Manfrotto 680B Monopod - with what head?

[Headshotzx]

Hi guys. I'm going to get a 680B monopod. I'm looking for a head. Not sure if I should go with the tilt head, or ballhead. 70-200 + pro body + flash will be my heaviest setup for the time being.

Situation 1:
70-200 + pro body on monopod for lowlight use (ie f/2.8 high ISO no flash allowed at 1/20 and slower)

I probably would be okay with the monopod alone here, or a tilt head. How's the Manfrotto 234RC? Or is it RC2?

Situation 2:
UWA lens + body on monopod, entire setup held above to get a different perspective, triggere by remote.

Here, the 234 tilt head will still do, although if I want to shoot in portrait orientation (without an L plate) I'll have problems.

Situation 3:
Non-tripod collar lens, and want to shoot in portrait orientation.

Ballhead? 488RC2? (For use on my tripod as well, i own a made in china ballhead). No, I can't afford a camera rotation device.

Can't afford the Markins Q3 plus L plate and lens plates which I really want- those will come next year or so. If I get a ballhead, it's to have a better alternative to my MIC ballhead until the Q3 comes. If I get a tilt head and it fares better than a ballhead on the monopod, that'll stick with me.

I'm looking to get a head (tilt or ball) around the price of the 488RC2, and nothing more expensive than that. Going to get it locally too, so no RRS.

Anyone?

Cheers,
Zexun

[ed rader]

Hi guys. I'm going to get a 680B monopod. I'm looking for a head. Not sure if I should go with the tilt head, or ballhead. 70-200 + pro body + flash will be my heaviest setup for the time being.

Situation 1:
70-200 + pro body on monopod for lowlight use (ie f/2.8 high ISO no flash allowed at 1/20 and slower)

I probably would be okay with the monopod alone here, or a tilt head. How's the Manfrotto 234RC? Or is it RC2?

Situation 2:
UWA lens + body on monopod, entire setup held above to get a different perspective, triggere by remote.

Here, the 234 tilt head will still do, although if I want to shoot in portrait orientation (without an L plate) I'll have problems.

Situation 3:
Non-tripod collar lens, and want to shoot in portrait orientation.

Ballhead? 488RC2? (For use on my tripod as well, i own a made in china ballhead). No, I can't afford a camera rotation device.

Can't afford the Markins Q3 plus L plate and lens plates which I really want- those will come next year or so. If I get a ballhead, it's to have a better alternative to my MIC ballhead until the Q3 comes. If I get a tilt head and it fares better than a ballhead on the monopod, that'll stick with me.

I'm looking to get a head (tilt or ball) around the price of the 488RC2, and nothing more expensive than that. Going to get it locally too, so no RRS.

Anyone?

Cheers,
Zexun


anyone ever tell you that you ask very convoluted questions :D?

get the manfrotto tilt with RC2 QR. you can rotate the plate 90 degrees to change from tilt to portrait.

ed rader

[Headshotzx]

anyone ever tell you that you ask very convoluted questions :D?

get the manfrotto tilt with RC2 QR. you can rotate the plate 90 degrees to change from tilt to portrait.

ed rader

Hehe, whoops ;) it's 1.20am here!

There is such a thing as a 234RC2? The website just says "RC". If it's same plate as the RC2 of the 486/488 RC2 ballheads, I'm sold. I've been thinking of getting a 488RC2 for my tripod for a while now.

[ed rader]

Hehe, whoops ;) it's 1.20am here!

There is such a thing as a 234RC2? The website just says "RC". If it's same plate as the RC2 of the 486/488 RC2 ballheads, I'm sold. I've been thinking of getting a 488RC2 for my tripod for a while now.


here's what i recommend.........

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=234RC

ed rader

[Headshotzx]

here's what i recommend.........

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=234RC

ed rader

Max load is 5.6 pounds which is 2.5kg.. and my setup non 1 series body is already 2.7 kg heavy.. would there be better alternatives? I always thought that a head should have at least 50% more weight capacity over your heaviest setup.

[alduin]

The 234RC has an RC2-style plate on it. Confusing, I know. =)

[Headshotzx]

The 234RC has an RC2-style plate on it. Confusing, I know. =)

Thanks for the clarification!

What about the max load issue?

[ed rader]

Thanks for the clarification!

What about the max load issue?


worry about that if you are using the 300L f2.8 IS or bigger....and then the problem is you won't be able to easily or quickly lock the head down.

when i said i recommend this head for you i already took your stated needs into consideration.

now all you need to do is take the $35 "leap of faith" ;).

ed rader

[BluewookieJim]

That is basically the setup I use, except 20D + 70-200F/2.8.

Can't say one way or another about the max load capacity, but can tell you that I don't have any reservations about using my gear on that setup.

[rang]

Get the Bogen /Manfrotto 488RC2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=Bogen+488RC2&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

And if you want controlled flip exact same shot but switched from landscape orientation to protrait (without a tripod ring on your glass ...if your glass doesn't come with one) ...

Get the Bogen junior elbow bracket. It has the same QR plate as the one on the 488RC2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=Bogen+Junior+Elbow+bracket&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproductlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

[Grentz]

Their load rating is way under estimated on the 234RC. The manfrotto tilt heads can take a lot of weight without much trouble at all. They are just a simple big bolt through two solid pieces of metal.

[Tareq]

I am using 322RC2 head with Monopod 679B, even it is not the best but i like it, will get another one for another monopod i will buy.

[SkipD]

I use a Manfrotto 486RC2 on my 680B monopod, providing me a level of versatility that could not be achieved any other way (than using a ball head, that is). The 488RC2 is overkill on a monopod, though, because you don't need the extra beefiness or the pan release.

I use a 488RC2 on my most-used tripod. It's ideal there.

With the two heads, I never have to swap a head from one thing to another.

[Headshotzx]

Okay, I'm pretty set on the 234RC2 instead of a 486RC2 or 488RC2 if the 234RC can really take the 3.5kg load (1 series + 70-200 + flash). I always have this feeling that the ballheads will give me problems on monopods.

Are there any accessories that I should consider?

[ed rader]

Okay, I'm pretty set on the 234RC2 instead of a 486RC2 or 488RC2 if the 234RC can really take the 3.5kg load (1 series + 70-200 + flash). I always have this feeling that the ballheads will give me problems on monopods.

Are there any accessories that I should consider?

i recently got a belt loop similar to this one..........

http://cgi.ebay.com/HWC-Nylon-C-D-Cell-Flashlight-Belt-Loop-Police-Light_W0QQitemZ290137749105QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_S ecurity_Fire_Protection?hash=item290137749105&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

except mine has velcro on both loops.

ed rader

[Headshotzx]

i recently got a belt loop similar to this one..........

http://cgi.ebay.com/HWC-Nylon-C-D-Cell-Flashlight-Belt-Loop-Police-Light_W0QQitemZ290137749105QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_S ecurity_Fire_Protection?hash=item290137749105&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

except mine has velcro on both loops.

ed rader

Was actually thinking of getting the monopod belt pouch thing from Think Tank since I am probably going to get their modular system within the year. Other than bags or belt err.. loops, are there any other things I should consider like separate feet? I see the manfrotto website has a rubber-retractable-spiked foot, and a suction cup foot. Are they good?

Cheers,
Zexun

[alduin]

I put a split ring on my monopod and clip a carabiener to a belt loop. Makes for a quick and easy belt attachment. =)

[ed rader]

I put a split ring on my monopod and clip a carabiener to a belt loop. Makes for a quick and easy belt attachment. =)

the gitzo 2541 has a belt clip similar to a carabiner. the reason i don't like it is the monopod hangs too low and dangles freely and beats up my leg.

with the nylon loop the monopod rides higher and stays at my side sort of like a cop's baton.

ed rader