Are some ballheads inappropriate for Monopods?

[smorter]

I was thinking of getting a Manfrotto/Bogen 682B Monopod with the three mini legs as I have major issues handholding 85L and 135L (which I need for an upcoming wedding ceremony) (too used to IS lens)

I was searching through past threads and found some references (from Jon) to the the use of a 486rc2. Whilst his logic is very sound, I wanted to get something I could use for the future too for Tripods, so I was thinking whether I should use a 488rc2 instead.

But are some ballheads (e.g. the 488rc2) too large for monopods or too clumsy and defeat its purpose? Or should I just get the recommended 234RC head 1 way swivel tilt monopod heads in the BH Photo "value packs" (for about half the price of a 486rc2). I was thinking portrait orientation flexibility would be something nice to have as the 85L and 135L don't have tripod rings. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332749-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__682B_Monopod_Black_with.html

Mobility, speed and ease of access, quiteness and stability are all important to me and it seems like the 682b system may be what I need as the above attributes are tradeoffs.

Also I'm on a budget (as AUD is low), but am aware of the need to plan for the future too though, hence my dilemma of whether to buy the best or not.

Sorry if this has been asked ad nauseum, I did search through past heads but am still a bit confused.

I wish the 85L and 135L had IS!!! :D I have major issues handholding at anything below 1/160 which negate the lens' "speed" advantages over my 70-200 f/4L IS :(

[TheHoff]

I would avoid a ballhead on a monopod, but it really is a personal choice. Some people like them. I think a simple tilt head is easier to manage since you can do a lot of angling up and down just by leaning the monopod one way or the other.

[vkalia]

I would avoid a ballhead on a monopod, but it really is a personal choice. Some people like them. I think a simple tilt head is easier to manage since you can do a lot of angling up and down just by leaning the monopod one way or the other.

+1. That's what I use.

Vandit

[SkipD]

I use a ball head (a Manfrotto 486RC2) on my Manfrotto 680B monopod. The reason is simple - I use the monopod in many different ways other than the classic "standing vertically behind a vertical monopod" position. I use the monopod with lenses that have tripod rings and lenses that don't. A simple tilt head just would not provide the versatility that I need.

The little leg set on a monopod is, for me, the most useless thing I could think of. They would make it difficult at best to move the monopod around while using it. They would prevent using the monopod at angles from the ground other than straight up (a bummer if the ground isn't horizontal under it). The little legs are ABSOLUTELY NOT a substitute for a tripod.

[JohnJ80]

For a wedding, you don't need a ballhead on a monopod. For the lenses you choose, if you want to have the lens with more angle, then investigate a Manfrotto 3232 or the 3229 if you are into the manfrotto rc2 plate system.

Don't get any of those monopods that have those cheesy little legs that come out. They are next to worthless and they can make noise and add weight. If you need three legs, get a real tripod otherwise get a monopod with only one leg.

J.

[RichNY]

I completely agree about not using a ballhead on a monopod. For light glass the Manfrotto 3232 is a great solution (I've even used it with my 200 f/2 until getting the solution below) http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html

When you get to 200 f/2, 300 f/2.8 and bigger the best solution is the RRS MH-01. http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/04.html

[S-S]

i have 2 types of ballhead i have used on my manfrotto monopod.

the first one i got was a dynotran 'garlic crusher' style where you squeeze the trigger to release the tension on the ball, and when you release the trigger the ball is gripped in the new position

but i found this added quite a bit of extra height to the pod - almost a foot

so now i use a simple short qihe ballhead with one tension knob and a slot cut out for vertical positioning. i find that if i keep the knob almost fully tightened, i can rotate the camera easily by applying force yet when i let go the head is firm and does not droop - even with my 50-500mm sigma attached at full extension. this means i dont need to use an extra hand to release & tighten the tension knob while positioning the camera - a great plus.

i would never consider using my monopod without a ballhead: i use angles too steep for simple monopod bracing on flat ground about 50% of the time.

i also would not recommend you get a monopod with leg attachments. if you need that much extra stability you ought to use a proper tripod. if you get one that can accept different heads, you can just transfer them across between mono & tri.

all this being said: i have used a monopod at a couple of weddings and find that it is only of limited usefulness: when shooting from the back of the church with my longest lens - yes, it was essential. and at the reception where there is limited light it was again handy. but the rest of the time it just got in the way. i move around a lot, crouch, lay down, climb on chairs etc and i ended up unscrewing it and leaving it on the floor.

i do use tripod though, for some of the formals.

[JohnJ80]

The thing is what you are going to be shooting. For anything that is primarily in the horizontal plane (+/- 30 degrees), you don't need a ballhead and it is unnecessary complication. This will cover probably 75-90% of what you shoot. Sports, it covers almost everything.

I would recommend using the monopod with a RRS Quick Release lever clamp. This allows you to instantly disconnect and connect the monopod from the camera. I do this when shooting alpine skiing. I move to where I need to be (ski) and then very quickly attach the camera and I'm good to go. I agree, screwing and unscrewing is tedious and I'd never do that anyhow.

J.

[RPCrowe]

If you are using a tripod ring, you can make do very well with the much lighter manfrotto tilt head for monopods. If you are not using a tripod ring equipped lens, tilting your camera for a vertical shot, using a ball head is inconvenient and IMO unstable.

I use a Kirk MPA-1 which is a Manfrotto Swivel tilt head with Kirk Quick Release.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/tripods.html#monopods

RRS also makes a really nice monopod head based on the Manfrotto Swivel head with a level release for its Arca Compatible quick release

The Kirk Q.R. is also Arca Compatible and will allow me to fit a Really Right Stuff L-bracket.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

IMO, the RRS L-Bracket is the absolute best way to mount a non-tripod ring equipped lens on a monopod or a tripod. The L-bracket will keep your camera centered over the monopod leg whether you are shooting in the vertical or horizontal position. The Arca Compatible Q.R. system is also great on a tripod. I use a Giottos but, there are many others such as Kirk, RRS, Markins, and the Arca Swiss itself.

However, if you don't want to go to the expense of purchasing the MPA-1 and RRS L-bracket; the Manfrotto Monopod Tilt Head with a RC2 quick release system would be your best bet. If you are using only lenses that have tripod tings, the RC2 quick release can be attached to the tripod ring. If you are using a non-tripod ring equipped lens; you can use the Manfrotto L-bracket equivalent. It is not as neat as the RRS L-bracket but the setup is a lot less expensive and will allow you to keep your camera right over the monopod shaft when shooting verticals. This can also be used on a Manfrotto (or other manufacturer's) tripod heads that use the RC2 Q.R. system:

http://www.adorama.com/BG341.html?searchinfo=manfrotto%20L%20plate&item_no=40