What monopod and ball head

[markyboy.1967]

Im looking for my first monopod and ball type head.At the moment my heaviest lens is the Nikon AFD 300 f4 ( ordering a 80-200 f2.8 this week but it shouldnt be heavier ) and dont expect anything heavier than the f4.I have read up and it seems the ball head would suit me better for speed and thats what i want.

I have no experience with a momopod but again its ease of use/weight/convienience etc convinces me to get one.

So i need both the momo and head but i dont want to be paying more than £60-£70 in total so what are my best options( i do have more but grudge paying it until i can prove to myself its a good investment ).Not sure of the weight of the camera and lens together but it is a heavyish lens.Thanks.

 

[photon]

From Morris Photo you could get the Manfrotto 679 `pod (chrome finish) with the 486RC2 ball head for £78 with free delivery, or a couple of quid more from Calumet. If you can stretch to it, I would recommend you go for the 488RC2 or RC4 head.

 

[Hacker]

Is there any particular reason you want to use a ballhead with a monopod? The reason I ask is that I use my monopod extensively and have never found the need for a ball head although I did try one once and couldn't get on with it. I now loosen the tripod collar so I can easily switch between landscape and portrait orientation and if I'm panning this also allows me to maintain level horizons. I also didn't like the fact that it introduced another point of failure particularly if you are walking around with your kit - you might forget to tighten the ballhead etc.

My advice would be to try it without the ballhead and see how you get on.

 

[markyboy.1967]

I thought about the bal hea as im shooting wildlife/birds etc.I believe it should be quicker to set up/adjust and allow me to pan more easily, especially birds in flight.Having 3 or more longish handles coming from the head causes me concern.

Why didnt you get on with the ball head?

 

[Hacker]

Aha, I didn't realise it was for BIF, most of my stuff is equine so I don't have to point it up in the air which is why I screw the monopod directly to the lens collar.

I found the ballhead unnecessary for my work and found I had to get the tension just right to allow me to move freely but often it would be a bit floppy (story of my life ) and it was a pain in the arse to keep getting right.