New Monopod and Head (req: feedback)

[Liquid_Squelch]

Hello all!
With Christmas fast approaching, I'm making up my list...Hopefully Santa will be good to me this year!

One of the things I'm look at is a new Tripod.
I've picked out a Bogen / Manfrotto 680B.

I'm just looking for feedback in heads.
I currently use a Bogen / Manfrotto 486RC2 on my tripod.
I'd like to get a head for the monopod that will accept the RC2 plates.

Part of me says buy an 2nd 486RC2 for the tripod.
Another part of me says take a look at the 3229 swivel head.
I'm also wondering if I should just say..buy a Pan/Tilt head for the tripod, so I can swap out w/ the Ball Head when its on the tripod.

How well does the 3229 work on the Monopod??
Will I be happier w/ a 2nd 486RC?

Thanks

[Jon]

I use a ball head on my monopods because I often want more flexibility than a simple swivel/tilt head offers. If you'll basically use the monopod upright and the camera level, the 3229 will do. If you expect to use the monopod at any kind of angle, or use the camera both in portrait mode and off the horizontal, use a ball head. I use the 486RC2 on my monopods; if you decide to go the ball head route, why not upgrade your tripod's ball head to the 488RC2, which has an independent pan control and move your current 486RC2 over to the monopod.

[Liquid_Squelch]

Jon,
Thanks for the quick reply.

Being that I'm at work, and my tripod gear is at home...I double checked my info when you dropped the key words on the 488RC2... "Independent pan control"!

I doublechecked the 486RC2 and the 488RC2.
I'm happy to say I have the 488RC2.

Thanks for straightening me out!
I may do the 486RC2 on the tripod, since I won't need to PAN.

[scot079]

You will need pan on the tripod. Put the 488 on your tripod an get a 486 or another 488RC2 for you monopod.

[Celestron]

I have the 681B Monopod and the 488RC2 BH . Both work great together . I plan to use the 488RC2 on a future Bogen-Manfrotto tripod . However the 680B monopod is also a great monopod and the 486RC2 BH is a highly recommended BH for this combo . The 681B & 488RC2 will run you more $$ than the 680B & 486RC2 BH . If i were not planing to use the 488RC2 on a future BM tripod then i would have had the 486RC2 BH . So with this said really it's a matter of preference as to what your actual needs are . Both combos are great .

[SkipD]

I use a 486RC2 on my 680B monopod and a 488RC2 on my tripods. It's a great combination with full compatibility.

[jr_senator]

You are getting some real good ball head advice here. I would only add that unless you have a need (or want) for a 4 section monopod the 3 section 681 (which I have) is more stable.

[blonde]

my advice is to try the monopod with your existing head before you go and buy anything else. i for one couldn't stand the feel of a ball head on my monopod and quickly went back to the 3229 head.

[scot079]

You are getting some real good ball head advice here. I would only add that unless you have a need (or want) for a 4 section monopod the 3 section 681 (which I have) is more stable.

I love my carrying my 681B + 488RC2. Besides giving you a stable shooting platform, it also deters would-be muggers:D

[Liquid_Squelch]

I went with the 680 over the 681 due to the size difference while collapsed....

Not much else I can do about it now.. I submitted my list to Santa!

Thanks to all for the feedback. I'll be sure (or at least I hope) to update the thread after the "Big Man" delivers the goods!

Thanks again for the great feedback!
Phil