(Probably daft) question about monopods

Dman

Dman

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I've never used a monopod and didn't realise you needed a head with them until I read a couple of threads on here recently. Are the heads completely different from tripod heads or will they work on monopods, if I buy a Redsnapper monopod, will my Redsnapper tripod head fit it?
 
Monopods are not usually usedf with a tripod head, if you mean a pan and tilt. Monopods usually come with a 1/4 screw for connecting either direct to camera body / Lens ring or more usually a ballhead which allows movement to landscape / portrait.
 
Mike54 said:
Monopods are not usually usedf with a tripod head, if you mean a pan and tilt. Monopods usually come with a 1/4 screw for connecting either direct to camera body / Lens ring or more usually a ballhead which allows movement to landscape / portrait.
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This is what I always thought, I'd just buy a monopod and the body goes on top. Now I'm confused as to what I would need if just doing a bit for my local football team?
 
Some monpods come with a ball/socket (or small tripod) type head some come without, the ones without are fine if you have a lens with a rotating ring tripod mount, if you haven't got one of these you won't be able to use the camera in portrait format unless you get a head of some sort for the monpod.
I find a sturdy ball/socket type head easiest.
 
I very rarely use a head on my monopod unless I need the qr head
 
The Redsnapper monopod can be bought ( with TP discount:) ) with a min ball head which is very useful I find.
 
magirus said:
The Redsnapper monopod can be bought ( with TP discount:) ) with a min ball head which is very useful I find.
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Yep, saw this but was just wondering if the head was necessary given I already have the tripod head.
 
Whether you need the head really depends on what you shoot.
I have never used a head on my monopod. However, when I use it, it is for almost horizontal shots. Not having the head restricts the movement of the camera.
 
I normally use my monopod with my 100-400 or 300mm lenses which both have tripod collars that screw onto the monopod then its simply a case of slackening the collar and turning the camera from portrait to landscape or vice versa
 
I just use a cheap ballhead on mine. Monopods are only an assistance device rather than a super stable tripod, so unless you have a mega long, super heavy lens that should suffice.
 
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