Pistol grip or tilt head on monopod

I know the tilt head is the standard option when using monopod.
Some do use ball head but it's again a three hand operation.

I was wondering how would pistol grip like this be on the monopod. This is one hand operation and no tightening of the knob involved.

rndman wrote in post #16725764
I know the tilt head is the standard option when using monopod.
Some do use ball head but it's again a three hand operation.

I was wondering how would pistol grip like this be on the monopod. This is one hand operation and no tightening of the knob involved.

Never seen a pistol grip that didn't droop. Then again, I suppose that's not too bad on a monopod as one can always move the pod to compensate.

hollis_f wrote in post #16726301
Never seen a pistol grip that didn't droop. Then again, I suppose that's not too bad on a monopod as one can always move the pod to compensate.

Yes. Pistol grip droops and hence I thought it may be not bad when using on monopoad. Especially the single hand operation of turning it to all sides. The droop may not be a big deal as you have to hold your camera (and lens) while using monopod.

I'd choose a ball head every time. Rather than tilt the pistol grip, I would move the monopod to alter a composition, so no need for anything fancy. I also prefer to keep a firm hold of the lens and camera so have no hand free for the grip.

I tried a pistol grip years ago, terrible idea.

Tilt. Find a Manfrotto 234, not the 234RC which has the proprietary quick release, and add an Arca-swiss clamp from eBay for $18 (or pay $80 for RRS!) to the top.

rndman wrote in post #16725764
Some do use ball head but it's again a three hand operation.

I am using ball head. And for me that has allways been a two hand operation.

The monopod on the ground, one hand on the camera and one hand to operate the locking knob on the ball head. That is working for me. A tilt-head has the exact same two hand operation, but is more limited at where the monopod can point relative to the camera

Tilt for me.

afoton wrote in post #16728037
A tilt-head has the exact same two hand operation, but is more limited at where the monopod can point relative to the camera

Which is, of course, its advantage. With a tilt head one only needs to stop it moving back and forth. With a ball head one needs to stop it moving back and forth and side to side. With a large lens that's really difficult with one hand.

hollis_f wrote in post #16728130
Which is, of course, its advantage. With a tilt head one only needs to stop it moving back and forth. With a ball head one needs to stop it moving back and forth and side to side. With a large lens that's really difficult with one hand.

^^ What He said.

afoton wrote in post #16728037
I am using ball head. And for me that has allways been a two hand operation.

The monopod on the ground, one hand on the camera and one hand to operate the locking knob on the ball head. That is working for me. A tilt-head has the exact same two hand operation, but is more limited at where the monopod can point relative to the camera

I am just thinking (w/o experience) the pistol grip would be even easier than a usual ball head.
One hand on the squeeze trigger, one hand on the camera. Squeez the trigger, move the lens+camera using your both hands, release the trigger and it will stay.

hollis_f wrote in post #16728130
Which is, of course, its advantage. With a tilt head one only needs to stop it moving back and forth. With a ball head one needs to stop it moving back and forth and side to side. With a large lens that's really difficult with one hand.

Yeah. But we will still use 2 hands, aren't we. One on the trigger and other on the camera (while moving it).

What's wrong with using two hands? The monopod gives you a firm pivot point on he ground helping with stability while you position and focus/zoom the lens with onehand and the other hand is controlling the heads tension.

Unless you're shooting porn, I see no reason to limit yourself to using only one hand on the camera

rndman wrote in post #16728458
I am just thinking (w/o experience) the pistol grip would be even easier than a usual ball head.
One hand on the squeeze trigger, one hand on the camera. Squeez the trigger, move the lens+camera using your both hands, release the trigger and it will stay.

With a tripod, yes I'd agree. But we are discussing a monopod, which is in itself moving/movable, so why do we need to be adjusting the head at all? I certainly don't.

Use a ballhead. Here is a photo illustrating the way I use my ballhead on my monopod. The photo is of a tripod, but I use the ballhead the same way with my monopod.