Head for Monopod: I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for...

finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

All you need with a monopod is a tilt head such as the Benro DJ90.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

A tilt head for sure, but cannot make an informed recommendation without knowing what you’re going to put on it.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

One of the best tilt heads out there is the Sirui L-20S Tilt Head with the TY-70 Quick Release Plate. The Benro is also a good one. I have a couple of Benro Tripods that are exceptional.

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

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use...

It depends upon how heavy gear you want to put on it, but you really only need a single axis (tilt) head on a monopod. Any panning motion that's needed is easily done by rotating the entire monopod.

For relatively light weight gear, the Oben VH-R2 is rated to handle up to 11 lb. It costs about $35.

For heavier stuff, Sirui L-10 ($108) is rated for 33 lb. and Sirui L-20 ($120) for 55 lb.

Or, even more heavy duty, Kirk MPA-2 ($200) or Really Right Stuff Monopod Head ($280) are rated for 75 lb. or more.

I use a modified Manfrotto mid-size ballhead on one of my monopods. I just had that on hand already... otherwise I'd have bought one of the above or similar.

My other monopod simply has no head at all, if simply fitted with a quick release platform (Arca-Swiss type). I mostly just use it for really big/heavy lenses doing sports or wildlife shooting where nearly all movement is panning... any relatively small amount of tilting movement that's needed can be done by "leaning" with the monopod.

finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

rwilson1942 wrote:

All you need with a monopod is a tilt head such as the Benro DJ90.

Thank you , I will check it out.

finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

RWR wrote:

A tilt head for sure, but cannot make an informed recommendation without knowing what you’re going to put on it.

I'll be putting a Fuji XT1 and a Fuji XT2 on it with a 10-24, a 18 to 135, or a 50-230. My 100-400 will only be on my tripod.
thanks.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

finalimage wrote:

I'll be putting a Fuji XT1 and a Fuji XT2 on it with a 10-24, a 18 to 135, or a 50-230. My 100-400 will only be on my tripod. thanks.

You don’t a very heavy duty head, something with a recommended load capacity of about double the weight of your heaviest camera/lens will do. Good luck!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

I like a medium duty ball head, like a Sirui K30X, for monopods. Many tilt heads assume that you are using a collared lens and tilt accordingly. But if you use a non-collared lens and you must attach the camera to the head, the plate will be at right angles and you will only be able to tilt left and right. Some heads allow the clamp to rotate, or use a square plate which can allow the camera to tilt up and down or the lens up and down. Aside from that, look at B&H - they have a huge selection.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

Definitely a tilt head.

dck22

WayneT wrote:

One of the best tilt heads out there is the Sirui L-20S Tilt Head with the TY-70 Quick Release Plate. The Benro is also a good one. I have a couple of Benro Tripods that are exceptional.

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

I also us the Sirui L-20S Tilt Head and am very pleased. It will easily support the gear you listed. I use it frequently with my X-T2 and 100-400mm for sports shooting.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

I use a tilt head, just make sure your camera plates work on your new head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

That is rather light equipment you have .......a simple tilt head may be all you need and the manfro #234 is a good example of the genre. If are following action - especially up and down action ( birds) you will want a smoooth action in the tilting part - like a video fluid type head - especially with longer focal length lenses.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

finalimage wrote:

I have used a tripod for years but never used a monopod. Found some used Gitzo monopods on eBay for reasonable prices but am hesitating because I'll need a head for the monopod and I could use some suggestions about what monopod heads others use. All suggestions welcome, you guys are very helpful. Before I give offense with "guys" , to me it is generic. And thanks!

I use the Benro dj80. Quick and strong.

pendennis

I've used Bogen/Manfrotto pistol-grip heads similar to this one for years. They work; they're easy to use; and very flexible.

https://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head-compact-and-portable