Monopod head for 7d2 w/ 400/5.6

I'm looking for an inexpensive tilt head for occasional use with a 7dmkii and 400/5.6 lens. I'm considering the Manfrotto 234rc and Benro dj90. They seem to have similar specs. The main concern I have with both is their fairly light load capacity rating of 5.5 lbs. Even so, the Manfrotto seems to be widely used successfully with camera/lens setups like mine, and even heavier. I haven't found much about user experience with the Benro.

I think the Manfrotto would be a safe choice, but would prefer the Benro because it uses an AS-style plate. Anyone have experience or opinions on either of these?

I would not use a ball head with that lens again.
Always some movement.
I switched to a jobu last year and wont be looking back anytime soon.
If I was going to use a monopod, I would just thread it right onto the lens foot.

I have a cheap manfrotto tilt head on my monopod and I use a 1DX with a 500f4 lens so dont worry about the load capacity it means nothing..
If I was to be totally honest I would say that I thought it was a good idea to have a tilt head on a monopod, but in fact I never use mine it is always locked solid. Save your money and just screw the monopod to the lens foot....

I use this one;
https://smile.amazon.c​om …TF8&qid=1484429​823&sr=8-1

It's a best bang for your buck IMHO.

If that's too pricey, these should also work well;
https://smile.amazon.c​om …F8&qid=14844298​23&sr=8-16
https://smile.amazon.c​om …F8&qid=14844304​07&sr=8-55

Good, but don't include the Arca clamp;
https://smile.amazon.c​om …F8&qid=14844301​29&sr=8-11
https://smile.amazon.c​om …F8&qid=14844301​07&sr=8-42
https://smile.amazon.c​om …F8&qid=14844301​29&sr=8-18
Definitely use a tilt only head like these, as opposed to a ballhead.

I like these well made solid machined aluminum ones with built in Arca clamp a lot more than the Manfrotto or Benro. I had the Manfrotto years ago, it did the job, but was not as nice.

Thanks all for the feedback.

Sgt. & don1163 - I agree about using a ball head, but the tilt heads are intended for monopod use and seem to work fine. I've been using a monopod for years with no head, and while it's fine most of the time, I occasionally have situations where I need to point the camera up, usually quickly, and the monopod just seems cumbersome. I just want to see if a tilt head will help in these case, it seems to for others.

CyberDyneSystems - Thanks for posting the links, it's a great help. I'm probably going to try one of the ones that don't include a clamp, as I have one that should work.

Thanks again.

When I started "shopping" for such gear...

I had used "cheap" tripods, and was really disappointed! I'd put some lightweight gear on and I'd watch as the kit would sag...

Well, then, when looking at gear, I would read into the specs. I wanted a ballhead that would support the weight of my "serious gear. a major point was my first "birding" lens, which was the 300mm f/2.8 IS Canon lens, a good, hefty bit of kit!

I don't remember the actual weight of that lens. At any rate, I looked at the various Manfrotto heads, I believe I grabbed one that was specced at 13 lbs. I don't recall for sure, but even though the combination of tripod/head was "spendy", well, guess what? I did what I needed to do, and that bit of kit served me well over the years!

So yeah, it can truly "pay" to buy for good quality/performance, and when dealing with gear of some considerable weight, then yeah, do what will work!

tonylong wrote in post #18284305
So yeah, it can truly "pay" to buy for good quality/performance, and when dealing with gear of some considerable weight, then yeah, do what will work!

Agree 100%. I tried cheap and light with my monopod and nearly payed the price (it still fell apart, just not with my camera attached). It might seem silly to spend more on the head than the monopod itself, and end up nearly doubling the weight, but for me it was well worth it. I guess if you are used to using one without a head, it might be different, but whenever anyone mentions 'inexpensive' to do with tripod/monopod/heads/c​lamps I shudder a little.

Of course that doesn't mean you have to go with the really super-expensive stuff.

I've been looking at tilt heads as well. One downside to most of them is the clamp having a single orientation.

Sadly, descriptions are not consistent which makes searching difficult. You never know what gets returned.

I think I found one that will suit me and might work for you as well.
http://a.co/1tlx1tM

The ability to rotate the mount easily is high on my wants list.

Funnily enough the ability to rotate the head/lens was the feature I was specifically trying to avoid when I bough my Mono Pod head! A Mono Pod head that can swivel as well as tilt? I don't think that I have enough arms for that!

Still we are all different and have different needs - nice looking head for the price though

I get that. Reason I don't want a ball head. I just wanted to be able to switch from a long lens to a short lens and L bracket. Those have different orientations of the clamp.

There is such a thing as a cross clamp https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_style_quick_re​lease.html

But frankly it is cost prohibitive.

Ahh! I never thought of that!

Good point! You (I) learn something new every day