Monopod head (Page 4): On the monopod, the 3 way tilt head for me... The larger handle to control tilt is easy to grab not looking.. don't need the other 2 knobs... (except to flip...

danersmiff

On the monopod, the 3 way tilt head for me... The larger handle to control tilt is easy to grab not looking..
don't need the other 2 knobs... (except to flip camera to portrait)
but -- Ball head I tended to unlock the wrong screw, and then it just flopped to the side
-- a lot-- causing loss of control, then loss of shot, and then swearing.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Gene51 wrote:

Ball Heads are fine. Tilt heads are cheaper at fir... (show quote)

Yes, a panning action at the TOP of the tilt head ALSO allows the pod to be at an angle (off of vertical) and still allow a smooth panning - especially for following action !

This will allow the use of L bracket with collar-less lens also - https://www.ebay.com/itm/140mm-Nodal-Rail-Slide-Plate-QR-Clamp-Macro-Panoramic-Bracket-Fit-Arca-Swiss-RRS/122003785740?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

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hogilbert

I have a Cayer AF34DV Monopod. Aluminum but fairly heavy. Has feet and 3 sections. Comes with a tilt head and a special camera plate (not Arca Swiss) that adds to the sturdiness. Tried a lighter weight monopod with a ball head. Bad choice.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

joer wrote:

You will get all sorts of recommendations most of them will work albeit awkwardly. The tilt head is designed specifically for monopod use. Don't waste your time and money on the alternatives.

Get a quality head that has bearings with smooth action...most of the inexpensive ones do not.

With this post you could substitute ball head for tilt head and it would still make perfect sense. In fact though, I don’t think either ball or tilt was designed specifically for a monopod. Also, my ball heads are not the least bit awkward. Particularly my one knobbed head couldn’t be easier. One giant knob locks everything in place, leave it loose and pan and tilt any which way.
...Cam

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

Why would you need to pan with more than a twist of the monopod? l really doubt that any of us are changing any minds. I wonder how many who have responded have actually tried a ball head, tilt head and gimbal on a monopod...

CamB wrote:

With this post you could substitute ball head for tilt head and it would still make perfect sense. In fact though, I don’t think either ball or tilt was designed specifically for a monopod. Also, my ball heads are not the least bit awkward. Particularly my one knobbed head couldn’t be easier. One giant knob locks everything in place, leave it loose and pan and tilt any which way.
...Cam

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

So here's the problem! Folks argue and get into joining "camps and cults" about all kinds of equipment and oftentimes negate common sense. As far as support gear is concerned, there is no one solution or cure-all for every ensemble of equipment and shooting situation. A monopod, in many cases, will not replace the rigidity, stability and the vibration buffering of a good quality tripod. Even the best of monopods only has one leg and the degree of support is depended on the operator's technique, strength and the weight and center of gravity of the camera/lens combination. A poor quality monopod with the construction of a selfie-stick is not gonna help very much so you need to get a good solid one. By the same token, a tripod will not replace the usefulness of a monopod in extremely cramped spaces, where tripods are restricted or in many"gun and run" circumstances were speed and nimble shooting is required and just a little bit of additional support is needed.

You can mount any kind of head on a monopod but if you need to fiddle with the tension controls of the head, it may nullify the advantage of the monopod, that is unless you have three hands. If you have the time to position the camera on the monopod, adjust the angle of access to the viewfinder at the required degree of tilt and the compose and sho\t, you could use any kind of standard pan/tilt 2-way head or heavier duty ball head with a lever action or other means of controlling tension and locking. .

Again, common sense dictates that you are not gonna effectively support the likes of a 1,000mm lens on a trigger-action one-handed compact ball head- that or any extreme heavy rig especially if the center gravity of the setup is considered and the monopod is correctly placed to balance everything. That is what lens mounting collars are for.

It should be noted that one can use a monopod without any kind of head but in certain situations, it may cause the photographer to assume very awkwardly uncomfortable positions in order to access the viewfinder and operate the camera.

Another advantage of a low-profile compact head is that it is not antithetical to the concept of comparatively lightweight and extremely accessible fast erecting support system that is a monopod. Why add weight and bulk if it can be avoided?

When assessing the weight and center of gravity, you need to include the camera, lens, and all accessories such as onboard flash gear, brackets, lens shades, and anything that you attach to or hang on the camera. Even on the heaviest of tripods, heads or monopod, if the head is inadequate or the rig is seriously off balance, the load can lunge forward or sideways, things can sheer off and damage can occur- to the equipment and your fingers! A monopod is not free standing so if the operator has one hand on the the trigger activated ball head, this is not likely to happen.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

Why would you need to pan with more than a twist of the monopod? l really doubt that any of us are changing any minds. I wonder how many who have responded have actually tried a ball head, tilt head and gimbal on a monopod...

Ball head - yuck. Thought it would be good, but not for me.
Pistol grip ball head - worse yuck. Didn't like it on a tripod either. Went back to a tilt-pan head on the tripod.
Gimbal head - never tried, no need.
Tilt head - yup, works the best for me. Can rotate to portrait mode.
No head - not enough versatility for pitch control. Fine for level scenics though, just tilt the pod a bit. Not good for portrait mode... obviously. (Wouldn't want an L bracket, just use the tilt head.)

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

Why would you need to pan with more than a twist of the monopod? l really doubt that any of us are changing any minds. I wonder how many who have responded have actually tried a ball head, tilt head and gimbal on a monopod...

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything here but just illustrate a problem that some posters don't think about or that never comes up in their photography. So, why can't you just twist the monopod to pan with action? You can with any head or no head if the action is level, like a football field, and your monopod is straight up and down. Monopod twisting for panning falls apart if the monopod itself is at a raked angle. I sit in the 17th row of the auditorium for shows. Good lens coverage there. My monopod is raked at about a 45degree angle, the foot wedged against my feet, secure and stable. You have to have a head here or you could only shoot the ceiling. With either a ball or a tilt head, aimed at the stage, twisting the monopod will cause the camera to tilt and aim down. So you loosen the controls and pan with the head itself. For me, in this situation a ball head works best but this would also work with a tilt head. I often shoot with a raked monopod.
...Cam

Straight monopod. Level camera.