Monopod and Head suggestions

RedRobin said:
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So my advice is to study the typical behaviours of your subjects, anticipate, and practice your techniques. You always need Lady Luck by your side too!
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Thanks again Robin, I do try my best to do what you suggested, but I will definitely take on board your advice, Im always willing to learn.

Perhaps when you have a few minutes to spare you could have a quick look at my Flickr Photostream, bearing in mind that all the shots are handheld an some are record shots only in poor weather or distant rare birds which I did not want to disturb https://www.flickr.com/photos/90652257@N05/ they are not as good as a lot I see on here though, but its not through the lack of trying.
 
RedRobin said:

....I also stole a (bought previously owned but never used) Gitzo GM2541 monopod :D - From TP Classifieds.

Although I have only spent two full days and about 1,000 shots with my Acratech GP-SS ballhead so far, I am extremely impressed with it and especially how it so far has never flopped or even slipped after tightening.
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Acratech are very sturdy and lightweight... I do love them.

I have used it on my lightweight tripod and it's great in the gimbal position (pan-n-tilt) although of course it doesn't balance as if weightless as on a true gimbal.
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You should be able to get "weightless"... the problem is you can't get it centered over the legs. It's the same issue all "side mount" solutions encounter. It's more of an issue with longer lens foot and heavier setups. But I have setups that can pull even my largest tripod over if the Acratech is used as a gimbal....
 
sk66 said:
I have the UniqBall and I can recommend it with a couple minor caveats (I put review on YouTube). I think the Markins' separate pan/tilt adjustments would be "better," but no leveling and more expensive. And as "a ballhead" I think the Markins would be better....
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....Crikey, Steven! I just watched your video on the UniqBall and that most definitely is not for me. It requires far too many additional add-on components to do what the Acratech does straight out the box. Ok, your shooting gear is far more heavy and elaborate and I can see that you find it suits you but that UniqBall seems to have a lot of limitations without the add-ons.

When I was researching what to buy I came across another wildlife professional's video review of the UniqBall and he severely criticised it. But... Each to their own and we each have our individual way of working.
 
Mikechappers said:
Thanks again Robin, I do try my best to do what you suggested, but I will definitely take on board your advice, Im always willing to learn.

Perhaps when you have a few minutes to spare you could have a quick look at my Flickr Photostream, bearing in mind that all the shots are handheld an some are record shots only in poor weather or distant rare birds which I did not want to disturb https://www.flickr.com/photos/90652257@N05/ they are not as good as a lot I see on here though, but its not through the lack of trying.
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....I have looked at your Flickr photostream and honestly think that many of your recent shots are very good indeed. You have captured behaviour and typical stances already. If I have any criticism it's not with your shots but with the post-processing on some (not all). A few look slightly over processed to my eye - You may be trying too hard for the sharpness. In my opinion, the best images look natural and you don't register the processing. But having said that, I am also guilty of over cooking it sometimes!
 
RedRobin said:
....I have looked at your Flickr photostream and honestly think that many of your recent shots are very good indeed. You have captured behaviour and typical stances already. If I have any criticism it's not with your shots but with the post-processing on some (not all). A few look slightly over processed to my eye - You may be trying too hard for the sharpness. In my opinion, the best images look natural and you don't register the processing. But having said that, I am also guilty of over cooking it sometimes!
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Yeh I agree with you, its what come of trying to turn a poor shot into a good one, or a silk purse out of a sows ear.
Thank you for having a look and giving me your opinion, appreciate it.
 
RedRobin said:
....Crikey, Steven! I just watched your video on the UniqBall and that most definitely is not for me. It requires far too many additional add-on components to do what the Acratech does straight out the box. Ok, your shooting gear is far more heavy and elaborate and I can see that you find it suits you but that UniqBall seems to have a lot of limitations without the add-ons.

When I was researching what to buy I came across another wildlife professional's video review of the UniqBall and he severely criticised it. But... Each to their own and we each have our individual way of working.
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"Requires" is a bit of an overstatement. The only thing it "requires" unique to it is that you rotate your mounting plate in some instances (or the adaptor they include). And only if you want to use it in leveling mode.
All ballheads suffer from sag if the weight isn't centered or locked down... locking it down prevents the sag but also makes adjustments impossible/jerky. And all tripods/heads perform best when the weight is centered. Most would suggest an L-bracket and nodal rail anyways...but they are a bit more of a necessity with the uniqBall.

I haven't seen any severe criticism... I've seen the contrary of excessive (IMO) enthusiasm...
 
sk66 said:
"Requires" is a bit of an overstatement. The only thing it "requires" unique to it is that you rotate your mounting plate in some instances (or the adaptor they include). And only if you want to use it in leveling mode.
All ballheads suffer from sag if the weight isn't centered or locked down... locking it down prevents the sag but also makes adjustments impossible/jerky. And all tripods/heads perform best when the weight is centered. Most would suggest an L-bracket and nodal rail anyways...but they are a bit more of a necessity with the uniqBall.

I haven't seen any severe criticism... I've seen the contrary of excessive (IMO) enthusiasm...
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....I'm not saying it's overall a bad product but rather that it's far too fiddly to set up with the extra bits and pieces such as brackets and rails etc. It obviously suits you extremely well but is probably the opposite of what I have wanted to achieve which is lightweight easy walkabout and fast response to wildlife situations. As said before, each to their own and all that matters is what suits you individually.

This is the review video I referred to:

 
Apologies to @Tintin124 for completely derailing the thread!

sk66 said:
"Requires" is a bit of an overstatement.
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RedRobin said:
....I'm not saying it's overall a bad product but rather that it's far too fiddly to set up with the extra bits and pieces such as brackets and rails etc.
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I can't comment much on the Uniqball but I notice they have started selling a new accessory for it recently. A gimbal bridge ... http://www.uniqball.eu/accessories/gimbal_bridge_250_for_gimbal_nodal_slide_application. So that you can do this with it -

Have to say I find that rather amusing. They claim the Uniqball can be used as a small, lightweight replacement for a gimbal - then offer a bridge that converts it into exactly what it is supposed to replace? Attaching the lens upside down doesn't look practical and then you've got the weight hanging off the side again.
 
@Alejandro don't see this as derailing as there are some good points and interesting technologies which some what cloud the judgement over what solution to go for if any.
 
If anyone wants a lightweight gimbal I would suggest checking out this baby by SIRUI - They make quality gear!....

A gimbal head is not really properly exploited on a monopod though.

 
Alejandro said:
Have to say I find that rather amusing. They claim the Uniqball can be used as a small, lightweight replacement for a gimbal - then offer a bridge that converts it into exactly what it is supposed to replace? Attaching the lens upside down doesn't look practical and then you've got the weight hanging off the side again.
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That's completely f'd-up.... I attach lenses upside down all of the time (different application)... but converting the thing into an offset mount? And one that requires an extended center column??? Screw that! I would use the Acratech instead.
 
RedRobin said:
....I'm not saying it's overall a bad product but rather that it's far too fiddly to set up with the extra bits and pieces such as brackets and rails etc. It obviously suits you extremely well but is probably the opposite of what I have wanted to achieve which is lightweight easy walkabout and fast response to wildlife situations. As said before, each to their own and all that matters is what suits you individually.
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I don't disagree with anything he said in his review (I do think that he probably didn't use it enough to get comfortable with it and for it to "break in").
It's not a gimbal head and it's not the greatest ballhead either (although it *is* very good). It is (IMO) the best "single answer." It is better than a "side mount" gimbal solution and it works as a standard ballhead which a gimbal can't. It's biggest benefit is in not having to carry multiple tripods/heads and a weight/size savings.

My big CF Gitzo (5541) with full gimbal and leveling plate weighs 10.9 lbs and requires another tripod/head for other applications. My slightly smaller tripod (3541) with the large UniqBall weighs 6.3 lbs. (~ 2lbs is in the legs) and still easily supports 40lbs (I probably should have gotten the smaller head); I don't *need* another tripod/head to accomplish much of anything rather well.
So for general purpose I have a lighter setup with wider functionality... it's what I keep in the vehicle and it's what I generally grab first.

But if I plan on setting up for the day in a 1/2 reasonable location I would probably bring the gimbal setup instead. And in the studio I use a different tripod (Benbo classic 2) with a different head (Arca Z1 DP). I also have a 3way rail head for macro/pano work which I combine with a variety of tripods depending on the use (Benbo/Benro for macro, Gitzo for Pano). I *wish* there was a single solution that was optimal for all applications!

And my preference is still for handholding** in every situation if reasonably possible...

TBH, I think the UniqBall may be short lived... They've mis-marketed it as a gimbal replacement (which has led to the stupid "side mount accessory;" but I still think a nodal rail is a good accessory for all ballheads). It's rather expensive; and it is a "do-it-all compromise" which many don't seem to understand. And many don't want to make compromises in function...they would rather have more specialized equipment and make "different compromises."
 
Can't remember which one, but I watched a video of a top pro doing a fashion shoot using a monopod with a Manfrotto joy-stick head; this sort of thing > http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-supports-heads-joystick

I've tried using the set-up myself; used left hand to operate the head and right to shoot. Takes a little practice but works surprisingly well. The big advantage is being able to set the head at any angle in relation to the monopod, which itself can be at any angle.
 
JohnX said:
Can't remember which one, but I watched a video of a top pro doing a fashion shoot using a monopod with a Manfrotto joy-stick head; this sort of thing > http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-supports-heads-joystick

I've tried using the set-up myself; used left hand to operate the head and right to shoot. Takes a little practice but works surprisingly well. The big advantage is being able to set the head at any angle in relation to the monopod, which itself can be at any angle.
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....I've got one of those Manfrotto 'joystick' ballheads (now for sale) which I have used primarily on a low tripod for insect close-ups (mostly dragonflies) and I tried it on my monopod but found it either too stiff and notchy or too floppy - The difference between it and the Acratech GP-SS is like a Ford and a Porsche! I still preferred it to other Manfrotto ballheads though.

70DManfrotto_00936.jpg
 
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RedRobin said:
....I've got one of those Manfrotto 'joystick' ballheads (now for sale) which I have used primarily on a low tripod for insect close-ups (mostly dragonflies) and I tried it on my monopod but found it either too stiff and notchy or too floppy - The difference between it and the Acratech GP-SS is like a Ford and a Porsche! I still preferred it to other Manfrotto ballheads though.

70DManfrotto_00936.jpg
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I've got one of the manfrotto pistol grip ball heads it's great easy to use the tension is adjustable and doesn't move once set
it doesn't look the same as the one in your pic tho maybe mine is an older version, it looks slightly larger
i bought it from the classifieds on here:)
 
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LCPete said:
I've got one of the manfrotto pistol grip ball heads it's great easy to use the tension is adjustable and doesn't move once set
it doesn't look the same as the one in your pic tho maybe mine is an older version, it looks slightly larger
i bought it from the classifieds on here:)
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....I think you probably have the heavier bigger version (Manfrotto produce two versions). The tensioner underneath the grip is easy to unintentionally adjust when gripping and because I find it much better having the grip on my lefthand side the release faces me and so is not quite so easy to operate - The problem I find is fine adjustment while shooting. The action just isn't as fluid and reliably positive as my Acratech but the price is very substantially different!

The Manfrotto works but I personally don't get on with it so well when photographing live insects.
 
RedRobin said:
....I think you probably have the heavier bigger version (Manfrotto produce two versions). The tensioner underneath the grip is easy to unintentionally adjust when gripping and because I find it much better having the grip on my lefthand side the release faces me and so is not quite so easy to operate - The problem I find is fine adjustment while shooting. The action just isn't as fluid and reliably positive as my Acratech but the price is very substantially different!

The Manfrotto works but I personally don't get on with it so well when photographing live insects.
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On my (earlier) version you can reposition the part of the grip where the bracket fits so the release is in a different position.
 
JohnX said:
On my (earlier) version you can reposition the part of the grip where the bracket fits so the release is in a different position.
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....When you say "bracket" do you mean the top deck where the RC2 plate fits?

If so, you can also do so on mine and that's how I made the grip lefthanded as in my earlier photo in Reply #55.
 
I've just bought a monopod. I wanted something easy to deploy that will comfortably hold a medium sized dslr, not one where you have to fiddle about pulling out clips or twisting legs, so after half an hour or so of research ( do people really spend weeks deciding which bits of kit they want?) I bought a Manfrotto Neotec and a simple 234 RC head.
I didn't want a complicated head, just one that sits on the monopod with a quick release for the camera and a monopod I can just set up in seconds.
The head came today, perfect, the Neotec comes tomorrow, and the camera and lens comes Monday.
probably the wrong way to do it, but hopefully, it will all come together nicely!
Allan
 
allanm said:
I've just bought a monopod. I wanted something easy to deploy that will comfortably hold a medium sized dslr, not one where you have to fiddle about pulling out clips or twisting legs, so after half an hour or so of research ( do people really spend weeks deciding which bits of kit they want?) I bought a Manfrotto Neotec and a simple 234 RC head.
I didn't want a complicated head, just one that sits on the monopod with a quick release for the camera and a monopod I can just set up in seconds.
The head came today, perfect, the Neotec comes tomorrow, and the camera and lens comes Monday.
probably the wrong way to do it, but hopefully, it will all come together nicely!
Allan
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In case you missed my earlier post (#58) the head is only rated to 2.5kgs so maybe a consideration if using heavy lenses as in the case of the OP, (if I have read his posts correctly) who is using a 150-500 lens @ 1.9kgs plus the body weight.
 
allanm said:
I've just bought a monopod................I bought a Manfrotto Neotec and a simple 234 RC head......Allan
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Allan, watch out for losing the rubber `foot` on the neotec (unless they've changed the design) they are very easily lost! ;)
 
Swanseajack said:
In case you missed my earlier post (#58) the head is only rated to 2.5kgs so maybe a consideration if using heavy lenses as in the case of the OP, (if I have read his posts correctly) who is using a 150-500 lens @ 1.9kgs plus the body weight.
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My kit weighs in at just over 1.5kg, so well within the limit of the head. Thanks for the tip about the foot Carl, I'll keep an eye on it.
Allan
 
Sirui P-424 and L-10 head is great. I am using it with my 300mm 2.8 but and Nikon D600 but I am sure it can take a 500mm f4 with no problems. Great value and fantastic piece of engineering. I strongly recommend it.
 
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