Monopod and your suggestion for a head.
Jan 29, 2014 20:57:16 #
Hi all, I recently purchased a Manfrotto 681B monopod and am looking for your suggestions on what head I should get for it. The camera to be mated with it is a Canon 5D3 and will be using several lenses 24-105, 70-200 2.8L IS, and 100-400L IS. I mostly shoot landscapes, but also enjoy birds and live action outdoor sports. The head should be able to support comfortably 2.5 kg (6.2 lb.). Right now I am partial to a Manfrotto 496RC2 and would appreciate any comments good or bad about it or your suggestion of another head.
Thanks
BTW. I do have great tripod and pistol grip head which I am not trying to replace. I want to use the monopod for when I need to be more mobile and do not want to use the pistol grip head on it.
Thanks
BTW. I do have great tripod and pistol grip head which I am not trying to replace. I want to use the monopod for when I need to be more mobile and do not want to use the pistol grip head on it.
Jan 29, 2014 21:04:17 #
Wouldn't it make sense to use a head in which the adaptor plate fits the head on your tripod
Jan 29, 2014 21:11:00 #
Jan 29, 2014 21:11:08 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
I think the first question is which quick release system do you want to use? I used the one on that Manfrotto head for years, and dealt with all the times the equipment would twist. After renting a 500mm f/4, I realized that just wasn't good enough, and switched to the Arca-Swiss style system. Nothing ever twists again.
I use the Wimberly C-12 clamp on my monopods, and it works very well for landscapes, birds, and sports. The only time I wish I had a head on it is when I'm doing macro stuff and want it to tilt. For that, I have the Induro BHL1, which is usually on my tripod. It has no problem supporting a 300mm f/2.8 lens.
I use the Wimberly C-12 clamp on my monopods, and it works very well for landscapes, birds, and sports. The only time I wish I had a head on it is when I'm doing macro stuff and want it to tilt. For that, I have the Induro BHL1, which is usually on my tripod. It has no problem supporting a 300mm f/2.8 lens.
Jan 29, 2014 22:18:47 #
altheman wrote:
Wouldn't it make sense to use a head in which the adaptor plate fits the head on your tripod
That would be the logical solution but my first priority is usefulness on the monopod rather than ease of switching with head plates.
Jan 29, 2014 22:21:37 #
TucsonCoyote wrote:
My thinking is mounting the camera directly on the the pod!
I already tried that and it really limits the angle of which the camera has to be held towards the subject.
Thanks for the thought tho.
Jan 29, 2014 22:44:28 #
amehta wrote:
I think the first question is which quick release ... (show quote)
This is why I'm asking for other opinions as right now I am not sure as to what I want (including quick release systems). I am certain I would not use a lens heavier than the 70-200 (1.4 kg/3 lb) or longer than the 100-400. One concern is I do not wish to get a head that will over balance the monopod or be too clumsy with the nifty fifty or 24-105. Thank you for your comment about the Manfrotto twisting it has been noted and appreciated. The Manfrotto 496RC2 is rated 6kg (13 lb) which is about twice the weight I would require so I doubt if it would twist (but what do I know). Your suggestion of the Induro BHL1 certainly has piqued my interest. About same weight as the 496RC2 but rated almost 4 times for weight but also cost a 3rd more...hmmmm?
Anymore pros and cons or brands appreciated.
Jan 29, 2014 22:47:26 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Cameoblue wrote:
I already tried that and it really limits the angle of which the camera has to be held towards the subject.
Thanks for the thought tho.
Thanks for the thought tho.
I think a tilt-swivel head would be better than a ball head. I have used the ball head with a monopod, and it is quite cumbersome. You basically need three hands to use it (one to hold the camera, one for the monopod, and one to lock/unlock). The tilt-swivel has the advantage of only one degree of freedom, so you don't have to hold the monopod.
Jan 29, 2014 22:57:21 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Cameoblue wrote:
This is why I'm asking for other opinions as right... (show quote)
The twisting is not from the head, but from the QR plate. Also tripods are used in more static situations, so the camera/lens won't be in various angles like it will with the monopod.
The solution for "over balancing", if I understand that right, is the L-bracket. But you don't need to get that until you find you are shooting vertical a lot when using the monopod. For me, that happened after a 6 day volleyball tournament using an 85mm lens.
I used to have a Manfrotto/Bogen head, I think the 494RC, it was not as strong as the Induro. I gave it to someone who was using a smaller camera and lens than me.
Jan 29, 2014 23:04:11 #
amehta wrote:
The twisting is not from the head, but from the QR... (show quote)
Thanks again for your clarification and input.
Jan 29, 2014 23:09:49 #
Cameoblue wrote:
Hi all, I recently purchased a Manfrotto 681B mono... (show quote)
Oben makes a head for monopods VH-R2. $35USD @ Adorama.
Jan 29, 2014 23:19:32 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
This head is going to support $6k of equipment. When I was getting support gear (tripod, monopod, head, clamps, plates), it seemed that reliability was the most important thing. It had to never fail.
Jan 29, 2014 23:23:02 #
amehta wrote:
This head is going to support $6k of equipment. When I was getting support gear (tripod, monopod, head, clamps, plates), it seemed that reliability was the most important thing. It had to never fail.
I agree, price is secondary, quality first.
Jan 29, 2014 23:33:44 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Three options:
* Kirk MPA-2, $200
* Sirui L-10, $110
* RRS MH-01, $225
I had not heard of Sirui until this month, but it seems similar to Induro. One other UHH member had a Sirui tripod, and one of the "experts" here said it was a good tripod.
* Kirk MPA-2, $200
* Sirui L-10, $110
* RRS MH-01, $225
I had not heard of Sirui until this month, but it seems similar to Induro. One other UHH member had a Sirui tripod, and one of the "experts" here said it was a good tripod.
Jan 29, 2014 23:43:29 #
With an arca swiss type head you would then be able to use an L Plate and they are very conveniant
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