Manfrotto Monopod Advice

[Dork Knight]

Hello All,

Sorry for another Monopod thread but I was looking for a little help/advice.

I'm considering purchasing a monopod and ball head mainly for use with a 50D with grip and the 24-70L, and I've been considering the following;

Manfrotto 681B
Manfrotto 486RC2

Do you think that the 486RC2 would be suitable?

If not would the 488RC2 be more suited due to the weight?

All Help Appreciated.

Thank You,

Jason

[Jon]

486RC2 will be fine for a monopod; you'll typically be holding the camera yourself, so the weight limit isn't as critical as it is on a tripod. Which leaves the big difference between the 486 and 488 as the separate pan control, and you don't need that on a tripod.

[Dork Knight]

Brilliant, the 486RC2 it shall be as my only concern was the weight.

Thank You Jon.

[Ukuleleman]

I've never used a ball head, but I do have Manfrotto tripod and a cheapo (Jessops) monopod, so please forgive what you might consider to be a stupid question, but how do you manage a ball head on a monopod?

Don't you need to hold the mono with your left hand and the adjust the camera angle with your right, in which case how do you tighten the ball head, the only solution that is obvious to me is to hold the mono between your legs, which sounds a bit dodgy.

[Lowner]

I use a carbon Manfrotto 694 with a 486 which has had the RC2 clamp removed and replaced with a Markins QR-60 clamp. On the monopod, this head is perfectly adaquate, but I'm using it on my monopod after it was rejected for tripod use.

How do I adjust the ballhead? Just hold the camera in one hand and with the other adjust the clamp. It's no bother, I don't need three hands, honest!

Shooting motorsport I need the extra flexibility that a ballhead gives me, but others who shoot different subjects can manage without. It's all personal choice.

[Dork Knight]

I've not used a monopod yet, so the more experienced among us can hopefully provide a solution.

However, without prior knowledge I may try stance/option 2 in the following link;
http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

Then, while holding the lens with my left hand I would adjust the ball head.

I believe Manfrotto also have a tilt head, however, I believe a ball head may be better as although it won't have the same usage as my 488RC2 on a tripod it could offer better positioning on occasion.

But like I said, I've not used a monopod so I'm pretty much in the dark.

[Lowner]

RRS offer a very nice tilt head but be prepared to spend more money, because although RRS kit is beautifully made, it's not cheap.

[Dork Knight]

It would be nice, but at the moment I'm looking at something under £100 as I spent nearly £2,000 last week on new kit.

But it's something I'll keep in mind for the future, thank you.

[RPCrowe]

IMO, the 681B is the best value in monopods, but I don't use a ball head on mine.

Yes, I do want a way to tilt the camera up and down but, ball heads are not the way I do it. Switching a camera from horizontal (landscape) orientation to vertical orientation (portrait) requires the photographer to cantilever the camera body over to the side causing the entire package to be unbalanced.

I use a Kirk Enterprises MPA-1 which is a Manfrotto 3232 Tilt Head with a Kirk Arca Compatible (A/C) quick release.

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

I use an A/C release so I can take advantage of the great Really Right Stuff L-Bracket which allows me to easily switch from horizontal to vertical while keeping the camera directly over the monopod shaft. I also use an A/C quick release on my tripod ball head.

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

I admit that this rig is relatively expensive but, a photographer could accomplish a lot by using a Manfrotto 3232 Tilt head with an RC2 quick release system and a Manfrotto Junior Elbow Bracket...

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