Any need for a ball head on a monopod?

dougan

dougan

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Dougie
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I have a Canon 7D and Sigma 150-500 lens, which I use for taking birds. I normally take hand held shots while on the move, but am wondering if my images may be suffering due to being hand held at 500mm.

I have a Red Snapper monopod and a ball head that came with it, which struggles to hold the weight of the lens. Do you really need a ball head on a monopod? Would it be better to clamp the lens foot directly to the monopod
and just move the monopod to suit the shot.

Don't want to spend money on a decent ball head if you don't really need it.

Thanks
 
I reckon it is personal preference. I use a ball head because my joints are not very flexible due to arthritis. After struggling with a flat plate for a while, I put my existing ball head on my monopod and found using it was a breeze. I think if you are going down this line, then buy a ball head which has a separate adjustment for friction. I set my friction screw and then forget it. I can move the camera/lens combo comfortably, but it "locks" itself when at the correct angle.
 
Lens straight on monopod is great for things like sport - where everything happens at ground level. It's not so good for shooting things that move up into the sky - like birds. A ballhead is usable, but I find I need three hands to use a ballhead with a big lens.

I use a proper monopod head - that just tilts up and down. It used to be that the only one available in the UK (Manfrotto 234RC) was too weak for anything long, but WEx now do proper heads by Kirk and Custom Brackets for around £150. Not cheap, but highly recommended.
 
I had the Sigma 150-500 and then moved to an even heavier lens. I always use it with a monopod even when moving around (although monopod is then collapsed). I have the lens screwed directly on to the monopod, no heads, and I find it fine for everything including birds simply because it acts like a pistol grip type handle and leaves my right hand free to adjust camera/shutter etc. I find without the monopod it becomes to cumbersome.
 
I use the Manfrotto 393 on a monopod with the 200-400mm.
 
I always use a light ball head on a monopod. It gives so many more options to brace it against things (or even parts of myself!) for increased stability. If you only want it to take the weight then a head is not necessary, but you don't get much benefit in terms of steadiness that way.
 
How does one get one's camera into portrait format without a b&s head (or similar)?
 
Does the pod have a footplate? You can steady large lenses with both hands then, and the pod bears the brunt of the weight.

Rhodese.
 
many tripod collars rotate around the lens (and have a lock)
ive found a pan and tilt head work better than a ball head, i think its because you can lock individual axis, while a ball is more likely to flop about.
but id really like that fancy manfrotto monopod with the ball head and feet at the bottom
 
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