Tripod Head on a Monopod
Aug 19, 2019 00:54:46 #
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the wooden ships I was asked by another camera person who was using a Monopod if I had ever thought of putting a Tripod head on my Monopod? I would be the same as using a Tripod but only using one leg instead of three he said.
I am a little leery of spending the money to put a Tripod head on a Monopod when you are using expensive camera. I am afraid that the camera will fall off the Monopod and I will lose the camera along with the lens I have attached to the camera.
May I get your views on this idea that was given to me please! My monopod is a Manfrotto M250 works great with my Sonya99ii body no lens. I carry lenses separate and use as needed.
I am a little leery of spending the money to put a Tripod head on a Monopod when you are using expensive camera. I am afraid that the camera will fall off the Monopod and I will lose the camera along with the lens I have attached to the camera.
May I get your views on this idea that was given to me please! My monopod is a Manfrotto M250 works great with my Sonya99ii body no lens. I carry lenses separate and use as needed.
Aug 19, 2019 01:26:56 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
bnsf wrote:
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the woode... (show quote)
Photographers put cameras and lenses on tripod heads all the time. They are no more liable to falling off the head when it’s mounted on a monopod than when it’s mounted on a tripod.
Aug 19, 2019 02:00:37 #
People even use Gimbal Heads on Monopods
https://photographylife.com/how-to-use-a-monopod
https://backcountrygallery.com/using-a-gimbal-head-on-a-monopod/
https://luminous-landscape.com/gimbal-monopod-use-long-lenses/
https://photographylife.com/how-to-use-a-monopod
https://backcountrygallery.com/using-a-gimbal-head-on-a-monopod/
https://luminous-landscape.com/gimbal-monopod-use-long-lenses/
Aug 19, 2019 02:10:18 #
bnsf wrote:
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the woode... (show quote)
It is not recommended to put a ball head on a monopod. Unless the head is tightened, it is not very stable. Especially since the ball head has two degrees of motion (tilt and roll) which make it difficult to keep the camera from flopping around.
A pan/tilt tripod head is much better. Especially if you use one that is designed to provide resistance in tilt. You will still want to lock the head down to avoid the camera falling over.
A gimbal head is a special kind of pan/tilt head where the tilt axis is above the camera center of gravity. This way, the camera will not tend to fall over. They work very well on a monopod.
Aug 19, 2019 03:25:49 #
I use a monopod for 80% of my shooting. I always screw it directly into the camera.heads just complicate things. I also hang the camera by it's neck strap and let out the sections as needed.
Aug 19, 2019 04:10:15 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
jcboy3 wrote:
It is not recommended to put a ball head on a mono... (show quote)
I normally only use a monopod or tripod for stationary subjects. With a monopod on fairly level ground I like a tilt head, but in the mountains and desert it’s often necessary to use it at all sorts of odd angles, and then I find a ball head to be ideal. Set it to the desired angle, lock it down, and shoot.
Aug 19, 2019 05:13:36 #
For those that use a head with a monopod, do you always maintain the pod shaft vertical or do you combine the 2-pi motion of the monopod with the 2-pi motion of the tripod head.
Aug 19, 2019 08:38:39 #
bnsf wrote:
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the woode... (show quote)
I often shoot with large lenses and hand holding is not the best option. I do own a monopod but howerver mostly just leave my camera and lens attached to the tripod and leave the legs folded together so I can still carry it as if it was on a monopod over the shoulder and still have the stability of a monopod when shooting quick shots. it is alittle more weight to carry but luckily im only 47 and don't mind the extra haul.
I do worry about equipment failure and check each piece before I start my shoot and I always either wrap the strap on the tripod or have it in my hand when its carried over the shoulder. nothing like having 5 thousand dollars fall off and hit the concrete.
Aug 19, 2019 09:02:23 #
Since I hike a lot I got a tilt head with a quick release plate for my photo walking stick. On and off in a snap. With IS though it isn't usually necessary.
Aug 19, 2019 09:33:21 #
Aug 19, 2019 13:29:29 #
bnsf wrote:
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the woode... (show quote)
I always thought that was the only way to go, to use a good quality ball head on a monopod (if you don't, might as well leave the monopod at home)!
Aug 20, 2019 06:19:49 #
speters wrote:
I always thought that was the only way to go, to use a good quality ball head on a monopod (if you don't, might as well leave the monopod at home)!
Obviously many opinions here. The Kirk tilt head provides for any angle I might need beyond simply tilting the monopod. It’s great. The additional degrees of freedom provided by the ball head simply contribute to instability. So I would say, if you’re going to undermine the stability of the monopod with a ball head, leave the monopod at home and carry a tripod.
doclrb
Aug 20, 2019 06:47:40 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
bnsf wrote:
While I was in Duluth shooting photos of the woode... (show quote)
1. Make sure when your changing lenses in the field (I do not recommend this) make sure your camera is pointed down when changing lenses to minimize the chances of dust getting on your sensor.
2. I have never seemed to get along with monopods, mine are all in storage collecting dust. Anyway, one of the worst things you can do is put a tilt head on any monopod. It is like driving on the wrong side of the road, soon something bad is going to happen. Trust me, this combo is a no no.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Aug 20, 2019 07:30:02 #
scubadoc
Loc: Sarasota, FL
RWR wrote:
I normally only use a monopod or tripod for stationary subjects. With a monopod on fairly level ground I like a tilt head, but in the mountains and desert it’s often necessary to use it at all sorts of odd angles, and then I find a ball head to be ideal. Set it to the desired angle, lock it down, and shoot.
Sport photographers at professional sporting events are required to use a monopod, tripods generally not allowed. Their subjects are moving, not stationary, and they use their bodies to pan and the monopod head will provide the tilt function. Ball heads are too bulky and do not provide any added function to a photographer who knows how to properly use a monopod and monopod head. RRS makes a well designed monopod head that makes it easy to change the tilt. Manfretto and Gitzo also make well designed and lightweight monopod heads.
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/heads/monopod-heads
Aug 20, 2019 07:34:29 #
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