| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/24/2008 02:13:45 PM · #1 |
I'm thinking about getting something like this monopod for general use hiking/traveling. (I might go with something cheaper, but something that would support between 16-26 lbs).
I'm curious on any opinions people have on heads for use with monopods. I think I'd like a ball head, and I feel that it'd be silly to get one which supports less weight than the monopod itself, but everything I've looked at either costs $200+ on its own or weight 3+lbs.
I know lightweight and cheap don't normally go together, but I'm hoping I can find a few decent options. Something that doesn't weigh 3x and cost the same as the monopod itself!
(Preferably a head that supports 15-25lbs)
What do you have on YOUR monopod? |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 02:21:04 PM · #2 |
I have a simple swivel/tilt mount. Lightweight, cheap(er), and has a matching quick release for my tripod too.
Edit: Just saw the 15-25lb requirement, not sure about that much weight. Holds my 40D and 70-200 2.8IS nicely on the tripod collar though.
Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:26:47. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 02:58:59 PM · #3 |
| I think 15 is really the maximum I'd need for any gear I have or am likely to have in the near future. My ball head on my tripod is rated around 13.5, so I don't really think I'd need much more than that. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 03:05:59 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
I have a simple swivel/tilt mount. Lightweight, cheap(er), and has a matching quick release for my tripod too. |
That's the one I have and I can recommend it. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 03:36:33 PM · #5 |
I have the canon swivel/tilt mount one. I love it and use it way more than a tripod. I don't know how much it cost though since my mother-in-law bought it for christmas and I really don't want to find out. :D However I LOVE IT and now have one of my friends addicted to it.
ETA: At least I know the monopod is Canon I'm not sure about the head I'm guessing
Message edited by author 2008-07-24 15:58:02. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 04:48:34 PM · #6 |
| Here is a link to My "Awesome new monopod" it has a link for the ball head I got too. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:05:11 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by DarkRider:
Here is a link to My "Awesome new monopod" it has a link for the ball head I got too. |
Yar...that's the ball head I've got on my tripod now :D I might end up getting a second one of those just because I'm so used to it and it's never given me any problems.
I'm still open to more suggestions though!
ETA: Also for the monopod I'd like to stick with Gitzo for the lifetime warranty.
Message edited by author 2008-07-24 17:06:32. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:09:16 PM · #8 |
Bear in mind that with a monopod you are shooting "hands-on" ΓΆ€” it's not like a tripod, where you need the gear to support the entire camera/lens combo unassisted. As a rule, a monopod head does NOT need to be "rated" for the weight of the camera/lens you are using.
R.
|
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:15:31 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Bear in mind that with a monopod you are shooting "hands-on" ΓΆ€” it's not like a tripod, where you need the gear to support the entire camera/lens combo unassisted. As a rule, a monopod head does NOT need to be "rated" for the weight of the camera/lens you are using.
R. |
Unless you want to use it to hold your camera out over a cliff or way over your head on self timer mode. You don't want it flopping around then. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:17:39 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by DarkRider:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Bear in mind that with a monopod you are shooting "hands-on" ΓΆ€” it's not like a tripod, where you need the gear to support the entire camera/lens combo unassisted. As a rule, a monopod head does NOT need to be "rated" for the weight of the camera/lens you are using.
R. |
Unless you want to use it to hold your camera out over a cliff or way over your head on self timer mode. You don't want it flopping around then. |
Lol :D
Good point Bear, I hadn't really thought about that.
One comment I had read in favor of ball heads, was that it's helpful to have a decent ball head which will hold the camera still, but still remain loose enough that you can move the camera forcefully without moving the friction lever. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:24:41 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by bfox2:
Originally posted by DarkRider:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Bear in mind that with a monopod you are shooting "hands-on" ΓΆ€” it's not like a tripod, where you need the gear to support the entire camera/lens combo unassisted. As a rule, a monopod head does NOT need to be "rated" for the weight of the camera/lens you are using.
R. |
Unless you want to use it to hold your camera out over a cliff or way over your head on self timer mode. You don't want it flopping around then. |
Lol :D
Good point Bear, I hadn't really thought about that.
One comment I had read in favor of ball heads, was that it's helpful to have a decent ball head which will hold the camera still, but still remain loose enough that you can move the camera forcefully without moving the friction lever. |
I'd 100% agree that the only head to use on a monopod is a free-rotating ball head. As for the person dark rider's comment, the "weight" qualification for these heads (within reason) has to do with their ability to LOCK the head in position with big lenses on the camera unbalancing them. In other words, if you get a lighter head (again, within reason) it doesn't mean your camera's gonna fall off the 'pod while you're trucking it around over your shoulder; it just means the head may not hold it's locks as far as angle is concerned. Since when using a monopod you WANT free rotation, this is not a factor.
But I did say "within reason"; I mean, I assume nobody is gonna trust a 5D and a 400mm telephoto to a rinky-dink P&S head, right?
R.
|
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:41:08 PM · #12 |
| 100% agree with all Bear said. One of the main reasons I picked my ball head was that I really liked the range of adjustment and tension that can be applied with only my thumb. With a quarter turn it goes from flop to LOCK. Plus I picked one that could handle the full weight so I could use it on my tripod too. |
|
|
|
07/24/2008 05:53:02 PM · #13 |
I recently got this Bogen 680B monopod with this Bogen 486RC2 head from binoculars.com and I love it.
I have ordered twice from this company with good results and they have lower shipping and sometimes lower prices than other places. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 12/27/2025 03:06:10 PM EST.
