Shunichi Ayusawa | Markins Ball Head

I had been using a 3-way head for years and never felt dissatisfied with its stability or precision during landscape photography. I never considered switching to a different type of head until I encountered Markins at the 2015 CP+ exhibition. Its outstanding stability and the intuitive operation of the ball head immediately drew me in, and I decided to try my first ball head.

As expected, it took some time to get used to, but I soon found that the ball head allowed for highly intuitive and precise framing through the viewfinder. Over time, this new style became second nature. The simple and compact design was also a huge plus, offering excellent portability and storage convenience during travel.

I frequently shoot upward angles, vertical compositions, and panoramas, requiring the ability to set stable compositions at various angles. The Markins ball head met these demands perfectly. As I used it more, new desires for enhanced functionality naturally emerged. By pairing it with accessories like the L-Plate or the VR-Holder, I realized it could further expand my creative possibilities and improve usability.

Although landscape photography appears to allow for a leisurely approach, the reality at shooting locations is often hectic, driven by the unannounced "shows" that nature performs. Capturing rapidly changing scenery means framing and shooting in quick succession. The workflow involves repeatedly framing through the viewfinder, tightening the ball lock knob, capturing the shot, loosening the knob, reframing, and shooting again. In such scenarios, the ball lock knob's limit dial is incredibly helpful, preventing over-loosening during continuous operation.

The Markins ball head is often associated with heavy telephoto lenses due to its impressive load capacity. However, its advantages extend to wide-angle and standard lenses, which can also exert significant loads depending on the shooting angle. It excels in situations like bulb photography or time-lapse shooting, where maintaining a fixed position for extended periods is crucial.

For photographers seeking higher stability, superior quality in their work, and an environment that allows them to focus on intuitive shooting, I wholeheartedly recommend Markins.