MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Here is a novel Idea, use your own head and decide what works best for YOU.... everyone has their own unique way of doing things and there are many disagreements. Beg or borrorow a friends equip. And go out and experiment.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

The answers you have gotten suggest that there is not a "one-type-fits-all" head. A lot depends also on what type of photography you like to shoot. The primary consideration is what will effectively work with the camera/lens combinations you use. If the specifications say the head is good for 10 pounds, it won't be any good with a long lens, even if the weight is less than 10 pounds. You definitely do not want to have to deal with a head that "slips" after it is set and you have tightened the controls. The weight is not the only factor that causes slippage, it is also the fact that a longer lens removes the center of gravity from the camera - this is why many long, heavy lenses have a collar so they are attached to the tripod rather than the camera!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

pahtspix

If you are using a 150-600mm, I would go for a monopod with a tilt head, or even better, a Gimbal head on a sturdy tripod.. I use BOTH scenarios!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In the first place, the BeFree tripod by Manfrotto depending on the gear you use and I have to assume you are an amateur photographer is a quality tripod that has to be filling your needs. If you are not comfortable with the tripod then you should get something better.
I prefer ballheads with Arca Swiss grips. They keep the camera level regardless of camera orientation. Depending on the weight of your camera and lens you should use the appropriate ball head and I am sure you are not using a 400mm f4 lens.
I am not an expert when it comes to tripods and I make no claims as to be an exceptional tripod user but I use very often a cheap Dolica aluminum tripod in my travels with a Linhof ballhead and my photographs using good tripod techniques are as good as they could be. I have an aluminum Gitzo, an excellent quality tripod that I seldom use. My other tripods are a Manfrotto 3021, an excellent tripod from the 70's that has served me well and a generic carbon fiber tripod that cost me less than $200. I am satisfied with the quality of the tripods I use.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

True, there is no acceptable single head for both tripod and monopod in my opinion.
Ball heads work good on tripods but not on monopods, tilt heads don't have the necessary adjustments to be useful on a tripod.
The tilt head is only ~$40 so why not go with the best solution for each 'pod'?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Couldn’t agree more, especially for landscapes! Anytime I’ve attempted it to use my ball head I end up annoyed. A pan head may be a little bit vertically restrictive but that’s not any issue for most landscape work.

Tet68survivor Loc: Pomfret Center CT

I was torn between the ball mount and tilt and pan Gimbal mount! I went with the tilt and pan Gimbal! But there is a big weight difference between the two! Why do you want either on a monopole? You can do all that movement, cheaper, faster with just mounting the camera on the pole and swinging it in any direction! Just curious!

williejoha

Why would anyone put a ballhead on a mono pot. Am I missing something?
WJH

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

No doubt using one head for both a monopod and a tripod is a compromise, but if one insists upon it, I think a ball head would be the best choice. I seldom use my monopod, and don’t have a tilt head, just use the appropriate ball head on it - works fine for what I do. A tilt head would be preferred, of course. For my long nose-heavy lenses I prefer a fluid pan head over a standard pan-tilt or gimbal, but that’s just a personal preference.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

I mount the 150-600 on the monopod direct to the screw on my new Manfrotto monopod. Sturdy and no shake in the composituon at 600m...BUT would like to be able to swap cameras via a quick release plate. My old 5cent monopod had a quick release plate that I could remove the camera easily BUT the attachment to the monpod had a TON of play. The image at 600mm was bouncing around as the camera and lens could rock in the mount with the pole remaining stiff. Soooooo.....would like the ability to quick release AND be rock solid while in the head. (Quick release is for when I may want to qyickly go hand held for fast BIF action that may suddenly present itself.....and yes, it has happened.)

Normally, i use monopod for more horizontal action like Football with a gentle rock of the monopole for the highflying receiver/cornerback action. In that case, screwing the lens collar to the monopod is fine. Its the BIF action that has me desiring a quick release and head.

As for tripod.....I only really need it for those wedding shots of the families after the ceremony when I want to "focus" on processing the families quickly and with the tripod and I am free from the camera other than to set the AF and ISO/SS tweaks, as sun moves, for each pose.

So net, really looking for quick release from Monopod as top priority but wanted to buy something that would allow me to progress as I experiment in all photography styles.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I photograph both landscapes and animals, a lot of birds in flight. I use a sturdy Manfrotto tripod and a RRS ball head large enough to hold the weight of my long lenses (Nikon 200-500 and Nikon 80-400 and Tamron 150-600). I have no problem keeping the camera level with the ball head (at least not due to the equipment!) and no problem following birds in flight or other animals moving around. Using the ball head comes down to knowing the knobs and how to access them quickly, which simply comes from constant use. I use a "sidekick" for long lenses and each of my long lenses has the proper foot to attach the lens to the tripod. The sidekick works wonders for following birds and other animals and is very easy to control. My sidekick is a smaller one from Induro but they are made by other companies, too, for example Wimberly. Read up carefully on the one you choose if you go in that direction. I do not think you can find one device for both a monopod and a tripod. I use a much smaller ball head (the first one I bought prior to owning long lenses) on the monopod, but rarely use the monopod. You can see my photos on my web sites.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

You will get two primary types. I much prefer the independent tilt axis and pan head. I tried the ball and fought keeping the camera level when rotating up and down etc.
For me it was a pain in the butt. Others enjoy the ball head though.
I recommend you try both side by side and then decide.

dyximan

I do like the ball head that way you only have to get close to level and you can make finer adjustments on the fly . Where as is with pan and tilt you have to be relatively close and/or willing to articulate in two directions with two levers at any given time.

TheDman Loc: USA