Monopod for Sigma 50-500mm?

I'm in the market for a Sigma 50-500mm and will need a monopod for it, I don't know much about them though. I currently have a tripod with a Markins M10 head on it and thought about just getting a monopod and switching Markins head to the monopod when I want to use it, but then I'd have to buy a pricey plate for the lens. So whats a cheaper alternative? A monopod/head combination that I would use exclusively for this lens? I guess really for the head you only need something that tilts since panning can be done by turning the monopod, but I need to make sure whatever I get can handle the weight. Thanks!

Not sure how much that lens weighs (I'm sure it's not light!) but the Manfrotto 681B 3 section pod can handle it....can you put your Markins head on that? It has a 3/8 and a 1/4 connection.

edit: oh i reread it, you want a head. i use the 488RC2 but that lens may be a little too much for the 488.

i can put my markins on any bogen manfrotto but then i'd have to buy a plate and switch the head everytime. if i can find a cheap tilt head for the monopod that i could keep on there at all times and could support the 50-500, that would be ideal.

The sigma 50-500mm weights 1842g or about 4lbs....., plus camera, plus head....

Manofrotto monopods 679...680...max load of 10Kg and 681 max load of 12Kg....as for a head, the 488 Midi Ball Head can support upto 8Kg and is (0.56Kg)...

http://www.warehouseex​press.com …ipods/manfrotto​.html#mono

Peter

do you really need a full ball head for a monopod? i thought most people just used a tilting thing without panning ability.

Depends on what you're going to use it with and for. If you may be mounting the camera directly to the monopod and aren't shooting essentially level, a tilt-only won't cut it. You'll be able to either flip between portrait and landscape or to aim up and/or down. Once you get a monopod more than about 15 deg. from the vertical, it starts losing effectiveness.

Get the flip mount. If you absolutely must get into weird angles, then simply turn the camera 90° so the mount tilts toward or away from you (Up & Down) and then loosen the ring on the lens to go from lanscape to portrait, or shoot upsidedown if you need to. I have tried the ball mount on my 681B and it works fine, but I don't like it, and it makes the monopod longer when collapsed. You may have to get another type of QR plate, but they are not hard to change out.

I would recommend the Manfrotto 680B with 488RC2. I've been using that combination with the Bigma for a while.

Sindri Skulason wrote in post #4825636
I would recommend the Manfrotto 680B with 488RC2. I've been using that combination with the Bigma for a while.

Same setup works good for me.....

yeah, well instead of buying a 488rc2 i'd just get the RRS plate for the bigma and use my markins m10 ballhead.. i was just looking for a cheaper alternative. rudy: whats this flip mount? i'll be using this lens to shoot sports, skiing mostly and some soccer

BTW how do you like that lens??

i dont know, dont own one yet

I wouldn't use a ballhead on a monopod with any lens which has a tripod collar.
Use this.

I just ordered the 488RC4 for my 680B. Looks to be the best bang for the buck.

matthew blake wrote in post #4816276
I'm in the market for a Sigma 50-500mm and will need a monopod for it, I don't know much about them though. I currently have a tripod with a Markins M10 head on it and thought about just getting a monopod and switching Markins head to the monopod when I want to use it, but then I'd have to buy a pricey plate for the lens. So whats a cheaper alternative? A monopod/head combination that I would use exclusively for this lens? I guess really for the head you only need something that tilts since panning can be done by turning the monopod, but I need to make sure whatever I get can handle the weight. Thanks!

I'm quite happy with the Acratech Ultimate ballhead on my monopod. I used it with a Bigma 50-500 for 3 weeks last year and it's up to the job just fine. It holds 25lbs in a side pull test. It locks firmly and never needs lubricating. I bought it to replace a smaller type I wore out prior to that. I hear the V2 version is an improvement over the one I have because it deals with the compound angle adjustment in a different way. On a monopod I've not had any issues with that, but I've heard tripod users prefer the V2. The Acratech isn't about bang for the buck though, what you have in mind would probably cost less.