Monopod - Will a 680 suffice? What about a head?

[jnick]

Hey guys,

I have done a lot of research on the subject, and found that the Bogen 680 monopod should be sufficient enough for my needs.

I mainly will use it for times when either I can't use a tripod or if I don't need the extensive support of a tripod.

Right now, I mainly take portraiture and macro shots. However, I do occasionally try and take some animal shots with my 73-300 (soon to be upgraded to the 70-200!).

With that said, should I go for a head for the monopod as well? If so, what do you all recommend. The only head I've ever used was a standard pan and tilt head on tripods. I've never used a ball head nor have I ever used a monopod. Therefore my experience with these items are non-existent.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

[gryphonslair99]

You will probably get a lot of different opinions on what head to use. I have the same monopod and love it. I shoot sports and I use it with lens that have tripod mount rings such as my 70-200 f2.8. Because of that reason I use a Manfrotto 3232 Swivel Tilt Monopod Head with an arca-swiss QR plate attached. This way I have complete control of the orientation of the lens and have the balance point always over the monopod.

If I am going to be using it with short glass that does not have a tripod ring then I mount my Custom Bracket on top of the monopod so I can change the camera to portrait orientation if needed. Personally I do not like a ball head on top as the ball head in portrait orientation throws the balance of the monopod off.

Others will tell you differently I know. I would suggest you go to a good photography shop with your camera and lenses and try out different configurations and find what you like to use. It really is a personal choice.

Good article on monopod use: http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

[Mike K]

With that said, should I go for a head for the monopod as well? If so, what do you all recommend. The only head I've ever used was a standard pan and tilt head on tripods. I've never used a ball head nor have I ever used a monopod. Therefore my experience with these items are non-existent.


It depends upon what you shoot. For sports big lenses are often attached to the monopod directly as most sports simply require horizontal swivelling and the ability to support a big lens. With birding you often have to pan up/down in addition to horizontal. many often recommend a simple solution to the vertical pan
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5498-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3232_3232_Swivel_Tilt_Head.html
or if you use Arca Swiss camera and lens plates
http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Others/MonopodSolution.pdf

For portraits I would use a faster shutter speed and no monopod, as longer, heavier lenses are not needed. Or if the light is dimmer, a tripod.
Mike K

[ibdb]

I just bought the 680 + 3229 head. I'll be giving it my first real workout with my 100-400 and some wildlife shooting at a local animal park on Thursday. I'll check back when I return. ;)

Seriously -- I chose the 3229 (the quick release version of what Mike mentioned above) because I wanted the additional ability to tilt up and down in addition to using the collar on the lens. I tend to shoot a wide variety of subjects, and I can see using the 100-400 on the pod for both sports and wildlife. The added flexibility of the tilt/swivel head seemed like it would have value to me. I chose the 680 in part because the shop I went to didn't have the 679 they thought they had when I called in advance ( :evil: ), but I liked the fact that it could be shorter and felt a little bit more solid. I know several other shooters here who have the 679 and similar (or even heavier) gear and are quite happy with their choice.

I have the 486RC2 head on my tripod (ball head with quick release), but don't really see wanting it on the monopod. If I need to, I can always move it later.

I don't know that I'd really try the monopod for macro -- typically when I'm shooting macro I want a dead solid tripod, with no movement at all. For portraiture, I typically have a shorter lens, faster shutter speeds, or both. There have been times when I've used long lenses for that, but in those cases I've tried to be stealthy. I don't know that a monopod would really help me do that. Other times, I've hauled out the tripod, again for the rock steady platform.

Pretty long answer from someone who hasn't really worked the monopod in the field yet, huh? :lol:

[SkipD]

I use the Manfrotto 680B topped off with their 486RC2 ball head.

The reason for the ball head? I use the monopod in many different ways, and often need to have the monopod itself at very odd angles to the camera and to the ground. The ball head makes this possible while a single-axis head such as the 3229 would not do for me.

[Richard_Miami]

What Skip said for me also - with one minor difference- I topped my 680 +486 ballhead with an RRS ArcaSwiss clamp. If you are not already committed to a particular QR system, check out the arca system. It is a thing of beauty simple and totally reliable.

FYI- the 680 + 486 easily holds any of my gear nice and steady.

[In2Photos]

I have the 679 and use it sans head for sports but if I use it for anything else I want a head for it. So typically I only use the pod for sports and hondhold or tripod for everything else. My plans are to get 2 486 RC2 heads, one for the monopod and one for my tripod.

[Jon]

I use the Manfrotto 680B topped off with their 486RC2 ball head.

The reason for the ball head? I use the monopod in many different ways, and often need to have the monopod itself at very odd angles to the camera and to the ground. The ball head makes this possible while a single-axis head such as the 3229 would not do for me.Ditto on the head use for me.

[jnick]

Awesome! Thanks for the information guys!

[DD974]

I use the Manfrotto 680B topped off with their 486RC2 ball head.

I'm looking for a ball head for my 680b so I can rotate the camera to portrait when it's attached to the bottom of the battery grip

...this'll screw on to the 680b? How does it hold up to the weight of a 70-200 L

The BH site shows it's made for a tripod...or is it attached the same way as to a tripod?

[Richard_Miami]

I use my 5D+ 70 - 200 f/2.8 IS- just like yours on my 680 + 486 - but the rig is mounted to the ballhead by the LENS, not from the camera body. This is a better weight distribution all around.

The 680 should be fine with your heaviest combo- the 30D + 70-200 f/2.8 - but you might find a little creep when tilted on an angle. Just remember that the monopod is not a tripod and has its stability limitations (I am sure you know this..just being complete).

[Jon]

Attaches the same way to a monopod or tripod. Yes, it'll handle a 70-200 L; I use it as the head on my light travel tripod (Slik 613CF) with the 5D/24-70 or 20D/70-200 2.8 IS. Actually, the 5D/24-70 combo puts more strain on it, because the 70-200 has a tripod mounting ring so the weight's better centered. I had to step up from a Linhof head to the 486RC2 when the Linhof couldn't manage the 5D/24-70.

[nutsnbolts]

Ditto on the head use for me.


Make that x3. 680B with 486RC2.