Bogen 488RC2 Ballhead on a Monopod?

Hello all! I was just finishing up my long, long, wish list (don't laugh... I know you have one!). I was just wondering if the 488RC2 Ballhead would work on a monopod! I am planning to purchase it with the highly recommended 055XPROB tripod, but would like to see if it would also work on a Bogen monopod. If so, do you guys have any monopod suggestions?

yeah, it works. I have that ballhead too. But i also use the tripod collar on my lens, and ballheads don't really work when you're trying to use the tripod collar to rotate the camera from vertical to horizontal.

So, i don't use it on my monopod....

I use Manfrotto 680 + 486RC2, the 486 is slightly smaller than the 488 and doesn't have the panning, something I don't think is needed on a Monopod. But there is no reason you could swap the head onto a monopod if you needed too.

I also have a Manfrotto 190Pro + 488RC2 combo.

Either the 488RC2 or 486RC2 ballhead is really overkill for a monopod, especially with the lenses you have listed. You'd be better off with something like the Bogen/Manfrotto 3229 Tilt Head. I have these on my two monopods and they work superbly. Also, the 3229 has the same RC2 plate as the 488RC2 so it would be interchangeable.

http://www.amazon.com …3/ref=tag_stp_s​t_edpp_url

It'll work until you get a second head, which I gather is the thrust of your question.

Greg_C wrote in post #5687596
I use Manfrotto 680 + 486RC2, the 486 is slightly smaller than the 488 and doesn't have the panning, something I don't think is needed on a Monopod. But there is no reason you could swap the head onto a monopod if you needed too.

I also have a Manfrotto 190Pro + 488RC2 combo.

JWright wrote in post #5689255
Either the 488RC2 or 486RC2 ballhead is really overkill for a monopod, especially with the lenses you have listed. You'd be better off with something like the Bogen/Manfrotto 3229 Tilt Head. I have these on my two monopods and they work superbly. Also, the 3229 has the same RC2 plate as the 488RC2 so it would be interchangeable.

http://www.amazon.com …3/ref=tag_stp_s​t_edpp_url

I did the 486 head with a 680 monopod. Really a very nice combo.

i have used one several times, My current 488 has the 577 head which is ultra stable. It is overkill to some degree but would rather have a single do it all head for all my lenses than just a small one. personal taste innit

ben_r_ wrote in post #5689926
I did the 486 head with a 680 monopod. Really a very nice combo.

didn't you feel limited by the lack of panning feature ?

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #5690179
didn't you feel limited by the lack of panning feature ?

ed rader

It's all a matter of grip control of the left hand. Loosen up the grip on the monopod just right and the 486RC head will pan very nicely and smoothly.

ed rader wrote in post #5690179
didn't you feel limited by the lack of panning feature ?

ed rader

Ha ha! Nope! I just turn the monopod!

Velbon do a fairly new one which you can get at different hights and the number of the monopod reflects the height differences 6- 9 . 9 being the highest

I don't like a ball head on a monopod

and I don't really like the RC2 quick release.

I like an Arca Swiss Compatible Q.R. system because you can interchange plates for different lenses and or cameras.

On my monopod, I use a Kirk MPA-1 which is a Manfrotto Swivel Tilt head with a Kirk Q.R. system that is Arca Compatible:

http://www.kirkphoto.c​om/monopod.html

One of the primary reasons that I use Arca Compatible Q.R. systems on my tripod and monopod is because I love the Really Right Stuff L-Plate. Rather than singing the virtues of this type of attaching system, let me direct you to the RRS site:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

However, if I were stuck using a Manfrotto RC-2 QR system, I would invest in a Manfrotto Junior Elbow Bracket. This is no where nearly as slick as the RRS L-bracket but should keep the center of gravity over the head rather than cantilevered off to one side when shooting in the vertical (portrait) position.

http://www.adorama.com …to%20L%20plate&​item_no=40

RPCrowe wrote in post #5690973
and I don't really like the RC2 quick release.

I like an Arca Swiss Compatible Q.R. system because you can interchange plates for different lenses and or cameras.

On my monopod, I use a Kirk MPA-1 which is a Manfrotto Swivel Tilt head with a Kirk Q.R. system that is Arca Compatible:

http://www.kirkphoto.c​om/monopod.html

One of the primary reasons that I use Arca Compatible Q.R. systems on my tripod and monopod is because I love the Really Right Stuff L-Plate. Rather than singing the virtues of this type of attaching system, let me direct you to the RRS site:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

However, if I were stuck using a Manfrotto RC-2 QR system, I would invest in a Manfrotto Junior Elbow Bracket. This is no where nearly as slick as the RRS L-bracket but should keep the center of gravity over the head rather than cantilevered off to one side when shooting in the vertical (portrait) position.

http://www.adorama.com …to%20L%20plate&​item_no=40

This is essentially what I did. I wanted the RRS L bracket because I didn't like flopping the head on the 488RC2 over for a portrait orientation. I was able to get a Kirk clamp that replaced the RC2 clamp on the 488 straight across. Since I was already using the 3229 on my monopods, I bought a Kirk clamp with a standard ¼X20 threaded hole in it. I just threaded this onto the RC2 plate on the 3229 and it now handles the Arca-Swiss style plates on my camera nad lenses.