Monopod - with or wthout head

[andyred]

In the process of going to purchase a new monopod - do you use a head attached to the monopod or have the monopod directly connected to the Camera mount ?

Any recommendations :shrug:

Cheers

[grumpybadger]

I don't use a head but use it with lenses fitted with rotating collars - mounted directly to the monopod

[rickj]

dont use a head on mine but have been thinking about getting a ball head at some stage

[Flash In The Pan]

I've got a Manfrotto 234RC for mine, but I don't use it any more. I suppose it depends really on whether you need the extra articulation or not.

[AndrewA123]

i use one of these, and wouldn't be without it, I thought about not having a head, but this with the QR makes using the monopod so much more effcient and easy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Monopod-Head-Quick-Release/dp/B000JLM50I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241277731&sr=8-4

[simonkit]

For me, definitely with the head..I hardly used the monopod before buying a head as it was too cumbersome, the head allows much more flexibility with composition

Simon

[Naboo32]

For me, definitely with the head..I hardly used the monopod before buying a head as it was too cumbersome, the head allows much more flexibility with composition

Simon

:plusone:

I can't imagine using my monopod without the ball head on :cuckoo:, but then I use mine mostly for wildlife and other non-static subjects.

If you're using one properly (link ...) (http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3), it should be wedged tightly against your body and significant movement in all planes should be virtually impossible without moving your entire body. With a ball head attached, you can obviously swivel the camera easily to accomodate small subject movements, but without one you'd end up either knocking yourself over backwards, or lifting the whole monopod/camera assembly off of the ground, if you suddenly tried to tilt the camera to the sky :lol:.

For birds, aircraft and other "uppy downy" things, I think that a ball head is a must ;).

[HoppyUK]

I have a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head on mine. It's a nightmare without.

I was standing next to a guy shooting motorsport the other day and he had bolted the camera direct to the pod. Even shooting stuff just on the same level he was having trouble. He's going to get a ball head like mine now :D

[andyred]

Thanks everyone for some great advice - general feeling seems to be yes to a ball head :thumbs:

I will see if our local camera shops have any (and what models) in so I can try them out in the shop before buying.

Thanks again :thumbs: