Head for Manfrotto 681B Monopod?

[mjordan]

I have a Manfrotto 681B monopod and am thinking of getting a ball head for it. I don't know how effective it is to have a ball head on a monopod, but the two I'm considering is the 486RC2 and 488RC4.

Does anyone have this combination or one close to it? Do many of you that use a monopod even have a ball head on it? I usually take my monopod with me but rarely use it. Now that I have the 100-400 4.5-5.6L lens, I'm thinking of using the monopod more.

Any suggestions, as always, are very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[unners]

manfrotto actually make a tele lens support specifically for monopods (similar to a wimberly). its a bogen 3421. i think it would be a bit of an overkill for the 100-400 IS though. i have the same monopod and use it extensively for my 400 f2.8. i bought the gimbal type head but i have found that i prefer to use the monopod without a head at all and i use the head on my tripod. this is mainly for sports but if u are shooting other things then a ball head may come in handy.
cheers
dave

[mjordan]

Thanks Dave. I should have mentioned it in the first post, but I will be using the monopod for action stuff, dog agility, herding, probably wind surfing and kite boarding (without the dogs :lol: ) and boat racing (human paddlers, not the ultra fast speed boats that Jim takes). I don't know if a ball head will help very much or if I should just lean the monopod. I've used my tripod but haven't used the monopod very much.

I agree with you on the 3421 being a bit more for the 100-400. I can see where it would be handy for the big monster lenses though.

Thanks Dave.

Mike

[CoolToolGuy]

I have the 484RC2 head on my monopod, and while it works okay for me now, I am thinking of moving up to the 486RC2. The 486 is a little beefier, and for a heavier combination such as the 100-400 L that may be an issue.

I initially struggled with the 'head/no head' decision, but I have found that the ball head can be very useful - almost necessary. For the dog events, if you need to get some close shots the ball head will be extrmely easier than trying to tilt the monopod and keep the tip from skidding out. I also thought about using one of the 2-way heads, but I don't think they would work out either.

My 2 cents.

Have Fun,

[flyfishnj]

I just purchased the 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ballhead. Ergonomic and easy one hand use.

http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/itemalone.php3?itemid=2529

[mjordan]

Thanks Rick and John.

Rick, Being able to tilt more thant he monopod would tilt easily is one of the things I've thought about. Even if I didn't need to use it for something like that, just being able to adjust the camera for the proper angle for times when I'm shooting on a hill or a slope (like this last weekend when I shot the Dragon Boat races off the bank of the river) would make it easier to use the monopod.

John, I've considered that one. The idea seems to be pretty good too, although I'd want to use it in my left hand while I shot with my right.

I don't have a tripod that I can put another head on right now... I have a Giottos VT-809 which does a decent job with my D30 and 10D with smaller lenses. But it's a bit over whelmed with the 100-400 on it. So I will be getting a tripod in the near future as well, although I think I will use the monopod more for right now. But if I get a Manfrotto tripod I will be able to use what ever I get on it too.

Thanks again.

Mike

[CoolToolGuy]

Thanks Rick and John.
John, I've considered that one. The idea seems to be pretty good too, although I'd want to use it in my left hand while I shot with my right.

Thanks again.

Mike

Mike,

I have considered the 322 ball head as well, and I have not totally ruled it out. But, like you, I would want to work it with my left hand while holding the camera and working the shutter release with my right. I can't for the life of me figure out why Manfrotto shows it the way they do in the marketing literature, but the guy at my local camera store tells me you can do it, no problem. I think someone on this forum has it as well and said the same thing.

The 'RC2' heads all use the same quick release plate, and Manfrotto has a good selection of ball heads and 3-way heads with that have it. Whichever type of head you get for the monopod, keep the quick release in your thoughts for when you get a tripod head - you can keep the plate on the bottom of the camera (or long lens) and switch between them without a lot of fumbling.

Have Fun,

[lonnycaughron]

I have both the 322 and 486 both with the rc2 quick releas plates. at this time i have the 322 on my tripod and the 486 on my monopod. I like the 322 for its ease of use when setting up the shot. but i've been considering switching it to my monopod because if feel that it would work better there. I've found that when setting up a shot with a large vertical angle on the tripod it tends to move up or down after framing the shot (a bit of a pain). but other wise i like both of them. and yes the 322 can be converted to left handed use (that is how i use mine) easily.

lonny

[blackviolet]

i have the 322 (and the older 222) and the 468 (all rc2) and i've pretty much left the 322 on my tripod as it's so cool and easy to use. i've tried all three on the monopod and no way, it's too darn clumsy to use a ballhead on a monopod!!!!! :?

now it could just be that i use my monopod for sports and not for anything else.

[rabidrat]

I found the Manfrotto ball heads to be excellent, I use to use a 486 rc2 but upgraded to the 468MGrc2 the hydrostatic one which is incredible. I had a 681 monopod but upgraded that to a 682 as I found the quick release legs to be usefull for the extra stability. I dont use my tripod much as being in a wheelchair its too bulky to carry everywhere wheras the 682 is ideal.

[SkipD]

I got a Bogen/Manfrotto 484RC2 to use on a monopod, but it would slip sometimes with my 70-200 f2.8 IS lens/20D combination. I switched to a 486RC2 that I took off one of my tripods (that tripod now has a 488RC2) and it works great on the monopod.

[Ikinaa]

I use a Manfrotto 234RC (http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/itemalone.php3?itemid=308) head on my 681B monopod.
It a one-way head. I find it easier to use than my 486 I have on the tripod because the head moves only in one direction. IMO it's more stable.
For horizontal movement you can turn the monopod...