ballhead on a monopod?
Jun 24, 2017 10:01:48 #
I don't recall if I ever asked this or not, but does it work well for airshows? I'm going to a week-long aviation convention in July and I'm wondering if it's worth using. I've tried using my monopod in other years, but I had never owned a ballhead and it was too awkward to try to use trying to sway and rotate to catch the action with the camera firmly attached. And I'm afraid I might end up tripping over my tripod legs. What I usually have been doing is just hand-shooting the acts and sitting down in-between. My rental lens (if the specs I read were correct) is going to be just shy of 2x heavier than my current long lens - Tamron SP 70-300 (765g) vs Sony 70-400 G2 (1500g). I'm tempted to rent an a77ii to go with it, but that'd end up costing me probably another $75 or more.
Jun 24, 2017 10:14:49 #
I would attach the camera or, better yet, the lens directly to the monopod and skip the ball head option. With all the twisting and turning probable at an air show, you want the attachment as direct and as secure as possible. I've used a ball head with a monopod and gotten great results, but nearly always with static subjects. /Ralph
Jun 24, 2017 10:15:30 #
The best scenerio for airshows is handheld. Second would be my bodypod which uses a tilt head.
I personally, would not recommend a monopod for airshows - nor a ballhead - tho, they both can be made to "work" - I just am experienced with better options IMO..
Tripods with gimbal can also "work" if your tripod can go high enough ( and you do not mind lugging it) and you can navigate the legs. - NOT for me ....
I personally, would not recommend a monopod for airshows - nor a ballhead - tho, they both can be made to "work" - I just am experienced with better options IMO..
Tripods with gimbal can also "work" if your tripod can go high enough ( and you do not mind lugging it) and you can navigate the legs. - NOT for me ....
Jun 24, 2017 11:04:49 #
I have a monopod I use it with a corded remote control, I can pick the monopod up and move it around like I would my camera I have the remote in my right and shoot whatever I want. Maybe this will work for you it does for me but I do still have steady hands. Let me mention my monopod has 4 small legs I can move in and out when needed I stand with one foot on one of the legs making sure it won't fall.
Jun 24, 2017 11:27:21 #
planepics wrote:
I don't recall if I ever asked this or not, but do... (show quote)
Some use a ball head on a monopod and are happy with it. For me its unstable. A tilt head is made for this purpose. Forward and back tilt is all you need since rotation can be done with the entire pod and camera.
The advantages are less cost, weight and better stability.
Jun 24, 2017 11:45:06 #
rjaywallace wrote:
I would attach the camera or, better yet, the lens directly to the monopod and skip the ball head option. With all the twisting and turning probable at an air show, you want the attachment as direct and as secure as possible. I've used a ball head with a monopod and gotten great results, but nearly always with static subjects. /Ralph
The lens DOES come with a tripod collar, something I've never had experience with. I wonder if that makes any difference. I put my camera/lens directly on the monopod a few minutes ago and swung it around in my bedroom. I'll go out later and see if I can find any cooperative birds to try it with...it might work. I imagine that with the lens mounted on a monopod and the camera mounted on a lens the balance would be better. but I'd probably have to do a lot of straightening in post!
Jun 24, 2017 12:06:40 #
planepics wrote:
The lens DOES come with a tripod collar, something I've never had experience with. I wonder if that makes any difference. I put my camera/lens directly on the monopod a few minutes ago and swung it around in my bedroom. I'll go out later and see if I can find any cooperative birds to try it with...it might work. I imagine that with the lens mounted on a monopod and the camera mounted on a lens the balance would be better. but I'd probably have to do a lot of straightening in post!
IMO, with the lens connected directly to the monopod, you cannot move/tilt up and down fast enough because the camera has to move in a large arc to do this. Can you tilt it ? yes, but just not FAST enough.
I will tell you that my very first monopod "head" was a flat piece of 1/4 thick aluminum 2 inches by 3 inches. In the center was a drilled and tapped 1/4 hole and I attached this directly to the monopod. Then I would just set the bottom of the camera/tripod collar on the plate and tilt up down as needed - thereby allowing the pod to support the weight. This actually works pretty good ! - but really NOT as good as a good dedicated tilt head.
Jun 24, 2017 12:07:14 #
Update...I just watched a You-Tube video. The teacher attached a lens that cost half as much as my car (400 mm f/2.8) on a monopod using just the lens's tripod collar - no head.
Jun 24, 2017 12:07:31 #
Jun 24, 2017 12:09:44 #
planepics wrote:
Update...I just watched a You-Tube video. The teacher attached a lens that cost half as much as my car (400 mm f/2.8) on a monopod using just the tripod collar - no head.
Jun 24, 2017 12:25:20 #
imagemeister wrote:
Here are the heads that I use and can recommend .......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGJOY-KH-6500-Camera-Ball-Head-Aluminum-Alloy-Monopod-Swivel-Tilt-Head-/191935871653?hash=item2cb044faa5:g:FB0AAOSwPRlXnwFo
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2D-Ball-Head-Clamp-Quick-Release-Plate-for-Camera-Tripod-Monopod-Ballhead/272726465884?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41451%26meid%3D69526881dafe4617a9713fddbe87cc80%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D112253054889
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGJOY-VT-2510-Video-Fluid-Dydraulic-Damping-Damper-Tripod-Ball-Head/192020961090?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Jun 24, 2017 12:33:14 #
No. Using a monopod allows you some flexibility in movement, but its best application is not 2 dimensional airshows. Now, if you were shooting sports, yes.
Jun 24, 2017 17:19:28 #
planepics wrote:
I don't recall if I ever asked this or not, but do... (show quote)
I've done airshows with both a tripod and hand-held (at the same shows), and the best shots I get are the hand-held ones. Unless it is cloudy, then having the extra stability of a tripod is helpful. I have not used a monopod for airshows.
Jun 24, 2017 17:59:04 #
I am with you there I haven't used the monopod for my last air show either I used it for other photography
it worked well, I hate dragging a tripod around.
it worked well, I hate dragging a tripod around.
Jun 24, 2017 19:32:39 #
If I hand-hold, is it best to hang on to the tripod collar with the left hand and shoot with the right (assuming I don't have to zoom)?
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