Monopod head

I'm going to buy a monopod. I am fairly certain that I want the Bogen-Manfrotto

679B -- its fairly light, good and tall, and holds up to 10 kg.

 

Now, what head should I attach to this? I don't have a decent tripod so I don't

have any heads lying around to use or try. I don't think I want a ball head --

that seems finnicky on a monopod. Maybe I just want a quick-release mechanism

and the fitting/plate that attaches to a camera? Can you buy just those? Any

brand recommendations or advice on what to look for?

 

I will be shooting on a D80 and I expect the heaviest and biggest set-up I will

be using will be the Nikon 300mm F/4 with a TC-14E or TC-17E. Anything more I

will have to find and carry a tripod. I already know I will need a new collar

due to the flimsy collar on the new 300 F/4.

 

Thanks in advance.

Hello Ian, If you are going to use the Nikkor 300 F4 plus the TC-14E in a monopod, a good recomendation could be the 468MGRC0 Hydrostatic Ball Head from Manfrotto. Cheers.

The Manfrotto 679B is a magnificent piece of gear. I have a Manfrotto 234RC head mounted on mine to support a 350D with 70 - 200mm 2.8 IS mounted with the quick release plate sideways. This allows me to use the head "sideways" with the lock loosened to give me perpendicular vertical movement. The horizontal movement is easy with a monopod. It rotates on its foot as you pan.

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This isn't how the head was designed to be used but it's all about adapting your gear to your specific requirements. It's a cheap head compared to ball heads and easier to use than a pistol grip head when connected to a telephoto set-up.

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Highly recommended. Cheers.

I use the Manfrotto 222 action grip (joystick head) with quick release plate on a monopod. It supports a 10D with vertical grip and 100-400 lens without any problems so I assume it is o.k. for your setup as well. I had it lying around so it was an obvious choice. The advantage is that it adjusts to all kind of angles very fast, I find that more in line with the use of a monopod than other heads but YMMV.

I use the Manfrotto 3265 pistol-grip head. It also has the advantage of quick adjustment to different angles. I think it would support your heaviest rig OK, since you'll be holding the camera as well. I would definitely use some kind of ball head on a monopod-- a lot of times you'll want the monopod leg to be extended out in front of you for stability and this will make a non-ball mounted camera aim up into the sky.

Check out the Slik line. I don't use a head, just the plate attached to the collar of the 300. Most monopods come with the plate that you can attach to the camera or lens ring. I can't see why you would use a head on a monopod unless you were going to spike it in the ground. Monopods are great for sports or where tripods aren't allowed, I love mine but nothing beats a good tripod. Don't scrimp here.

I put a small Bogen/Manfrotto 3299 rectangular quick-release head (takes the little 3157 QR

plates) on my Gitzo monopod, and it makes for a very compact, useful and versatile

combination. The Gitzo monopod I have (565 Studex, I think, with a shoulder brace) has

some limited movement in the tilt and pan axis. I use this monopod/head combination with a

D80 and Nikkor 300/4ED-IF, and I am very pleased with the stability and ease of operation

the pod offers.

I have the same setup as Rick (above) & use it in the same way. Works very well & I reckon it gives me 1 to 2 more stops worth of shutter speed when used properly. Simon

I second the Manfrotto 3265 pistol-grip head with monopod 679B ... which is very convenient for all angles change in no time while making a sort of wrist support in vertical shooting with the 5~6 inches grip laid flat as a big plus.

Hello, I'm new to this site and forum. I was searching for info on monopod usage and

heads.

I just bought the Manfrotto 682b and a 3232 swivel head. I have never used a monopod

before. I have played around with it. It takes getting use to. I have also search around for

how to use a monopod. Most of them show the monopod and an angle, either angled back

toward you or to the side. I bought this head so I could change from landscape to portrait

shots. Since the monopod can be at any angle, what do you do if you angle it back toward

you then your camera is aimed up toward the sky. Do I need to change the head to be

where I can tilt it front and back? Then what if I want to shoot portrait/verticle.

 

Can someone explain a bit about these different scenarios?

 

Thank You.

Jim Felder