Buttery smooth monopod head (Page 2): Have you tried a gimbal head? Buttery smooth, separate pan feature, but not so light.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

suntouched wrote:

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

Have you tried a gimbal head? Buttery smooth, separate pan feature, but not so light.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

suntouched wrote:

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

I have a couple of Vanguard Balls and find them to be adequate, but I also have a RRS BALL, but the price on that one was “almost rediculous.” I prefer balls, especially on a monopod, but generally almost always. BOB

oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

suntouched wrote:

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

Take a look at the RRS MONOPOD heads.

Bernu

I am using the Manfrotto ball head quick release MHXPRO-BHQ6 which I found on eBay at a very attractive price and it looked brand new when it arrived. I fitted a Canon 300mm lens on a Canon M6 and this combination worked very well for me with the M monopod, especially for wildlife photography. The design of the release plate on the ball head is one of the best I have seen. Hope this helps...

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

... makes a bit more sense but,

What on earth can all the posts be about? Are the posters thinking Tri-pod instead of mono-pod?

Reply after reply giving advice on purchasing a heavy Panning or fluid Head?

MONO-POD's swivel on their own single point foot print... Why on earth has the obvious become so ridiculous?

Geegee wrote:

Have you tried a gimbal head? Buttery smooth, separate pan feature, but not so light.

Bernu

Some monopods have a lever-like device you swing out to put you foot on it. This steadies the monopod while you pan.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

catchlight.. wrote:

... makes a bit more sense but,

What on earth can all the posts be about? Are the posters thinking Tri-pod instead of mono-pod?

Reply after reply giving advice on purchasing a heavy Panning or fluid Head?

MONO-POD's swivel on their own single point foot print... Why on earth has the obvious become so ridiculous?

Maybe they are locking the bottom of the pod down, or maybe they want something smoother or more constant than the free floating bottom of monopod - the turning friction of a monopod does vary depending on the surface it is sitting on - AND, the weight ! ?

..

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Bernu wrote:

Some monopods have a lever-like device you swing out to put you foot on it. This steadies the monopod while you pan.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

catchlight.. wrote:

... makes a bit more sense but,

What on earth can all the posts be about? Are the posters thinking Tri-pod instead of mono-pod?

Reply after reply giving advice on purchasing a heavy Panning or fluid Head?

MONO-POD's swivel on their own single point foot print... Why on earth has the obvious become so ridiculous?

BUT!!! Why would YOU make the "ridiculous so obvious??

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

I did

Weight is a huge factor and also... most mono-pod's with the tri foot base can be locked or can swivel with a twist lock setting. If it does not hen, you are better off investing in a better mono-pod.

Fluid head friction is designed for a solid tri-pod and, a floppy ball head would be useless on a mono-pod...

digit-up wrote:

BUT!!! Why would YOU make the "ridiculous so obvious??

Virgil Loc: The Hoosier State

Have you tried a little shot of W-40? It is a very thin "penetrating" lubricant.
Virgil

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Possibly/probably but where do you apply the lubricant? Everything looks sealed.

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.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks Jerry- I'll have a look.

jerryc41 wrote:

Years ago, I got a Vanguard Tracker 4 with "f... (show quote)

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks- I'll check it out.

jmizera wrote:

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.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks for replying. I have a Gitzo CF tripod and an Acratech ball head- both are excellent. I am looking for an alternative to carrying a tripod.

rwilson1942 wrote:

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.