[Bogen 682/B] Thoughts? Experience? Review?

[nutsnbolts]

I'm thinking of going with this monopod. I like the fact that it has the tripod capability. I know it's not a true tripod but having it along with it for temporary short term use seems to have more versatility. The question is, anyone have good reviews for this?

In addition what quick release ballhead goes well with this?

[canon_fire]

I can see very bad things happening if attempted to use as a tripod. I think (I could be wrong) that the three little legs are there more or less for balance/stability.
I have heard of 488RC2 ballheads used on monos w/ decent results. The RC2's are quiet versatile, just don't have any bubble levels IF you prefer/use them or not. You could also try the 486rc2, has a Load Capacity of 13.2 lb (6 kg) and weighs but a pound.

[Jon]

On a monopod, the 486RC2's ample; the 488 is overkill since you can rotate the whole 'pod for panning, thus obviating need for the 488's pan control. The only thing I'd trust the flip-out legs on a monopod to do would be to make sure the tripod stayed put while the camera and I were moving around.

[nutsnbolts]

On a monopod, the 486RC2's ample; the 488 is overkill since you can rotate the whole 'pod for panning, thus obviating need for the 488's pan control. The only thing I'd trust the flip-out legs on a monopod to do would be to make sure the tripod stayed put while the camera and I were moving around.

Is it worth the extra 20 bucks in comparison to the other ones out there. This is about 100 bucks and the others are about 50-85. I figured the extra 20 may be worth it to provide a little more versatility. Obviously, it's not a tripod and it wouldn't be used as a primary tripod. What is the big difference between the 486RC2 and 488 HEAD?

[Jon]

The big difference between the 486RC2 and the 488RC2 is that the 488RC2 has a separate locking screw and pivot so you can lock your ball head at any angle and still pan the camera by rotating the top part of the head. On a tripod this can be useful since you can't rotate the tripod. On a monopod, just pivot the whole monopod. I have the 486RC2 on my monopods; the 488RC2 or 322RC2 on my tripods.

[JWright]

In my opinion, the 486/488 ball heads on a monopod are overkill, especially with the lens lineup you have. I have gotten good service out of the Bogen 3229 Tilt head on my monopods. The only lens I ever use on my monopod is the 100-400 IS L. I position it so the head allows me to tilt the camera forward and back and I use the lens' tripod collar to go vertical.

http://www.adorama.com/images/large/BG3229.jpg

[Jon]

Yeah - but none of the lenses he has come with a tripod ring. So a 3229 just won't cut it if you need 3 degrees of freedom.

[nutsnbolts]

I do plan on getting the 100-400 sooner or later and maybe even trade/resell/purchase the 70-200 2.8 IS so in the future yes it can be useful to have the 3229, but as Jon stated, that won't be awhile for the f/2.8 100-200 and the 100-400 probably earlier part of next year or the end of this year for Christmas.

The bottomline is that I don't want to have to ugprade my ballhead in the future. I have a crappy tripod which is a no brand tripod and nothing I can do about switching the head on it. The monopod on the other hand, if I do go with the 682B, the head 486RC2 will work and the 488RC2 is almost useless (well not useless), perhaps redundant when you can twist the monopod.

In terms of weight and costs? Is there a difference? If not, (between 10-20) bucks, I may just do it and if I see a need for a super duper tripod then I can switch ballheads and if I really need one then, I can always get a second one.

[Jon]

Yep. The 488RC2's around 1/2 lb. more, and a bit under $40 more at B&H.

[nutsnbolts]

Yep. The 488RC2's around 1/2 lb. more, and a bit under $40 more at B&H.

Ouch, if it was 0 - 40 dollars then probably but 60 or 100 ouch!

.5 more pounds, I want something to be light. I guess I will have to just wait for the 488RC2 later on when I do get a super duper tripod.

Unless of course, I should just go with it now so later on, it's just a tripod.

What are your opinions?

I figured if I bought the 488 now, I can switch it back and forth when I add the super duper tripod and if I see a need to have a dedicated ballhead like you JON, then I would buy another or something better?

Makes sense? Hmm .5 may start to get heavy on the other hand.

[Jon]

I started with the 486RC2 and added the 488RC2 when I wanted to dedicate a head to the monopod and one to the tripod. So that'd work well for the time being, and especially as you haven't yet got the final tripod. Your lens goals may have changed by then and even a 488 may not be what you want.

[nutsnbolts]

Thanks Jon! Most thought out advice. Sometime simplicity responses is enough to help make a decision.

Now I'm confused. Which of the 682 is it?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=manfrotto+682&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Lol.

[JWright]

I still think the 486 and 488 are too large for a monopod. There are other, smaller ballheads out there that would give you the same functionality without the bulk.

Another alternative, and this is what I did, is to get an "L" bracket for the camera and adapt the 3229 with an Arca-Swiss clamp.This way you don't have to flop a ballhead over to go to a vertical format. Of course, there is a substantial financial commitment involved in this route.

[Jon]

Thanks Jon! Most thought out advice. Sometime simplicity responses is enough to help make a decision.

Now I'm confused. Which of the 682 is it?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=manfrotto+682&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Lol.BO682, chrome one or BO682B black one ($100.95 each). The others have some kind of head or another.

I still think the 486 and 488 are too large for a monopod. There are other, smaller ballheads out there that would give you the same functionality without the bulk.
Those of us who are using them regularly don't find the 486 to be too big and do find smaller ones to be too small for portrait mode use.

[nutsnbolts]

keep in mind guys, I want to get the best bang for the buck, however, I also do want the ball head when travelling around Europe to be like, dang this ball head is huge and heavy!!

Oh and the other monopods are kits.

How are the heads on these kits anyway? (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5493-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__682_Monopod_with_3025.html)

[Jon]

That looks like something Rube Goldberg came up with. Part of the goal of a monopod is to be something that's fast and easy to use. I doubt that head qualifies.

[nutsnbolts]

That looks like something Rube Goldberg came up with. Part of the goal of a monopod is to be something that's fast and easy to use. I doubt that head qualifies.

Lol

That's why I asked, I checked out each head and I was like, I have a monopod yet why this head??