Need Suggestion For BallHead for Monopod

[bwcolor]

I just picked up a Manfrotto Monopod with tripod base. I want to support, at worst a Mamiya 7II with 150mm, or Contax RTSIII with 100-300mm. The weight is around 5-7pds, but the tele doesn't have a ring support. I have an aftermarket, but afraid to mount for fear of warping optics and I'm aware of the stability issues with the tele. So, I need a ballhead with greater capacity than 7 pds. I'm also open to other solutions other than ballheads, but must be compact.

 

[dexdog]

I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead on a Manfrotto monopod, and it worked well with my Canon 40D and Sigma 100-300 f4 zoom. Total weight of this rig is about 5 lbs. However, it is important to note that the Sigma has a mounting foot on the lens, which helped a lot to balance the combined camera/lens weight. I had no problems with ballhead slipping or otherwise moving. Never had 7 lbs on it, but the ballhead is ostensibly rated for 13 lbs.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Arca Swiss, closely followed by Novoflex. Expensive, but when you use them, you see why.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Brian Legge]

PhotoClam ballheads may be worth looking at. I've had a Bronica SQ-A and Tachihara on one without any issues.

 

[ottluuk]

I use a Manfrotto 234RC swivel head on mine. Works well, compact, low profile and lightweight. I'm not sure what the weight rating is but I have no worries carrying a 400/5.6 + 1.4x + 40D over the shoulder on it (the collar helps, obviously).

The main advantage of the swivel head is that it has only one axis of rotation which makes the whole set easier to adjust. It can't flop over sideways when you're tilting it front to back. The obvious disadvantage is that some more extreme angles are difficult to use with an uncollared lens.

 

[Instantclassic]

I have my Monostat with the big leica ball. Served me well for thirty years but is less suited for my Pentax medium format.

 

[SteveM]

I use a Manfrotto 234RC swivel head on mine. ....

That's what I use too. A monopod doesn't need the freedom, complexity, cost, bulk, and added weight of a ball head. Just rotate the monopod. I much prefer the single axis movement of the tilt/swivel head. Not sure if it is sturdy enough for your weight requirements though.

Steve

 

[newspaperguy]

I'm with ottluuk.

The swivel head is light, cheap and give you as much mobility as you can use.

The full ball head will really complicate things for you.

FWIW, I use ball heads on both my tripods, but the swivel head on the mono.

Back in my heavy Hassey days, I used the mono without any kind of head.

 

[bwcolor]

Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking that I want to purchase a ballhead to last, so I will go with Roger's suggestion. I received a Billingham bag in 1982 which I can now sell as new and I've actually used it a good bit. So, there is something to be said for quality.

I want to use the monopod as a wobbly tripod. It has three legs when needed and I can move the head to my carbon fiber tripod when needed. So, I was thinking of the Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System and Slidefix QS Quick Release System. It is light and the Slidefix system allows for a variety of plates. It also has the plus of supporting a lot of weight. Prior to purchase, I'm going to give the Cullman that is on my tripod a try.

 

[Ranchu]

Another vote for the swivel.

 

[bwcolor]

I understand how a swivel is perfect for a monopod, but how do I use it when this monopod has the legs extended and I'm using it as a tripod of sorts?