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Monopod - what type of head?

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bilbo_28

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I am tossed up at the moment trying to work out what tripod / monopod / head to buy. Well really I am going to buy both for use in different situations.

So far my list is:

Tripod: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead
Monopod: Manfrotto 681B

My biggest question at the moment is what head to buy for the monopod. A Swivel/Tilt Head (eg Manfrotto 3229) or a ball head (eg well I am not sure!!)

Can anyone give me some good advice on why either type is better and the pluses and minuses of each? and what ball heads will fit 'best' on a monopod.

I am going to be photographing skies, landscapes and maybe quick macro shots in the field. Weight wise I need to support around 3lbs of D90 and 18-105 or 70-300 lens.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Paul (aka Bilbo)
 
bilbo_28 said:
My biggest question at the moment is what head to buy for the monopod. A Swivel/Tilt Head (eg Manfrotto 3229) or a ball head (eg well I am not sure!!)
Click to expand...
There are a lot of threads on that subject, if you search the forums.
Here's one that might help you a bit:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=32012834
I think a tilt head head is best on a monopod, but some like ball heads.
Good luck :-)

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels
 
I was thinking of using the 322 in it's vertical positioning, but not sure if that will work. I guess I will go play in the store one day.

Thanks
 
I use the 484RC2 head on my monopod. It works well with the D40 & D5000 with the 70-300VR.

Greg
 
Thanks - that was one of the ball heads that I was looking at.....

The only question I have not being able to physically see them until I get to a 'real store' next week, is .... are the diameters of the top of the monopod and head base the same? ie is the head flush with the monopod or does it look 'odd' on top?
 
In my humble opinion, you don't need a head for a monopod. The monopod goes directly to you camera body without the bulk of a head. You can unscrew it really fast. Lenses like the 80-200, 70-200 and up already have a foot plate. If you need to compose vertically with those lenses, just rotate the camera thru the lens plate.
 
Without a head surely you can only get about + or - 20 degrees of motion in the vertical plane by moving the camera backwards and forwards before it becomes unstable.

While this will be ok for distance / landscapes, it limits very much the range of shots that you can take, in my mind, outside those limits. There are definitely no portrait shots.

As I have never used a monopod I will gladly change my mind if someone can confirm otherwise.
 
bilbo_28 said:
Without a head surely you can only get about + or - 20 degrees of motion in the vertical plane by moving the camera backwards and forwards before it becomes unstable.

While this will be ok for distance / landscapes, it limits very much the range of shots that you can take, in my mind, outside those limits. There are definitely no portrait shots.

As I have never used a monopod I will gladly change my mind if someone can confirm otherwise.
Click to expand...
No, you've got it exactly right.
--
:-)
:-(
http://camera-ephemera.blogspot.com

 
I went with the Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ballhead on top of a Manfrotto 679B Monopod 3-Section. It holds my D40, and Sigma 70-200/2.8 with ease. It also has a quick-release plate, which I like. It is a bit pricey(about $75US), but I think it's worth it.

Ballhead
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6MQ/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Monopod
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6FV/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Hope that helps!

--
  • The difference between a beginner and a master is 10,000 mistakes.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/demond_henderson
http://www.hendersonimagesblog.com/
 
Hi again Bilbo, you have a great tripod and head combo, I have the same one as we discussed recently in the "how low can you go" thread about tripods...

For a monopod I went with the 679B and the 3229 tilt head here:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-3229-Swivel-Quick-Release/dp/B00006J053

I was originally going to share the 322 action grip ballhead swapping between tripod and monopod but decided that would be to much work and I wanted each to be ready to use anytime without any monkeying around...

For a monopod you don't really need a ballhead and the 3229 tilt head lets you angle the stick anyway you need for high or low shots...

Good luck...

Bob
--
Photography is more about depth of feeling than depth of field
http://www.pbase.com/mofongo
 
Yes - ty - I think I am going for the ball head, just want to see them in person... Hopefully I can make it to B&H in NYC on Wednesday.
 
It was actually your "How low can you go" post that turned me on to the 055PROB - thanks for that - I cant wait for it to arrive so I can play :)

Am I right in thinking that with your monopod head you can't shoot portrait?

I was originally looking at a tilt head, but I think the lack of portrait might be worth going towards the ball head.
 
bilbo_28 said:
It was actually your "How low can you go" post that turned me on to the 055PROB - thanks for that - I cant wait for it to arrive so I can play :)

Am I right in thinking that with your monopod head you can't shoot portrait?
Click to expand...
It takes me about 3 seconds to rotate the camera 90 deg. on the head, and then tilt the head 90 deg. Voila! Portrait orientation :-D

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels
 
bilbo_28 said:
It was actually your "How low can you go" post that turned me on to the 055PROB - thanks for that - I cant wait for it to arrive so I can play :)

Am I right in thinking that with your monopod head you can't shoot portrait?

I was originally looking at a tilt head, but I think the lack of portrait might be worth going towards the ball head.
Click to expand...
Actually with a tilt head like the 3229 you can tilt the head down so the camera is in portrait mode easily...

What I like about the tilt head vs a ballhead ona monopod is that it's smaller, less clunky and easier to use. But some people like ballheads on monopods...

Bob

--
Photography is more about depth of feeling than depth of field
http://www.pbase.com/mofongo
 
I use the 234RC monopod head - it tilts and doesn't add much size to my 676B monopod. Carrying a ball head seems excessive.
--
Brault
WSSA #279
 
I don't like a ball head on my monopod because its an extra joint. when I sling my cam over my shoulder (monopod mounted) I'm afraid I'll throw the cam (with a 300 2.8)
--
Rags
 
Ahhh... Not thought of that.... See that's why I like forums.

There is always more than one way to skin a cat (or take a photo in this case)

I am heading to NYC today, but I bet I dont get time to go to B&H :( Hurry up Wednesday so I can so see one in person (Then come back home order off the web to get free shipping and no tax and as I live in NJ that translates to next day shipping for free!!) :)
 
Yeah that was the thing I was trying to avoid, more joints more instability when carrying. The last thing I want it to not tighten the ball enough and have it flopping about.
 
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