Buttery smooth monopod head: I'm on the hunt for a lightweight, buttery smooth, reasonably priced (around 300.00) panning monopod head to use for video. I don't care so much if it is a...

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Buttery smooth monopod head

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Feb 3, 2019 21:39:57 #

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I'm on the hunt for a lightweight, buttery smooth, reasonably priced (around 300.00) panning monopod head to use for video. I don't care so much if it is a ball head or pan head as long as the panning motion has a separate control. I looked all afternoon today, including topics in UHH and what I found was heavy and cheap or lighter and very expensive (>500.00). I have a manfrotto pan that seems to have tightened up beyond being smooth and a Siru and Desmond that don't have the pan mode and both are too tight. By lightweight I mean < than 2 pounds. Don't get me wrong- cheap and good are ok lol.

The only thing I found is the RRS table top pod with micro panning ball head. And it just comes in at budget.

Anything I missed on my search?

Feb 3, 2019 23:46:10 #

Bernu

I really like the Manfrotto ball head. Very smooth, user friendly. I switch it between tripod an a monopod...both also Manfrotto.

Feb 4, 2019 01:01:51 #

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I found a couple that would work (Manfrotto)- thanks. I like the price better than what I found. Both have separate pan controls and are fairly light weight. Which model are you using?
I was concentrating on pan/tilt and fluid heads and didn't look closely at the ball heads but that is what is in the budget. The fluid heads get quite pricey quickly.

Bernu wrote:

I really like the Manfrotto ball head. Very smooth, user friendly. I switch it between tripod an a monopod...both also Manfrotto.

Feb 4, 2019 06:34:10 #

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Pan function fluid head?

The monopod is a single point that turns ... you simply need a Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head.

Light and all the function needed. A ball head is heavy and useless for a monopod.

suntouched wrote:

I'm on the hunt for a lightweight, buttery smooth,... (show quote)

Feb 4, 2019 08:23:00 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Years ago, I got a Vanguard Tracker 4 with "fluid head" (heavy) It wasn't actually a fluid head, but it moved - and still moves - as smoothly as an actual fluid head. For video, of course, you'll want a tilt & pan head.

https://www.omnicoreagency.com/best-fluid-head-tripod/
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-tripods-for-video
https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2016/06/07/best-tripods-for-video-top-choices-for-serious-and-professional-video-shoot
https://www.imaging-resource.com/articles/smooth-operators-10-top-rated-video-tripod-heads

Feb 4, 2019 09:03:58 #

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

suntouched wrote:

I'm on the hunt for a lightweight, buttery smooth,... (show quote)

Could the Manfrotto need a grease job? Just a thought, same with any of them. Very inexpensive fix. I don't have any of the three you mention, but it could be a case of lubrication going away.

Feb 4, 2019 09:26:55 #

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

The Benro heads are great. I have an S2 that I use with a GH5, but you might need the S4 if you're using a full size DLSR.

Feb 4, 2019 09:41:12 #

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

If you want good, smooth, accurate panning, you really need a tripod.
Monopods are not stable enough to do what it sounds like you want to do.

Feb 4, 2019 09:45:05 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

suntouched wrote:

I'm on the hunt for a lightweight, buttery smooth,... (show quote)

I like the specs and large base of this Sirui - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-VH-10X-Video-Head-Black/283018540153?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55674%26meid%3D38d00b921bfc414b8585b929185d270b%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D253276751134%26itm%3D283018540153&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982 - but have no direct experience with it.

Here is a smaller/cheaper Sirui that I also like the looks/specs of - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-VH-10-Fluid-Video-Head-u0/253276751134?_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20170221122447%26meid%3D8487914f831a456d94e6be6fa8c5461b%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262451765944%26itm%3D253276751134&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

and, yet another Sirui - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-VA-5-Fluid-Ultra-Compact-Video-Head-with-ARCA-Type-Plate/262451765944?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

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Feb 4, 2019 09:47:28 #

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

olemikey wrote:

Could the Manfrotto need a grease job? Just a thought, same with any of them. Very inexpensive fix. I don't have any of the three you mention, but it could be a case of lubrication going away.

This is a good suggestion. Over time, lubricant can get gummy, making movement feel tight. The old lubricant can be removed with solvent and replaced with fresh...

Feb 4, 2019 09:51:20 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

On the other hand, I really have and like this head on my monopods - pans at the TOP - https://www.ebay.com/itm/VH-10-2-Way-Fluid-Video-Tilt-Head-360-Panoramic-Ball-Head-For-Tripod-Monopod/322655168431?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

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Feb 4, 2019 09:51:26 #

casyjones3 Loc: Bronx NY

Check out Acratech they have many configurations and are outstanding heads. I have the Acratech GP ball head which does offer panning.
www.acratech.net/categories/ball-heads.html also the RRS MH-01 which I have does not have panning.

Feb 4, 2019 10:02:46 #

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

larryepage wrote:

This is a good suggestion. Over time, lubricant can get gummy, making movement feel tight. The old lubricant can be removed with solvent and replaced with fresh...

Some have simple friction adjustments, coupled with lube disappearing or gumming up, and/or if dry, metal dust/shavings could also become an issue.

Feb 4, 2019 10:37:18 #

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

You could add a panning base to the monopod head.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848913-REG/FEISOL_PB_70_PB_70_Panning_Base.html

Feb 4, 2019 10:52:50 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here is a Lefoto ball head to look at - smaller 25mm ball, pans TOP and bottom ....https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-LH-25R-LH25R-Dual-Panoramic-PTZ-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-Fold-Set/254037909179?hash=item3b25d6debb:g:HGcAAOSwRF1b7Tsi:rk:33:pf:0

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