Ball head for monopod

As the title suggests, I'm looking for a ball head for a monopod, with some provisos:

I already have an excellent monopod with the standard 1/4" thread bolt on the top, the snag is that in order to get the elevation I need to photograph aircraft the camera needs to be able to tilt back. As a result I'm wondering which ball head people would recommend to fit on top of the monopod and connect to the camera? I did find a couple on Amazon but the reviews weren't complimentary - apparently they were more suited to a compact than a DSLR with a fairly heavy zoom!

Have a look at the descriptions of Manfrotto, Kood and Vangard Ball Heads on the Premier Ink Web Site.
Morris Photographic also have a large selection.

Most pro spec Ball Heads have 3/8" threaded female sockets so you will also need an adaptor bush (3/8 to 1/4").

I'm using a Gitzo ballhead for my monopod, very sturdy but I'm looking for off centre ball head now because the height of the viewfinder change when you go from landscape to portrait mode so to say but if you don't switch their is no better ball head.

How much does the head need to hold?
GH1780QR is with a quick-releas plate and max load is 10KG, which I think is enough but they go up to 21KG.

I would say that 2kg would be the absolute max, I'll be using it with a K-m and a 100-300mm zoom. I'd rather it didn't have a quick release as I find them annoying - the plate tends to end up in the wrong place all the time, especially if you use more than one body with the same support.

I won't be using it on a tripod as those already have pan/tilt heads, so it won't have to take the full weight of the camera and lens. It's purely to steady it.

I think it all depends on how you plan to use you monopod.

I've read many comments on the web saying a ball head is a disadvantage on a monopod as you can rotate or tilt the 'pod - these generally recommend a simple unidirectional tilt head.

If you use one of the more solid bracing positions it seams a decent ball head might come into its own (though the monopod can still be readily rotated).


The idea with QR plates is you have one per camera/lens you plan to mount - if it's in the wrong place you don't have enough plates!

I only use the one body, but I've got 5 plates & I'm planning on getting (or making) more, and a few more clamps. Before using an Arca style dovetail QR I'd never found them worth the effort, but being able to balance a long lend properly, or make minor adjustments in macro work give added extras to simple speed of mounting...

Mike

hi matt
get one of these's
neil
http://www.richardpeters.co.uk/blog/2009/04/19/manfrotto-393-review/

But none of my lenses have a tripod mount!

I shall have another play with the camera, lens and fixed head monopod in the garden and see if it's workable. My initial tests suggested that the monopod leg would be sticking out about 3' in front of me which would most likely cause people to trip over it.

Like you said it's just how you use the monopod.
For aircrafts you're looking up and for that it would be very handy, because it would else be very difficult to position the monopod stable.
If you just search for how to use a monopod you will find almost all suggest using a ballhead to get optimal stability, it's on the forums many say you don't need one.

I've got a Manfrotto 486RC2 on my monopod. It copes very well with my Sigma 170-500mm which is not the lightest or smallest lens ever made

I've used it with the camera mounted on the head and also with the lens clamp acting as the mounting method.

I'm now looking at the Manfrotto MN234, it's a simple tilt head with the right fittings costing around £17. Unless anyone says "avoid it" I'll probably order one of those.

This one should be OK. I've already got one, but have ordered another. They don't give the size here, mine's 75mm high and has a quick release screwed to the top, unfortunately this one hasn't got the QR.

I ordered it 2 days ago so it may come today. I'll let you know the size when it arrives.

Don't be put off by the low price Iston stuff's good quality. They also did a bigger 100mm head.

Culman heads should also be OK, better still SH Linhof, but hard to come by.

For looking upwards you would be better with a small tripod with 2 legs on your shoulder and one on the stomach. I've used small Minolta and Polaroid ones with 300mm lenses + 2x converter successfully. One on ebay here (US) The Leica one is similar, but the head has to be bought seperately and is a lot dearer.

It's a pity they don't do this shoulder support to go
on both shoulders link



Algi

I hadn't considered that option. I have a Slik Mini Pro which can serve as a chest pod, that would obviously be easier to carry around than a monopod. The only snag I found when I tried it was that the legs tended to be a bit uncomfortable, so I've been using it as a table top or car bonnet tripod.

Might not be rigid enough? and if it has a centre column it could be quite painful.

Algi

It's rigid enough, and the centre column can be raised. The problem is that the lower leg ends up resting on the structure that links the ends of your ribs (not a medic, you can probably tell! :lol, which feels a bit weird.

Arrived today same size as the one I already had 75mm high x 48mm diam. at widest point on base. Great for a monopod or tripod and really cheap for good quality. I might get another one

Algi