Ball head recommendation for monopod

[Wes]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on the Nikkor 200-400 lens. I envision myself being able to hand hold this thing most of the time, but I've also decided to invest in a new monopod to make things a bit easier for myself. I currently have the Manfrotto 488RC0 on my tripod and love the security that I get from the hex-shaped quick release plate. It seems kind of large and bulky, though. Kinda looking for something that is smaller, lighter, and can still handle up to 10 or 11 lbs. I'd probably be willing to go as high as $250-300.

If you make a recommendation, tell me why you think that solution would work best.

Thanks.

[jeffkohn]

Really Right Stuff makes a monopod head that's really nice. You'd need to go to the Arca Swiss clamp system though. http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/04.html

IMHO this is better than a ballhead. You don't need 3-axis movement from a monopod if you're shooting with a telephoto that has a lens collar. All you really need is tilt. And this head will be more robust than any full ballhead at the same price.

[zeroendless]

The best solution for telephoto and monopod is go bare with lens plate & QR clamp, u don't need a head and it makes you life easier without one.

[CaptainTom]

A monopod usually gets flung over your shoulder and carried to the next location with your camera and lens attached.
With a ballhead attached, you never are secure enough to just throw and go.

You don't need multiple axis movement to use a ballhead. All you will do is frustrate yourself.

I don't even use a quick release plate on my ballhead. Just screw it into the lens ring. They don't call it 'quick release' for nothing.....

[newtune3]

I must respectfully disagree. I use a 484RC2 on my monopod and love it. You just tighen the old ball and use it like a hobo stick. I have a gripped 50D and a 100-400 and it works fine except heavy. I like to have the monopod leg in front of me and the older I get the less I like having the ability to aim without moving the stick. To me a ball head is one of the most important parts of my monopod. At 56 I have to have the spability of a monopod to minimize camera shake. But like every thing photo forum there are many many valid opinions. This is just mine. Good luck.

[jeffkohn]

I'm not sure I'd trust the Bogen quick-release clamps slung over my shoulder, but it's not problem with the Arca-Style clamps and fitted camera plates. I hike with a tripod-mounted camera slung over my shoulder all the time.

As for not using a head at all, I think it really depends on what you're shooting, and whether or not you're always shooting from subject level. Without some sort of head, you can't tilt the camera up/down; which can be a problem depending on what your desired shooting angle is.

[newtune3]

I forgot, the optech strap stays around my neck even when using the hobo stick over the shoulder. Good point.

[Westx]

Deleted link as it doesn't meet your weight requirements.

[shamrock]

I used the RRS monopod head with the 200-400 i rented on my last trip to Yellowstone. It worked extremely well.

Unfortunately, i forgot to take the plate i purchased for the lens off before i sent it back, so now i have to buy another one when i buy a copy of the lens. LOL

[Wes]

Jeff and Val - I'm looking at the RRS stuff right now. Seems pricey, but very good.

Daniel and Tom - Going bare is probably where I'm leaning. I'm digging through B&H for some QR solutions.

David - Unfortunately, the 484RC2 does not meet my weight requirements as it only supports 8.8 lbs. Good thought, though.

[jeffkohn]

If you think you can live without up/down tilt, you could always mount just the RRS clamp directly to the monopod. Then you would still have the benefit of a quick-release, and this might actually be more secure than screwing the monopod directly to the camera/lens, because you could loc-tite the clamp to the monopod. And if you later decide you _do_ want the up/down tilt, you could buy the no-clamp version of the RRS monopod head and use it with the clamp you already have. You'd need an arca-style foot on your lens though.

BTW I don't know if you're interested in buying used, but I've been planning to put my 200-400vr up for sale, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. It already had the RRS lens foot on it. PM me if interested.

[newtune3]

Wes, I mis-typed. I have a 486RC2 and it works fine with the gripped 50d and 100-400. A ball head is very funtional to me. Hope you find what fits for you.

[Jim Victory]

I use the RRS monopod head on a Gitzo monopod and it handles a 1 series camera and 600 with ease. It does not creep when you throw it over your shoulder to port and the adjustment knob is a dream. It also has the ability to mount a camera both with vertical or horizonal tilt.

[cooltouch]

I'm always shopping for good deals, and try to avoid paying the equivalent of a car payment for such a basic piece of photo gear. I have a few old ball heads that I use for my long lenses, and they all work fine. And, btw, I used to own a manual focus 200-400 Nikkor, which I used with a monopod (but not with a ball head), and it was heavy. Anyway, this thread got me curious, so I surfed on over to eBay and had a look. This'un here looks to be a pretty good deal. Meets your weight requirements, and the current bid price is sure reasonable, but with 6 days to go, who knows?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Slik-Pro-Superba...d=p3286.c0.m14