Monopod & Head recommendation (Page 2): I had this one https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1314371-REG/sirui_sup204sr_aluminum_photo_video_monopod.html and really liked it. It tilts...

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

irish17 wrote:

I use a Nikon D750 with a 24-70 and a 70-200 and i would like to get your recommendations on a monopod and head.

I had this one
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1314371-REG/sirui_sup204sr_aluminum_photo_video_monopod.html
and really liked it. It tilts in all directions making a tilt head all you need to maintain horizon.

ggab Loc: ?

irish17 wrote:

I use a Nikon D750 with a 24-70 and a 70-200 and i would like to get your recommendations on a monopod and head.

I got this:

https://www.benrousa.com/products/benro-mct48afs6.aspx

I like having the feet on the monopod. I got it with a video head as I was shooting video at the time. I now have put a ball head on it.

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

Stiff is generally good. You aren't holding big glass, but you won't want a wobbler either. Find your max desired height and add a little, then you can collapse each section a little to make it more stable.

As for heads, lot of opinions. I have used tilt, ball and no head on mine. Today I don't use a head. With the head on there, you can forget it is loose and the lens camera will come crashing down (Still attached, but rotates really hard).

So, now I like no head. I use it on bigger Nikon primes running up and down sports sidelines where simple works for me.

Twist vs lever locks is another endless debate. I like twist and my favorite color is green... meaning I don't think it matters.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I mount a D500 with a Tamron 150/600 mounted on a MM290C4US CF with a tilt head for several years shooting wildlife & love it. I prefer the lever locks, I feel their a litter faster to lock.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

While I use some rather high end, carbon fiber tripods, I didn't see the need to spend a small fortune on a monopod. I've got two of the Manfrotto aluminum monopods. They are older models, similar to this current one: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1291111-REG/manfrotto_mpmxproa4us_aluminum_xpro_monopod.html

I would recommend a monopod head. Those are made specifically for monopods, with only a tilt axis. Keep it simple and compact. You don't need a panning axis with a monopod, since you can easily rotate the entire rig.

Your camera and 70-200mm probably don't weigh more than 5 lb., so just look for a monopod head with a rating higher than that.

I use Arca-Swiss quick release system on everything. Some monopod heads have that type of platform too.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?setNs=p_PRICE_2%7c0&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&sortType=default&ci=398&fct=fct_accessory-type_3438%7Cheads&origSearch=monopod+head&srtclk=sort&ntt=arca&

One of my monopods is fitted with a medium size ballhead... but only because I had that lying around unused, left over from an old tripod. Some day I'll replace it with an actual monopod head, because the movements of the ballhead simply aren't needed and it's rather heavy (would make a good Game of Thrones weapon

)

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

amfoto1 wrote:

While I use some rather high end carbon fiber trip... (show quote)

I use a ball head all the time but won’t go into that now. You are right about a ball head and monopod being a good weapon. I do feel well prepared for trouble when carrying mine.
...Cam

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

irish17 wrote:

I use a Nikon D750 with a 24-70 and a 70-200 and i would like to get your recommendations on a monopod and head.

Monopods that can go SHORT are much more versatile ! Tilt heads that can pan at the TOP are much more versatile ! This monopod is 6 sections to allow it to go SHORT....so you can use it sitting or hold against your body for extra stability. A head panning at the TOP allows the camera to pan when the pod is off of straight vertical !

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-MP-326C-profession-Carbon-fiber-Monopod/173679312854?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VH-10-360-Panoramic-Tripod-Monopod-Stand-Ball-Head-for-Telephoto-Video-Shooting/323737880414?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
.

harleridr Loc: S.Texas

I have a monopod with a Manfrotto 3265 grip.This gives me a little more height. Plus it works well with my D7200 and 200-500mm lens.
Harley

photoman43

If you want a good quality monopod head (especially needed if you use heavier zoom and long teles) check out the ones made and sold by Kirk Enterprises and Really Right Stuff. Mine is from Really Right Stuff. The one from Manfroto is OK for light weight cameras, but not heavy stuff.

https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-monopod-heads/monopod-heads.html

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/heads/monopod-heads

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554098-REG/Manfrotto_234RC_234RC_Swivel_Tilt_Head_for.html

Joe

Norm W. Loc: Southern CA

When using a monopod I have found that the simplest head works best. With a simple single axis head that moves in one direction I can rock the monopod to accomplish movement for the other axis.
Because of the ease of monopod movement a ball head gives to much movement making it difficult to get a stable platform.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Norm W. wrote:

When using a monopod I have found that the simplest head works best. With a simple single axis head that moves in one direction I can rock the monopod to accomplish movement for the other axis.
Because of the ease of monopod movement a ball head gives to much movement making it difficult to get a stable platform.

Wrong. A single axis tilt head is very limiting. Dual axis tilt or ball head covers almost every situation. There is nothing unstable about my ball head. When I crank the knob that head is not going anywhere.
Past discussions go into the details of this over and over. Try a search.
...Cam

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

CamB wrote:

Wrong. A single axis tilt head is very limiting. Dual axis tilt or ball head covers almost every situation. There is nothing unstable about my ball head. When I crank the knob that head is not going anywhere.
Past discussions go into the details of this over and over. Try a search.
...Cam

i think the idea here is that BIG lenses with small ball heads are not a good idea - but smaller lenses with BIG ballheads are better/OK. The bigger/$$$ the ball head the better

.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

imagemeister wrote:

i think the idea here is that BIG lenses with small ball heads are not a good idea - but smaller lenses with BIG ballheads are better/OK. The bigger/$$$ the ball head the better

.

Agree. Bigger is usually better.
...Cam

photoman43

I too agree that a single axis tilting head is way to limiting. I had one and used it one time and then gave it away.

Joe

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

photoman43 wrote:

I too agree that a single axis tilting head is way to limiting. I had one and used it one time and then gave it away.

Joe

Mine too. Bought it. Used one weekend. The next ten years sitting in a box.
...Cam