Is this a good monopod - Ball head combo ?

[devil350]

Hi all,

I plan to purshase those lens in the coming months:
-EF 70-200L f2.8 IS USM;
-EF 100-400L IS USM.

And my question is, will the following combo be a good choice ?
- Gitzo G1564L Monopod (Support 13kg/26lbs);
- Manfrotto 486RC2 (Support 6kg/12lbs).

I know the tripod + head will support one of those lenses + my body + grip + flash. I'll mainlly use the monopod in the forest, and a bit for traveling.
But my question is more for the owners of thoses items (in combo or not!), do you guys thing that those are really good ?
Can you please provide me pros and cons about those items ?

If you have something better, lighter, cheaper, to prpose me, you're welcome.
May be there is a better monopod/head to choose...

Is the 486RC2 compatible with RRC and Wimbelay plates ? I Think I've read it here, but can't remember :confused:

Finally, I'll never (Even if I don't know if I'll become an L addict :oops:) purshase a lens bigger than the 300 f2.8.

Thanks in advance for all your inputs, comments...

See you,
Laurent.

[Jonathan H]

The 486 is not compatible with arcaswiss-style plates. Bogen does not manufacture ballheads or plates using the arca-swiss dovetails.

Also, many shooters, myself included dont even bother with a ballhead on top of a monopod. It just adds complication. Any movement you need to make can just be accomplished by tilting the tripod or spinning the lens in the tripod ring.

[SkipD]

Laurent, the 486RC2 is a bit small for the lenses you list. It would creep more than you would be happy with.

The 488RC2 is what I use on my tripods for that sort of equipment, and it works quite well. It works well enough that I have no drive to get into the very expensive ball heads that use the Arca-Swiss style of quick-release systems.

I do use the 486RC2 on my monopod, but a little creep on a monopod means nothing because when using a monopod you are always making "aiming" corrections by moving the monopod.

I am extremely picky about the tools that I use, if that helps you understand my frame of view.

[devil350]

Hi guys,

Thanks you both for your answers.

So if I undesrtand well your advises, there is no need for a ball head on a monopod, because, thanks to the only leg (compare to a tripod), I'm able to move the monopod following my needs, and thus I don't need a ball head to adjust the shooting direction of the lens.
Because (that's my felling after reading your answer), this will be longer to adjust the ball head, than moving accordingly the monopod.
That sounds evident to me now that you've said that.

Correct me if I'm wrong ;-)

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
Laurent.

[SkipD]

Hi guys,

Thanks you both for your answers.

So if I undesrtand well your advises, there is no need for a ball head on a monopod, because, thanks to the only leg (compare to a tripod), I'm able to move the monopod following my needs, and thus I don't need a ball head to adjust the shooting direction of the lens.
Because (that's my felling after reading your answer), this will be longer to adjust the ball head, than moving accordingly the monopod.
That sounds evident to me now that you've said that.

Correct me if I'm wrong ;-)Laurent, it depends on how you use your monopod. If all you are going to do is stand vertically with the monopod essentially vertical in front of you, then you are correct about not needing a ball head.

I, however, use my monopod in many ways and in many positions. Thus, the 486RC2 ball head is extremely useful to me on my monopod.

A ball head also adds some height to the monopod which may be (and is to me) useful.

[devil350]

Thanks Skip.

And according to you, should I get the 486RC2 or the 488RC2 ?
I may invest in a new tripod in next coming years, so... this can be something to thing about.

As you said, I may be happier with the 488RC2. And as many people I'd like to keep my gear as long as possible, to avoid to spend my money for nothing. So may be I should think about the 488RC2 instead of the 486RC2.

Bye,
Laurent.

[quientus]

http://www.adorama.com/BG3229.html

This is what you need. It's designed for monopods. Side to side action is done using hands.

Load rating is low, but actual use speaks otherwise.

[mhackney]

Laurent, I use my SLYK graphite monopod with my 40d (and/or D60) and a 70-200mm /2.8 IS lens without a ballhead primarily for shooting soccer events where I normally keep the monopod vertical. I use a Hakuba graphite tripod with an Acratech ballhead and plates. I also got an Acratech quick release clamp to put on the monopod so I can use the same plate system across my tripod and monopod and cameras/lenses. Up until I got the monopod, I simply used the trippod with only 1 leg extended. It worked fine although a little heavy. One of the big advantages of an actual monopod for me is that it is a lot easier to carry in my gear bag!

edit: forgot to mention, that the 70-200mm lens comes with a tripod mount that rotates around the lens barrel - so it is easy to rotate from a portrait to landscape orientation while on the monopod. If I am shooting an event where I want to mix portrait and landscape orientation shots, I loosen the clamp slightly so the lens/camera rotates with just a bit of friction.

cheers
Michael

[Richard_Miami]

Laurent... my solution is here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3470374&postcount=12

-- Manfrotto 680, with w Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead with an RRS B2 arca clamp topping it off.


The complete thread is: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=342122

[devil350]

Thank you all for those new infos.

I'll check that soon.

Bye,
Laurent.

[PacAce]

Laurent,

When you say that you will be using the monopod mostly in the forest (and traveling), does that mean that you will be using the monopod for wildlife and bird photography? If that is the case, then a head that will allow you to pitch the lens up and down, like the one suggested by Quientus, might be more useful than the 486RC2.

However, having said that, I'll add that I also have the 486RC2 ballhead, which I may use on the monopod, and the 488RC2 for one of my tripods. For sports and motorsports, I usually don't use a head at all and just mount the lens directly on the monopod. But I use Wimberley plates on all my collared lenses so if I'm feeling really lazy and don't want to be bothered with taking the plate off, I'll just mount the 486RC2 ballhead on the monopod so that I'll be able to mount the lens on the monopod. In case you're wondering about the Wimberley plate and 486 combo, I swapped out the RC2 clamp on the 486 (and 488 ) for a Wimberley clamp. I did this because I'm mostly a wildlife and bird photographer and use the Wimberley gimbal head for my bigger lenses (and hence the Wimberley plates on all my lenses and cameras).

[devil350]

Hi PacAce,

Thanks for your answer.
And yes I will be using the monopod mainly for wildlife and bird photography.

Bye,
Laurent.

[jr_senator]

Heed Skip's advice. I use a different monopod and ball head than he does but I do use a ball head. Sometimes I lean a monopod aginst a fence or the back of the chair in front of me. A ball head is too handy not to have one on a monopod.

[devil350]

Thanks for the input jr_senator ;-)

Bye,
Laurent.

[labbai]

My solution is Gitzo GM2540 with Manfrotto 3232 tilt head... I have RSS ballhead on my tripod, so I got the B2-Pro clamp for the monopod. This is more than enough for my 300L IS with 1.4× extender... I'm thinking of dropping the tilt head off, because it is quite useless on a monopod

[devil350]

Hi labbai,

Thanks for your infos.
The Gitzo you mention is too expensive for me.

After reading all the input I received, my heart balance now between two monopod and two ball head:
The Gitzo G1564L and the Manfrotto 681B;
The Manfrotto 486RC2 and the 488RC2 or RC4.

Now I hope you'll be able to help me to choose ;-)

Thanks in advance, for your help.

Bye,
Laurent.

[SkipD]

Laurent, forget the ...RC4 quick release system. The QR plate for the RC4 system is MUCH larger than the one for the RC2 system, and is designed for medium format and larger cameras. It very much gets in the way of handling smaller cameras and lenses.

[Ultimate CC]

i personally run the arca swiss z1 and the feisol cf monopod and love it...works great with those two lenses...although I don't always use a ballhead...

[jr_senator]

...between two monopod and two ball head:
The Gitzo G1564L and the Manfrotto 681B;
The Manfrotto 486RC2 and the 488RC2 or RC4.



I have the Manfrotto 681.

[devil350]

I have the Manfrotto 681.

Hi,

Are you happy with it ?
What are your impressions ? Is it sturdy, easy to expend, light... ?

Bye,
Laurent.

[jr_senator]

Granted, the 681 is a bit heavier than the 679, but I wanted steadyness over light weight. Now, keep in mind that I do not trek anything but very short distances carring my 681. Also, I have the 678 Universal Folding Base attached and that adds another pound to the monopod. I believe one can get the above combo as #682. I use a rolling case (Lowepro Road Runner AW) if I'm going any distance at all and the monopod (and tripod) connect on the side of the case. When I was younger I carried 40 lbs of camera gear up Mount LaConte to the lodge. But, those days are way behind me. I'm thinking about getting a CF monopod but that's still in the thinking stage as I don't think I would use it very much. I like the secure 'snap' when using Bogen's section locks better than a twist type lock. You didn't ask, but I use a Slik Standard Ballhead with it. I'm not suggesting you use the Slik, it's just what I use. The following link shows good ways to use a monopod and keep it at it's sturdyness. http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

[nutsnbolts]

I have the 486RC2 ballhead with the 680B monopod. Very great combo there. Light enough and shorter than the 682.

[devil350]

Hi,

Thank you all for you input.
jr_senator, thanks for you complete answer and for the link you provide me.

See you,
Laurent.