Monopod - use ball head? I will be using a monopod at an indoor rodeo this weekend. I will probably be using a 7D2 with a 135 f2L lens (no lens foot in other words). Should I just...

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I will be using a monopod at an indoor rodeo this weekend. I will probably be using a 7D2 with a 135 f2L lens (no lens foot in other words).
Should I just mount the camera straight to the monopod or is there any reason to use a ball head?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Basil wrote:

I will be using a monopod at an indoor rodeo this weekend. I will probably be using a 7D2 with a 135 f2L lens (no lens foot in other words).
Should I just mount the camera straight to the monopod or is there any reason to use a ball head?

I prefer a tilt-head, but a ball-head will be more versatile than mounting the camera directly on to monopod.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Basil wrote:

I will be using a monopod at an indoor rodeo this weekend. I will probably be using a 7D2 with a 135 f2L lens (no lens foot in other words).
Should I just mount the camera straight to the monopod or is there any reason to use a ball head?

I never figured what the reason was for mounting a head on a monopod. Regard of the angle you set, the slightest movement changes it. Additionally, I often use a monopod with my 7D2 for its compactness and light weight. With a good quality ball head attached it is now no longer either.

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

I use a tilt head. Easier to control, and the horizontal movement can be done just by turning the monopod.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

If most of your camera movement is going to be from side to side, you don't really need a head . . . But . . . If you plan on much up and down tilting, then a tilt head or ball head will work better . . . From my experience . . .

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I prefer a tilt head with little danger of flopping around,

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Appreciate the suggestions. I don't have a tilt head, so if I do use a head it will have to be a ball head. It did just occur to me that with a ball head and quick release plate it would make separating the camera from the monopod faster should the need arise.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Basil wrote:

Appreciate the suggestions. I don't have a tilt head, so if I do use a head it will have to be a ball head. It did just occur to me that with a ball head and quick release plate it would make separating the camera from the monopod faster should the need arise.

Yup, really cool, particularly with a big lens, when the head flops to one side if you goof on the tightening.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

I have a Really Right Stuff quick release clamp on a tilt head on top of my monopod. My camera bodies and one long lens with a foot all have Arca Swiss pattern plates, so mounting and dismounting on the monopod is near instantaneous. For most walkin' around work the tilt head stays straight up. But there are times when you'll want to set up somewhere and be very glad you don't have to tip the whole pole forward - taking pictures down into the Grand Canyon from the edge of one of the rims comes to mind.

Actually, I've never done that. But I once spent a lot of time photographing my kids' theatrical endeavors. I would lean against a wall in the theater, and tilt the head enough to angle the monopod a bit in front of me. It kept the tip off my shoes, gave me the feeling of a little more stability, and let me lean back instead of forward. Made for very comfortable shooting.

Manfrotto tilt heads are small and cheap. And they are easy to disassemble, which made it easy to replace the spinning tripod screw with a bolt to hold the quick release clamp on the thing.

Haydon

Basil use a tilt head on the monopod. For monopod use, it's the preferred choice for fluid motion tracking. You will get shots with a ballhead but you will be struggling compared to a tilt head. Nice lens Basil, have one of those myself. I still think it's one of Canon's hidden gems. A little long for portrait work in studio but outdoor wide open it's extremely sharp. It's an amazing value.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use an RRS monopod tilt head on my monopod easy to use. My monopod is a Monistat of Switzerland item. It has a swivel foot the only problem is it is no longer available

I have the older version
I have the older version...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Basil wrote:

I will be using a monopod at an indoor rodeo this weekend. I will probably be using a 7D2 with a 135 f2L lens (no lens foot in other words).
Should I just mount the camera straight to the monopod or is there any reason to use a ball head?

I find that a ball head is awkward on a monopod unless you take the time to lock it up after composing. Not really suited for fast action.

Mounting directly to the pod is better than using a ball head, but limits up and down movement.

The best option is a tilt head which allow up and down movement only. Just turn the camera/pod for side to side movement. From my experience the inexpensive ones do not have smooth actions.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

splatbass wrote:

I use a tilt head. Easier to control, and the horizontal movement can be done just by turning the monopod.

Ditto, word for word.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Basil wrote:

Appreciate the suggestions. I don't have a tilt head, so if I do use a head it will have to be a ball head. It did just occur to me that with a ball head and quick release plate it would make separating the camera from the monopod faster should the need arise.

Contrary to all the negativity of using a head on a monopod I will tell you that I have used a Slik pistol grip ball head on my monopod for many years with excellent results. The pistol grip is a one handed operation ( no knobs to fumble with ) and the camera is controlled with your other hand. Get a few 12-18 inch long velcro strips with buckle to keep wrapped around the monopod to use when you have the opportunity to wrap pod tight to a pole, fence post or anything vertical or horizontal. Pistol grip gives you lightning fast target acquisition. Try it, you will like it... throw head in your bag and monopod does double duty as a walking stick on the trail.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Basil wrote:

Appreciate the suggestions. I don't have a tilt head, so if I do use a head it will have to be a ball head. It did just occur to me that with a ball head and quick release plate it would make separating the camera from the monopod faster should the need arise.

All my cameras, including the film bodies where I could find the model, have an L-plate for mounting to my tripods and monopods. And the ones without an L-plate, I have a quick release plates. They all use the Arca-Swiss standard, most RRS and some Kirk. They're just pieces of metal, so whether brand new or heavily worn, they still work exactly the same. If you go shopping, look for used on ebay or similar and save at least half the cost. The lens collars also have quick release plates. I'm a firm believer in tripods and monopods ...