Gimbal on a monopod—insanity? I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 lens, but I’d like to try the 200-500 the next time I go out. I still do not trust myself to get good...

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 lens, but I’d like to try the 200-500 the next time I go out. I still do not trust myself to get good results handholding this lens. I use a very basic head on my monopod which simply tilts forward and backwards. I am shooting from the stands, so a tripod is out of the question. Would it be crazy to put my gimbal head on my monopod to use this lens? In case anyone asks, the 70-300 is definitely adequate from where I sit, but I want to try out the 200-500 just for grins. Actually, it would be a big advantage for shooting outfielders. What do you folks think?

Thanks!

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Yes, insanity. I tried it and it was a mess, top heavy and all you get is tilt since the monopod will rotate on its on.
Just get a monopod tilt head like this: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530485900&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+tilt+head&dpID=51Z6Q07joEL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

A good tilt head works well for me and I would not personally be interested in anything else with a big lens on a mono or body-pod.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

rwilson1942 wrote:

Yes, insanity. I tried it and it was a mess, top heavy and all you get is tilt since the monopod will rotate on its on.
Just get a monopod tilt head like this: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530485900&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+tilt+head&dpID=51Z6Q07joEL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I would not go so far as to claim it was insane, but yes the added axis of movement will drive you nuts.

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

Rab-Eye wrote:

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)

Not a weird idea at all!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html/?c3api=4680%2C238561865219%2Cmanfrotto+393%2Ce&gclid=CjwKCAjw9-HZBRAwEiwAGw0QcWAlsE155AURTP7-ZjQDDYt34FS3QeIVGl7-1ej7zzcf5sEua6P1xhoCg18QAvD_BwE

This gimbal was designed specifically for monopods. I've used one since 2007 - it does a great job. You can adapt it with an Arca Swiss clamp from Hejnar Photo - in case you have arca-style plates for your lenses.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

rwilson1942 wrote:

Yes, insanity. I tried it and it was a mess, top heavy and all you get is tilt since the monopod will rotate on its on.
Just get a monopod tilt head like this: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530485900&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+tilt+head&dpID=51Z6Q07joEL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Thank you. That is pretty much the same as the head I have now.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

DaveO wrote:

A good tilt head works well for me and I would not personally be interested in anything else with a big lens on a mono or body-pod.

Thank you, Dave.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

I would not go so far as to claim it was insane, but yes the added axis of movement will drive you nuts.

Thank you very much. I always value your input.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Gene51 wrote:

Not a weird idea at all! br br url https://www.b... (show quote)

Thank you, Gene.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Try a ball head with a low friction setting. I do this sometimes on my tripod and it is better than hold holding as the speeds drop.
Got a 2nd hand monopod at a club auction last week - now just need a 2nd hand Giotto ballhead to fit to it as all my cameras and lenses with fittings have permanent plates attached.
If any hoggers know where I can get a Giotto ballhead please let me know - even B&H can't help now.

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

I tried a very inexpensive ball head on a light weight monopod . Needed better head(and wanted better monopod). Ordered this Desmond tilt head with ARCA style clamp last week and happy with it on first try.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0169AYZ8W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Read about it from another poster here on UHH on a thread about heads on monopods. Most said use a tilt , not a ballhead on monopod and it seems to have been good advice. I was very close to ordering a ballhead, but changed my mind after reading that thread.
I also got a carbon fiber Amazon basics monopod and it seems fine.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use a Monostat monopod with RRS monopod head wich allows movement in all planes with ease. Only problem is this monopod is no longer made

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I didn't feel comfortable with one of the popular tilt heads not always staying tight with heavier lenses. This one works well for me. Pricey but solid and easily tightens without a lot of effort:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1301063-REG/really_right_stuff_mh_01_lr_monopod_head_with_full_size.html

RonBoyd

I use a Tomahawk Gimbal with a Manfrotto 685 B Monopod when using the Tamron 150-600 lens. It is an invaluable combination when shooting fast moving objects -- BIF, for instance. The one-handed control of the monopod is an added bonus.

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=tomahawk+gimb&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS743US743&q=tomahawk+gimbal+head+review&gs_l=hp..2.0l2j0i22i30l3.0.0.0.15022...........0.f_XrYqEox30&qscrl=1&gws_rd=ssl

https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&hl=en-GB&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS743US743&ei=4Qo6W83MO6W3jwTYhayoAg&q=manfrotto+685b+review&oq=manfrotto+685+b&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0i13k1l4j0i13i30k1l6.109622.115317.0.121866.15.15.0.0.0.0.195.1709.9j6.15.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.15.1696...0j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1j0i20i263k1j0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.1ukiibwoXeA

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Ben, I wouldn't declare it insanity. However, I would consider using a gimbal head, especially on a monopod as bordering on insanity, or at least poor judgement.
--Bob

Rab-Eye wrote:

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)