Ballhead/plate? for my 200 2.8 with tripod collar

My tripod wont accommodate my 200mm 2.8 lens with tripod collar [400D camera also has grip] - am thinking of buying the monopod Bogen/Manfrotto 680B plus the Manfrotto RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. Is this all I need? and will this ballhead be suitable when I buy a better tripod? The 200 lens will be as long as I intend to buy.

Pat wrote in post #6036190
My tripod wont accommodate my 200mm 2.8 lens with tripod collar [400D camera also has grip] - am thinking of buying the monopod Bogen/Manfrotto 680B plus the Manfrotto RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. Is this all I need? and will this ballhead be suitable when I buy a better tripod? The 200 lens will be as long as I intend to buy.

Turn the quick release plate either 90° or 180° from the "normal" position when mounting it to the lens' tripod collar and you will have no problem at all mounting the lens to either a tripod or monopod.

Lose the idea of the grip-action head for monopod use. That would be the worst thing I could think of for a monopod because it would make a HUGE bulge at the top. Carrying or packing the monopod with that thing on top would be very awkward. Instead, use a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head on the 680B. That combination works very well.

For a tripod, I highly recommend the Manfrotto 488RC2. While the 488RC2 head could be used on a monopod, it's a bit heavy and the panning release would be useless on a monopod. If funding limits you to only one head for both tripod and monopod, though, the 488RC2 would be a better choice than the 486RC2 for the purpose.

Appreciate the advice, thanks