Do I buy the monopod and ball head? Off to Kruger again in March, but this time with a Christmas present to myself - the Sigma 150-600mm f5.3-6.4 lens. I typically have three bodies...

easystreets1

Off to Kruger again in March, but this time with a Christmas present to myself - the Sigma 150-600mm f5.3-6.4 lens. I typically have three bodies with me - Canon 5D Mark iv as my primary, Canon 7D Mark ii for the crop factor when I really need to reach out there, and a Canon 5D Mark iii as a backup (I'll also have an assortment of other glass with me). I've not shot with a lens this long before and have never used a monopod. Is the investment worth it, especially from the back of a truck?

Part 2 - I will be in my own vehicle at times and am thinking about a bean bag for the door. Waste of money and just use the window partly rolled up or a good idea?

muysabio Loc: Mexico DF

I am sorry that I can't answer your question, but let me give you a Kruger recommendation. If you haven't done it before take a walking tour. The walking part, for me at least, was the highlight of the tour that I booked. Best wishes for the new year and enjoy Kruger

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Don't use a ball head on a monopod, instead use a tilt head.
They only move in the up/down axis which is all you need with a monopod.
https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1514824460&sr=8-3&keywords=tilt+head

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

rwilson1942 wrote:

Don't use a ball head on a monopod, instead use a tilt head.
They only move in the up/down axis which is all you need with a monopod.
https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1514824460&sr=8-3&keywords=tilt+head

Ditto
ESPECIALLY with such a heavy lens, a ball head is worthless and will cost you shots, get a decent tilt head for your monopod, you won't regret it like you will surely regret a ball head.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

easystreets1 wrote:

Off to Kruger again in March, but this time with a... (show quote)

I am a believer in using a bean bag.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&O=&Q=&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1afSBRD2ARIsAEvBsNnN2WkbitgF1YHvhc9I0vXcpus4q-rnY2-9eZeUhnLbw6bAOp6KBAoaAmXUEALw_wcB&is=REG&m=Y&sku=1156794

And also a carbon fiber monopod monopod NOT with a ball head.
In UHH we have MT Shooter that has a great shop in Montana and offers great service and prices.
http://www.cameracottage.com

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I believe in ball heads on monopods. There are ways where you can wedge the monopod foot somewhere that is not straight up and down. For example, Manfrotto sells a pocket for your belt. There is also the pocket in your jeans. Maybe in the corner of the truck bed?

duffy021049 Loc: Colorado

When I bought my monopod I team it with a sirui two way tilt head, haven't regretted yet.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182201-REG/sirui_bsrl20s_l_20s_2_way_pan_tilt_head.html

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Take a ten inch piece of foam pipe insulation instead of a heavy beanbag. The insulation has a slit that fits over the window glass and stays in place better than a beanbag due to a slightly sticky adhesive. You do NOT want to step out of your vehicle to recover a beanbag that fell off the window.

Bill_de Loc: US

With a good bean bag you can let go of the camera when stopped and even drive short distances "SLOWLY", holding it with one hand, to reposition yourself. Mine is from LensCoat. I fill it with Sunflower seeds.

It has a removable plate which, if your window opening and lens permits, provides a mounting screw for a short ball head.

cmc65

bsprague wrote:

I believe in ball heads on monopods. There are ways where you can wedge the monopod foot somewhere that is not straight up and down. For example, Manfrotto sells a pocket for your belt. There is also the pocket in your jeans. Maybe in the corner of the truck bed?

Even with a longer heavy lens!!? I would think the lens would be constantly fighting to drop down.

easystreets1

This is what I was looking at - it can handle the weight and I liked that I can deploy the feet.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1305532-REG/sirui_sup424sr_carbon_fiber_monopod.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966664-REG/sirui_g10x_ball_head.html

easystreets1

Now we're talking... This makes sense. Thanks!

easystreets1

This is exactly what I was looking at... Glad you like it!

easystreets1

Absolutely love it. We've figured out that that it's cheaper to vacation there than many other places domestically - $1,200 for the plane tickets, but then the lodging and all else is cheaper. We've also made friends with some of the park rangers and been cited in on the walks, the dawn and dusk drives, and some of the better (less crowded) blinds and overlooks. Just a great place!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

easystreets1 wrote:

This is what I was looking at - it can handle the weight and I liked that I can deploy the feet.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1305532-REG/sirui_sup424sr_carbon_fiber_monopod.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966664-REG/sirui_g10x_ball_head.html

Perfect! Buy them!