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Gimbal on a monopod—insanity?
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Jul 2, 2018 07:58:15   #
chris100849
 
That is the exact set up I use, mostly shot baseball games. I am very pleased with the results. Give it a try, you really don't have anything to lose. If you like it, great. If you don't , who cares?

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Jul 2, 2018 08:01:54   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Rab-Eye wrote:
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!
I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)


Personally, I never use monopods because I shoot wildlife exclusively and a monopod gets in my way, it cannot move quick enough to capture fast moving birds. That said I prefer to use a gimbal head on a tripod because a tripod provides a sturdy platform. If I use a gimbal head, I am moving my lens quickly to track birds in flight, and using it on a monopod simply does not work for me. Too many moving parts for me to mount a gimbal head on a monopod. Too many moving parts.

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Jul 2, 2018 08:46:50   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Rab-Eye wrote:
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!
I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)


Not insane at all - since you already have the gimbal try it ! - For following action on a monopod, I really like using a video fluid head - a reasonably in-expensive one.

..

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Jul 2, 2018 08:57:26   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
Tilting forward or back in the vertical plane is all you need with a monopod. You're already there. I like to try to set my tension loose enough to allow camera movement by hand.

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Jul 2, 2018 09:17:05   #
fotobyferg
 
Guess I’m crazy by UHH standards. I used a mono/gimbal combo with my 150-600 lens and got nice shots in Africa and Galapagos. I couldn’t imagine dragging a tripod around on those trips.

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Jul 2, 2018 09:49:46   #
clickety
 
gvarner wrote:
Tilting forward or back in the vertical plane is all you need with a monopod. You're already there. I like to try to set my tension loose enough to allow camera movement by hand.


This only applies if and when the photographer is able to and has unobstructed space to move in all directions around the axis of the monopod. Being seated (as at a ballpark), being on unstable/unsafe footing, having mobility limitations or physical impairments all will prevent timely, proper composition if limited to a single axis monopod head.

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Jul 2, 2018 10:00:13   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I use a squeeze grip head on my monopod and it works for me.

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Jul 2, 2018 10:09:26   #
jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK
 
I think you would negate the whole purpose of a gimbal head by attempting to use it on amonopod! By all means try it on a TRIPOD, but I think you would be sorely disappointed trying to use it otherwise ! And severely out of pocket .....

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Jul 2, 2018 10:16:11   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
Be careful. Some stadiums have changed the rules concerning what you can and can't bring into a stadium these days. If the lens is too large, they will consider you to be taking pictures for profit, and they won't let you bring it in. No, you don't even want to bring a monopod unless you are going to none pro baseball games and you know for certain that they are allowed and you can line up against a fence or something like that. No way you can use on while sitting at an assigned seat. But I could be wrong and you should call the stadium and check with them.

Rab-Eye wrote:
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!
I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)

Reply
Jul 2, 2018 10:20:19   #
bcrawf
 
Rab-Eye wrote:
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!
I generally go to the ballpark with my 70-300 len... (show quote)


Good idea as long as you tighten the ball to be a little stiff and proceed the same as when you are just hand-holding (since you cannot let the camera go). You will need to be in a spot where you do not have to duck around other spectators.

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Jul 2, 2018 10:23:27   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
jeep_daddy wrote:
Be careful. Some stadiums have changed the rules concerning what you can and can't bring into a stadium these days. If the lens is too large, they will consider you to be taking pictures for profit, and they won't let you bring it in. No, you don't even want to bring a monopod unless you are going to none pro baseball games and you know for certain that they are allowed and you can line up against a fence or something like that. No way you can use on while sitting at an assigned seat. But I could be wrong and you should call the stadium and check with them.
Be careful. Some stadiums have changed the rules ... (show quote)


I always check and the rules vary greatly.

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Jul 2, 2018 10:27:57   #
RonBoyd
 
To see exactly the setup I use, watch this video:

https://vimeo.com/116709909

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Jul 2, 2018 11:13:44   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
John N wrote:
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.


Thank you, John.

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Jul 2, 2018 11:14:40   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
DaveJ wrote:
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.
I tried a very inexpensive ball head on a light we... (show quote)


Thanks, Dave.

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Jul 2, 2018 11:15:49   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
DaveO wrote:
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


Thanks, Dave.

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