Gimbal on a monopod—insanity? I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 lens, but I’d like to try the 200-500 the next time I go out. I still do not trust myself to get good...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Check out Drone Video and Photography Forum section of our forum.

Main Photography Discussion

Gimbal on a monopod—insanity?

Page 1 of 6 next> last>>

Jul 1, 2018 18:38:03 #

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 lens, but I’d like to try the 200-500 the next time I go out. I still do not trust myself to get good results handholding this lens. I use a very basic head on my monopod which simply tilts forward and backwards. I am shooting from the stands, so a tripod is out of the question. Would it be crazy to put my gimbal head on my monopod to use this lens? In case anyone asks, the 70-300 is definitely adequate from where I sit, but I want to try out the 200-500 just for grins. Actually, it would be a big advantage for shooting outfielders. What do you folks think?

Thanks!

Jul 1, 2018 18:58:49 #

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Yes, insanity. I tried it and it was a mess, top heavy and all you get is tilt since the monopod will rotate on its on.
Just get a monopod tilt head like this: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-234-Monopod-Tilt-Replaces/dp/B000KHZ8AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530485900&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+tilt+head&dpID=51Z6Q07joEL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Jul 1, 2018 19:07:28 #

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

A good tilt head works well for me and I would not personally be interested in anything else with a big lens on a mono or body-pod.

Jul 1, 2018 19:13:42 #

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

rwilson1942 wrote:

I would not go so far as to claim it was insane, but yes the added axis of movement will drive you nuts.

Jul 1, 2018 19:18:46 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Rab-Eye wrote:

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)

Not a weird idea at all!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html/?c3api=4680%2C238561865219%2Cmanfrotto+393%2Ce&gclid=CjwKCAjw9-HZBRAwEiwAGw0QcWAlsE155AURTP7-ZjQDDYt34FS3QeIVGl7-1ej7zzcf5sEua6P1xhoCg18QAvD_BwE

This gimbal was designed specifically for monopods. I've used one since 2007 - it does a great job. You can adapt it with an Arca Swiss clamp from Hejnar Photo - in case you have arca-style plates for your lenses.

Jul 1, 2018 20:11:06 #

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

rwilson1942 wrote:

Thank you. That is pretty much the same as the head I have now.

Jul 1, 2018 20:11:27 #

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

DaveO wrote:

A good tilt head works well for me and I would not personally be interested in anything else with a big lens on a mono or body-pod.

Thank you, Dave.

Check out Traditional Street and Architectural Photography section of our forum.

Jul 1, 2018 20:11:54 #

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

I would not go so far as to claim it was insane, but yes the added axis of movement will drive you nuts.

Thank you very much. I always value your input.

Jul 1, 2018 20:12:36 #

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Gene51 wrote:

Not a weird idea at all! br br url https://www.b... (show quote)

Thank you, Gene.

Jul 2, 2018 06:07:32 #

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Try a ball head with a low friction setting. I do this sometimes on my tripod and it is better than hold holding as the speeds drop.
Got a 2nd hand monopod at a club auction last week - now just need a 2nd hand Giotto ballhead to fit to it as all my cameras and lenses with fittings have permanent plates attached.
If any hoggers know where I can get a Giotto ballhead please let me know - even B&H can't help now.

Jul 2, 2018 07:05:06 #

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

I tried a very inexpensive ball head on a light weight monopod . Needed better head(and wanted better monopod). Ordered this Desmond tilt head with ARCA style clamp last week and happy with it on first try.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0169AYZ8W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Read about it from another poster here on UHH on a thread about heads on monopods. Most said use a tilt , not a ballhead on monopod and it seems to have been good advice. I was very close to ordering a ballhead, but changed my mind after reading that thread.
I also got a carbon fiber Amazon basics monopod and it seems fine.

Check out The Pampered Pets Corner section of our forum.

Jul 2, 2018 07:08:40 #

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use a Monostat monopod with RRS monopod head wich allows movement in all planes with ease. Only problem is this monopod is no longer made

Jul 2, 2018 07:17:37 #

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I didn't feel comfortable with one of the popular tilt heads not always staying tight with heavier lenses. This one works well for me. Pricey but solid and easily tightens without a lot of effort:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1301063-REG/really_right_stuff_mh_01_lr_monopod_head_with_full_size.html

Jul 2, 2018 07:30:01 #

RonBoyd

I use a Tomahawk Gimbal with a Manfrotto 685 B Monopod when using the Tamron 150-600 lens. It is an invaluable combination when shooting fast moving objects -- BIF, for instance. The one-handed control of the monopod is an added bonus.

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=tomahawk+gimb&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS743US743&q=tomahawk+gimbal+head+review&gs_l=hp..2.0l2j0i22i30l3.0.0.0.15022...........0.f_XrYqEox30&qscrl=1&gws_rd=ssl

https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&hl=en-GB&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS743US743&ei=4Qo6W83MO6W3jwTYhayoAg&q=manfrotto+685b+review&oq=manfrotto+685+b&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0i13k1l4j0i13i30k1l6.109622.115317.0.121866.15.15.0.0.0.0.195.1709.9j6.15.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.15.1696...0j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1j0i20i263k1j0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.1ukiibwoXeA

Jul 2, 2018 07:37:05 #

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Ben, I wouldn't declare it insanity. However, I would consider using a gimbal head, especially on a monopod as bordering on insanity, or at least poor judgement.
--Bob

Rab-Eye wrote:

I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)

Page 1 of 6 next> last>>

If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.

Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.

Main Photography Discussion

Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections

UglyHedgehog.com - Forum