using them ever since. Later, I also introduced the super telephoto zoom lens "XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR", which has a 600mm angle of view in 35mm equivalent, so I use the "Q10iQ-BK Lever Shoe Medium Format Ball Head" as my main ball head, which boasts stronger holding power.

How to use Markins ball heads and plates

Even after introducing the medium-format Q10iQ-BK, I still use the smaller Q3iQ-BK. The tripod I use with the Q10iQ-BK is the Manfrotto 190 Pro 3-section aluminum tripod, which is excellent in height and extension speed, and is a system that allows me to quickly set up, shoot, and store the entire process. The Q3iQ-BK is used as a sub tripod, and is lightweight but has the functionality of a higher-end model, and is used on long walking shoots.

A common feature of both heads is the "lever shoe." The speed of setting the camera is faster than with a knob shoe, and it is easy to attach and remove. This makes it easy to remove the camera from the head when changing lenses or moving, reducing the possibility of equipment trouble.

The X-T3 is equipped with the "PV-80 + LV-170 General-Purpose L-Plate Set". The L-Plate, which is a favorite of landscape photographers, allows you to instantly switch to vertical shooting without changing the optical axis. In addition, since the head does not tilt 90 degrees even in the vertical position, you can shoot while maintaining excellent stability.

X-T3 / XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR / 1/13 s F8 ISO160

There is another reason to use the L-plate. I also like to take macro-photography, so I use a tripod that can be easily set to an ultra-low angle. When set to an ultra-low angle, the center pole is tilted 90 degrees, but with an L-plate, the camera can be set horizontally even when tilted at that 90 degrees. Since there is no need to raise the clamp part 90 degrees, it is easy to shoot at angles close to the ground. Also, even if the head itself is tilted 90 degrees and in an unstable state, the Markins' strong holding power allows you to firmly frame the shot.

X-T3 / XF90mmF2 R LM WR / 1/25 s F2 ISO160

A sturdy and reliable companion: Markins

We want to keep equipment troubles to a minimum on the shooting site. In the past, I have experienced problems with tripods and heads that stopped working or were damaged, but I have been using Markins for over four years and have not had any major problems. I think the structure that does not require grease on the ball part also contributes to the trouble-free operation. I have been using the Q3iQ-BK for almost four years without much maintenance, so it has become a little jerky, but after cleaning it using the method on the Markins website, it easily returned to the same smooth operation as when I bought it.

Strong holding power, simple and excellent operation, and a sturdy construction that allows me, who is rough and lazy about maintenance, to continue using it without trouble. Markins is an excellent head that is stress-free and gives me a sense of security, and is a good partner that supports my photography.

X-T3 / XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
1/480 s　F8　ISO160

X-T3 / XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
1/90 s　F4.8　ISO320

X-T3 / XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR
1/280 s　F5.6　ISO320

X-T3 / XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
1/8 s　F8　ISO1250

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