biggest lens usable on Markins Q3 and pan lock improved yet?

What's the biggest lens someone has put on a Markins Q3? Since it has a similar

max weight as the M10, I'm wondering if it'd be fine w/ long lenses (e.g., a

300mm/2.8 is the biggest I can see myself ever using).

 

Also, has Markins improved their pan lock yet? Last I read a year or two back,

it was a PITA to tighten down and impossible for some people...

If you want to support a 300mm f/2.8, don't go for a small ballhead. You need something bigger. I tried a smaller ballhead with my 400mm f/4 and it just didn't cut it. I have the Kirk BH-1 and love it. The Markins M20, Acratech, RRS, AS B1 or Z1 would be much better options.

I meant, any of the bigger heads, including the Kirk BH-1, would be a better option than the small head you are looking at. Some of them are still very lightweight (such as the Acratech models or the AS Z1).

The AS Z1 is the other alternative, or a Markins M10 (assuming Markins fixed the hard to lock down pan lock). I was asking about the Q3 because it supposedly has the same load capacity as the M10 and Z1 (roughly 80 lbs). As I understand it, the Z1 and Markins ballheads have the best ball locking mechanisms (except for the Byrzinski(sp?))

 

I was just curious how big a lens anyone has tried on it...

I can't say about the Q3, the small head I tried was the Kirk BH-3. I know the load rating isn't as good but I was well within the load range of the BH-3 when I tried the 400mm f/4, which is similar in weight to a 300mm f/2.8 (though longer). I just didn't get any confidence with it. With the BH-1, there is no question it holds it solidly. I've read that Markins and A-S lock down tighter than the Kirk and I have to say I just can't imagine it, because my BH-1 is so solid and smooth. I just don't think a small head will cut it, no matter the load rating. I could be mistaken of course.