amehta Loc: Boston

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

amehta Loc: Boston

If you've never used it, you could just screw the camera directly to the monopod and use it for a while, then figure out what changes you need:
1. quickly taking it off
2. vertical shots
3. tilting forwards or backwards for macro or action shots.

If you find both #2 and #3 are important, then a ball head might be the way to go, because you will want to tilt in two directions, both sideways and forward/backward.

As far as cost, I don't think you'll find a good and cheaper option than the Joby ball head. Their ad shows it used for a Canon DSLR with a 70-200mm zoom, and I wouldn't do that. But for your bridge camera, it should be fine. Most other options will start to be much more expensive, because they aren't designed for the bridge camera. They're designed for the DSLR with a 70-200mm lens or bigger, the lenses you can't comfortably hand-hold.

Not having many inexpensive options for a monopod means that there isn't a big market for that. But, especially with the superzoom, a monopod can be great.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Ametha,
I do have a tendency to jump into things to quick at times. We have a car show and auction in Atlantic City, NJ soon and if I go I will try the monopod out there, if I can wait that long. There are a few options the members here have given me that I have not thought about enough. Not always easy to make the right choice. Thanks for you input.
Ron

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

Shot many many sports events with my 70-200 lens mounted directly on my monopod via its rotating lens mount. By not tightening the ring all the way down, I could go from landscape to portrait instantly. Unlike a tripod, I found I never made a completely rigid connection to the monopod, even with a ball head, your hand is always in contact with the support and the camera - you, the ballhead or lens ring, and the monopod act as a complimentary support system!

I also used my monopod for support shooting weddings with my RB67 (dubbed by a friend as my "Boat Anchor" - trust me you don't want carry that system around all day without a support). Here the connection between the pod and camera was rigid. The RB's back carrying the film rotates from horizontal to vertical, so you don't need that adjustment in your support system.

amehta Loc: Boston

I would get one from a store which will let you return it if you're uncomfortable with it, and even tell them your situation before you buy it. Have fun at the show!

amehta Loc: Boston

Did you use a monopod with a ball head? My point with the ball head is that the two degrees of freedom makes it completely unstable compared to either one degree of freedom system: tilt head or rotating lens collar. With the 1-DoF system, the weight of the camera can be supported by the monopod while it is kept in place by holding the camera. With the 2-DoF system, holding the camera normally will not prevent it from flopping to the side, and the loss of stability basically defeats the purpose of using the monopod.

BTW, Ron, this is what I meant about most monopod users having a different situation than yours: one lens is mounted with a tripod collar, the other camera is a medium format, and both allow horizontal/vertical rotation independent of the monopod. :-)

AlanK Loc: No. Califorina

Have you heard of Moose Peterson? One heck of a wildlife shooter, he has a short video on holding a camera steady - best advice I've gotten and using his technique works perfectly for me. I would NOT get a ball head on a monopod, and I love the one on my tripod(both are ReallyRightStuff). For me, the ball head means I need two hands to position the camera, and then I lay my left hand on top of the center line of camera/lens mount and push DOWN (care of Moose). When I use a monopod my third hand has to hold the monopod and it's just too cumbersome. But you know what they say, "different strokes for different folks". Check out his site; http://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/2014/01/14/sharpness-series-1-handholding/

Save time/money now by designing you're system with STANDARD parts. Use the industry standard Arca-Swiss mounting plates, put one on all your camera bodies, and on every lens that has a "foot" (typically longer lens). I don't use a quick release, I like to screw down the clamp on my setup, then I pick the whole thing up by the camera body or lens (whichever is mounted to the mono or tripod) and shake like hell! If it's going to come apart I want it to do it then, not when you're out walking with the kit over your shoulder!

Lastly, I shared this technique at my camera club meetup last Saturday. Three different people pulled strings / cords out of their kits. Mount one end of the cord to your camera (one guy had a washer welded to a bolt), drop the cord to the ground, step on it and pull UP. You'd be amazed at how steady that becomes, LOL. The cheapest setup there is ;~).

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

I shot with and without a ballhead. As, while shooting, I always had hold of the camera so it couldn't flop over, shooting with the monoball not snugged up was never a problem (but you have to remember to tighten it down before tossing the monopod over your shoulder, and walking away). I preferred attaching the tripod collar directly and rigidly to the top of the monopod (Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 particularly adopted to this method). Shooting sports this way, everything is very nearly on a level plane, so tilting up or down is seldom an issue.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

You might want to consider a joystick ball head. You can hold the lever down while you orient your camera and the released ball will allow the monopod to orient to the vertical. The only thing you have to do then is to extend the monopod to the correct length. If you arrange things right you can do the whole thing with two hands. I wouldn't try this with a heavy camera/lens though.
http://www.manfrotto.com/joystick-head

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Little heavy for my monopod IMO. Thanks Didn't know about them.
With all this info that I am getting it should slow me down on making a purchase to quickly.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

All the info you folks provided didn't slow me down on ordering. I just ordered the 234RC Swivel Tilt Head for Manfrotto Monopod Tripod with PL-14 Quick Release. The price I found it for was to low to pass up. Brand new for $26. with free shipping. If it is not what I hoped I am not out much. Thank you ALL for taking the time to respond and helping in my choice.
Regards,
Ron