Purchase of Monopod: I am interested in purchasing a monopod. I see that Roberts has several pods and a couple with ball heads. Is it a good thing to have a ball head or is the...

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

I am interested in purchasing a monopod. I see that Roberts has several pods and a couple with ball heads.
Is it a good thing to have a ball head or is the original monopod best with cameras?
Currently have a Nikon D60 and D3200.
Lenses: 18-55 and 18-175
Thanks
Dave

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

SqBear wrote:

I am interested in purchasing a monopod. I see that Roberts has several pods and a couple with ball heads.
Is it a good thing to have a ball head or is the original monopod best with cameras?
Currently have a Nikon D60 and D3200.
Lenses: 18-55 and 18-175
Thanks
Dave

I don't have a ball head on mine, but from what I've read here, a ball head is a good idea. You can brace the monopod at whatever angle you want and then tilt the camera to the proper angle.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

jerryc41 wrote:

I don't have a ball head on mine, but from what I've read here, a ball head is a good idea. You can brace the monopod at whatever angle you want and then tilt the camera to the proper angle.

Thanks Jerry and the price was right on the ball head too, I thought.
Dave

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Unless you have a L-Bracket on your camera a head that will allow you to tilt your camera 90 degrees to portrait orientation is useful. ;)

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Db7423 wrote:

Unless you have a L-Bracket on your camera a head that will allow you to tilt your camera 90 degrees to portrait orientation is useful. ;)

Db, no, I do not have an "L" bracket... should I get one for use on the monopod? I have never viewed a monopod up close to know how the camera was set up on the pod.
Dave

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

SqBear wrote:

Db, no, I do not have an "L" bracket... should I get one for use on the monopod? I have never viewed a monopod up close to know how the camera was set up on the pod.
Dave

Camera screws on a monopod just as it does on a tripod. I think you will be happy with a simple ball head that allows a full 90 degree tilt so your camera can be used in portrait mode when that is preferable for the shot(s) you are taking. The other option, a L-bracket, mounts to your cameras tripod socket and provides a tripod socket at the side of the camera as well. Google l-brackets to see illustrations.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I sell a lot of monopods and never suggest a ball head for one, there is just too much movement when you release the ball. If you need a head on the monopod at all I always suggest a quick release pivot head that uses the same QR plate as the head you are using on your tripod, especially if you are going to be using a lens that has a tripod collar on it.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Db7423 wrote:

Camera screws on a monopod just as it does on a tripod. I think you will be happy with a simple ball head that allows a full 90 degree tilt so your camera can be used in portrait mode when that is preferable for the shot(s) you are taking. The other option, a L-bracket, mounts to your cameras tripod socket and provides a tripod socket at the side of the camera as well. Google l-brackets to see illustrations.

Thanks again for the information Db. I Looked and some are really expensive!!

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

MT Shooter wrote:

I sell a lot of monopods and never suggest a ball head for one, there is just too much movement when you release the ball. If you need a head on the monopod at all I always suggest a quick release pivot head that uses the same QR plate as the head you are using on your tripod, especially if you are going to be using a lens that has a tripod collar on it.

MT, no, don't have a QR on the tripods.
Thanks for the information about the monopod and ball head too.
Dave

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

MT Shooter wrote:

I sell a lot of monopods and never suggest a ball head for one, there is just too much movement when you release the ball. If you need a head on the monopod at all I always suggest a quick release pivot head that uses the same QR plate as the head you are using on your tripod, especially if you are going to be using a lens that has a tripod collar on it.

Any heads you recommend? On B&H, I see that Manfrotto has a magnesium version (MH054M0-Q2 Ball Head) for about $200 with the QR plate--a bit pricy for something I would use only occasionally.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

SqBear wrote:

MT, no, don't have a QR on the tripods.
Thanks for the information about the monopod and ball head too.
Dave

Dave, that is why ($$$) I suggested that you would be happy with a ball head instead. Suggest you also google how to use a monopod and view several of the videos before making a decision. There are several techniques for holding them some of which use a ball head as Jerry suggested. I have found the simple 90 degree flip style to be cumbersome, to each his own... Whatever you decide the ability to move the camera to portrait orientation is desirable. A ball head which will accomplish this well.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use a Monostat Monopod with a Really Right Stuff Monopod head gives me the balance and movements that I need

http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=MH01&key=cat

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

doduce wrote:

Any heads you recommend? On B&H, I see that Manfrotto has a magnesium version (MH054M0-Q2 Ball Head) for about $200 with the QR plate--a bit pricy for something I would use only occasionally.

The Bogen 3229 or Manfrotto 234 are the models I sell the most of, and under $50 too.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

doduce wrote:

Any heads you recommend? On B&H, I see that Manfrotto has a magnesium version (MH054M0-Q2 Ball Head) for about $200 with the QR plate--a bit pricy for something I would use only occasionally.

Bit pricieeeee in deed!
Thanks for the information anyway doduce!

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

mborn wrote:

I use a Monostat Monopod with a Really Right Stuff Monopod head gives me the balance and movements that I need

http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=MH01&key=cat

Thanks mborn. I bet that the monopod I saw was not near the quality that everyone is pointing me to. One could invest $300-$500 in one and as another HH said, "to be used once in a while"?
Thanks to all for the brilliant information! It is appreciated too.
Dave