jmw44 Loc: Princeton, NJ USA

Check out Steve Perry's video on using a gimbal head with a monopod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wbQgQKqglc

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I have a VELBON monopod which I bought 2nd hand for £10.00 at a club auction a year ago. I've come to exactly the same conclusion as it's previous owner. I would like a better quality monopod with small self standing facility (basically a small tripod on the bottom leg) and a ball head on the top.

He bought a BENRO I believe last time he was your side.

My advice, pick up a 2nd hand model and work out for yourself what you want. They are very useful.

CO

I agree with this. I've noticed that although a monopod will stabilize the camera in the vertical direction, there's still motion blur in the horizontal direction. I'm very steady but upon examining photos closely it's clear that there's still motion blur in the horizontal direction. Maybe some people are more skilled with using monopods than me.

CO

I would recommend a carbon fiber tripod and a lightweight gimbal head. I have the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal. It weighs only 1.5 lbs. but can support up to 12 lbs. It has precision needle bearings and thrust bearing in the tilt axis and they designed a bushing for the panning axis that gives smooth, dampened motion. It has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt axis. The Tamron 150-600mm sport weighs 4.4 lbs. and the Canon 80D is 1.6 lbs. That's well within the capacity of the head. I use one with my D500 and 80-400mm lens.

Needle bearings in gimbal head


Gimbal head thrust bearing

(Download)

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Sirui makes a decent carbon fiber monopod for around $100...check B&H. I would go tilt head or gimbal on a monopod, not ball head. Of course you can always start with just the monopod and add a head if you feel you need it.

I have a Gitzo monopod with a RRS 2 way tilt head. Went to that monopod from a Sirui.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

I bought a tilt head and it make my gitzo perfect for birding

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I second most of the suggestions above and would like to emphasize my preferences too.
I do like the twist lock because of carrying it in my back-pack and the flip-locks seem to always hook on something when extracting it. Also Always use a tilt-only head on the tallest/cheapest monopod I can get (have less than $100 in the present rig).
I have virtually the same lens/camera combo you have - all 8 pounds worth.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Couple of points, I NEVER try to use any monopod to support a camera! steady it yes, support no, make sure it is tall enough for you to use, if you have never used a monopod I suggest you get a reasonable priced one until you find if you like using one, if you do then buy the best you can afford, based on how much you use it.
Mine gets carried and used more than a tripod but I can live without it if necessary, Bob.

ELNikkor

I've used a ball head on my monopod, and wouldn't have it any other way.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

So, if you are birding, you will need to go fairly high with your monopod and be able to TILT upwards with a pan/tilt head or downwards if you are on a raised boardwalk - make sense so far ? Now, I am going to say it also matters how short/low the pod goes for versatility - so you can use it sitting down as in a car or on the ground or in chair or on bleachers -or- you may want to use it as a bodypod which I highly recommend ! https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-269999-1.html

So, what do I recommend for ALL this ?? I do make a short pod only - for use as a bodypod/carpod/sitting pod - but I can recommend this commercially made one as being able to go low and high - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-MP-326C-profession-Carbon-fiber-Monopod/173679312854?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

And, here is the head I recommend - 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 - mostly because it pans at the TOP - allowing the pod to be off of straight vertical in use and to track action. You can also use a video pan/tilt head to track action on a monopod but they cost more and weigh more. I do NOT recommend using a ball head on a monopod with a larger/heavy lens - witha small lens maybe.

And, while it is possible to use a Gimbal on a monopod, they are heavy and somewhat expensive and mostly only provide a tilt function anyway .....
.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The main part of using a monopod IS to help SUPPORT the camera/big lens !
.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

ggab Loc: ?

I use a gimbal with my tripod. I would think it would be tough to use with a monopod.
I would suggest a ball head.
For photos, take a look here:

https://www.benrousa.com/products/photo-monopods/

I use an aluminum Benro S series monopod when shooting sports video.
I find it to be stable and rock solid.

ggab Loc: ?

Never considered it, however he makes a strong case for one.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

If it cannot stand by itself how can it SUPPORT anything! Take the weight off , yes, but your hand needs to be there!