I have one but find it unwieldy when shooting planes and birds in flight
A bit late with this, but I use this with a monopod, as I also found the lens mounted to the monopod unwieldy in the circumstances you describe, and even a lever locking "auto clamp" quick release with a normal head inconvenient when wanting to switch the camera between handheld and monopod or vice versa.
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The ball adds a bit of weight to the lens (but equally, helps support the lens handheld). It allows the lens to be instantly dropped in and out of the clamp on the monopod. You don't need to tighten the clamp as the ball just clicks into place. You "can" lock the ball into the clamp by sliding down a lever (this still gives full free movement, but stops the ball falling out the clamp). You can also fully clamp the ball in place if you don't want the camera to move when releasing one hand from the lens to adjust the height of the monopod or make a two handed adjustment to camera settings.
The "customised" shoulder strap includes a wrist strap, and if I need to quickly switch from camera on monopod to handheld I just lift the ball out of the clamp and let go of the monopod, which swings from my wrist, but without much weight as it's still normally reaching the ground. Still not ideal, but it works.
My normal approach is to carry the monopod over one shoulder with a shoulder strap, and use the camera handheld for grab shots e.g. birds in flight, But, if I need to hold the camera to my eye for longer periods e.g. waiting for an egret to catch a fish I drop it on the monopod for support.. I also find it useful when I want to hold the focus point or framing more "steady" e.g close ups of dragonflies or framing through foliage.
It's a bit pricey, and you can buy with a non-locking cup to support the ball, which also allows you to switch things around and reduce the additional weight on the lens ie you fit the cup to the lens and the ball to the monopod, but I have found being able to lock the lens into the clamp, invaluable. The little chest support "leg" that comes with the kit is also useful at times not just a chest support but also for lifting the lens up a bit in a hide.
There is a cheaper option (Speed Gimbal) made by someone on this forum
@old git but it doesn't have a clamp to lock the ball in place.
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I used to have the cheaper Novoflex option (one that comes without the clamp, and only the cup) but bought the clamp at a later date because I felt being able to properly lock the ball in place would be useful, and it is. But I only use this locking feature occasionally, and for a lot less money the speed gimbal seems to offer 90%. of the Novoflex functionality.
If I had the money, I would buy one just to try it out, as it looks like a good alternative, and it seems a better first try to see if the approach will work for you, before coughing up the money for the Novoflex, if it looks like the clamp approach would be worth the extra.
