Which ball head for a monopod ?

[pierrot]

I have a Cullmann tripod whose central column can be lifted out and used as a monopod. So far, so good.

The problem now is to find the most handy head to put on it when used as a monopod. A ball head? One of those pistol-grip like systems?

Since I have only 2 hands (as most of us do) I wonder which system is the easiest when using my (heavy) 70-200 f/2.8 and my 100-400 IS, with or without a 1.4x extender...

Could fellow wildlife- or sports shooters give their opinions?

[Jack W.]

I ordered a Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272449&is=REG
Looks good on the site, but I'll know better when it's delivered this afternoon via UPS.
Jack

[GTogs]

I have the Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 on My Monopod and it works great!

[Jack W.]

Ok, received my 486RC2 along with a Gitzo G-1566 Mk2 Mini Studex Monopod.
Great combo, very pleased.
Jack

[CoolToolGuy]

Mark me down as another happy 486RC2 owner.

Have Fun,

[pierrot]

Uh-oh, seems to be a 486RC2 fan club around there? ;)

[J Rabin]

I'll be the lone odd ball.
Never liked small ball heads on monopods. Unstable. Went with the setup using $19 bogen 3232, ripped the screw out and put a RRS clamp on it as per:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/monopods/index.html
Much more safe and stable. Just one person's opinion approach. J.

[BigRed450]

I just picked up the Bogen/Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. It works great on either my Manfrotto 028 or on a monopod... The grip can be used vertically or horizontally.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=303591&is=REG

[Jon]

Both those lenses have tripod rings - I'd say just get a quick-release adapter and a couple of mounting plates. Maybe the Manfrotto 3299 (RC2) and their 3157N plates. You can rotate the lens in the ring and rock the monopod as needed so you don't need any motion controlsd in that configuration. If you want to be able to just leave the same head in place for monopod and tripod work though, go with the 486RC2.

[Todd Jacobsen]

Bogen 3232, allows me to utilize my preferred QR (Velbon).

[pierrot]

OK, I'll give a try to the 486RC2 and 322RC2 in the shop today...
Hands-on testing seems to be the best way to choose for sure.
Thanks for the inputs, buddies ;)

[britt777]

I use the 322rc2 and love it

[Leorooster]

It might be a stupid question, but what are the differences between 486RC2 and 488RC2? Can both fit on a tripot as well?

[GTogs]

The difference between the two is that the 488RC2 has a seperate panning control which allows you to pan while the ball is still in a fixed position.