Best head for my Gitzo monopod?

[paulhillion]

I've recently bought a Gitzo G1568 Mountaineer Mk2 Carbon Fiber Monopod but I'm not sure what would be the best head to put on it, I don't want one with a ball head. I've looked on the B&H site and they only have 2 monopod heads made by Bogen, would either of these be ok for my monopod?

Thanks for any advice.

[DaveG]

I've recently bought a Gitzo G1568 Mountaineer Mk2 Carbon Fiber Monopod but I'm not sure what would be the best head to put on it, I don't want one with a ball head. I've looked on the B&H site and they only have 2 monopod heads made by Bogen, would either of these be ok for my monopod?

Thanks for any advice.

I've found that I don't need a head for my monopod as I just use it with lenses with tripod collars, of which you have many. The lens is more stable this way. I use the collar for flipping the lens into a vertical so that its centre of gravity stays right over the monopod, and I just lean forward or back to control the camera/lens level.

With shorter non-tripod collar lenses I prefer to either hand hold them - like a 50mm lens at a basketball game; or I use a proper tripod.

[HJMinard]

I use this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5491&is=REG) head on my Manfrotto monopod ... there is no reason it won't work on a Gitzo. It's especially useful if, like me, you have a Manfrotto quick release system on your tripod ... this head uses the same (RC2) release system. That's really the only reason I use a head on my monopod ... for the quick release. A head is otherwise not necessary.

[Scottes]

I used to use a monopod without a head until I got a Manfrotto 3232. $17. Best thing I ever did, and it's a huge improvement. I'm kinda locked into the RC4 quick release or I would have gotten the 3229, as it would be nice to have a QR. I may do that anyway.

[Jack W.]

Scott, the specs on that head say it supports 6 lbs. Do you find that enough?
I have a 20D and a Sigma 80-400 OS lens. The lens alone weighs 3 1/2 lbs.
Would this head be strong enough (Manfrotto 3229)?
Thanks
Jack

[Scottes]

I use the 3232 with a 20D with a 100-400 L all the time. My lens is 1/2lb lighter than your Sigma - but the 3232 is rated 1/2lb less than the 3229. I have absolutely no fears when using this rig. The 3229 uses the RC2 quick release and I know that a lot of people here use that QR system, and use somewhat big glass. The Sigma tripod ring is a nice solid ring on your lens. I'd have no worries about using the Sigma on the 3229.

[Jack W.]

Thanks Scott.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I thought I was the sole proponent of the Mnafrotto 3232/3229 for about a year...

Untill I read this,.. http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/monopods/index.html

This is a company that makes a living selling $350.00 tripod heads RECOMENDING you buy instead a $17.00 Bogen part :shock:

;)

Anyway it works well. With or without the arca thingy...
I use the 3229 with lenses a LOT larger and heavier than the 80-400mm OS... as the RRS site says,. this thing is hugely under-rated.